If you are planning a trip to Myanmar, you may wonder about the best time to travel overall or in each region. Myanmar has a tropical climate with three seasons in Myanmar (Burma): hot season (March through April), rainy season (May through October) and the cool season (November- through February). However, it is generally hot throughout the year, although the mountainous and interior regions can be quite cool and pleasant during the dry season. The coastal regions can get very hot and humid, especially before the rainy season. Myanmar has a monsoon season from May to October when there are heavy rains and often flooding. Overall, the best time to visit is between November and April when it is sunny, dry, and cooler but most importantly, it is festival season a wonderful time to visit.

If you must travel to Myanmar during the rainy season, do not be discouraged, as many days can still be partially sunny and dry. The rain tends to fall during the afternoons and evenings, so mornings can be a good time to go for walks or visit outdoor attractions. The areas that receive the most rain are the mountains in the north and east of the country, and the coastal areas. Here the rainfall varies between 2,500 mm and 5,000 mm per year. The interior of Myanmar is protected from the southwest monsoons by the mountains, so this area receives only about 1,000 mm (39 inches) of rain a year on average. This makes Mandalay and Bagan ideal cities to visit during the monsoon season when the Myanmar weather is at its wettest.

Certain areas of Myanmar are susceptible to flooding during the monsoon season. The coastal and delta areas get very heavy rains, and this causes the rivers to overflow at times. In October 2011, the central areas of the country suffered from flash floods that damaged thousands of homes and many bridges and roads. This was a very unusual occurrence, as the central regions are usually much drier than the coastal and delta areas.

Temperatures in Myanmar can vary from place to place. In general, the Myanmar climate is hot throughout the year, with temperatures averaging 27 degrees Celsius or 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The months of March, April, and May the weather in Myanmar can be very hot and humid, especially around the coastal regions. This increase in temperature is caused by the onset of the rainy season. Despite the hot temperatures, there are areas that can be quite pleasant. The interior areas such as Inle Lake and Bagan can be quite a bit cooler than the coastal regions. The mountainous areas can also be cooler as they have a much higher altitude.

If you are planning a trip that involves a great deal of travel throughout the country, you may want to go between November and April when there is little rain in Myanmar, plenty of sunshine, and cooler breezes. Myanmar weather at this time is ideal, although warming from January to April. This is a great time to do some sightseeing, tour temples, go trekking, and visit the beaches. Be sure to wear light clothing and sunscreen during these months. If you travel during the rainy season, you may want to bring a rain jacket and umbrella. For trips into the mountainous regions, you may want to pack a sweater and long pants because it can get quite chilly in these areas, especially at night.

Source: VeloAsia