Understanding which month is best for Rayong is a personal preference. That said, the month of November is arguably the most popular, when the rainy season has just ended and the jungle and rice fields are as green as ever. The evenings are also cooler, which makes for a pleasant environment.
This doesn’t mean you should avoid visiting during the other months of the year. Rayong gets less rain overall than many parts of Thailand and has plenty of sun, so anytime is a decent time to visit this up-and-coming beach destination!
The easiest way to get around is with a hired car in Rayong. Luckily, Drive Car Rental offers a meet-and-greet service at U-Tapao International Airport for maximum convenience. Simply inform us ahead of time of your flight date and number, and we’ll be there when your flight arrives.
Here are a few other great times to visit Rayong and grab a rental:
The Unexpected Excellence of the Rainy Season
Film and TV often portray all of Southeast Asia as a monolithic, non-stop, six-month monsoon in the rainy season. This is far from reality–the rainy season runs from May to October for much of Thailand, and the heaviest rains come in August, September, and October.
However, even the term ‘heavy’ can be a misnomer. It rarely rains all day. Most days in the rainy season experience three or four short-lived downpours that rarely last longer than thirty minutes. While it can rain quite heavily during these times, it simply makes a nice excuse to pop into a shop for a coffee or a walk around a shopping mall.
The air in the rainy season is exceptionally fresh, and the sky is usually cloudy. While not great for getting a tan, this means that the temperatures are often far lower than a sunny day in the dry season.
Life in the rainy season is abundant, and a walk through the jungle will reveal a cacophony of sounds. Animals of all kinds can be seen and heard just about everywhere.
Finally, the lack of tourist crowds means lower costs on just about everything. Hotels are cheaper, as are tours. Popular sites that are packed during the high season will be all but empty–this leaves the few remaining visitors with the whole place to themselves, allowing for a more peaceful and relaxed experience.
The Best Part of the Dry Season
November is the most popular month to visit for a few reasons. There is still plenty of moisture left over from the rainy season, and the landscape is predominantly green. The crowds are just starting to arrive, and things have yet to get extremely busy.
December, January, and February are the second-best months, but the most crowded. These are the coolest months of the year. Nighttime temperatures are often far lower than the daytime highs, and with the windows rolled down, visitors may even feel a slight chill.
Crowds at all destinations will be at their peak, but the skies should be sunny. Visitors during this time are advised to book far in advance, especially for the best selection of rental cars.
It should be noted that even in the dry season, it can rain anytime in a tropical environment. However, just as in the rainy season, the showers are short-lived, so don’t cancel your day plans if it’s raining when you wake up.
The Hot Season
March, April, and early May are the hottest and driest times of the year. In fact, Thai schools are often out of session during these months, similar to the summer months in the West. This saves kids from having to walk in the heat, which can be quite intense.
Sun-worshippers will enjoy this time of year, but it’s important to stay very well-hydrated. Vegetation and rice fields will likely be dry, but conditions for things like scuba diving will be at their best, as there is little rainwater runoff to ruin the visibility.
The Most Economical Way to Get around Rayong
Rayong is quickly becoming a major business hub for industrial estates and factories. However, being a smaller city, it lacks the robust public and tourist transport of the larger tourist-centric towns. Travelling around Rayong means rideshares and the rare bus are the only way to get around.
For expats and business travellers who spend significant amounts of time commuting to and from factories and industrial estates, rideshares aren’t economical. This is why Drive Car Rental provides short- and long-term rentals as well as monthly leases to accommodate business trips of any length. We also have chauffeur options for visitors who prefer to let a local handle the driving.
Renting a car with Drive Car Rental offers not only economy but convenience. Book today to take advantage of early bird discounts and the best selection of vehicles!