What's the weather like in Hua Hin in July
July is the very first month of the wet (and still hot) season around these parts of Thailand.
Temperature
The average temperature hangs at 29°C (84°F). The nights get slightly cooler, returning to their comfortable warmth on the lower end of 25°C. The hotter days of the month are expected to record around 33°C on average. Humidity is up at 80%, and that begins to feel more during the night.
Sunshine Hours
The days experience up to 7 hours of glorious sunshine, but with significantly lower chances of full-on sunny days at just 19% on average.
Rainfall
Rainfall volume increases to 100mm over a cumulated total of 12 days, with a consistent 33% chance of rainy days. Basically July is a half n' half of splendid sun and cool summer rain. Not something we'd be unhappy about, given the overall heat, but the 37% chance of cloudy days does tend to reduce the amount of sunshine to enjoy if vacationing in Hua Hin at this time of the year.
Wind
Wind speeds are mellow as well, measuring up to 1.5m/s on average, most of them gentle southern and south-eastern breezes, best felt during the night. We still recommend packing plenty of SPF protection and water you'll need to protect your skin during your sunbathing sessions, and you'll definitely need to stay hydrated; while the clouds might make you think it's not too hot, the temperatures can be deceiving and, in conjunction with the higher humidity recorded towards the end of the month, it might make you less comfortable.
Sea Temperature
It's a great time for swimming and paddling around the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand, as the sea temperature brings its temperature down by one degree from June, to an average of 29°C (84°F). The currents are mostly warm tropical flows, but at night the waters will get wonderfully refreshing by losing another couple of degrees, so if you're looking for that perfect midnight swim, now is the time to enjoy one.
Hua Hin Hotels for July
Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort
With half a chance of experiencing some of the intense and consistent wet season rains of July, you should certainly pay attention to the high quality of your accommodation, as you might end up enjoying a day or two indoors. On that note, we do recommend the Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort, a 5-star luxury resort offering grand deluxe rooms from £222 per night for couples. It's situated along the massive and splendid Hua Hin Beach, and features a 24-hour butler service, a state of the art gym, a spa with traditional Thai massage and treatments, a large outdoor pool and 7 excellent dining options.
The rooms are superb and spacious, fitted with free Wi-Fi, BOSE sound systems and iPod docks, as well as a balcony with superb views of the sea. There's also a news stand, a florist and gift shop, a wonderful library and a business centre with secretarial service, perfect for your every need. The Pirom Restaurant serves traditional Thai cuisine, the Azure Beach Grill specializes in casual poolside dining with views of the Gulf of Siam, while the Felicita Restaurant offers some fine Italian cuisine for your culinary enjoyment. The Leela Bar and The Roof offer some of the best cocktails and spirited drinks that you'll find in this city.
Putahracsa Hua Hin Resort
The Putahracsa Hua Hin Resort by the Unique Collection is a 5-star jewel of the province, offering silk-sand double and twin rooms for £145 per night for couples. It's only a 5-minute drive from the Night Market and boasts individually designed suites with a minimalist theme, inclusive of free Wi-Fi and a flat screen TV. The neutral colours of the rooms' unique layouts surround a breath-taking view of the lush tropical gardens and pool, and also offer a private terrace area with outdoor seating. The resort boasts a spa, a superb infinity pool and 2 excellent restaurants.
You can listen to the sound of waves splashing against the shore and feel the sea breeze at the Oceanside Restaurant, where they served wonderful grilled dishes and modern Thai cuisine. The Sala Monsoon offers a superb breakfast buffet and dining options with Thai and international specialties.
Escape Hua Hin
For a budget-friendly option in what is still part of the peak tourist season of Hua Hin, you can opt for a double deluxe or twin room at the Escape Hua Hin, a 4-star accommodation offering suites from £73 per night. This place makes an art of recreating the quiet atmosphere of local fishing villages, 30 yards away from its outdoor pool and full service spa.
Its buildings are fitted with wooden furnishings, and the rooms feature a private balcony with a sitting area, flat screen TV, DVD player, a minibar and a private bathroom with a glorious rain shower. You can stroll through the exotic gardens, walk to Hua Hin Beach or simply make tour arrangements and golf course reservations at the front desk. The resort also boasts a Thai and international restaurant, as well as a pool bar not lacking in refreshing drinks and cocktails.
Hua Hin Beaches in July
July is definitely a good month to fully take in the splendour and numerous water sports facilities provided by Hua Hin's biggest and most impressive beach. The Hua Hin Beach stretches for 5km of soft white sand, with a clear and shallow entry. The water is peaceful and azure and the tides are quite spunky in the afternoon, making them perfect for all kinds of water sports, including paddle boarding. There is a multitude of hotels and restaurants bordering the beach, as well as excellent and complete facilities, including sweet water showers and restrooms.
Hat Sam Praya
Another great beach to visit on the sunny and hot days of July is the superb Hat Sam Praya, just 3.5km north of the park office. This is a gorgeous beach with fine white sand and the occasional rock, lined with tall sea pine trees and offering an absolutely breath-taking view of the Gulf of Thailand. It's untarnished by hordes of tourists and enjoys a peaceful atmosphere throughout the entire year. When the winds are stronger and the tides bolder, parasailing and windsurfing enthusiasts come around. There are plenty of hotels, resorts and restaurants around for your convenience.
Bars and Restaurants
Eco Cafe by Sea Harmony
If hotel restaurants are not your first choice for eating out, or if you want to try something else around town, then do feel free to give the Eco Café by Sea Harmony a solid try. This place is quite central and wallet-friendly, serving a variety of Thai and British cuisine, as well as sandwiches, delicatessen and some fusion dishes. Another great choice would be Bobby's Bar & Restaurant many expats open mixed cuisine eateries in Thailand, and Bobby's is certainly one of the good ones, a typical pub serving American, Thai and British cuisine, alongside a rich selection of bottled and local draught beers.
McFarland at the Hyatt
For a great local hangout with super friendly staff, a lovely atmosphere and good Thai cuisine you can also try The Coffee Club, a cute and comfy eatery very popular amongst the locals and tourists. Set in a 19th century pavilion, the McFarland at the Hyatt is the perfect setting for smooth cocktails at sunset and nightfall, offering lounge style seating, an oceanfront ambience and a wonderful tapas bar accompanied by wicked chill out tunes.
Things to do in Hua Hin in July
Hin Fat Lei
This is a perfect time to go elephant riding at Hin Fat Lei, the famous Thai elephant village. They charge around 600 Baht per person for a full half hour, the animals are very well treated and well looked after in accordance with international standards, and there's even a lovely little elephant show in the afternoon. Just make sure you pack a sun hat and plenty of water, as half an hour spent riding a superb pachyderm in the sun might make the rest of your day slightly uncomfortable if caught unprepared.
Horse Riding
You should also go horse riding at the beautiful Hua Hin Beach! You can rent a gorgeous stallion alone or ride along with one of the professional instructors on site. It's a unique and fun way to spend your afternoons, and most of us who have enjoyed a '90s video or two would certainly understand the charm in such an activity. Again, the animals are very well fed and treated, and the rides are very budget-friendly.
Events
July is a very busy month in terms of national holidays and events. First off is the Asanha Bucha Day, which celebrates the first sermon that Buddha gave to his first 5 established disciples, and it takes place on the day before the start of Lent. This is an important day for Buddhists, and the monks adorn their temples accordingly. On 23 July comes the Khao Phansa, also known as the Buddhist Lent, when the revered monks retreat to their temples while new life springs forth. This is a period of enlightenment and purification of the mortal body, so Lent is truly an important time for the religious Thais.
