What is the best time to visit Myanmar (Burma)?

Best Time to Visit Myanmar (Burma)

The best time to travel to Myanmar (Burma) is during the dry season from November to February and the cool season from March to May.

Dry Season in Myanmar (Burma)

The dry season in Myanmar (Burma) runs from November to February. This period is characterized by sunny skies, low humidity, and comfortable temperatures. The days are warm, ranging from the mid-70s to the low 90s Fahrenheit, while the nights are cooler. This is a great time to explore the country’s many attractions, such as the ancient temples of Bagan and the Inle Lake region. During this season, travelers can also enjoy the annual hot air balloon festival in Bagan.

Cool Season in Myanmar (Burma)

The cool season in Myanmar (Burma) runs from March to May. This period is characterized by mild temperatures and occasional rain showers. The days are warm, ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit, while the nights are cooler. This is a great time to explore the country’s many attractions, such as the ancient temples of Bagan and the Inle Lake region. During this season, travelers can also enjoy the annual Thingyan Water Festival, which celebrates the Burmese New Year.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Myanmar (Burma)

Myanmar (Burma) in January

Weather

January is the coldest month in Myanmar (Burma), with temperatures ranging from 14-24°C (57-75°F). Rainfall is low, with an average of 11 days of rain.

Events

• The Burmese New Year, Thingyan, is celebrated in mid-April. This is a three-day festival of water fights, music, and dancing.
• The annual Shwedagon Pagoda Festival is held in Yangon during the first week of January. This festival celebrates the pagoda, which is the most sacred Buddhist site in the country.
• The annual Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda Festival is held in Mon State during the second week of January. This festival celebrates the pagoda, which is located on top of a golden rock.
• The annual Taunggyi Balloon Festival is held in Shan State during the third week of January. This festival features hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes.
• The annual Bagan Festival is held in Bagan during the fourth week of January. This festival celebrates the ancient city of Bagan, which is home to thousands of Buddhist temples and pagodas.

Myanmar (Burma) in January

Weather

January is the coldest month in Myanmar (Burma) with temperatures ranging from 17°C (62°F) to 25°C (77°F). Rainfall is low and the skies are usually clear.

Events

• The annual Thingyan Water Festival is celebrated in January. It is a traditional Burmese festival that marks the start of the New Year and is celebrated with water fights and dancing.
• The annual Kachin Manaw Festival is held in January in Myitkyina. It is a celebration of the Kachin culture and includes traditional music, dance, and food.
• The annual Yadanabon Festival is held in January in Mandalay. It is a celebration of Burmese culture and includes traditional music, dance, and food.
• The annual Taunggyi Fire Balloon Festival is held in January in Taunggyi. It is a celebration of Burmese culture and includes traditional music, dance, and hot air balloon competitions.
• The annual Pindaya Cave Festival is held in January in Pindaya. It is a celebration of Burmese culture and includes traditional music, dance, and a procession to the Pindaya Cave.

Myanmar (Burma) in March

Weather

March is the start of the hot season in Myanmar (Burma). Temperatures in the central plains and the Yangon region can reach up to 35°C (95°F). Nights are still relatively cool, with temperatures dropping to around 18°C (64°F). Rainfall is also more frequent in March, with an average of 16 days of rain throughout the month.

Events

• The Thingyan Festival is a traditional Buddhist New Year celebration. It is celebrated in the middle of March and marks the start of the Burmese calendar year. The festival involves people pouring water over each other to symbolize cleansing and renewal.
• The annual Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival is held in Inle Lake, Shan State in mid-October. The festival is celebrated by Buddhist monks and is one of the most important festivals in Myanmar.
• The Bagan Festival is held in Bagan, the ancient capital of Myanmar. The festival is a celebration of the culture and history of Bagan, and includes traditional dances, music, and food.
• The Taunggyi Balloon Festival is held in Taunggyi, Shan State. The festival features hot air balloons of various shapes and sizes, and is a popular event for locals and tourists alike.
• The Thadingyut Festival is held in late October and marks the end of Buddhist Lent. It is celebrated with traditional dances, music, and food, and is a popular event for locals and tourists alike.

Myanmar (Burma) in April

Weather

April marks the start of the hot season in Myanmar (Burma). Temperatures start to rise and humidity levels increase. Rainfall is also more frequent during this time.

