Off you go: best places to travel off-season

Off-season travel isn’t just about snagging a good deal — it’s also about discovering a different side of the world. Think quieter streets, fewer selfie sticks, and an opportunity to connect with local culture at a slower, more sustainable pace. With G Adventures’ small-group focus, these destinations come alive once the peak-season crowds have gone home. If you’re wondering where to travel in low season or shoulder season, these are the best G Adventures trips to take in the off-season and the perfect time to visit each place.

Why off-season travel works

Off-season adventure travel with G Adventures transforms a trip from ordinary to unforgettable. Smaller groups create space for more meaningful cultural exchanges, allowing you to connect authentically with local communities rather than rushing past in a crowd. With fewer other visitors around, you can capture stunning photos without interruptions, explore sites at a relaxed pace, and savour experiences that feel rich and immersive.

Off-season travel also supports year-round sustainability, helping local businesses and communities thrive outside of the peak months. On top of that, off-peak pricing on flights, accommodations, and tours often means better value, giving you the opportunity to enjoy high-quality experiences without the high-season price tag. It’s a win-win for both travellers and the people who make these destinations so special.

Philippines: May to October

The Philippines is a tropical paradise of turquoise waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, lush jungles, and tons more things to do. While many travellers say the best time to visit the Philippines is during the dry season, May to October — the shoulder season or green season — offers a quieter, lusher experience. During these months, the islands are less crowded, the waterfalls are fuller, and the rice terraces and jungles take on vibrant shades of green.

Why go to the Philippines in the off-season?

Avoid the peak-season chaos and explore at a slower pace with G Adventures’ itineraries that put the spotlight on Indigenous culture, jungle adventures, and hidden beaches that feel worlds away from the everyday. Visiting the Philippines in the off-season provides a more intimate connection with both nature and culture. The rain showers, often brief and refreshing, bring out the lushness of the landscape, turning beaches, forests, and rice paddies into a vivid tapestry of green.

Fewer tourists mean more space to explore popular Philippine islands like Palawan and Cebu at your own pace, and it means friendlier prices and more flexibility. Off-season travel also encourages slower, more mindful experiences, from wandering less-trafficked trails to engaging with local communities without feeling rushed. By embracing the Philippines in the off-season, you get to enjoy its natural beauty, vibrant culture, and hidden gems in a way that feels personal, relaxed, and utterly unforgettable.

Experience it for yourself on: Best of the Philippines

Portugal: November to March

Avoid Lisbon’s summer rush and dive into Portugal’s hidden mountain villages instead. Tucked into the hills of central Portugal, the Schist Villages feel like a step back in time — think clusters of honey-coloured stone houses, winding lanes, and sweeping views over valleys and forests. From November to March, these villages offer a peaceful, crowd-free escape, where you can hike ancient trails, warm up with hearty Portuguese cuisine, and soak in the rhythm of rural life without the rush of peak-season tourism. G Adventures' Geluxe Collection tours bring this experience to life with slow hikes, local wine, and heritage-rich towns.

Why go to Portugal in the off-season?

Head to Portugal’s Schist Villages in the cooler months to enjoy a more authentic experience of local culture and daily life. Without the summer crowds, you share narrow cobbled streets with residents rather than visitors, and accommodations are often more affordable and flexible. The crisp weather is ideal for hiking the region’s historic pathways, where autumn leaves or winter mist transform the landscapes into something quietly magical. The slower pace invites deeper connections, whether it’s lingering over a glass of local wine by a fireplace or chatting with artisans who keep traditional crafts alive. Going to Portugal in the off-season means experiencing the Schist Villages as they truly are: charming, unhurried, and wonderfully real.

Experience it on: Portugal: Coastal Walks, Vineyards & Villages of the Douro Valley

Northern India: April to September

Northern India is a region of striking contrasts, from the bustling streets of Jaipur, Agra, and more of India's best cities to the serene heights of Ladakh and Himalayan monasteries. Between April and September, many of the popular places in India quiet down, giving travellers space to explore historic palaces, sacred ghats, impressive stepwells, and vibrant markets without the usual crowds. These months are also an ideal window for visiting Ladakh, where the high-altitude landscapes, Buddhist monasteries, and sweeping valleys are at their most accessible.

Avoid peak-season congestion and immerse yourself fully on a G Adventures tour, which balances culture, spirituality, and photography while allowing time to experience the region’s extraordinary beauty at a relaxed pace.

Why go to India in the off-season?

Northern India during the off-season offers a calmer, more intimate experience of both cultural and natural highlights. With fewer tourists in iconic cities like Jaipur, Agra, and Varanasi, you can linger over historic sites, take in the architectural grandeur, and capture photographs without jostling crowds. The high-altitude regions, including Ladakh and Himalayan monasteries, are easier to explore during these months, with clearer skies and manageable weather for trekking and sightseeing.

Off-season travel also allows deeper engagement with local traditions and spirituality because guides and communities have more time to share stories and insights. By embracing northern India in this quieter period, you enjoy the region’s iconic landmarks, sacred spaces, and breathtaking landscapes with space, freedom, and authenticity.

Experience it for yourself on: Golden Triangle

Guatemala: May to October

Guatemala is a land of lush jungles, volcanic landscapes, vibrant culture, and more amazing things to do, and visiting during the green season from May to October offers a quieter, more immersive experience. Tikal’s ancient ruins are enveloped in verdant jungle, Lake Atitlán shimmers without the crowds, and local towns feel alive with authentic daily life.

Why go to Guatemala in the off-season?

