Located in Shan State, Inle Lake is one of the popular tourist destinations in Myanmar. As it is the second largest lake in Myanmar, you may get the experience of exotic countryside views and rustic life of floating communities there. Although it has a monsoonal climate with annual average temperature of 26°C, the climate is strongly high in May, up to 30°C on average; and slightly falls in January. During the raining season, the average annual rainfall is about 1,370 mm. And, May and September are the wettest period.
Actually, the dry season is the best time to visit Inle Lake because the temperature is slightly cooler, with little rain. Even though it has insignificant temperature variation within the whole year, you can expect a significant temperature drop in the mornings and evenings.
The Cool and Dry Season November to February is generally the cool and dry season. The coolest time is the average temperature of around 22 to 33°C (72 to 91°F); it is the best time for outdoor activities.Especially, January is the sunniest and the coldest month of the year. It has an average of 11 hours of sunshine. The day temperature may be warm, but it is cool during the evenings and mornings. A long-sleeved shirt and pants should be enough for the day but a sweater or thick jacket during the evenings and mornings to keep yourself warm.
As it is the best time for outdoor activities, you should visit a local market, observe the indigenous lifestyle of the Myanmar people, visit the picturesque Indein Pagoda Complex, enjoy the Inle lake scene, and taste some local style wine by taking a boat. This will make you have an unforgettable experience at Inle Lake.
The Hot Season The hot season is during March to May, but it seldom rains with the average temperature of about 24 to 35°C (75 to 95°F) and with strong sunlight and some rain. Sunscreen should be prepared for protection against sunlight.
But its hottest season is not as hot as other parts of Myanmar like Bagan. So, you can still do more outdoor activities like observing the unique fishing method of the locals, visiting their floating gardens, the local life on the lake, the houses on stilts, and also cultivating farmland on the lake itself.
During the 13th to 16th April is the Myanmar New Year, so you can also join the Thingyan Water Festival, and then culminate in the New Year Celebration on 17th April.
The Rainy Season In the rainy season, May to October, the rain is frequent and heavy with strong winds. The temperature is cool and humid, with an average temperature between 23 and 33°C (73-91°F). If you prefer fewer crowds, you might enjoy the rainy season better.
But, September and October are the most pleasant months to visit Inle Lake because of the time of festivals, dry weather, and less rain. The weather during this period can facilitate tourists to visit their interested places more comfortably.