Events

• The Thingyan Water Festival is held in April and marks the start of the Burmese New Year. People celebrate by throwing water on each other and participating in various activities.
• The Kason Festival is celebrated in April and is a time for Buddhists to pay respect to their elders. Buddhists also make offerings to the monks and visit pagodas during this time.
• The Taunggyi Hot Air Balloon Festival is held in April and is a popular event in Myanmar. Hot air balloons of various shapes and sizes are released into the sky and fireworks are lit up at night.
• The Shwedagon Pagoda Festival is held in April and is a time for Buddhists to pay respect to the Buddha. Buddhists make offerings and light candles at the pagoda.
• The Kachin Manaw Festival is held in April and is a celebration of the Kachin culture. People dress up in traditional Kachin clothing and participate in various activities.

Myanmar (Burma) in May

Weather

In May, Myanmar (Burma) experiences warm temperatures and high humidity. The average temperature is around 28°C (82°F). The monsoon season usually begins in May and brings heavy rains and thunderstorms to the region.

Events

• The Thingyan Water Festival is celebrated in Myanmar in April and May. This is a Buddhist festival that marks the start of the Burmese New Year. People celebrate by throwing water at each other and taking part in traditional dances.
• The Kachin Manaw Festival is held in May in the Kachin State. This is a traditional festival that celebrates the culture and traditions of the Kachin people. It includes traditional dances, music, and food.
• The Taunggyi Balloon Festival is held in Taunggyi in Shan State in May. This is a unique festival where hot air balloons are launched into the sky. The balloons are decorated with lights and fireworks and can be seen from miles away.
• The Shwedagon Pagoda Festival is held in Yangon in May. This is a Buddhist festival that celebrates the Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Myanmar. The festival includes traditional music, dance, and food.
• The Myanmar International Film Festival is held in Yangon in May. This is a celebration of Myanmar’s film industry and includes screenings of local and international films.

Myanmar (Burma) in June

Weather

June is the start of the monsoon season in Myanmar (Burma), with temperatures ranging from 22-33 degrees Celsius and high humidity. Rainfall is common throughout the month, with the heaviest rain typically occurring in the middle of the month.

Events

• The Thingyan Water Festival is one of the most important events in Myanmar and is celebrated in mid-April. The festival marks the start of the new year and is celebrated with water fights, music, and dancing.
• The Kengtung Festival is held in the town of Kengtung in June and is a celebration of the local culture and traditions. During the festival, there are traditional dance performances, music, and food.
• The International Day of Yoga is celebrated in June and is a great opportunity for people to come together and practice yoga. There are often classes and workshops held in various locations throughout the country.
• The Taunggyi Balloon Festival is held in the town of Taunggyi in June and is a celebration of the hot air ballooning tradition in Myanmar. During the festival, hot air balloons of various shapes and sizes are released into the sky.
• The Pindaya Cave Festival is held in the town of Pindaya in June and is a celebration of the local culture and traditions. During the festival, there are traditional dance performances, music, and food.

Myanmar (Burma) in July

Weather

July is the start of the rainy season in Myanmar (Burma). Temperatures are typically hot and humid, with average highs of around 33°C (91°F) and lows of around 24°C (75°F). Rainfall is frequent, with an average of around 200mm (8 inches) of rainfall throughout the month.

Events

• The annual Taunggyi Balloon Festival takes place in the town of Taunggyi in Shan State. The festival features hot air balloons of various shapes and sizes, as well as traditional performances and fireworks.
• The Kachin Manau Festival is a traditional festival celebrated by the Kachin people in the northern part of the country. The festival includes traditional music and dance performances, as well as a beauty pageant and a parade.
• The annual Thingyan Water Festival is a Buddhist festival celebrated in April. During the festival, people celebrate by throwing water on each other, and there are also traditional music and dance performances.
• The annual Myanmar International Film Festival takes place in July in the cities of Yangon and Mandalay. The festival showcases the best of Myanmar’s film industry, and includes screenings, workshops, and seminars.
• The annual Myanmar Food and Drink Festival takes place in July in Yangon. The festival features traditional Myanmar cuisine, as well as international food and drinks.

Myanmar (Burma) in August

Weather

August is the hottest month of the year in Myanmar (Burma) with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (95°F). The monsoon season is in full swing, with heavy rains and thunderstorms occurring frequently. Humidity levels are high, making the heat even more oppressive.

