Southeast Asia is in your crosshairs. You’ve been planning to get away from it all, and are looking into the tropics for that escape. And what a fine choice. There’s a bit of everything here. Great for families, tailor made for romantics, friends will have a great time together, even single travelers will have fond memories of the place. But when should you come here? That is a question that plagues many visitors and potential guests for years on end and we’re here to help make the decision easier for you.

There really is no right or wrong answer for when to come. In the end, like most situations and circumstances out there, it depends solely on you.

Traditionally, the high season corresponds with the region’s dry season, which nicely falls into the West’s late fall/winter/early spring months (and for the Southern Hemisphere, your late spring/summer/early fall seasons). This means November right through to about March or even into April. The weather will surely work to your advantage. Temperatures are cool (at least to their standards) and will hover around the 15-25 degree Celsius mark throughout the day (it is warmer in March and April though, temperatures hovering around the 25-38 degree Celsius mark). Skies are bright blue, humidity is low and there’s not a single cloud in the sky. For those escaping winters in the West, that’s perfect weather! For those coming from the south, that’s perfect weather as well!

But this perfect weather comes with a price, no pun intended. Hotel and resort prices will go up. It will be hard to find a place to stay, unless you plan and book things way in advance. A safe gauge would be about three months in advance, although earlier will definitely be better. This also means that popular sightseeing destinations such as Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and Bangkok’s Grand Palace for example will have more than its usual amount of guests. Beaches and seashores will also have more tourists then at any other time of the year. Keep in mind that this does not mean it will be crowded. It just means that there will be more people. It is all comparative and relative from the other months of the year.

And now comes the low season. This is when the rains start coming in, which usually kicks in around late May right until early November. Rains in Southeast Asia come in short bursts. Yes, they may be hard, but usually only last about half an hour, one hour at most and could even be followed by a surprising phase of bright sunshine right afterwards. Temperatures during the time are usually at a warm 25-35 degrees Celsius. The rains may actually be a welcome relief as temperatures will become a little bit more tolerable with a two degree or so Celsius drop. If it rains once, usually that is it for the day. And during these months, skies are cloudy and overcast, making those warm days a little more bearable.

Southeast Asia, on average receives about 1500 millimeters of rainfall annually. Most parts can easily see double or triple that amount. Indonesia’s rains are generally in reverse from the rest of the region. For a clearer picture, here is a chart of the region’s major cities portraying each month’s expected rainfall. Statistics are taken from Wikitravel. All numbers are in millimeters:

Umbrellas will be your good friend during these months. Not only will it protect you from the rain, it can also help shield you from the sun.

So, which season is the right one for you? If you are looking to book now, both choices are great. If you really want to hop on that plane and be on your way here now, then coming during the low season is not a bad choice. You’ll be treated to a wide open region where most attractions are almost empty of visitors. You’ll get the feeling that those temples, cities, towns and beaches are practically yours. Accommodation and travel will cost less, and can be done almost last minute (this is still not advisable, as availability can always change). However, if you want to book in advance, for a ‘winter’ experience here, then it is another fantastic choice as well. You’ll enjoy what is sure to be the region’s best weather. And the people here are also in a festive mood and will surely spread their holiday cheer to you.

In the end, it all comes down to what you want to do and how you want to experience the region. After all, it is your holiday.

Please take a look at our footprint tours. After a thorough search through each of the country’s offerings, you’ll definitely agree that Southeast Asia is a varied region that even the most discerning traveler will appreciate. There is ample time for you to enjoy the beach, trek the mountains, savor the food, engage with the people, experience the culture and bask in the comforts of your hotel or resort. And if you’re going multi-country? Just check out these tours. What better way to experience the region than by being in several countries and soaking up the many experiences? If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.