Figuring out the best time to visit southeast asia can feel like solving a puzzle. The region spans from the equator to the tropics, meaning there's no single "best" month — while one country bakes in dry-season sunshine, another is getting drenched by monsoon rains. That's actually great news: it means **somewhere in Southeast Asia is perfect to visit right now**, no matter when you're reading this.
This guide breaks down every month so you can plan around weather, crowds, prices, and festivals. If you're flexible with your itinerary, you can chase perfect weather across the region and pick up some excellent hotel deals along the way — tools like SEA Hotel's price comparison make it easy to spot where prices drop during shoulder seasons.
Understanding Southeast Asia's Seasons
Before the month-by-month breakdown, here's the framework:
**Two main weather patterns dominate:** 1. **Monsoon-influenced countries** (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam): Distinct dry season (Nov-Apr) and wet season (May-Oct). Note: Vietnam is an exception with three climate zones. 2. **Equatorial countries** (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia): Rainfall is more evenly distributed year-round, with wetter and drier periods rather than distinct seasons.
**Three "seasons" for travelers:** - **Peak season** (Dec-Feb): Best weather in most of the region, highest prices, biggest crowds. - **Shoulder season** (Mar-May, Oct-Nov): Transitional weather, good deals, fewer crowds. - **Low season** (Jun-Sep): Monsoon rains in many areas, lowest prices, least crowded.
Average temperatures across the region hover between **27-35C (80-95F)** year-round. The question isn't really "will it be hot?" (yes) — it's "will it be wet?"
Month-by-Month Breakdown
January **Best destinations:** Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, southern Vietnam, Bali
January is peak season across most of mainland Southeast Asia. Skies are blue, humidity is manageable, and temperatures are warm but not brutally hot. It's the best weather you'll find in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos all year.
- **Thailand**: Dry, sunny, 25-32C. Perfect beach weather in the south (Koh Samui, Krabi, Phuket). Cool and pleasant in the north (Chiang Mai nights can drop to 15C). - **Cambodia**: Ideal conditions for Angkor Wat — dry, slightly cooler mornings. - **Myanmar**: Peak season. Best time for Bagan, Inle Lake, and the beaches. - **Vietnam**: South is dry and warm. Central (Hoi An, Da Nang) is still in its cooler, wetter season. North (Hanoi, Sapa) is chilly and foggy. - **Indonesia**: Wet season in Bali, but rain is usually brief afternoon showers. Fewer crowds, lower prices. - **Malaysia**: East coast (Perhentian Islands, Redang) is in monsoon season — many resorts close. West coast (Langkawi, Penang) is fine.
**Prices**: Highest of the year. Book hotels well in advance, particularly for Thai islands, Siem Reap, and Luang Prabang.
**Festivals**: Thai festivals and Thaipusam (Malaysia) vary by year.
February **Best destinations:** Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, southern Vietnam, Philippines (Palawan, Boracay)
Very similar to January but with slightly rising temperatures. Still firmly peak season.
- **Philippines**: February is one of the best months for the Philippines — dry, sunny, less humid. Ideal for El Nido, Coron, and Boracay. - **Thailand**: Continues to be excellent. Chiang Mai starts warming up. - **Vietnam**: South remains great. Central starts drying out. North is still cool.
**Prices**: Still peak season pricing. Chinese New Year (if it falls in February) causes a significant spike across the region, particularly in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
March **Best destinations:** Thailand (though getting hot), Cambodia, Philippines, Vietnam (central coast)
The transition month. Mainland Southeast Asia starts heating up — March through May is the "hot season" in Thailand, with temperatures hitting 38-40C in Bangkok and central plains.
- **Thailand**: Hot and dry. Still good for beaches; less comfortable for city sightseeing and temple tours. - **Vietnam**: Central coast enters its best period — warm, dry, perfect for Hoi An and Da Nang beaches. - **Philippines**: Still excellent conditions throughout. - **Indonesia**: Wet season winding down. Bali gets cheaper.
