Seasonal Weather Tips: What's the Best Time to Visit Chiang Mai?

Is there a wrong time of the year to visit Thailand? If you have the opportunity to make the trip, we ensure that you'll enjoy it no matter what season it is or occasion the trip is for. However, if you are wondering what's the best time to visit Chiang Mai then there are a few things to consider when planning your trip.

Chiang Mai is home to one of the most enjoyable environments that you could place yourself in. The best time to visit Chiang Mai might depend on what's most important to you. Some things that one person looks for in a vacation might not be the same things that you look for in your own vacation.

To determine when the best time to visit is, you'll need to understand the 3 different Chiang Mai seasons and decide which one would work best for you. Continue reading below for our seasonal guide that will help you plan your trip!

The Overall Weather

The overall weather in Chiang Mai is tropical. The locals here enjoy the warm weather year-round including during the days and nights. However, nights can become a bit cooler during the dry season.

During the rainy season, the days are also a bit cooler, but nothing too dramatic. To escape the warm weather during the daytime, a trip to the top of the mountains will provide you with a cooler environment. Chiang Mai has three distinct seasons to plan around.

There's the rainy season, the cool season, and the hot season. Each season has it's own benefits and downfalls. It's up to you to make the decision of what works best.

The Rainy Season

During the months of July-October, Chiang Mai experiences the most rain. This is the wettest time of the year here. However, the beauty of Chiang Mai's rainy season is that the rains don't last all day.

During the rainy season, Chiang Mai experiences short bursts of rains, one in the morning and one during the afternoon. The come and go quickly, so you won't have to worry about the rains affecting your plans for the day. The temperatures during this time are cooler than that in the hot season, but keep in mind that there's more humidity.

The heaviest rainfall is normally in September. So, if the rain might be a problem for you, then plan your trip for another month where the rains aren't as heavy. And although the rain might keep you indoors for an hour or two, the aftermath of it is stunning.

These rains bring lush greenery worth seeing!

Travel Necessities

Traveling during the rainy season calls for a raincoat and an umbrella. You should also consider bringing mosquito repellant with you or clothing that's mosquito repellent.

Events and Activities

The rocket festival takes place in July and is the time of the year when the locals gather around to pray for rain. You'll enjoy participating in or watching the rocket contest, where the winner is the rocket that flies the furthest!

The Cool Season

During the months of November-February, Chiang Mai experiences the coolest weather. The days are around 77° and the nights can get as cool as 55°. And if you decided to take a hike up the mountains, you'll come across even cooler weather.

There's not much rain during the cool season and the humidity levels are low. This is the perfect weather for walking around and exploring the city. You'll also notice that you won't need to run the air conditioning at night as the temperatures are ideal.

This is the most popular time for tourists, so do keep in mind that prices will be higher and the area will be more crowded.

Travel Necessities

If you plan to get around via motorcycle, then you'll want to pack a jacket and some warmer clothes. However, you'll also want to pack summer clothing items as well. This is because the weather can climb to the 80s during the day even in the cool season.

Don't forget your camera either, this is the best time of the year to get some amazing photographs of Chiang Mai. The sky is blue and clear, making for perfect lighting.

Events and Activities

The Loi Krathong festival and the Chiang Mai Flower festival both take place during the cool season. Both festivals have their own meaning and reasoning, and if you're in Chiang Mai during either of them, be sure to take the time to experience them. This is something unique to Chiang Mai and you won't find festivals like these anywhere else.

The Hot Season

During the months of March-June, Chiang Mai experiences the hottest weather. However, don't let this stop you from visiting during this time. This is the best time of the year to find deals on amazing rooms and flights.

If the temperatures during the day are too hot for your liking, then spend that time at the hotel pool and consider heading out during the evening. During the hot season, Chiang Mai temperatures can climb as high as 104° and the chance of rain is low.

And because the temperatures are so high, you'll need to ensure that you have a room equipped with air conditioning.

Travel Necessities

During this season, be sure to pack reusable bottles with you so you can fill them up with water throughout the day. Don't forget your other hot weather essentials such as sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and cooler clothes.

Events and Activities

The Songkran and the Inthakhin festival both take place during the hot season. The Songkran festival is also known as the Thai New Year and last for three days in the month of April. The Inthakhin festival is a week-long worship bringing blessings to the city.

When's the Best Time to Visit Chiang Mai?

After reading our guide, we hope you now know when the best time to visit Chiang Mai is for you. The answer depends on what type of activities you're looking for and what kind of weather you are or aren't okay with.

And when you're ready to book your stay, visit our rates and bookings section!