Best Time to Visit South East Asia

With sandy shores, clear waters, comfortable temperatures and limited rainfall, winter is generally the month for a sublime trip to the northern areas of Southeast Asia. Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam see lower humidity and pleasant temperatures through the winter months, also making it the best time to step aboard and float along the Laos and Vietnam riverways of the Mekong River. This is also the best time to visit the plains of Myanmar and the start of the peak season for the Philippines. January also sees the Ati-Atihan Festival held in Kalibo one of the biggest Philippines festivals of the calendar. As well as Chinese and Lunar New Year celebrations throughout many countries.

Bhutan bursts into life in spring when the rhododendrons and jacarandas are in full bloom and many festivals are celebrated. With lighter rainfall spring is the better time to travel to Indonesia and to visit the Philippines before the cyclones come through in the summer. Experience the fun Burmese New Year water festival, celebrated in April, as people throw water at each other in the streets to cleanse the sins of the year. Spring is still a good time to travel to Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam before the summer rains. In Spring the Mekong river tends to dry up considerably in these months after the dry spell, making longer river cruises not possible though Laos and Vietnam.

Quite often the rainy monsoon season runs through the summer months, bringing with it hot and humid temperatures. Malaysia’s east coast is a good option at this time and for families travelling through the school summer holidays, fantastic beach resort options and perfect diving spots along this coast. For Indonesia and Borneo though summer is considered the ‘dry season’ and therefore the best time to visit, with wildlife at its peak and Orangutans are much easier to spot, it will still be hot and humid throughout due to its tropical climate. August will also see turtle hatchlings on the beaches of Borneo which is an amazing spectacle to see.

Autumn is still a fantastic time to visit Borneo and Indonesia, with less crowds that the summer months. This is also an ideal time for travelling to Bhutan with pleasant temperatures and great visibility. You will start to see much dryer weather for Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and the river cruising season starts to peak with the rivers flowing well throughout. October sees the Hindu festival of light, a celebration that lasts for five days. The Burmese Balloon festival see hundreds gather to watch hot air balloons lit with candles float into the night skies, celebrating the end of the rainy season. Head to Chiang Mai for the best views to watch the mesmerising Thailand lantern festival.