Discover the 7 Countries With the Best Weather Year-Round on the Planet

Whether you’re planning a vacation or thinking about moving across the world, chances are you want to know what country has the best weather. A variety of factors make a country’s weather ideal, such as mild temperatures, plenty of sunlight, and low humidity. These seven countries have some of the best weather year-round on the entire planet.

1. Cyprus

Cyprus is an independent country and the third-largest island in the Mediterranean. Located south of Turkey, Cyprus features a warm season that lasts about eight months. On the coast, average annual temperatures are around 24 °C (75 °F) during the day and 14 °C (57 °F) at night.

In the central part of Cyprus and the country’s most mountainous regions, cold weather and snow sometimes occurs. However, winters in Cyprus are generally pretty mild and visitors can even go skiing in the Toodos Mountains.

2. Malta

Malta is a small archipelago located south of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea. This often-overlooked country enjoys pleasant temperatures year-round. In fact, Malta has the warmest average temperatures in all of Europe, with the average yearly temperatures at around 23 °C (73 °F) during the day and 16 °C (61 °F) at night.

The island country also experiences around 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. Those living in Malta almost never have to worry about snow or icy conditions either.

The only downside to this country’s weather is that humidity can be high, especially during the summer months. However, it’s easy to forget about that when you’re enjoying sunny 60°F days in the middle of winter.

3. Spain

Spain shares its border with Portugal and France and its coastlines with the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Bay of Biscay. Mainland Spain has four seasons and five different climate zones, so its weather certainly varies.

Typically, Spain experiences a relatively mild climate with plenty of sunshine and dry weather, though it does get colder and wetter during the winter months. Still, the country’s winters are considered relatively mild.

Canary Islands

Spain really deserves a spot on this list due to its ownership of the Canary Islands. This archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa is known for its gorgeous black and white sand beaches, making the Canary Islands an extremely popular tourist destination.

The hype surrounding the Canary Islands isn’t all talk. In fact, in 1996 the former director of research on climatology at Syracuse University (USA), carried out a study entitled Pleasant Weather Ratings, writes Hello Canary Islands.

This study listed the Canary Islands as having the best climate in the entire world, comparing factors such as days of rainfall, water and air temperature, etc., to more than 600 places around the world.

4. Mexico

Mexico experiences a range of weather throughout the country, but temperatures typically stay between 50°F and 90°F throughout the year. It is also characterized by its rainy season from May to mid-October and its dry season from mid-October to April.

During northern Mexico’s rainy season, temperatures can reach highs of around 95°F with considerable humidity. For some, that weather might not be a problem. For others, the dryer “winter” months might be the best time to visit.

Travel experts often see December-April as the best time to visit Mexico, as it tends to be both warm and dry at this time. However, you really can’t go wrong during any season. Just note that the Yucatan Peninsula does experience hurricane season from June to September.

5. Ecuador

Ecuador straddles the Equator on the west coast of South America. It shares its borders with Peru, Columbia, and the Pacific Ocean. Ecuador is known for having a diverse landscape. It contains breathtaking coastlines, rugged mountains, and the incredible Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.

Ecuador typically has a tropical climate, though its weather will vary in regions with higher altitudes. The country is also characterized by its rainy season from October to May and its dry season from June to September, according to the Climate Change Knowledge Portal.

Additionally, the inter-Andean valleys contain a more temperate climate, and the Amazon region experiences rainfall throughout the year. Quito, the capital of Ecuador, experiences average temperatures of 21 °C (70 °F) during the day and 10 °C (50 °F) at night.

Travel experts may recommend the dry months of June to September as the best time to visit Ecuador in terms of the country’s weather. However, it all depends on what activities you have planned.

For example, beachgoers traveling to the country’s coast might be better off arriving in between December and April. Although this is the rainy season, it also tends to be warmer and rainfall typically comes in short bursts, according to Responsible Travel.

6. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a Central American country that shares borders with Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. It is also surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Costa Rica contains a rugged, rainforest terrain and experiences tropical climates year-round.

Like Ecuador, Costa Rica experiences a dry season (December to April) and a rainy season (May to November). The country also has consistently warm weather, with temperatures averaging between 72 and 82 °F (22 and 28 °C) according to the Costa Rica Guide.

Costa Rica also offers sunny, clear skies, particularly during the dry season. However, even during the rainy season, the mornings may start out sunny and dry.

The rainy season is also an especially beautiful time of year, as Costa Rica’s extensive rainforest bursts into lush green color. Costa Rica’s waterfalls are also impressive during the rainy season when they gush with an abundance of water.

7. Portugal

Portugal consistently appears on lists and suggestions for countries with the best weather year-round. Located in southern Europe, Portugal is a country on the Iberian Peninsula with 1,114 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal also shares its border with Spain.

Portugal’s coastal location has influenced its culture in many ways. Some of the country’s oldest architecture dates back to the 1500s – 1800s when Portugal was a powerful maritime empire.

Today its beautiful beaches attract tourists and locals alike, and fare from the ocean such as salt cod and grilled sardines are national dishes. Portugal’s location along the Atlantic Ocean is a large part of the reason this country has such a desirable and temperate climate.

The country is also protected by the Azores High, a subtropical center of high atmospheric pressure, according to International Living. Due to this, summers in Portugal are categorized by abundant sunshine throughout the country.

Portugal typically enjoys relatively mild winters, though the weather gets a little colder as you move further inland and closer to the border with Spain. While it does occasionally snow in Portugal, visitors will likely only see snow on the ground in the mountainous areas of the country.

Summary of the Countries With the Best Weather Year-Round