Best time to go to Burma (Myanmar) for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 16/04/2024When is the best time to go to Burma (Myanmar)?
The best time to visit Myanmar is between November and February, although it is possible to visit the country during the rest of the year by making compromises. Because no matter the season, Myanmar is always a delight to discover, as its tourist attractions are sublime!
Myanmar indeed has architectural treasures that would be a shame to miss if your vacation is planned for another time. For example, the Mandalay region can be visited all year round and the rainy season, although very rainy, allows you to see lush and beautiful natural landscapes, especially in the rice fields.
Winter will offer you a sunny break and will allow you to discover magical places, such as the vast archaeological site of Bagan and its thousands of temples. It is also the perfect time to recharge on one of the beautiful beaches of the country, as well as on the Mergui Islands.
In cities like Yangon, the capital, the rainy season is not necessarily inconvenient. It can even be the scene of magnificent street scenes! Especially since you will always find a place to shelter in case of rain.
When to go to Myanmar based on the crowds? Much less visited than its neighbors Thailand or Vietnam, Myanmar is rather calm throughout the year. To be able to enjoy a relatively favorable climate, with the fewest people possible at the sites, it can be interesting to plan a trip to Myanmar in May, June, or September.
What to pack in your suitcase? Regardless of the time of your trip to Myanmar, always plan to cover yourself. Indeed, mornings and evenings can be cool everywhere in the country, especially in high-altitude regions like Shan State. In addition, hotels located in the mountains are rarely equipped with heating or fireplaces.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
Central and Eastern Burma
Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake...
North
Mytkyina, Putao...
South East
Myeik, Pa-An (Hpa-An)...
South West
Yangon (Rangoon), Ngwesaung...
West
Sittwe, Thandwe, Mrauk U...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in Burma (Myanmar) for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
Myanmar in january Myanmar in february Myanmar in march Myanmar in april Myanmar in may Myanmar in june Myanmar in july Myanmar in august Myanmar in september Myanmar in october Myanmar in november Myanmar in december
Best time to travel to Myanmar by cities
Climate and Weather in Burma (Myanmar)
Like its neighboring countries, Bangladesh, Laos, or Thailand, the climate in Myanmar is tropical. More than temperatures, it is therefore precipitation, as well as humidity levels, that will mark the seasons.
Due to its geography and relief, it also experiences two distinct climatic zones:
- The southern part of the country has a high humidity level and is often drenched by heavy rains, particularly around Myeik or Sittwe.
- The north and the center are much drier regions throughout the year.
Close to the equator, Myanmar has the particularity of having almost constant periods of day and night throughout the year. On average, it is daylight from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and nighttime the rest of the time. This rhythm will require you to adjust your visiting hours, especially if you travel in summer, with the hot afternoon hours.
The weather in Myanmar is divided into 3 seasons:
The dry season
Also known as the "cool season," it extends from November to February. During this period, the climate in Myanmar is particularly pleasant throughout the country: it is the best time to embark on an unforgettable journey! Here are the meteorological characteristics:
- The sun shines continuously for the four months,
- The temperatures are very pleasant, as they are moderate: neither too hot nor too cold!
- The air is drier than the rest of the year, making the days less stifling, especially in the southern part of the country.
The hot season
From March to May, these are the hottest months of the year. During this period, temperatures can be challenging for travelers who are not used to it.
In central Myanmar, in regions like Bagan or Mandalay, it is not uncommon for the thermometer to reach 40°C (104°F) , combined with humidity, it can indeed be exhausting.
If you are planning to travel to Myanmar during the hot months, we recommend favoring the following regions, which are more suitable:
- The Northern mountains have the advantage of a more temperate and less humid climate,
- The regions of Kalaw and Pindaya,
- Inle Lake and its floating villages,
- The South coast where you can always cool off in the sea.
The rainy season
Also known as the "monsoon" season, the rainy season lasts from June to October. The months of July and August are particularly unfavorable for considering a trip to Myanmar. During this period, the country experiences significant rainfall:
- The humidity level is very high, making the air stifling.
- The sun is rather rare: even when it's not raining, the sky remains overcast continuously.
- The region of Yangon experiences almost constant rains.
- The southern coasts are prone to cyclones, especially in July and August.
