Climate

For a more detailed synopsis of weather in specific countries please head to the individual country "info and facts" page or call one of our specialists 1300 720 443 for more information.

South East Asia

South East Asia’s climate is extremely diverse, whilst the mountainous areas in the far north can experience sub zero temperatures some southern destinations can soar above 40 degrees! This does however mean that whatever time of year you are looking at travelling our regional specialists can recommend suitable destinations to visit. In general November through to March offers the most predictable weather throughout Southeast Asia as drier, cooler weather prevails. Temperatures start to rise from April to late June when the monsoonal rains provide light relief from the extreme heat. Exceptions include Malaysia (East Coast and Borneo) and Indonesia where the dry season is from April to October.

The above is only a rough guide as South East Asia’s weather patterns vary considerably even within the same country. In Vietnam, for instance, when sunny and dry in the South the North can be very cold with snow possible in the remote northern hill tribe villages around Sapa and in Thailand when it is wet in the South East islands then the South West is generally dry and vice versa.  

Indian Sub-Continent

As you would expect from such a large region the climate throughout the Indian Sub-continent varies dramatically both between and within countries. Generally speaking the best time to travel is during the cooler autumn and winter months from October through to March, however there are exceptions and travel to the sub continent is possible throughout the year.

s regions in different ways in terms of both temperature extremes and rainfall amounts. Sri Lanka is a year round destination, however there are two annual monsoons which effect different parts of the country, the south and west coasts experience their main rains from May through to August, whereas the North and Eastern regions are hit with heavy rain from October to January.

South America

Atlantic to Pacific, Andes to Amazon and everything in between, South America is a huge continent of natural extremes. Every country, every region, every corner has its own micro-climate yet for visitors planning a trip, it can be very broadly divided into three areas. South of Buenos Aires and Santiago, the picturesque Lake District through to the icefields and granite peaks of Patagonia are best visited from November to March, with bright warms days. Above this imaginary line, the middle third of South America across the Inca heartland of Peru and Bolivia as well as the great Uyuni salt-lake and Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands are at their best from April to October. Finally, the sub-tropical northern tip of South America across Colombia and Venezuela promise hot sunny days on the coast between November to March (often with short snap downpours). Within these zones, the Amazon Rainforest is generally hot and steamy year-round while in the Andes, bright clear days are matched by ever colder nights the higher into the mountains you travel.
 

Antarctica

For much of the year, the Antarctic is shrouded in perpetual darkness as winds howl across the frozen landscapes. Yet when the sun appears above the horizon bathing the continent in light, the transformation is simply magnificent. For visitors, cruises runs from November to March when warmer temperatures and longer days open up the surrounding pack ice. At the start of the season, the picturesque, snow-covered landscapes witness a frenzy of courtship displays and breeding for a variety of sea-birds and marine mammals. As the months progress, the ice melts to slush yet the wildlife activity intensifies. By January/February, the beaches are alive with huge penguin, seal and sea-lion colonies while the narrow channels record ever more whale-sightings. By February, the pack ice has opened up to such an extent that cruises are able to push further south to cross the Antarctic Circle itself.
 

Central America

From Panama’s narrow isthmus up through the chain of small countries into Mexico, Central America covers a heady range of mountains, jungle and desert lapped by both the Pacific and Caribbean.  Each country displays its own unique weather patterns, yet broadly speaking November to April coincides with the dry season in the tropical lowlands. Days are warm and bright from Panama through to southern Mexico, perfect for exploring the Mayan sites, experiencing the rich wildlife or simply lazing on golden beaches. In the rainy season, from May to October, temperatures push well into the 30’s yet coincide with tempestuous downpours which often makes travelling difficult. The hurricane belt runs south from the Gulf of Mexico through the Yucatan, areas best avoided in September and October. Away from the coast, the climate is more moderate with May to November the peak time for visiting Mexico’s highlands. Temperatures reach the mid 20’s with bright, clear days proving ideal for touring the colonial cities or heading into the mountains of the Copper Canyon further north.