When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
November to February is the best time to visit Chiang Mai for outdoor plans. Rain all but stops, skies clear and evenings turn cool enough for a light jacket. December and January are the sweet spot: climate data puts average highs at around 29 to 30 degrees, lows at around 15 to 16 degrees, and only one or two rainy days a month.
Locals call it the cool season, and the name is relative. Afternoons are still warm. The change is in the mornings, the evenings and the light. Skies turn a deep blue, the humidity drops and the sun sets a little earlier, so golden hour arrives while you are still out.
The window is short and popular. Hotels around the Old City fill for Christmas and New Year, so if you are travelling with family it helps to plan the festive week early. Our guide to Christmas and New Year in Chiang Mai with family covers what stays open and what to do with the days.
What is the weather like month by month from November to February?
November is the transition, with roughly 50 mm of rain over about five days and highs near 31 degrees. December dries out to around 20 mm over two days with highs near 29 degrees. January is the driest and coolest month, with about 10 mm of rain, one rainy day and lows near 15 degrees. February stays dry with highs climbing toward 33 degrees, all according to climatestotravel.com.
The pattern is simple. Each month from November onward is drier than the last, and December and January are the coolest. By February the afternoons start to warm again and the countryside begins to dry out ahead of the hot season.
There is one caveat worth knowing before you fix dates. Late February can bring the first haze of the burning season, and it usually settles in properly during March. If your trip lands in that stretch, read our notes on what to do in Chiang Mai during smoky season and keep your outdoor plans flexible.
Which afternoons are best for being outdoors?
Late afternoons in December and January are the best in the whole year. The sun has lost its bite by around 15:30, the air is dry, and you get a long, soft golden hour before a cool evening. Mornings are for temples and markets. Afternoons are for gardens, lawns and anything that keeps you outside until the light goes.
A good cool season day has a shape. Start early while the streets are quiet, retreat somewhere shaded through the hottest hour or two, then head back out around mid afternoon and stay out until sunset. The one afternoon plan for Chiang Mai follows exactly that rhythm.
Mini golf sits naturally in that last slot. A round of 18 holes takes about 1 to 2 hours, so a start at 15:30 or 16:00 puts the final holes in golden hour, with shaded garden seating and a cold drink waiting when you finish.
Does Chiang Mai get cold in the cool season?
Cool rather than cold. Average lows in December and January sit around 15 to 16 degrees, and the coolest hours are just before dawn. Afternoons still reach 29 to 30 degrees. Pack one light layer for early mornings and evenings, and you will be comfortable for the rest of the day in the clothes you wore in the afternoon.
The coolness is most noticeable if you head up into the hills, where mornings feel sharper than in town. Down in the city it is a pleasant change from the humidity of the rainy season rather than anything to plan around. Sun protection matters more than warm clothing, because clear skies mean strong midday sun.
What is on in Chiang Mai during the cool season?
The headline event is Yi Peng and Loy Krathong, which in 2026 runs from 23 to 25 November according to Beautiful Chiang Mai. Lanterns fill the sky and krathongs float on the river and moat. Christmas and New Year follow a month later, and the whole season is peak time for night markets and outdoor dining.
Festival evenings are crowded and the streets around the river and the Old City slow to a walk. The days, by contrast, are calm, which makes them ideal for an outdoor afternoon before the evening starts. Our guide to Loy Krathong and Yi Peng in the daytime has ideas for filling those hours.
Where does mini golf fit into a cool season afternoon?
Mini golf works best as the late afternoon activity: the walk-in format means no booking, a round of 18 holes takes about 1 to 2 hours, and the course is open every day from 09:00 to 18:00. Aim to arrive by mid afternoon so you finish in the best light, then settle into the shaded garden seating for a drink.
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Course | 18 holes in a garden setting in Chiang Mai |
| Booking | None needed, walk in |
| Hours | Every day, 09:00 to 18:00 |
| Round length | About 1 to 2 hours |
| Refreshments | Cold drinks, snacks and ice cream on site |
| Seating | Shaded garden seating |
| Extras | Lawn games: cornhole, board games, frisbee |
| Groups and events | Birthdays and groups welcome, message ahead so space is set aside |
If you are bringing a group, a birthday party or a work outing, message ahead so space is set aside. Everything else, including how to find the course, is on the contact page.