Traveling During The Rainy Monsoon Season
A little rain never hurt anyone….did it? Splashing around in the rain makes you feel like a kid again. Any time when you can relive your childhood memories or feel like a kid and not feel all the stresses we have nowadays. To me…..your experiencing something simply magical! Depending on what country and area of the world your thinking of traveling to; going during the rainy season might be your best option.
There is still lots to do on a rainy day and many ways to have fun!
In some areas rainy season means heavy downpours but usually only for an hour or two. While other places it rains all the time or only at night. So make sure you research what type of season the area gets.
Chart showing rainy seasons around the world
Chart of Seasons and Months Around the World by MorddelA
For those areas where it rains heavy for only a few hours you should be going during the rainy season. Rainy season means less tourists which also means bargain prices. Wouldn’t you rather be traveling without all the crowds? More and more people are trying to get off the beaten path nowadays in order to find more authentic experiences and to get away from the crowds. Rainy season allows you to do that without having to rent a motorbike or find ways to get off the beaten path. With less tourists it also allows you not to have to worry about booking things in advance like trains, planes, buses and hotels. Booking things in advance I find when traveling totally affects your experience. A place you think you might want to spend a week when making plans in advance only to find out once you arrive you don’t want to be there for that long. I find the places I thought I would least enjoy have been the places I stay the longest and enjoy the most. It ends up totally messing with your plans.
Traveling in the rainy season usually means cooler weather in some places which is a nice reprieve from the hot steamy sunny conditions. Again in most cases you’ll see a lot of the sun during rainy season. Which just means you make the most of it and make better plans to do other things then lie on the beach all day. For those photographers out there looking to capture the best photos with all the cloud formations it allows for perfect and amazing shots especially for landscapes and sunsets.
Machu Picchu during the rainy season
Things you do have to consider though are longer bus rides due to delays and more treacherous roads. So being patient and having an open mind is essential. Traveling during the rainy/monsoon season requires a lot of patience. You need to make sure you pack correctly for rainy season as you will need clothing that dries quickly but also making sure you bring some sort of raingear. Also bring a small compact umbrella, ziplock bags and a good waterproof day pack. As well make sure you bring lots of mosquito repellent.
At the end of the day it really comes down to always making the most of any situation. You can have a little rain or lots of rain stop you from experiencing and having a great time. Or you can embrace it and find out what could be the best travel experience ever!