Experiencing Guatemala in the off-season means embracing the country at its most vibrant and authentic. The rains transform jungles and volcanic landscapes into lush green panoramas, while the quieter towns and lakeshores allow for peaceful exploration and reflection. Markets and villages feel more genuine, with artisans and locals offering insight into Mayan culture and traditional crafts.

Off-season travel also provides better opportunities for wildlife spotting and nature photography, with fewer tourists on the trails and at scenic viewpoints. By visiting during the green season, you get to enjoy Guatemala’s iconic sites, rich culture, and breathtaking landscapes without feeling rushed, making for a deeper, more meaningful adventure. Avoid the high-season bustle and explore with G Adventures, where journeys are all about cultural discovery, local community engagement, and the country’s stunning natural beauty, all at a slower, more relaxed pace.

Experience it for yourself on: Highlights of Guatemala

Japan: September to November

Japan’s iconic sights are stunning year-round, but the shoulder seasons — from late May to June and September to November — offer a quieter, more contemplative experience. Skip the crowds of cherry blossom season in spring, and instead explore rural villages, soothing onsen towns, and tranquil island getaways. During the autumn months in Japan, the weather is pleasant, the landscapes are vibrant, and the pace of life feels more relaxed. Travelling through Japan by train with G Adventures’ rail-based itineraries makes it easy to get between regions efficiently while still savouring the meditative, slow-travel experience that off-season Japan offers.

Why go to Japan in the off-season?

Autumn in Japan allows for a deeper, more personal connection with the country. Rural towns and traditional onsen villages are less crowded, giving travellers time to enjoy local customs, cuisine, and quiet streets without the tourist rush. Island getaways are more serene, ideal for hiking, coastal walks, and reflection. Off-season travel also provides more flexibility in accommodations and sightseeing, making it easier to explore at your own pace. With fewer crowds at temples, gardens, and scenic viewpoints, travellers can immerse themselves fully in Japan’s culture, natural beauty, serene landscapes, and other top things to do, creating a slower, more meaningful travel experience.

Experience it for yourself on: Back Roads of Japan

Greece: November to March

Greece is synonymous with sun-soaked islands and iconic historic sites, but visiting between November and March offers a different, deeply rewarding experience. The crowds thin out, the weather is mild, and destinations like Athens, Crete, and the Peloponnese feel more authentic and relaxed. Avoid the Santorini selfie mobs and explore cobblestone streets, ancient ruins, and seaside villages at your own pace. G Adventures’ itineraries take travellers beyond the typical tourist spots, offering stays in family-run guesthouses and immersive experiences that reveal Greek life as it’s truly lived.

Why go to Greece in the off-season?

Travelling to Greece in the off-season allows for a richer, more personal journey. With fewer tourists, you can linger over meals, explore ancient sites without jostling crowds, and connect more meaningfully with locals. Family-run accommodations provide insight into daily Greek life, from traditional recipes to storytelling about regional history and culture. The slower pace also gives you the freedom to wander scenic villages, hike coastal trails, and enjoy the striking landscapes without rushing. Off-season travel reveals a side of Greece that’s authentic, serene, and unforgettable.

Experience it for yourself on: Best of Greece

Peru: December to February

Peru’s iconic landscapes, from the towering Andes to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, are breathtaking year-round, but December to February, the wet season, offers a quieter, more vibrant experience. The trails are lush and green, waterfalls are at their fullest, and the usual crowds at Machu Picchu are greatly reduced. Avoid peak-season congestion and discover Peru’s beauty at a gentler pace. G Adventures’ alternative routes, like the Lares Trek, remain open year-round, allowing travellers to experience stunning scenery, support local communities, and enjoy the Andes without the tourist surge.

Why go to Peru in the off-season?

For a more intimate connection with the country’s landscapes and culture, travel to Peru during the wet season. Fewer hikers on the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu trails mean more space to take in the scenery, photograph the sites, and feel a sense of solitude amid the mountains. The rain transforms the Andes into a lush, vivid paradise, highlighting rivers, terraces, and waterfalls at their most dramatic.

Off-season treks also allow for deeper engagement with local communities because smaller groups and quieter villages make cultural interactions more meaningful. By embracing Peru in the wet season, you experience the country’s natural and cultural wonders in a calm, authentic, and unforgettable way.

Experience it for yourself on: Absolute Peru

Morocco: October to March

Skip the summer scorch and discover Morocco when it truly shines: from October to March, when you get all the magic and less of the mayhem. From the winding alleys of Marrakech to the golden dunes of the Sahara, Morocco is a country that dazzles year-round. In the fall and winter months, the cooler air brings the desert alive and makes wandering ancient medinas or climbing mountain trails far more comfortable. It's the season when you can sip mint tea in a quiet riad courtyard, explore souks without the sweltering summer heat, and cross vast, cinematic landscapes under crisp blue skies.

Why go to Morocco in the off-season?

Cooler days make wandering the maze-like souks of Marrakech or hiking the Atlas Mountains a whole lot more comfortable, while the Sahara offers dreamy nights under star-filled skies without the blistering heat. Travelling in the off-season also means fewer crowds at iconic spots like Chefchaouen’s blue alleyways, so you get more space and time to soak it all in.

Avoid the peak-season rush and let G Adventures’ small-group style guide you through Morocco at its own natural rhythm, whether it's slow explorations of kasbahs, nights under starlit desert skies, or tasting spice-laden tagines in heritage-rich towns.

With fewer visitors, doors open to more genuine cultural connections because locals have more time to share stories, traditions, and hospitality when the crowds thin out. Prices are often lower, too, making boutique riads and guided desert camps more accessible. With fewer tourists jostling for the same photo or market stall, you can slow down, take it all in, and discover Morocco at a pace that feels both unhurried and unforgettable.

Experience it for yourself on: Highlights of Morocco