**Prices**: Beginning to drop from peak. Good shoulder-season deals emerge, especially for mainland destinations. When comparing rates on SEA Hotel, March can be 20-40% cheaper than January for the same hotels.
April **Best destinations:** Vietnam (central), Philippines, Indonesia (transitioning to dry), Singapore (hot but functional)
The hottest month across mainland Southeast Asia. Songkran (Thai New Year water festival) transforms Thailand in mid-April.
- **Thailand**: Extremely hot (38-42C), but Songkran (April 13-15) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The entire country becomes a water fight. - **Cambodia**: Very hot. Khmer New Year mid-April brings celebrations. - **Laos**: Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) mirrors Songkran — water throwing and festivities. - **Vietnam**: Central coast is warm and pleasant. South is hot and humid, pre-monsoon. - **Indonesia**: Transitioning to dry season. Good time for Bali.
**Prices**: Drops for most destinations. Spikes during Songkran week in Thailand.
**Festivals**: Songkran (Thailand, April 13-15), Khmer New Year (Cambodia), Pi Mai Lao (Laos).
May **Best destinations:** Vietnam (central and north), Indonesia (Bali dry season begins), Borneo
May marks the start of monsoon season across mainland Southeast Asia, but it's a gentle transition — rain comes in short, intense bursts rather than all-day downpours.
- **Thailand**: Rains begin, particularly in the south. Prices drop significantly. - **Vietnam**: North warms up nicely. Central is still good. South enters monsoon. - **Indonesia**: Dry season begins in Bali and Java. Excellent time to visit. - **Malaysia**: West coast is fine. East coast starts reopening.
**Prices**: Low season pricing kicks in for Thailand, Cambodia, Laos. Good deals everywhere.
June **Best destinations:** Indonesia (Bali, Komodo, Raja Ampat), Borneo, Vietnam (Sapa, northern highlands)
Monsoon is established across mainland Southeast Asia. Indonesia enters its prime.
- **Indonesia**: Peak dry season. Bali is perfect — sunny, less humid, great surf. - **Thailand**: Regular afternoon rains, but mornings are often sunny. Hotels offer their best rates. - **Malaysia**: East coast (Perhentian, Redang) fully reopens and enters its best season. - **Philippines**: Wet season begins in most areas, though Palawan remains drier.
**Prices**: Low season on the mainland, high season in Bali/Indonesia. Best value overall for the region.
July-August **Best destinations:** Indonesia, Malaysian Borneo, east coast Malaysia
Peak summer travel from the Northern Hemisphere meets monsoon season, creating an interesting dynamic.
- **Indonesia**: Still dry season and at its busiest. Bali and Lombok are crowded. Komodo and Flores are spectacular. - **Thailand**: Consistent rain, but resorts offer amazing deals. Diving in the Similan Islands is closed, but Koh Tao on the Gulf side is still diveable. - **Vietnam**: South is wet. North is hot and humid with occasional rain. Sapa is lush and green. - **Philippines**: Peak monsoon in many areas. Not ideal for most destinations.
**Prices**: Indonesia peaks. Thailand and mainland SEA offer best hotel deals. July-August is when you can find luxury resorts at 50-60% off peak rates on the mainland.
September **Best destinations:** Indonesia (still dry), Myanmar (if accessible — green season is beautiful despite rain)
September is the wettest month across much of mainland Southeast Asia. Indonesia remains dry.
- **Thailand**: Heaviest rains, particularly in September-October. Flooding possible in some areas. But tourist sites are uncrowded and deals are exceptional. - **Indonesia**: Dry season continues. Still great for Bali, though the season is ending. - **Vietnam**: Typhoon season begins in central Vietnam. Not ideal for Da Nang/Hoi An.
**Prices**: Rock-bottom on the mainland. This is the absolute best time for budget travelers in Thailand and Cambodia.
October **Best destinations:** Indonesia (final weeks of dry), start of transition month everywhere
October is the transition back to dry season for mainland Southeast Asia. The last heavy rains taper off.
