Karnataka, India: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2021]
This article contains affiliate links to Amazon and other vendors. We may earn commission from purchases made through these links. Traveling to Karnataka, India? If you're planning to go to Karnataka, below is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to Karnataka
- Important essentials for Karnataka
- Karnataka in January: weather and what to pack
- Karnataka in February: weather and what to pack
- Karnataka in March: weather and what to pack
- Karnataka in April: weather and what to pack
- Karnataka in May: weather and what to pack
- Karnataka in June: weather and what to pack
- Karnataka in July: weather and what to pack
- Karnataka in August: weather and what to pack
- Karnataka in September: weather and what to pack
- Karnataka in October: weather and what to pack
- Karnataka in November: weather and what to pack
- Karnataka in December: weather and what to pack
When to go to Karnataka, India
Based on the climate and weather in Karnataka, the best time to go is January. See below for details.
Important esssentials for Karnataka, India
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Karnataka, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
IMPORTANT COVID-19 PACKING ESSENTIALS
- proof of COVID-19 vaccination if you have it
- vaccine card protector
- N95 masks for top protection
- kids' KN95 masks
- hand sanitizer
- touchless thermometer
- travel disinfecting wipes (for plane, etc)
- A plug adapter that supports outlet types C, D and M. This one should be sufficient for most areas, but check with your hotel.
- A portable power bank, like this one
- A SIM card that works in Karnataka. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying. In some locations you may need a satellite phone. We recommend this satellite phone
- If you plan to visit a mosque, pack clothing that covers the knees and shoulders
- If you are visiting a temple, pack respectful clothing
- Theft can be a problem, so pack theft protection, including locks for luggage and a money belt or pouch. We recommend this one
- Appropriate museum wear
- Emergency water purifier
- For families with young children:
- Bangalore travelers tend to do a lot of walking, so a lightweight backpack like this is essential
- Airplane or car necessities:
- Photography items that we like:
- cell phone photography gimbal
- camera drone for outdoor shots
- extra batteries
- extra memory cards
What to wear/what to pack for Karnataka, India by month
January
January is hot and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Shorts or short pants
- Dresses
- Bug repellent
- Sunscreen lotion
- Light footwear
- Sandals
- Skirts
- If you're going to the beach,
February
February in Karnataka can be sweltering and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Skirts
- Shorts
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Bug repellent
- Insulated water bottle
- Waterproof sandals
- Sunglasses
- Short sleeve shirts
- Dresses
- If you're going to the beach,
March
March in Karnataka is really hot and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the low 90s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Shorts
- Waterproof sandals
- Insulated water bottle
- Skirts
- Sunglasses
- Short sleeve shirts
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Bug repellent
- Dresses
- If you're going to the beach,
April
April for Karnataka can be excruciatingly hot and very dry. Temperatures average in the low 90s F (mid 30s C) during the day. It rains sometimes.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Thin short sleeve shirts
- Tank tops
- Lightweight 'harem' pants
- High-SPF sunscreen lotion:
- Sandals
- Protecting pants/skirts will keep you protected from UV rays while also cool. These are our favorites:
- Sunglasses
- Personal cooling fan, such as this
- Bug repellent
- Light linen shorts
- Light dresses
- Skirts
- Insulated water bottle
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain jacket to layer with a coat
- Waterproof footwear. We use:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Wind resistant umbrella. This one is a great one to buy.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your bags remain dry. We recommend: this one
May
May in Karnataka is extremely hot. Temperatures average in the low 90s F (low 30s C) during the day. It rains occasionally.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Shorts
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Waterproof sandals
- Short sleeve shirts
- Bug repellent
- Sunglasses
- Insulated water bottle
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain coat to layer with a jacket
- Waterproof footwear. We suggest:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Umbrella. This one is a great one to buy.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your suitcases remain dry. We suggest: this one
June
June in this region is pretty consistently hot. Temperatures average in the 80s F (high 20s C) during the day. It rains occasionally.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sunglasses
- Short sleeve shirts
- Skirts
- Shorts
- Insulated water bottle
- Bug repellent
- Waterproof sandals
- Dresses
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain coat to layer with a coat
- Waterproof footwear. We use these:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Umbrella. This one is an excellent option.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your belongings don't get wet. We suggest: this one
July
July in Karnataka is extremely warm. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the 70s F (mid 20s C) to low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sunscreen lotion
- Skirts
- Light footwear
- Dresses
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Bug repellent
- Sandals
- Shorts or short pants
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain jacket to layer with a coat
- Waterproof footwear. We use these:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Wind resistant umbrella. This one is a perfect one to buy.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your bags stay dry. We suggest: this one
August
August in this region is hot. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day. It rains occasionally.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sunscreen lotion
- Shorts or short pants
- Dresses
- Bug repellent
- Skirts
- Sandals
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Light footwear
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain jacket to layer with a jacket
- Waterproof footwear. We like these:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Windproof umbrella. This one is a great option.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your bags stay dry. We like: this one
September
If you vacation in Karnataka during September, you are likely to find that it is hot. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 60s F (high 10s C).
Humidity is generally between 60 and 70% during the day. In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain a bit less than half of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Shorts
- Sunglasses
- Dresses
- Short sleeve shirts
- Waterproof sandals
- Insulated water bottle
- Bug repellent
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Skirts
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain coat to layer with a jacket
- Waterproof footwear. We suggest these:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Umbrella. This one is a great option.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your suitcases don't get wet. We suggest: this one
October
October for Karnataka is hot. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day. It rains regularly.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Insulated water bottle
- Dresses
- Skirts
- Short sleeve shirts
- Waterproof sandals
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Sunglasses
- Bug repellent
- Shorts
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain jacket to layer with a jacket
- Waterproof footwear. We use these:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Umbrella. This one is an excellent one to buy.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your belongings don't get wet. We suggest: this one
November
November in Karnataka is hot. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day. It rains once in a while.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Shorts or short pants
- Bug repellent
- Skirts
- Light footwear
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Sandals
- Sunscreen lotion
- Dresses
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain poncho to layer with another jacket
- Waterproof footwear. We like:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Umbrella. This one is a great option.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your things stay dry. We suggest: this one
December
December here is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Bug repellent
- Light footwear
- Sandals
- Shorts or short pants
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Dresses
- Skirts
- Sunscreen lotion
- If you're going to the beach,
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