Dak Lak has two seasons, not four. The dry season runs from about November to April and the rainy season from May to October. Because Buon Ma Thuot sits on a plateau at around 500 metres, it is rarely as hot as the coast or the Mekong Delta, and evenings can be cool in the dry months.
Month by Month
- November and December: the rains end and the coffee harvest is in full swing. Roads dry out, the air is clear and the countryside is still green. One of the best times to visit.
- January and February: cool mornings, sunny days, the end of the harvest and the first white coffee flowers. Tet, the Lunar New Year, falls in late January or February; many businesses close for a few days and transport is busy.
- March: the last coffee flowers bloom and the air smells of jasmine-like blossoms. It is dry and warm, and the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival is held in some years around this time.
- April: the hottest and driest month. Waterfalls are low, but the light is good and trails are dry.
- May and June: the first rains arrive, usually as short afternoon storms. The land turns green again quickly.
- July to October: the wettest months. Mornings are often fine and rain comes later in the day. Waterfalls such as Dray Nur and Dray Sap are at their most powerful.
Best Time for Each Activity
- Cycling: November to April is ideal. Cycling is still possible in the rainy season if you start early.
- Trekking Chu Yang Lak: November to April only. In the rainy season trails are slippery and the summit is usually in cloud.
- Waterfalls: July to November, when the rivers are full.
- Coffee: October to January for the harvest, January to March for the flowers.
Our Advice
If you can choose, come between November and March. If your trip falls in the rainy season, plan your rides and visits for the morning and keep the afternoons free. Every tour we run is private, so we can move things around to fit the weather. See our tours or contact us to plan your dates.
