Since opening up a few years ago, Myanmar has quickly become one of the must-see destinations in Southeast Asia, and it’s important to know the best time to visit Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) before you head to this amazing country.

We’ve collected a ton of helpful weather info from our expert local Travel Specialists so that we can offer you top advice on when and where to go.

Read on to find out which season is best for each region, along with overall rankings for each month, as well exciting events you can’t miss throughout the year.

Check out our carefully prepared advice below and get ready to experience amazing Myanmar!

When is the best time to visit Myanmar?

As with the rest of mainland Southeast Asia, Myanmar’s weather is heavily influenced by the monsoon. There are distinct wet (or ‘green’) and dry seasons, as well as a cooler season within the dry period. In general the best time to visit Myanmar is from November to February, when temperatures are moderate and rain is a distant worry. This is also the busiest time of year.

March, April and May are excessively hot on the central plains of Bagan and Mandalay, while the southern coast is absolutely drenched from July to September. Central and northern Myanmar see less rain than the south, so visiting these regions during the green season is possible as well.

Seasons in Myanmar

Visiting Myanmar During the Hot Season

Period: March to May

Temperatures: 24-37°C (75-98°F)
Rainfall: 0-180 mm (up to 7 inches)[/ff_calout]

What to pack

Warm-weather clothing for most areas, a light jacket if visiting mountainous regions.

Where to go

Travel throughout the country is viable during this season, especially in cooler locations like Pyin Oo Lwin and Lashio. On the central plains though, temperatures in Bagan and Mandalay can become very uncomfortable.

Taking a Trip to Myanmar During the Green Season

The Temples of Bagan(Pagan), Myanmar

Period: June to October
Temperatures: 22-35°C (72-95°F)
Rainfall: 50-800 mm (over 30 inches in the deep south)

What to pack

Rain gear for brief but powerful downpours, warm-weather clothing, a light jacket for evenings in the mountains.

Where to go

The central region around Mandalay and Bagan sees less rain than elsewhere. Visiting Yangon is still possible, though it will rain on a daily basis, while the southern beaches often close and are not advised as they receive very heavy rain and strong winds.

Special Tips for the Green Season in Myanmar

Travel to the southern coast is not advised during this season, as many resorts close and conditions are very poor. Off-trail hiking could also be difficult after heavy rain. Beyond the coast, downpours are generally strong but brief – day-long washouts are rare, so travel is certainly still doable as long as you are prepared.

Taking a Trip to Myanmar During the Cool Season

Period: November to February
Temperatures: 15-30°C (60-86°F), though the mountains are colder
Rainfall: minimal[/ff_calout]

What to pack

Comfortable clothing for the day, a jacket for evenings in upland regions and very warm clothing for the far northern mountains.

Where to go

All of Myanmar is ideal during this period, especially southern beaches like the ones in Myeik archipelago and Ngwesaung. Higher-altitude destinations such as Inle Lake and Myitkyina are also gorgeous.

Weather in Myanmar

Best Time to go to Myanmar by Region

Best time to go to southern Myanmar

Popular destinations include Hpa-an, Yangon, the Golden Rock, Ngapali Beach

November-February are perfect in the south, as temperatures are mild (but still very warm!) and there is little to no rain.

Climate in Yangon

Dry season 24-37°C (75-98°F), little rain
Green season 23-31°C (73-88°F), 200-600 mm (8-24 inches) of rain
Cool season 22-35°C (72-95°F), under 100 m (4 inches) of rain

Best Time to Travel Central Myanmar

Popular destinations include Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake

November-February is also a great time to travel here, while the ‘green’ season of June to October is also viable since the region sees less rain, though temperatures are very high.

Climate in Mandalay
Dry season 25-38°C (77-100°F), little rain
Green season 25-33°C (77-91°F), up to 200 mm (8 inches) in October
Cool season 20-29°C (68-84°F), no rain

Climate in Bagan
Dry season 25-35°C (77-95 F), no rain
Green season 24-32°C (75-90°F), up to 30 mm (less than an inch) of rain
Cool season 20-27°C (68-80°F), no rain

Climate in Inle region
Dry season 25-38°C (77-98°F), up to 140 mm (6 inches) of rain
Green season 24-33°C (75-90°F), 80-180 mm (3-7 inches) of rain
Cool season 15-32°C (60-90°F), 0-20 mm (less than 1 inch) of rain

Best Period to Visit Northern Myanmar

Popular destinations include Pyin Oo Lwin, Lashio, Myitkyina, Putao

February through May offers excellent weather, though temperatures during the cool season are considerably lower than elsewhere in the country. This region sees less rain than farther south during the green season as well.

Climate in Putao region
Dry season 23-28°C (74-82°F), up to 200 mm (8 inches) of rain
Green season 23-29°C (74-84°F), 200-1000 mm (8-39 inches) of rain
Cool season 18-20°C (60-90°F), 15-45 mm (0.5-1.7 inches) of rain

Unmissable Events in Myanmar

During the Ananda Temple Festival in Bagan, hundreds of monks perform continues chanting of scriptures for 72 hours, while thousands of villagers from the area camp around the temple and offer gifts to the monks on the full moon day.

The Kyaik Khauk Pagoda Festival is held in Thanlyin south of Yangon, usually in the middle of the month. Traditional Burmese folk dancing, plays and songs are performed, while merchants sell handicrafts and locals visit to donate alms to the temple.

The Shwedagon Pagoda Festival is one of Myanmar’s most popular festivals, as thousands of visitors descend on the incredible temple in the center of Yangon to donate alms and express their devotion.

The Thingyan Water Festival, or Burmese New Year, is the biggest holiday of the year. In Yangon, the streets are taken over by raucous water fights, where people douse each other as an act of purification. Throughout the country each region celebrates its own unique traditions, offering fascinating insight into diverse cultures, though travel during this time is difficult as many businesses close.

The Full Moon of Waso welcomes the arrival Buddhist Lent and the monsoon season. During this period monks retreat to their temples to study and give sermons, while lay Buddhists donate monastic robes to monasteries in order to make merit. Food is also donated to monasteries and temples during lent in order to support the monks.

The Taungbyone Nat Festival takes place in a small village north of Mandalay and coincides with the August full moon, tens of thousands of people pay tribute to Burmese spirits. It is worth noting that this is a very gay-friendly festival, as the spirits are usually transgender. The festival features food and handicraft stalls, as well as huge crowds paying tribute to the spirits for good luck and fortune.

The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival draws crowds to Inle Lake as four images of the Buddha are placed on replica of a royal barge shaped like a hintha bird are paraded around the stunning body of water. The boat visits villages situated on the banks of the lake, and the images stay in the monastery in each village for one night. Bagan’s stunning Shwezigon Pagoda holds a fascinating festival at the end of the monsoon season, when the temple grounds are opened for handicraft vendors and local farmers to sell their excess harvest. Traditional plays are also performed, while delicious cuisine is served as well.

The Taunggyi Balloon Festival, an offshoot of the national Tazaungdaing Festival, also marks the end of the monsoon season and is celebrated by releasing hot air balloons lit with candles into the night sky, a remarkable sight.

Did we miss anything? Do you have some other insider tips you’d like to share? Leave your thoughts and comments here about when is the best time to visit Myanmar (Burma)—your fellow travelers will thank you!