Where in the World Has the Best Weather?

When planning a vacation, weather conditions are an important factor to take into consideration. The following are ten countries where warm weather is most likely to occur year-round.

10. Portugal

Portugal is a European country located on the westernmost edge of the continent, bordered by Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. The country is regarded as the fifth most peaceful country in the world. Portugal is located in the region where the Mediterranean climate is most profound, giving the country long dry summers and wet winters. The average temperature of the Portugal ranges between 8 degrees and 12 degrees Celsius.

9. Mexico

Mexico is a North American country bordered by United States to the north and Guatemala and Belize to the south. The country’s 119.5 million people make it the world's most populous Spanish-speaking country. Mexico is divided by the Tropic of Cancer into two main climatic zones: the temperate zone and the tropical zone. The majority of the country enjoys extended periods of sunshine with the average temperature reaching a balmy 28 degrees Celsius.

8. South Africa

South Africa is an African country located in the southern part of the continent. The country has a population of 56 million. South Africa’s climate is temperate thanks to the presence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country’s location in the Southern Hemisphere gives it less oppressive heat than countries countries in sub-saharan areas.

7. Spain

Spain is a European country located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. The country occupies an area of 195,360 square miles and is home to a population of 46.4 million people. Spain boasts some of the most pleasant weather conditions in Europe, a fact attributed to its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. The majority of the country lies in what is known as the "Csa Zone" which is characterized by long hot summers.

6. Kenya

Kenya is an East African country with a population of 48 million people and a land area of 224,445 square miles. Kenya is famed all over the world for its safaris and spectacular endemic wildlife. The country lies on the equator and has a warm, humid tropical climate, particularly along its coastline where temperatures hover around 28.05 degrees Celsius. However, these temperatures decrease in the central part of the country due to its mountainous landscape which includes the snow-peak of Mt. Kenya. The country only has two seasons: the March-to-June long rains and the October-to-December short rains with the temperatures being relatively high throughout the two seasons but with peaks experienced in February and March.

5. Uganda

Uganda is a landlocked country located in East Africa that is bordered by Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country is relatively small with a population 37 million people residing within its 93,065-square-mile area. It is the second most populous landlocked country in the world after Ethiopia. Uganda is located on the equator, meaning it enjoys a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 21 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius. This excludes the Ruwenzori and Mt. Elgon regions where the snow-peaked mountains alter the surrounding climate. The warm, dry season spans from December to March which is followed by the wet season from March to May.

4. Malta

The Republic of Malta is an island country located in the Mediterranean Sea. Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with its 0.45 million people inhabiting the country's 122 square mile area. The small country has some of the most pleasant weather in Europe with its Mediterranean climate offering long, warm summer months which begin in April and end in November. The country also has the highest duration of sunshine hours anywhere in Europe with an average of 3,000 hours per year.

3. Greece

Greece is a country in southern Europe, occupying an area of 50,949 square miles with total population of about 11 million. The landscape of the country is primarily mountainous with mountains covering 80% of the entire country. Greece is located along the Mediterranean Sea where it has one of the longest coastlines in the world and hence has a primarily Mediterranean climate comprising on wet winters and dry summers. However, rain is almost non-existent in the southern part of the country and weather is sunny almost all of the time.

2. Cyprus

Cyprus is an island nation in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. It covers an area of 3,572 square miles. The country is the third largest island in the Mediterranean by population, with over 1.1 million inhabitants. Cyrus enjoys one of the most diverse climatic conditions in the region ranging from sub-tropical climate to semi-arid. However, in average the country enjoys warm climates with the average temperature being about 24 degrees Celsius. Cyprus enjoys a long, warm summer lasting for eight months from April to November.

1. Costa Rica

The Republic of Costa Rica is a country in Central America. It is relatively small, with an area of 19,700 square miles. It has a population of over 4.5 million people with the majority living in the metropolitan area of San Jose, the nation’s capital. Costa Rica is located close to the equator, a fact that allows it to enjoy a tropical climate throughout the year. However, the country does have some microclimates which are determined by the differences in altitude, topography, and geography in distinct regions of the country. In general, Costa Rica enjoys abundant sunlight throughout the year.