- The northern part of the country experiences very heavy rains that can cause floods and road closures. To travel in this part of the country, it is advisable to wait until October.
However, it is possible to travel in the central part of the country during this period, especially in Mandalay or Bagan.
Temperatures and rainfall in Burma (Myanmar)
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Myanmar and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Yangon (Rangoon), Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay and Mrauk U, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Burma (Myanmar)
Find out when Myanmar has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Burma (Myanmar)
The months with low numbers of tourists are: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October. The number of visitors to Myanmar is high in: January, November and December.
- Very low season in Burma (Myanmar): May, June, July and September.
- Low season in Burma (Myanmar): February, March, April, August and October.
- High season in Burma (Myanmar): January and November.
- Peak season in Burma (Myanmar): December.
Figure: Visitor index for Myanmar month by month
Average price for flights to Burma (Myanmar)
A return flight between London and Yangon (Rangoon) is generally cheaper if you go in may ($ 782 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 404 more for your airline ticket to Yangon (Rangoon) if you go in august.
Where to go in Burma (Myanmar)?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Yangon (Rangoon) | 92°F | 97°F | 99°F | 101°F | 97°F | 90°F | 88°F | 88°F | 88°F | 90°F | 92°F | 90°F |
| Bagan | 86°F | 95°F | 101°F | 106°F | 104°F | 97°F | 94°F | 92°F | 94°F | 90°F | 88°F | 85°F |
| Inle Lake | 77°F | 83°F | 88°F | 90°F | 86°F | 81°F | 79°F | 79°F | 81°F | 81°F | 79°F | 76°F |
| Mandalay | 86°F | 94°F | 101°F | 104°F | 101°F | 95°F | 92°F | 92°F | 92°F | 90°F | 88°F | 85°F |
| Mrauk U | 86°F | 92°F | 97°F | 99°F | 95°F | 88°F | 86°F | 86°F | 88°F | 92°F | 92°F | 88°F |
| Myeik | 88°F | 88°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 85°F | 83°F | 83°F | 85°F | 86°F | 88°F | 88°F |
| Mytkyina | 76°F | 81°F | 88°F | 94°F | 92°F | 85°F | 83°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F | 83°F | 77°F |
| Ngwesaung | 88°F | 94°F | 97°F | 99°F | 95°F | 90°F | 88°F | 88°F | 88°F | 88°F | 90°F | 88°F |
| Pa-An (Hpa-An) | 94°F | 97°F | 99°F | 99°F | 94°F | 86°F | 85°F | 85°F | 88°F | 92°F | 94°F | 94°F |
| Putao | 65°F | 68°F | 74°F | 77°F | 81°F | 79°F | 79°F | 81°F | 79°F | 77°F | 72°F | 65°F |
| Sittwe | 81°F | 85°F | 88°F | 90°F | 90°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F | 88°F | 88°F | 83°F |
| Thandwe | 85°F | 86°F | 90°F | 92°F | 92°F | 86°F | 85°F | 85°F | 86°F | 90°F | 90°F | 86°F |
| Kengtung | 72°F | 79°F | 86°F | 90°F | 90°F | 85°F | 81°F | 81°F | 83°F | 79°F | 77°F | 72°F |
| Naypyidaw (Nay Pyi Taw) | 83°F | 90°F | 95°F | 97°F | 94°F | 85°F | 81°F | 81°F | 85°F | 85°F | 85°F | 81°F |
| Pindaya | 77°F | 83°F | 88°F | 90°F | 86°F | 81°F | 79°F | 79°F | 81°F | 81°F | 79°F | 76°F |
| Tachileik | 79°F | 88°F | 95°F | 99°F | 95°F | 90°F | 86°F | 88°F | 90°F | 86°F | 85°F | 79°F |
| Loikaw | 79°F | 85°F | 90°F | 92°F | 88°F | 81°F | 79°F | 79°F | 81°F | 81°F | 79°F | 77°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About Myanmar
What can I do in Burma (Myanmar)?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Myanmar reliable?
Climate data for Myanmar has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Myanmar allows us to determine the average for each month in Yangon (Rangoon), Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay, Mrauk U, Myeik, Mytkyina, Ngwesaung, and 9 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.