Long haul in August... recommendations please!

[TealStar]

We're in the rather fortunate position of planning a long-haul trip next summer.
We're a family of four (two young teen dds) and we like quite active holidays, with plenty of relaxing thrown in!
Our quandary is where to go that isn't rainy in August. We don't mind rainy season, so long as there are some spells of good sunny weather thrown in.

Criteria include:

Things to do (activities etc)
Approx mid twenties av. temperature
Scenery
Beaches (at least for part of it)
An element of wildlife / educational stuff

We plan to travel in the country of choice.

Any ideas welcomed... thank you!

Apologies for the rather cheesy use of 'thrown in' twice

Costa Rica or Belize

Considering Costa Rica but isn't it v rainy then? Will look into Belize.

Cuba?.... will be hot and some heavy downpours ( don't last long tho!)
Lots of great places to visit, culture , music ...we went 3 yrs ago with dd17 and ds15

Thanks Stop. I'm definitely gravitating towards C. America. I'd quite like to do a tour from Panama to Cuba or Mexico, taking in Costa Rica, Belize and Honduras. Wouldn't know where to start though! All the tour companies seem to be so prescriptive and we'd quite like a bit of down time between destinations...

We went to Costa Rica last August and while you'll have thunderstorms daily, they are usually late afternoon, prices are cheaper & you'll get plenty of brilliant sunshine. It ticks your adventurous box but still feels safe. We organised private transfers between the places we stayed (San Jose, Arenal & Manuel Antonio) but there is a bus network or if you have strong nerves, hire a car! It's very green in August - take lots of deet though if you do go as more humidity, more mozzies! I loved it.

We did Koh Samui last August with our teens.
It's the dry season in summer.
It was fab

Northern California? With maybe a trip further south for beaches.

Not the best time for Costa Rica in my opinion, nor Belize. You will get some nice days but equally could have several with poor weather. It's hurricane season in Belize and prepare for rainy afternoons in Costa Rica.

Borneo would be my first choice in August based on your criteria.

Indonesia is also nice in August, we went for the whole of August one year and the weather was fantastic.

We're considering Northern California too! I've only vetoed it for now because I'm put off by the expense of staying in the States, and dh has lived out there already (so not new to him) but I would love it, so it certainly isn't a definite no-no!

Yes to Thailand, again a possibility. Thanks!

Thanks Salty, definite food for thought there! I do love orangutans!

South Africa? Their winter I know, but at times hotter than our summer. Side trip to Victoria Falls thrown in? We had one of our best holidays there when my DC were mid teens.

I wouldn't do around the Caribbean in August, either ridiculously hot and humid or tropical downpours. Feb-May is the best time.

We did New York, Boston and New England last August! Was a bit warm so did sightseeing mixed with pool and beaches. Also helped our friend had brought a massive Beach house!!!

We've done lots of wrong season holidays in the summer; Caribbean, Central America, Indian Ocean.
If you don't want it too hot consider Mauritius. The weather was like a nice summers day in the UK, mostly about 24' but I needed a cardi at night.
The DC spent all day sailing, waterskiing and playing tennis as it was all included in the hotels (not AI though). The 12 hour overnight is tough but it really was worth it, we ended up going 3 times.

Thanks so much all, please keep the ideas coming... this is brilliant.

I really love the idea of Mauritius, only concern is how 'cultural' an experience it would be... but oh yes I could certainly while a couple of weeks away there (or the Seychelles... anyone know how they compare?)

We're actually heading to Seychelles this September/October ( but just as a couple this time!!... kids are all now at Uni!).....spending week on Praslin and week on Mahe but intend on taking some boat trips to La Digue /curieuse...looking forward to snorkelling, kayaking and searching for turtles, whale sharks and exotic plants and birds!!... felt it was even more exclusive and exciting then Mauritius

I've been to the Seychelles toobut not with the DC. We went to The out islands and it was very much honeymoon/ couples territory, I don't know about Mahe. Terrific scuba though.

We've been looking at the same month. We were recommended to look at Bali or Fiji.

I wouldn't go to Mauritius in August, it's often better weather here!

Argh, that's a shame about the weather vintage! I've been told that Bali is the Antipodeans' Ibiza, which puts me off a bit!

What about Thailand? Bangkok, Chang Mai then loll about on the beach at the end?

I think it depends which bit of Bali you go to. Avoid Kuta!

Queensland Australia?

Friends of mine are going to Thailand this year for a weeks travelling, then meeting us in Singapore for a long weekend city break, then going on to Vietnam for another week and a bit travelling.

We're off to Mauritius this August.
We've privately rented a villa right on the beach and we're also planning to do lots of hiking and wildlife stuff in the interior of the island. There are unspoilt rainforests around the mountainous bits that did not get turned into sugar plantations by the British and French.
I find It tough if it's too hot tbh and I couldn't do a whole two weeks of beach & sea.

Can't wait!