Events

• The annual Taunggyi Balloon Festival takes place during the first week of August. This event is a celebration of the diverse cultures of the Shan people and features hot air balloon competitions, fireworks, and traditional dance performances.
• The Kyaiktiyo Pagoda Festival is held during the full moon of August. This festival is a celebration of the famous golden pagoda located on the summit of Mount Kyaiktiyo. Thousands of pilgrims make the journey to the pagoda to make offerings and celebrate the Buddhist faith.
• The Full Moon of Waso is celebrated in August. This is a traditional Buddhist festival that marks the beginning of the Buddhist Lent period. It is a time for Buddhists to make offerings to the monks and to practice acts of charity.
• The Martyrs’ Day is celebrated on the 19th of August. This day marks the anniversary of the assassination of General Aung San, a leader of the independence movement in Myanmar. People gather in Yangon to pay their respects to the fallen leader.
• The Thadingyut Festival is celebrated in the last week of August. This is an important Buddhist festival that marks the end of the Buddhist Lent period. People light candles and lanterns to honor the Buddha and to celebrate the end of the rainy season.

Myanmar (Burma) in September

Weather

September is the beginning of the rainy season in Myanmar (Burma). The average temperature is 27°C (80°F) with high humidity and frequent showers.

Events

• The Thadingyut Festival of Lights is celebrated in September. People light up their homes and streets with candles and electric lights.
• The Full Moon Day of Thadingyut is celebrated on the full moon of the month. This is a time for families to get together and give thanks for the blessings of the year.
• The Tazaungdaing Festival is celebrated on the full moon of the month. This is a time for families to get together and give thanks for the blessings of the year.
• The Water Festival is celebrated in September. This is a time for people to enjoy boat races and other water activities.
• The Ananda Pagoda Festival is celebrated in September. This is a time for people to visit the Ananda Pagoda and celebrate with traditional music and dance.

Myanmar (Burma) in October

Weather

October is the start of the dry season in Myanmar, with temperatures ranging from 23°C to 32°C (73°F to 90°F). The skies are generally clear and sunny throughout the month.

Events

• Thadingyut Festival: This is one of the most important Buddhist festivals of the year, celebrated by lighting candles and lanterns to honor the Buddha and his teachings.
• Tazaungdaing Festival: This festival marks the end of the Buddhist lent period and is celebrated with fireworks and parades.
• Water Festival: This is a three-day festival celebrating the end of the rainy season. People from all over the country come together to enjoy boat races and other water-based activities.
• Union Day: This is a national holiday celebrating Myanmar’s independence from Britain in 1948.
• Martyrs’ Day: This is a national holiday commemorating those who died fighting for Myanmar’s independence.

Myanmar (Burma) in November

Weather

November in Myanmar (Burma) is typically a warm and dry month with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to mid-30s Celsius. Rainfall is typically light with an average of about 8-10 days of rain throughout the month.

Events

• The annual Tazaungdaing Festival is celebrated on the full moon day of November. The festival marks the end of the Buddhist lent period and is celebrated with a variety of traditional ceremonies and activities.
• The annual Taunggyi Balloon Festival takes place in the city of Taunggyi in Shan State. The festival features hot air balloons of various shapes and sizes, as well as traditional performances and activities.
• The annual Thadingyut Festival is celebrated in late October or early November. The festival marks the end of Buddhist lent and is celebrated with traditional ceremonies, activities, and decorations.
• The annual Shwezigon Pagoda Festival is celebrated in late October or early November. The festival features traditional performances, activities, and decorations.
• The annual Shwedagon Pagoda Festival is celebrated in late October or early November. The festival features traditional performances, activities, and decorations.

Myanmar (Burma) in December

Weather

December is the start of the dry season in Myanmar, with temperatures ranging from an average low of 14°C (57°F) to an average high of 30°C (86°F). The days are generally sunny and clear, with occasional showers in the evening.

Events

• The annual Tazaungdaing Festival is held on the full moon of Tazaungmone (usually in late November or early December). It is a celebration of the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season, with traditional music and dance performances, parades, and fireworks.
• The Myanmar International Tourism Expo is held annually in December in Yangon. It is a great opportunity to explore the country’s culture and attractions, as well as to learn more about the tourism industry.
• The Shwedagon Pagoda Festival is a week-long celebration held in late December in Yangon. It features traditional music and dance performances, parades, and a variety of food stalls.
• The annual Water Festival is held in late December in Yangon. It is a celebration of the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season, with boat races, traditional music and dance performances, and food stalls.
• The annual Thingyan Festival is held in late December and early January in Yangon. It is a celebration of the new year, with water fights, traditional music and dance performances, and food stalls.