The monsoon doesn’t just bring rain. It brings drama, color, renewal—and in some parts of the world, it turns already-beautiful places into something unforgettable. For travelers who don’t mind getting a little wet, countries like India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and even Scotland offer some of their most magical moments during the rainy season.
Rain polishes waterfalls until they thunder. It greens the hills, mists the valleys, and hushes the crowds. In the following seven countries, the monsoon isn’t a downer—it’s a spectacle.
Kerala, India: The Emerald State in Full Bloom
In Kerala, monsoon isn’t an inconvenience—it’s a season of rebirth. As the southwest monsoon sweeps through from June to September, everything comes alive.
The backwaters swell, coconut trees glisten, and tea-scented hills in Munnar hide behind ghostly mists.
It’s also the perfect time for Ayurvedic therapy, believed to be most effective when the body is more responsive due to the humidity and cooler temperatures.
• Float silently through Alleppey’s backwaters on a houseboat
• Sip cardamom-laced chai while wrapped in a shawl in Thekkady
• Get pounded with herbal poultices during a full-body spa in Kovalam
One short word? Lush.
Bali, Indonesia: Showers That Wash in Serenity
Bali’s monsoon is different. The rains are more like guests—they come, stay for a bit, and then leave the sun behind.
The island’s tropical showers mostly arrive from November to March, but even in June and July, occasional drizzles add magic to the rice paddies and temples.
Mornings are often bright. Afternoons bring a downpour. Evenings are still warm.
Travelers who brave the season are rewarded with:
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Fewer crowds at places like Tanah Lot and Ubud’s Monkey Forest
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Waterfalls that crash louder—like Tegenungan or Gitgit
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Hotel discounts and empty beaches
It’s still Bali. Just softer. A little quieter. But just as golden.
Chiang Mai, Thailand: Lanterns, Rice Fields, and Rain-Soaked Streets
In northern Thailand, monsoon breathes life into Chiang Mai.
The ancient walled city glows under low grey skies, while the nearby Mae Sa Valley explodes into greens so deep, they barely look real.
Sure, you’ll need an umbrella. But it’s worth it for the cool mountain air, steaming street food, and scenes like saffron-robed monks walking barefoot on wet pavements at sunrise.
Three-sentence vibe?
One minute you’re ducking into a temple to escape the rain.
Next, you’re sipping tamarind soup in a night market.
Then—just like that—it clears up, and the sky burns pink.
Kyoto, Japan: Where Monsoon Meets Zen
Japan’s rainy season, or tsuyu, runs from June to mid-July. It’s considered inconvenient by many—but not in Kyoto.
Here, the rain turns the city into a painting.
Moss gardens at Ginkaku-ji shine like velvet. Bamboo groves at Arashiyama seem to hum. Hydrangeas bloom like watercolor across temple grounds.
And maybe best of all? Fewer tourists.
One Kyoto local described it best: “Kyoto in the rain isn’t wet. It’s quiet.”
Costa Rica: Wet Season, Wild Beauty
In Costa Rica, rain is part of life.
The country’s Green Season runs from May to November. While coastal towns can get drenched, the lush jungles and volcanic landscapes thrive.
In places like Monteverde and Arenal, the rain feeds the biodiversity that Costa Rica is famous for.
Expect:
• Sloth sightings in misty treetops
• Chocolate tours interrupted by gentle thunder
• Zipline rides through clouds
Yes, you’ll be soaked. But so is the rainforest. That’s kind of the point.
Vietnam’s Northern Hills: Fog, Rice Terraces, and Solitude
Sapa, Ha Giang, and northern Vietnam’s hill regions are transformed by the monsoon.
The rains begin in May and stretch through August. But the visuals? Worth every muddy shoe.
Hmong villages sit above sheets of fog. Terraced rice fields shimmer like mirrors. And roadside pho has never tasted better.
Motorbikes sputter through puddles. Markets hum. Rain taps on tin roofs.
You won’t see many tourists here this time of year. Just locals. And clouds.
Scottish Highlands: Misty, Moody, Magical
Scotland isn’t technically in monsoon territory. But its summer rains—from June through August—can feel like one.
In the Highlands, storms roll in sideways. One valley will be sunlit, while the next is soaked in gloom.
And that’s exactly the charm.
The Glenfinnan Viaduct looks more dramatic in the rain.
So do the Isle of Skye’s fairy pools, especially under low cloud.
Hiking Ben Nevis while wrapped in a fog bank? Unbeatable.
One-lane roads, wool sweaters, whisky by the fire—Scotland in the rain is a vibe. And it’s not for everyone.
But for the right traveler? It’s magic.