- **Thailand**: Rains ease in the second half. Koh Samui and the Gulf islands can be very wet (their monsoon peaks in October-November). - **Cambodia**: Tonle Sap lake is at its fullest — interesting for boat trips. - **Vietnam**: Central coast is still typhoon-prone. North starts cooling. - **Indonesia**: Transitioning to wet season. Still acceptable but increasingly humid.
**Prices**: Last of the low-season deals before prices climb in November.
November **Best destinations:** Thailand (post-monsoon perfection), Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam (south), Laos
November is arguably the best overall month for mainland Southeast Asia. The rains have ended, everything is green and lush, and peak-season crowds haven't arrived yet.
- **Thailand**: Fresh, cool(ish), green. Loy Krathong festival (floating lanterns and krathongs). Sublime. - **Cambodia**: Excellent. Angkor Wat surrounded by green vegetation. Water Festival in Phnom Penh. - **Laos**: Mekong at its fullest. Beautiful landscapes. That Luang Festival in Vientiane. - **Vietnam**: South enters dry season. Central is drying out but still some rain. North is cool and pleasant. - **Malaysia**: East coast monsoon begins again. West coast is fine.
**Prices**: Shoulder season — better than December-January but starting to rise. The sweet spot for value.
**Festivals**: Loy Krathong (Thailand), Bon Om Touk Water Festival (Cambodia), That Luang (Laos).
December **Best destinations:** Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar
December is peak season's opening act. Weather is excellent across mainland Southeast Asia — cool mornings, warm days, blue skies.
- **Thailand**: Best weather. Cool season in full effect. Northern Thailand is particularly pleasant. - **Vietnam**: South is great. Central is good. North is cold (Sapa can drop below 5C). - **Philippines**: Dry season begins. Christmas celebrations are enormous — the Philippines has the longest Christmas season in the world. - **Indonesia**: Wet season, but Christmas/New Year creates a mini peak. Bali is crowded despite rain.
**Prices**: Climbing rapidly, especially for Christmas and New Year's Eve. Book early for any travel over the holidays.
Where to Go When: Quick Summary
| Month | Top Picks | Avoid | |-------|-----------|-------| | Jan | Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar | East coast Malaysia | | Feb | Philippines, Thailand, Laos | East coast Malaysia | | Mar | Vietnam coast, Philippines | Bangkok (too hot) | | Apr | Vietnam, Indonesia | Bangkok, Phnom Penh (extreme heat) | | May | Bali, Borneo, Vietnam | Southern Thailand | | Jun | Indonesia, East Malaysia | Philippines (monsoon) | | Jul | Indonesia, Borneo | Philippines, mainland SEA | | Aug | Indonesia, Borneo | Central Vietnam (typhoons) | | Sep | Indonesia | Central Vietnam, Thailand | | Oct | Indonesia (end of dry) | Gulf of Thailand, central Vietnam | | Nov | Thailand, Cambodia, Laos | East coast Malaysia, Bali | | Dec | Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines | East coast Malaysia |
Hotel Pricing Patterns
Understanding seasonal pricing is critical for getting value: - **Peak season (Dec-Feb)**: Expect to pay full rack rates. In popular destinations like Phuket, Bali, and Siem Reap, prices can be 2-3x low-season rates. - **Shoulder months (Mar-May, Oct-Nov)**: 20-40% savings versus peak. Often the best balance of weather and value. - **Low season (Jun-Sep)**: 40-60% savings at mainland hotels. Luxury resorts that cost $400/night in January might be $150-180. Comparing prices across platforms during these months can yield exceptional deals. - **Booking timing**: For peak season, book 3-6 months ahead. For low season, last-minute bookings often get the best rates.
The Bottom Line
There is no bad time to visit Southeast Asia — only better and worse times for specific destinations. The region's diversity means you can always find somewhere with great weather. If you're flexible, follow the dry seasons and the deals. If you're locked into specific dates, adjust your itinerary to match the weather rather than fighting it.
The savviest travelers build their itineraries around weather patterns: mainland Southeast Asia from November through February, Indonesia and East Malaysia from May through September, and the shoulder months for the best deals everywhere.
