Monsoon Escape Index 2026:
Beat the Rainy Season
Planning a trip to Southeast Asia, India, or Africa? Our data reveals exactly when to go to avoid monsoons and enjoy perfect dry season weather across 473 destinations.
Quick Monsoon Season Guide by Region
🇮🇳 South Asia (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka)
🇹🇭 Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Bali)
🌍 East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania)
Key Finding
Destinations like Goa, Mumbai, and Yangon experience dramatic seasonality with 70%+ rain probability during monsoon months dropping to under 10% in dry season. Timing your visit correctly can mean the difference between a dream trip and a washout.
Understanding Monsoon Seasonality
Our "seasonality score" measures the difference between the wettest and driest months. A high score indicates dramatic wet/dry seasons. This is perfect for travelers who can time their visits correctly, but risky for those who book without checking the calendar.
We analyzed 30 years of daily rainfall data to identify not just monsoon timing, but also the best dry season months for each destination. This includes secondary rainy seasons that catch many travelers by surprise.
Year-Round Dry Destinations
Some destinations enjoy consistently low rainfall throughout the year. These "always dry" cities are perfect for travelers who want flexibility without worrying about weather windows.
Most Monsoon-Affected Destinations
| City | Max Rain % | Min Rain % | Seasonality | Best Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goa, India | 99% | 0.4% | 98.6 | Feb, Jan, Mar |
| Mumbai, India | 97.1% | 0% | 97.1 | Apr, Feb, Jan |
| Kathmandu, Nepal | 98.6% | 2.6% | 96 | Dec, Nov, Jan |
| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 96% | 1.1% | 94.9 | Dec, Nov, Jan |
| Yangon, Myanmar | 96.1% | 1.5% | 94.6 | Feb, Dec, Jan |
| Vang Vieng, Laos | 93.5% | 5.2% | 88.3 | Jan, Feb, Dec |
| Kochi, India | 93% | 5.9% | 87.1 | Feb, Jan, Dec |
| Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | 90.5% | 4.7% | 85.8 | Feb, Jan, Mar |
| San Jose, Costa Rica | 88.4% | 6.6% | 81.8 | Feb, Mar, Jan |
| Paro, Bhutan | 95.5% | 14.4% | 81.1 | Dec, Nov, Jan |
| Vientiane, Laos | 82% | 1.8% | 80.2 | Dec, Jan, Feb |
| Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala | 80.9% | 1% | 79.9 | Jan, Feb, Dec |
| Puno, Peru | 81.5% | 1.7% | 79.8 | Jun, Jul, Aug |
| Cartagena, Colombia | 81.7% | 4% | 77.7 | Feb, Jan, Mar |
| Phnom Penh, Cambodia | 81.1% | 4.3% | 76.8 | Jan, Feb, Dec |
Year-Round Dry Destinations (Any Month Works!)
| City | Max Rain Prob | Min Rain Prob |
|---|---|---|
| Luxor, Egypt | 0.3% | 0% |
| Hurghada, Egypt | 0.5% | 0% |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt | 1.4% | 0% |
| Cairo, Egypt | 1.8% | 0% |
| AlUla, Saudi Arabia | 2.2% | 0% |
| Eilat, Israel | 2.7% | 0% |
| Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | 2.9% | 0% |
| Muscat, Oman | 3.9% | 0% |
| Fuerteventura, Spain | 4.3% | 0% |
| Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 4.8% | 0% |
Monsoon Travel Pro Tips
✅ Shoulder Season Sweet Spot
The first and last weeks of dry season often combine good weather with lower crowds and prices. October in Thailand is a prime example.
⚠️ Don't Trust Averages
A "50% rain probability" sounds mild, but in monsoon regions this often means daily afternoon deluges, not light drizzle.
🏝️ Islands Have Microclimates
Thailand's islands vary dramatically. Koh Samui's east coast is wettest Nov-Jan, while the west coast Phuket peaks May-Oct.
💰 Monsoon = Budget Travel
If you can handle some rain, monsoon season offers 50%+ discounts on hotels and uncrowded attractions in places like Bali and Goa.