Weather and When to Go

January:

The dry season continues throughout the month of January, with excellent conditions expected throughout Burma. January is peak season, as temperatures begin to rise and the entire country expects premium travelling conditions.

In the south and along the west coast, the beaches will be basking in sunshine, whilst the chill in the foothills and Shan region starts to lessen (although a jumper or fleece is still very advisable at night and in the early morning). The central plains will also be dry and hot although more manageable than in the months to come.

Rainfall of any sort is unlikely and temperatures in the lowlands are likely to reach into the high 20’s°C and even the eastern and northern highlands will reach 25°C, although evenings are still likely to be chilly.

February:

Things continue to improve as you enter February with the following two months arguably the best time of the year to visit Burma. The downside to the great weather is, of course, the higher visitor numbers and, whilst these are anything but excessive, the limited choice of hotels in some key destinations means that it’s important to book early to avoid disappointment.

With no rain expected throughout the month and the chilly winter feel in the highlands now a thing of the past (early mornings still have a bit of a chill in places), you can expect premium travelling conditions across the country.

In the south and along the west coast, the beaches will be basking in sunshine, whilst the cool has been lifted off foothills and Shan region. The central plains will also be dry and hot although more manageable than in the months to come.

Temperatures in the lowlands average a high of 32°C and even the eastern and northern highlands will be in the high 20’s. In these parts, the evenings can still be a little chilly.

March:

It doesn’t get any better than March; arguably the best time of the year to travel in Burma. The downside to the great weather is of course the tourist numbers, and whilst these are anything but excessive, the limited choice of hotels in some key destinations means that it’s important to book early to avoid disappointment.

With no rain expected throughout the month and the chilly winter feel in the highlands now a distant memory, you can expect excellent weather across the country.

In the south and along the west coast, the beaches will be basking in sunshine, whilst the chill has been lifted off foothills and Shan region. The central plains will also be dry and hot although more manageable than in the months to come.

Temperatures in the lowlands average a high of 35°C and even the eastern and northern highlands will be in the low 30s°.

April:

In April, things really start to heat up as the mercury starts to climb towards some of the highest temperatures of the year. Visitor numbers are still at their highest and therefore it is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment.

With no rain expected throughout the month and the chilly winter feel in the highlands now a distant memory, you can expect excellent weather across the country.

In the south and along the west coast, be sure to have packed your Ambre Solaire as the beaches will be basking in sunshine with temperatures climbing as high as 36°C. In central lowland regions, you can expect average highs either side of 40°C whilst even the highlands are expected to be well on their way to the mid-30s°C.

May:

Not much change from last month, with May remaining very hot as the mercury reports frankly unnatural figures at times. Visitor numbers start to decline making this month a very agreeable time of year to visit for any serious sun worshippers! Temperatures do tend to start to dip a little towards the end of the month (monthly range from 32 - 38°C) which is most welcome.

The heavy rains are just around the corner so you can expect showers in many parts and, it is likely, that towards the end of the month a breeze will pick up, helping to cool the land.

The central plains to the south of Mandalay don’t fall in with the rest of the country, remaining dry and with temperatures remaining astronomical, touching 40°C at times. The beaches remain hot and dry although the ‘season’ comes to an end in early June, with resorts battening down the hatches in preparation for the less favourable weather in the coming months.

June:

Certainly a month of change, as summer makes way for the south-west monsoon, bringing cooler temperatures and more rainfall. In reality, June is often a very pleasant month to travel as the weather can remain relatively dry and the sky-high temperatures of the past few months are subdued. Showers tend to be relatively short-lived, increasing in intensity as we head towards July.

The central plains to the south of Mandalay remain the hottest and driest region of the country, with temperatures still in the low to mid 30’s°C.

Elsewhere, the mercury tends to hover around 30°C, so still far from chilly!

Most of the beach resorts will be closed by mid-June as they prepare for the less favourable weather expected in the coming months.

July:

As the month progresses, the rainfall begins to peak, with heavy rains expected throughout much of the country as the south-western monsoon increases in intensity. Temperatures remain high across the country (averaging highs of 27 - 30°C), however rainfall is also high.

The beaches on the west and southern coast are now closed and road travel across much of the country becomes difficult, and in many cases impossible.

The central plains to the south of Mandalay remain the hottest and driest region of the country, with temperatures still in the low to mid 30’s°C and rainfall relatively minimal.

Can you still visit Burma in July? Yes, certainly. Are there better months to visit – yes certainly!

August:

No change from July, although rainfall will start to lessen towards the end of the month. Despite this, wherever you travel in Burma you should expect heavy rains.

Temperatures remain high (averaging highs of 27 - 30°C) and the beaches on the west and southern coast are now closed with road travel across much of the country difficult, and in many cases impossible.

Can you still travel in Burma in August? Yes, just. Are there better months to visit – without question!

September:

Another month of change as the rainfall starts to subside and temperatures also drop, although don’t expect snow anytime soon with temperatures remaining in the high 20’s and even early 30’s°C.

Tourist numbers remain very low – much of the country is hard to reach by road and beach resorts remain closed.

The central plains to the south of Mandalay are once again the hottest and driest region of the country, with temperatures in the low 30’s°C and minimal rainfall.

Rainfall and temperatures will continue to fall as October approaches.

October:

With the levels of rainfall now more manageable, Burma once again opens its doors to travellers. Despite the coolest months of the year being just around the corner, temperatures throughout the month are likely to remain in the high 20’s and even early 30’s°C.

The central plains to the south of Mandalay are once again the hottest and driest region of the country, with temperatures in the low 30’s°C and minimal rainfall.

The beach resorts start to open again, however you should expect an erratic service for the opening week as new staff find their feet and work continues to repair any damage suffered during the monsoon.

October is very much mid-season and can be a very good time to visit with a high chance of good weather and relatively low tourist numbers.

November:

The rainy season is already becoming a distant memory and November promises the best conditions to visit Burma for many. Visitor numbers are still relatively low and the temperatures more moderate than the early half of the year; however you can still expect average highs of up to 31°C across much of the country.

In the highlands and foothills of the east, the temperatures are close to their lowest with average highs of 25°C and appropriate clothing is required, especially at night.

The south and west coast beaches are returning to their best with resorts now fully open and the plenty of sunshine expected.

December:

The rainy season is now a distant memory with excellent conditions expected throughout Burma. Rainfall is unlikely and, despite being one of the coolest months of the year, you can still expect average highs of up to 31°C across much of the country.

In the highlands and foothills of the east, the temperatures are at their lowest with average highs of 24°C. Appropriate clothing is required, especially at night.

The south and west coast beaches are back to their best with resorts now fully open and the plenty of sunshine expected.