Best Time to Visit Chiang Mai

Weather– Chiang Mai has delightful weather conditions during January. The sky stays clear. The temperature starts to drop as soon as the sunsets. Some nights the temperature can go down to even 12 degrees Celsius. During the day the temperature usually stays between 25 degrees to 30 degrees Celsius. Carry light fleece jackets and woolen socks for your evening outings.

Why Visit– January has the perfect weather for exploring the city. It is also the time for Bo Sang Umbrella Festival and Cherry Blossoms viewing.

Weather– The weather is similar to January. The temperature during the day time remains around 28 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius. Nights can get cold and the temperature can fall to 15-18 degrees Celsius. Carry sweaters and light jackets with you. Days are bright and sunny with plenty of sunshine and low humidity. February is the last month of the cool season before the weather starts warming up.

Why Visit– Besides the fine weather conditions February is also the time for the famous Chiang Mai Flower Festival.

Weather– March is the starting of the low tourist season. The temperature starts to rise by February. The average temperature during the day usually stays about 30 degrees Celsius. March is also the peak of the Burning Season in the north. The entire city remains foggy. Thai farmers set the forest on fire to plant cash crops and corn. Chiang Mai is surrounded by mountains and hills which traps the smoke in the valley. Farmers set the corn stalks and rice straws from the previous year on fire to prepare for the coming planting season. The smoke can be harmful to young children, elderly people, and anyone who is suffering from Asthma.

Why Visit– Hotel and flight are extremely cheap. Wearing air masks are important whenever out. Book hotel and resorts with room air purifiers.

Weather– One word to describe the weather in April is hot! The average temperature reaches around 39 degrees Celsius. The temperature can even cross 40 degrees Celsius during the day. It is a good time to visit Chiang Mai if you are not afraid of the heat. Wear cotton and light fabric clothes. Make sure you carry water with you during the day whenever out.

Why Visit– Chiang Mai is one of the best places to celebrate Songkran, the Thai New Year. The three days long festival from 13th April to 15th April is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the city. 13th April also happens to be the hottest day of the year. The street water fights bring relief from the scorching heat.

Weather– The weather is similar to April. The temperature is still high. The average temperature during the day remains around 36 degrees Celsius. You can expect a little rain.

Why Visit – The burning season has completely retreat which means clear air. Hotels and flight tickets are almost half of what it is in the peak season.

Weather– Monsoon starts in Chiang Mai by mid-May. It picks up the intensity by June. The first week can still be a bit hot with temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius. The rain showers are hence reliving. It is very rare for it to ruin an entire day. The average temperature during the month stays around 27 degrees to 32 degrees Celsius. Carry your raincoats or ponchos with you.

Why Visit– The temperature fall during the month compared to the scorching summer season. Most hotels and resorts offer a discount on their peak season price. It is a good time to go for water rafting.

Weather– July is similar to June in terms of the weather conditions. The rain can be quite unpredictable. It mostly rains for an hour or 30 minutes. The downpour usually occurs during the afternoon or late at night. Rain brings the temperature down to around 32 degrees Celsius. The air remains humid.

Why Visit– One of the best months for enjoying the less-crowded low-budget vacation.

Weather– July and August are the wettest months of the year. The average temperature falls further to 31 degrees Celsius. It does not rain every day but it is fair to say it rains most days. It can be quite humid.

Why Visit– It is one of the best times to enjoy a quiet and peaceful vacation.

Weather– September is quite similar to other monsoon months. The temperature during the month remains around 22 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius. Though it would not necessarily rain every day you can expect a fair amount of rainy days. It usually rains for an hour or two during the entire day. The downpour cleans the air and makes the weather cool.

Why Visit– The weather is pleasant. If you are ready to take a chance with the weather then September is the best month to visit and save almost 50% on your travel and accommodation bookings.

Weather– October is the tail-end of the monsoon months. You can expect a few showers here and there that occurs mostly during the night. You can expect a couple of sunny and dry days. The weather mostly remains cool. The temperature down to 21 degrees Celsius.

Why Visit– The rain showers reduce but the weather stays pleasant. You can still avail of discounts on your travel and hotel bookings.

Weather– November is the start of the peak season in Chiang Mai. The temperature remains between 18 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. Hotels start getting booked hence it is best to make your travel and accommodations booking a couple of months in advance.

Why Visit– Besides pleasant weather, November is also the month for Loy Krathong, the famous Siamese festival.

Weather– One of the busiest months in Chiang Mai. The city remains flooded with tourists. The weather in December is extremely pleasant. The temperature during the month ranges between 15 degrees Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius. The sky mostly stays clear as December is one of the dry months in Chiang Mai. Pack some light jackets and long trousers as the evenings can get cool and breezy.

Why Visit– Chiang Mai is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand to celebrate Christmas and New Years’.