Light rains, cool breeze, lush green fields, and the long-awaited relief from the scorching sun define the magic of monsoons best. The cool breeze and drizzle inspire us to step out and explore places, but torrential rains can spoil travel plans. If you want to visit an international destination this monsoon, here is a list of places where you will be welcomed with the most comfortable climatic conditions. Scroll down, choose your place, pack your bags, and thank us later.
Indonesia
Indonesia is one of the best places to visit during monsoon as it is mostly dry and cool. It is also an ideal time for diving around Menjangan and West Bali National Park and the east coast. It is also the peak season for tourism in the country, especially in Bali. So, make sure you plan your trip well in advance.
Weather: The weather is dry and sunny and the average temperature is 27°C.
Best things to do:
Visit the famous Uluwatu temple, visit Lake Toba in Sumatra, take a day trip to Nusa Dua, enjoy water adventures like snorkeling, and scuba diving in Ayer Islands, and buy great souvenirs in Jakarta.
Best places to stay:
- The St. Regis Bali Resort
- Alila Villas Uluwatu
- W Bali, Seminyak
Maldives
Known as a beach lover’s paradise, Maldives is a paradise to visit during monsoon. Although July and August are the wettest months in the island nation, you can still expect plenty of sunshine. The best choice in Maldives is Male as it has moderate temperatures compared to other places.
Weather: The weather is wet but sunny and the average temperature is around 28 degrees Celsius.
Best things to do:
Surfing, scuba diving, and other water sports, visit Hulhule Island, visit the Tsunami memorial and relax on the beaches.
Best places to stay:
- Hotel Jane Male
- Kurumba Maldives
- Hotel Octave Maldives
Malaysia
Malaysia proves to be the best place to enjoy a beach holiday during monsoon. And if you are worried about the budget then plan your trip in August when the peak season ends. You can expect a huge drop in airfares and accommodation rates, while the beauty and joy of exploring Malaysia remain the same.
Weather: Expect intermittent rains and long sunny spells with average temperatures ranging between 31°C and 25°C.
Best things to do:
Explore serene views via cable car rides, enjoy parasailing, jet skiing, and island hopping, and visit the Ayer Hangat Night Market.
Best places to stay:
- Four Seasons Resort Langkawi
- Holiday Villas Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi
- The Dana Langkawi
Singapore
Singapore is great to visit all year round as the weather remains mostly the same. The country receives very little rainfall during the monsoons, so you can explore the beauty of this island city-state. What more? You can also expect mind-blowing discounts during the Great Singapore Sale.
Weather: The weather here is either hot or windy with little rainfall and the temperature ranges between 31°C to 20°C.
Best things to do:
Visit Marina Bay Sands, explore Sentosa and its fun attractions, take a day tour of Bintan Island, spend an afternoon in the Cloud Forest and watch the trees come alive at Gardens by the Bay, and shop at Bugis Street.
Best places to stay:
- Marina Bay Sands
- Furama Riverfront Hotel
- The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Japan
Although you won’t get to see the beautiful cherry blossoms during the monsoon, Japan is a great place to visit any time of the year. If you want to avoid heavy rains, cross out Honshu and central Japan from your list. You can head north to Hokkaido which remains dry and sunny while Hokkaido offers the most comfortable weather conditions. And most of the monuments in the country are air-conditioned, so you can visit them even when the weather is hot and humid.
Weather: The average daily temperature is 26°C.
Things to do:
Attend fireworks festivals and enjoy traditional summer street food like yakisoba (fried noodles), yakitori (chicken skewers), wata ame (cotton candy), attend the Nebuta Festival, relax on the beaches with some cold beer, see the majestic Mount Fuji, take the best Instagram photos in the flower fields and the list doesn’t end there.
Best places to stay:
- Four Seasons Hotel, Kyoto
- Park Hyatt, Tokyo
Thailand
Thailand is the best if you want to enjoy the best of monsoons as the country receives light to moderate rainfall and sometimes downpours. August is also the month when you can shop fiercely during The Amazing Thailand Grand Sales. Visit Bangkok for the best shopping experience.
Weather: The temperature in Thailand during August usually ranges between 33°C and 25°C
Best things to do:
Visit Wat Arun temple, tour the Grand Palace, shop at the best markets, enjoy oriental spas.
Best places to stay:
- Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok
- W Bangkok
- Riva Surya Bangkok
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has both rain and sunshine during monsoons, so you can choose a place according to your preference. While the western and southern coastal areas of the island receive heavy rainfall, the weather on the north and east coast is mostly dry and bright. This is also the time when you can book hotels and flights at reasonable prices.
Weather: It is a mix of rain and sunshine and the average temperature is 28°C.
Best things to do:
Visit the National Museum of Colombo and the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, spend an evening at the Galle Face Green, go shopping in Pettah, explore the Colombo Dutch Museum.
Best places to stay:
- Taj Samudra
- Colombo Court Hotel & Spa
- Hotel Galadari
Monsoon Travel Tips So You Can Enjoy Your Rainy Holidays To The Fullest
For those of you wondering how you prepare to face the monsoons while traveling, here are some important tips:
1. Choosing a Destination
Choosing your destination is one of the most important steps to make your trip enjoyable and successful. If you travel during the monsoons, keep your safety in mind and research well while choosing a destination.
If you go for a beach holiday in the monsoons, you can enjoy some water adventures like river cruising, rafting and scuba diving to make your monsoon adventure even more memorable.
2. Check the weather forecast
Another important tip for traveling during the monsoon season is to check the weather forecast for your destination well in advance. Since it rains a lot and some areas are more prone to landslides and heavy rains, this step is very important.
When checking the weather conditions, look at the weather forecast 3-5 days before and after the travel date. This way, you can reduce the chances of being a victim of rain and plan better.
3. Pack the essentials
To make the most of your monsoon vacation, be careful while packing. The goal is to pack light but carry all the essentials. Consider these packing tips for monsoon:
- Carry synthetic clothes as they are light and airy and dry in no time. If you get drenched in a sudden rain, synthetic clothes will keep you covered.
- While traveling, make sure to pack your things in waterproof bags and carry an umbrella to avoid getting sick on your vacation.
- Another important tip for monsoon travel is to pack your hair dryer in your luggage.
- If you are carrying your gadgets, such as a camera or smartphone, get a waterproof cover to protect your device from the rain.
- Wearing good waterproof shoes while traveling during monsoon will help you walk comfortably and without any hassle.
4. Staying healthy
To have fun in the monsoon, it is important to stay healthy while traveling. An important travel tip for the monsoon is to carry a first aid box with you. As a precaution, carry essential medicines for flu, fever, cold, headache, and indigestion. Since monsoon attracts insects and mosquitoes, it is also important to carry insect repellent.
5. Food selection
During monsoon, you need to be very careful in your food selection. If you want to try the local cuisine while traveling, choose safe options. Avoid seafood during the rainy season to avoid food poisoning. It is advisable to eat at hygienic local restaurants or airport dining outlets for safety.
Also, during the rainy season, do not drink water from an unreliable source. During monsoon, waterborne diseases are at their peak. Hence, it is advisable to buy packaged water. Or, carry your own water bottle to avoid buying water. Also, do not leave the water open.
6. Capturing the Moments
The memories captured keep the travel feeling alive for a long time. When traveling during monsoon, try to capture the drama and emotion that comes with the rain. Play with light and shadow and capture how the monsoon brings life to flowers and nature.
While clicking stunning rain photos, do not forget to take care of your photography gear. Carry waterproof equipment and microfibre cloths to keep your gear dry and safe.