Chiang Mai · Month comparison
February vs November
November ranks #1 overall vs February at #5. The finest month: Yi Peng lantern festival plus perfect cool-dry conditions make November unmissable.
February
#5 of 12 months
Strong option
Still beautiful — 8mm rain, sunny days — but agricultural burning begins to tinge the horizon.
- ↑8mm of rain: reliably dry for trekking to hill tribe villages and waterfalls north of the city
- ↑Flower Festival (early February) transforms the old city moat area with elaborate floral displays
November
#1 of 12 months
Best match
The finest month: Yi Peng lantern festival plus perfect cool-dry conditions make November unmissable.
- ↑Yi Peng (full moon, usually mid-November): thousands of paper lanterns released into the night sky — one of the world's great travel experiences
- ↑Cool dry season re-establishes: 40mm rain, 8h sunshine, 15°C nights — perfect for trekking and cycling
| Factor | February | November |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 9 | 10 |
| Value score | 4 | 5 |
| Crowd score | 3 | 5 |
| Events score | 6 | 10 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 10 |
| Avg high temp | 31.5°C | 29°C |
| Monthly rain | 8mm | 40mm |
| Daily sunshine | 9hrs | 8hrs |
February trade-offs
- ↓Agricultural burning season begins in earnest — air quality starts to deteriorate on windless days
- ↓Tourist peak continues: prices remain high and top guesthouses require booking well in advance
- ↓Haze on the horizon is visible — mountain views less sharp than January
November trade-offs
- ↓Yi Peng week: hotels sell out entirely months in advance — the only month where late booking is impossible
- ↓Prices rising sharply as peak season approaches and festival demand hits
- ↓Tourist numbers rebuilding fast: the old city's walking streets get busy again
Scores compare months within Chiang Mai. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →