Tourism Seasons by Country
Pick a country to see its tourist season month by month — high season, shoulder season and low season — along with any festivals that affect prices, crowds or closures that month.
Burma
| Month | Season Description |
|---|---|
| January | NOTE: Myanmar has been under military rule since the February 2021 coup and is in an active civil war. Travel is strongly discouraged by virtually all Western governments. The following reflects historical pre-coup tourism patterns only. November through February was Myanmar's peak tourist season, coinciding with the cool dry season. Bagan's balloon flights, Inle Lake boat tours, and the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon attracted tens of thousands of visitors monthly. December and January were the busiest and most expensive months: hotels in Bagan (including the boutique properties near Nyaung-U) and Inle Lake resorts needed booking 4–6 weeks in advance; hot-air balloon flights over Bagan (one of the world's most famous sunrise experiences) sold out entirely for the entire season by October. Prices were 50–80% above low season. |
| February | NOTE: Myanmar has been under military rule since the February 2021 coup and is in an active civil war. Travel is strongly discouraged by virtually all Western governments. The following reflects historical pre-coup tourism patterns only. November through February was Myanmar's peak tourist season, coinciding with the cool dry season. Bagan's balloon flights, Inle Lake boat tours, and the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon attracted tens of thousands of visitors monthly. December and January were the busiest and most expensive months: hotels in Bagan (including the boutique properties near Nyaung-U) and Inle Lake resorts needed booking 4–6 weeks in advance; hot-air balloon flights over Bagan (one of the world's most famous sunrise experiences) sold out entirely for the entire season by October. Prices were 50–80% above low season. |
| March | March and October were transitional months with moderate tourism. March saw the hot season beginning but was still manageable for temple visits in the early morning and evenings. October marked the end of the rainy season — a favourite window for experienced travellers seeking lower prices and post-monsoon greenery. The Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock) pilgrimage and Kalaw trekking were excellent in October–November. |
| April | April through September was the off-season. April brought the scorching Thingyan Water Festival (mid-April, the Burmese New Year) — chaotic but culturally extraordinary; accommodation in Yangon and Mandalay doubled in price and sold out completely during the 3-day festival but was cheap the rest of the month. May through September brought the south-west monsoon: road access to Ngapali Beach, Mrauk U, and Chin villages became difficult; flights to remote airstrips were delayed or cancelled; prices were at their lowest and many beach resorts closed. Budget travellers and repeat visitors found the rainy season the most atmospheric time to visit. |
| May | April through September was the off-season. April brought the scorching Thingyan Water Festival (mid-April, the Burmese New Year) — chaotic but culturally extraordinary; accommodation in Yangon and Mandalay doubled in price and sold out completely during the 3-day festival but was cheap the rest of the month. May through September brought the south-west monsoon: road access to Ngapali Beach, Mrauk U, and Chin villages became difficult; flights to remote airstrips were delayed or cancelled; prices were at their lowest and many beach resorts closed. Budget travellers and repeat visitors found the rainy season the most atmospheric time to visit. |
| June | April through September was the off-season. April brought the scorching Thingyan Water Festival (mid-April, the Burmese New Year) — chaotic but culturally extraordinary; accommodation in Yangon and Mandalay doubled in price and sold out completely during the 3-day festival but was cheap the rest of the month. May through September brought the south-west monsoon: road access to Ngapali Beach, Mrauk U, and Chin villages became difficult; flights to remote airstrips were delayed or cancelled; prices were at their lowest and many beach resorts closed. Budget travellers and repeat visitors found the rainy season the most atmospheric time to visit. |
| July | April through September was the off-season. April brought the scorching Thingyan Water Festival (mid-April, the Burmese New Year) — chaotic but culturally extraordinary; accommodation in Yangon and Mandalay doubled in price and sold out completely during the 3-day festival but was cheap the rest of the month. May through September brought the south-west monsoon: road access to Ngapali Beach, Mrauk U, and Chin villages became difficult; flights to remote airstrips were delayed or cancelled; prices were at their lowest and many beach resorts closed. Budget travellers and repeat visitors found the rainy season the most atmospheric time to visit. |
| August | April through September was the off-season. April brought the scorching Thingyan Water Festival (mid-April, the Burmese New Year) — chaotic but culturally extraordinary; accommodation in Yangon and Mandalay doubled in price and sold out completely during the 3-day festival but was cheap the rest of the month. May through September brought the south-west monsoon: road access to Ngapali Beach, Mrauk U, and Chin villages became difficult; flights to remote airstrips were delayed or cancelled; prices were at their lowest and many beach resorts closed. Budget travellers and repeat visitors found the rainy season the most atmospheric time to visit. |
| September | April through September was the off-season. April brought the scorching Thingyan Water Festival (mid-April, the Burmese New Year) — chaotic but culturally extraordinary; accommodation in Yangon and Mandalay doubled in price and sold out completely during the 3-day festival but was cheap the rest of the month. May through September brought the south-west monsoon: road access to Ngapali Beach, Mrauk U, and Chin villages became difficult; flights to remote airstrips were delayed or cancelled; prices were at their lowest and many beach resorts closed. Budget travellers and repeat visitors found the rainy season the most atmospheric time to visit. |
| October | March and October were transitional months with moderate tourism. March saw the hot season beginning but was still manageable for temple visits in the early morning and evenings. October marked the end of the rainy season — a favourite window for experienced travellers seeking lower prices and post-monsoon greenery. The Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock) pilgrimage and Kalaw trekking were excellent in October–November. |
| November | NOTE: Myanmar has been under military rule since the February 2021 coup and is in an active civil war. Travel is strongly discouraged by virtually all Western governments. The following reflects historical pre-coup tourism patterns only. November through February was Myanmar's peak tourist season, coinciding with the cool dry season. Bagan's balloon flights, Inle Lake boat tours, and the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon attracted tens of thousands of visitors monthly. December and January were the busiest and most expensive months: hotels in Bagan (including the boutique properties near Nyaung-U) and Inle Lake resorts needed booking 4–6 weeks in advance; hot-air balloon flights over Bagan (one of the world's most famous sunrise experiences) sold out entirely for the entire season by October. Prices were 50–80% above low season. |
| December | NOTE: Myanmar has been under military rule since the February 2021 coup and is in an active civil war. Travel is strongly discouraged by virtually all Western governments. The following reflects historical pre-coup tourism patterns only. November through February was Myanmar's peak tourist season, coinciding with the cool dry season. Bagan's balloon flights, Inle Lake boat tours, and the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon attracted tens of thousands of visitors monthly. December and January were the busiest and most expensive months: hotels in Bagan (including the boutique properties near Nyaung-U) and Inle Lake resorts needed booking 4–6 weeks in advance; hot-air balloon flights over Bagan (one of the world's most famous sunrise experiences) sold out entirely for the entire season by October. Prices were 50–80% above low season. |
Festivals & events
Thingyan (Water Festival)
Book ahead
Apr
Burmese new year water festival (mid-April). The whole country slows down for several days.
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival
Celebration
Sep–Oct · approximate dates
Inle Lake's grand festival with a golden royal barge and leg-rowers. Lunar dates, usually Sep–Oct.
Thadingyut (Festival of Lights)
Celebration
Oct · approximate dates
Lights and lanterns mark the end of Buddhist Lent. Lunar dates, usually October.
Tazaungdaing (Festival of Lights)
Celebration
Nov · approximate dates
Hot-air balloon competitions, dazzling in Taunggyi near Inle Lake. Lunar date, usually November.
