August is a month when you have to choose. Either you have to watch everyone around you go on vacation while you stay at home being envious and taking on the extra workload at the office, or you have to jump on the trend and join them.

If the idea of “getting away from it all” in August appeals to you, we highly recommend these best destinations in Asia. Here are our top picks from the continent this time of year, where you’ll find ideas for hiking vacations, beach getaways, festivals, exciting safaris and more.

And as always, send us any questions by email or in the comments. We love to hear from you.

1. GOING TO THE BEACH IN VIETNAM

Hoi An and Da Nang are among the best beaches in Southeast Asia in August. Hoi An is popular because the beach is only 5 kilometers from the UNESCO heritage city, making it ideal for those who want to do things off the beach; many people stay here for up to a week, as there are plenty of day trips to be had.

Da Nang has a better (bigger and wider) beach, but there is less in the surrounding area, so you will eat and drink mostly in the resort, unless you take a shuttle bus to Hoi An (about 30 minutes away). Although rain is present in much of Southeast Asia, central Vietnam is an exception, making for an excellent summer vacation. Check out our Vietnam hotels and apartments at karta.com for more information.

2. CHOOSE LUXURY IN MYANMAR

If you’re not looking for a beach vacation, Myanmar may be the perfect destination this August. While the beaches are badly affected by the monsoon period and most hotels are closed for renovations, the north and higher areas of Myanmar receive much less rain and can still be enjoyed (also without crowds, so it can be a very special time of year to travel). The rainier south of the country should be avoided, but Bagan, Inle Lake and Mandalay are excellent at this time of year. Check out our Myanmar Summer Itinerary for more information; we’ve included some great luxury hotels that are up to 40% off this time of year.

3. OFF THE BEATEN TRACK IN BORNEO

August, the peak of the high season, is a good time to explore Borneo’s lesser-visited places. With more sunshine and less rain than many other months of the year, it’s a good time for anywhere in Borneo and the crowds reflect this. Get away from the hordes and spend your time in Sarawak, the western look of Malaysian Borneo. Use Kuching as a base for a few days to see wildlife in Bako and Semenggoh, pay a visit to the Iban or Bidayuh tribes and spend a night in a communal house, then head to Mulu to explore one of the largest cave systems in the world. This 10-day trip to the highlights of Sarawak gives you a good taste of what it has to offer, and at the end, you can head to Gaya Island to enjoy the beach.

4. FASCINATING FESTIVALS IN MALAYSIA

We’re big fans of Penang and UNESCO World Heritage City George Town any time of year, but in August it’s epic. There are always amazing boutique hotels to choose from, incredibly good street food to devour, art to behold and a multicultural harmony that creates a super relaxed atmosphere. In August, there is also the Hungry Ghost Festival, with huge moss sticks burning in the streets, firecrackers, puppet theaters, opera performances and other festivities marking this time when the Straits Chinese believe the gates between worlds open, allowing ghosts to visit their descendants and eat their fill. In some years, it is also the time of the Georgetown Festival, which brings performers of all kinds to the city.

5. FOLLOW THE LIGHT IN SINGAPORE

At the end of August, Singapore lights up in a whole new way with its annual Night Festival. The supertrees are always impressive at dusk, but the interactive light installations and musical and street performances from around the world that flock to Singapore create a spectacle you won’t soon forget. We think it’s worth staying more than a night or two to explore the different facets of this small nation: the old and the new, the green spaces and the urban jungle, the beaches of Sentosa and the almost overwhelming variety of food at the hawker centers. With a 5-night stay like this, you can sink your teeth into the little red dot.

6. HEAD ABOVE THE CLOUDS IN BALI

This month is the peak of the “dry season” in Bali, so expect plenty of sunshine and hardly any rain. Spend a few nights in the Ubud area, but choose a place a little further from the center to enjoy the beautiful vegetation of the rice paddies. Then hop on a speedboat to Lombok, its quieter sister, to discover its stunning nature: including waterfalls and hot springs. Activity lovers should consider climbing Mount Rinjani, a still active volcano and the second largest in Indonesia.

One of the great attractions of this mountain is the hike to the summit crater, where you can also see a blue lake and incredible views of all of Lombok. The best place to stay on the island is Tugu Lombok, located on the pristine Sire Beach, overlooking the Gili Islands; for those who prefer to be closer to the “action”, Qunci Villas is the best option.

7. ENJOY AYURVEDA IN INDIA

August is monsoon season in India, but if you’re not desperate for constant sunshine, you might be interested. The rain is interrupted by periods of sunshine and is known as the best month for Ayurveda. Head to Kerala, in the south of the country, and enjoy Ayurvedic treatments and yoga in some beautiful hotels at fantastic prices.

Check out our Kerala Yoga itinerary and see the amazing places on offer, but expect the itinerary to be half price!

8. FOLLOW THE FESTIVALS ALL OVER JAPAN

August offers similar summer offerings to July, with beach trips, mountain excursions and water sports all popular pastimes. The difference is the increased heat and colorful summer festivals and fireworks. Some of the biggest and best festivals are Tokushima’s Awa Odori and Aomori’s week-long Nebuta Matsuri. Both feature dancing and nighttime illumination in the form of glittering floats, fireworks and lanterns, common motifs in August celebrations. For the ultimate summer festival, consider traveling to the Tohoku region in early August. This is when Tohoku’s Sandai Matsuri (three major festivals) take place over several days.

9. SOAK UP THE CULTURE IN CHINA

Tibet is mild and comfortable in August, except in the high mountains. This is when most Tibetan festivals are held. Summer, especially July and August, is the best time to learn about Tibetan culture and explore it. You can see sports and entertainment. Tibetans gather for two big shows every August: the Shoton Festival and the Horse Racing Festival. In addition to these festivals, you will be left spellbound as you tour the fabulous natural scenery. Tibet’s vast plains, lakes and snow-capped mountains are the “top of the world”, such as Nam Lake, Yamdrok Lake and Mount Everest. However, August is the rainy season in Tibet, so the mountain tops are more often hidden in clouds.