Myanmar is a country that can be visited at any time of the year and has two distinct seasons: dry and wet. However, during the worst of the wet season, the rains can get very heavy with high winds which make certain regions quite inaccessible.
Like other regions of SE Asia the timing of the dry and wet season are quite similar. For instance, the wet season takes place from late-May/early June to the start of October, while the dry season lasts from mid-October to early May.
The temperature fluctuates within each season with the hottest time of the year taking place during the start of the wet season (May and June) when the temperature can easily reach 40° C or more.
The cooler months arrive after the rains (October to January) and is mostly noticed in the highland areas and foothills, especially in the evenings.
A further influence on the Myanmar weather and climate is the altitude which varies significantly throughout the country. Travellers to Myanmar will notice the temperature is a lot warmer in the coastal regions and southern lowlands, but mild and cool when visiting the Himalayan foothills, lakes, and hill stations.
The south, lower central and west have the lowest altitude, which attracts the hot and humid temperatures, while the eastern, upper central and northern regions has the highest altitude which means cooler weather.
What is the best time to visit Myanmar?
A great time to plan the Myanmar tour packages is from November to February which is blessed with the warm, sunny and dry days. This period seems to attract the highest number of tourists.
January is likely to be the peak month and great for the best places to visit Myanmar. At this time, the weather is dry and hot to make the perfect conditions to explore the country. The rivers are still high to make a perfect time for boat trips along the local rivers, the beaches in Ngapali are blessed with plenty of bright sunshine, while the chilly temperature in the foothills starts to pass.
However, the travellers that wish to explore the sites with less foot traffic may wish to look at visiting Myanmar during the 'green season', which relates to the months before or after the peak season. This time of year also makes it easier to book the preferred accommodation. Plus, the climate is still very good and comfortable for exploring the sights.
When travelling outside of the hottest months it helps to know what to pack for Myanmar tour. Warm clothes are practical for the evening, such as a fleece or jumping, because the temperature will soon start to cool later in the day.
Breaking up the country by climate
South, Delta and Rakhine State
The south, the Delta (including Yangon) and the Rakhine State are likely to get a lot of humidity and rain, and can enjoy the warmest temperature even during the cooler months.
This part of Myanmar has high humidity and temperature between February and May. When travelling in this area, it is practical to wear clothes that not only complement the local climate, but also the conservative nature of this religious district. It is practical to avoid clothing that leaves the shoulders bare or shorts which are seen as disrespectful by locals.
The intense rains start to arrive in June and continue until about October which can lead to road closures and difficulties with transportation. Also, the high humidity can continue during this time. This particular part of Myanmar is best avoided for the duration of the monsoon season because the weather is a lot more intense than other parts of SE Asia. Also, the rains and high humidity can lead to issues with mosquitoes and the risk of dengue fever and malaria.
A great time to visit Yangon is between November and February when the weather is reliable and provides a constant supply of warm sunshine.
Dry zone and lower-central Myanmar
The dry zone includes the ancient city of Bagan and other areas in central Myanmar. This is the region of the country that seems to suffer the most when the dry, hot weather arrives. A lot of the landscape has little shade to get a break from the extreme temperatures, but this area does easily cool with the arrival of the wet season. Similar to travelling in other regions, it makes sense to pack the cooler, loosing fitting clothes, while also including the right items to give the respectful look when visiting the temples or other religious sites. The dry and arid climate is broken up with the arrival of the moderate showers from June and last until about October.
The best weather for sightseeing and other things to do in Myanmar in this region takes place from November until February, but there is the risk of the cool temperate in the evenings, so make sure to pack the extra layers for the changeable weather.
Upper-central, east and north
The upper-central, east and north of Myanmar can see a lot of fluctuation in the temperature throughout the course of the day. This is mostly related to the high altitude of the region, which gets quite chilly in the evening, and has the most forgiving weather patterns when it comes to rainfall and hot temperatures.
For the months of February, March, April and May, the temperature can get very high with long spells of intense sunshine. The all-round climate starts to cool a lot more in the evenings compared to the south of the country. However, this isn't such an issue in the parts with higher altitudes such as Pyin Oo Lwin and Kalaw.
The moderate rainfall starts to arrive by June and continues until October. The rain helps to lower the temperature for the more pleasant and enjoyable Myanmar holiday in the region. Most of the rainfall is less intense and frequent in this region.
The coolest temperature starts to arrive between November and February which is mostly noticed in regions with high altitude. In planning to travel to the lower Himalayan areas or Kachin, it is practical to not only wear long trousers and a warm jacket, but also a pair of gloves.
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