A few raindrops never hurt anyone, but some places in the world receive an insane amount of rain that really becomes a huge part of life. Interestingly, rainy cities and towns are scattered all around the globe, and some of their geographic locations might surprise you.
So if you think you live in a rainy place, take a look at this list. These are some of the rainiest places on earth, so if you plan to visit, make sure to pack an umbrella and a raincoat!
Mawsynram, Meghalaya, India
The town of Mawsynram in Meghalaya State is considered to be the rainiest place on earth. It is located near the Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh, which leads to a long and heavy monsoon season. The Himalayan Mountain Range blocks nearby clouds from escaping and contributes to the rains as well. Back in 1985, this town made the Guinness Book of World Records for receiving around 1,000 inches of rain. It is advisable to never leave home without an umbrella in this town, and residents cover themselves with reed baskets while they work outside in the fields. If you plan to visit this region, do so in December or January to avoid the heaviest rainfall.
Cropp River, New Zealand
Plenty of places in New Zealand receive their fair share of rain, but none more than the Cropp River area. This river is only about nine kilometers long, but it sees a large amount of precipitation each year. The Cropp River area receives around 453 inches of rain per year. A record-setting two-day period occurred in December 1995 when over 41 inches of rain fell into the Cropp River. This is the highest amount of rainfall recorded anywhere in New Zealand.
Emei Shan, Sichuan Province, China
Of the Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism, Mount Emei is the highest one, and it also receives a great deal of rain each year. There’s a phenomenon called the “clouds sea” that brings in lots of clouds during monsoon season. This results in large amounts of rain during the season each year, around 321 inches to be more specific. The rainiest time here is during the months of July and August, and the monsoon season is considered to be between June and September. If you decide to visit and climb Mount Emei, you should be aware that there is an extreme temperature difference between the foot of the mountain and the peak. The mountain is also known to be a natural “oxygen bar” because of the negative oxygen ions that have shown to fight exhaustion and promote wellness. It is also a culturally significant mountain in Buddhist culture and reminds travelers of the resiliency of nature.
Big Bog, Maui, Hawaii
Big Bog is a very rainy part of Maui and also a big tourist area in the Hawaiian Islands. All that rain provides for some incredible rainforest scenery, and the steep mountainside of Big Bog brings in lots of precipitation. Approximately 404 inches of rainfall here each year here, which is on the edge of the Haleakala National Park. While spending time in Maui, in addition to Haleakala National Park, don’t miss the Haleakala Crater, Ka’anapali Beach, and Wai’anapanapa State Park. Historic sites to see include the Old Lahaina Courthouse, Kahanu Garden, and Lahaina Jodo Mission.
Debundscha, Cameroon
Mount Cameroon is the highest peak in Africa, and Debundscha is a village that is located at the base of that mountain. This towering peak is the cause of the high amounts of rain that falls here because it blocks the clouds. Debundscha Point receives about 405 inches of rainfall each year. If you visit Cameroon, you can witness breathtaking landscapes and scenery at the Mefou National Park in Yaounde, Chutes de la Lobe in Kribi, the Limbe Wildlife Centre in Limbe, and Mount Cameroon.
Cherrapunji Meghalaya, India
In addition to Mawsynram, Cherrapunji is another very rainy place in Meghalaya State, India. It is about 15 kilometers from Mawsynram and in the East Khasi Hills district in the state of Meghalaya. This region has many waterfalls, hilly areas, and root bridges, and rain here often falls consistently for a couple of weeks at a time. The root bridges can hold around 50 people at a time and have come to characterize the town. But after wet periods, dry periods follow and presents the village residents with water shortages. This drives the residents to travel far distances to find water for cooking and drinking. On average, this town receives around 463 inches of rain per year. But according to the Guinness Book of World Records, Cherrapunji received 366 inches of rain in a single month, July 1861, and 1,041.75 inches of rain fell in the year between August 1860 and July 1861.
Tutunendo, Colombia
Many tropical areas around the world have a rainy season. Well, Tutunendo has two of them. This makes it very difficult to visit this part of Columbia at any time of year without getting drenched. It receives around 463 inches of rain per year but still remains a tourist resort town. You’ll encounter rain almost every day of the year here, as well as thunderstorms, and the sun only comes out a few hours when it appears at all. Very few people live here, less than 1,000 residents, but those individuals have become very skilled in building houses with waterproof sheets to prevent leaks. The city of Quibdo is also nearby and similarly notorious for receiving a ridiculous amount of rain.
Cilaos, Reunion Island
Cilaos may not receive as much rain as many of the other destinations on this list, but it is still a very rainy tourist spot worth mentioning. It receives around 73 inches of rain per year and is on the island of Reunion. This is a mecca for outdoor lovers who aren’t afraid of a little rain and love to hike, mountain bike, and rock climb. When you visit, don’t miss the Cirque de Cilaos, which is a natural wonder with waterfalls and beautiful flowers.
Mt. Waialeale, Kauai, Hawaii
Another Hawaiian spot that receives lots of rain is Mount Waialeale, which translates into “overflowing water” or “rippling water.” The mountain is an inactive volcano with a conical shape. This is part of the reason why the area receives so much rain. It’s a pretty inaccessible place due to the wetness and slipperiness as well. The region gets around 384 inches of rain every year on average, but in 1982, it received a record amount of 683 inches.
San Antonio de Ureca, Equatorial Guinea
Another very rainy spot in the world is San Antonio de Ureca, which is on Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea. This is an incredibly wet area in Africa, and many of the months here are rainy. If you want to visit this region, the best time to visit is between December and February to avoid the rainy season. San Antonio de Ureca is along the Gulf of Guinea and receives around 411 inches of rain per year.
Pu’u Kukui, Maui, Hawaii
Pu’u is a mountain peak in Kukui, which is on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Although Maui gets plenty of rain as a whole, this particular peak receives more rain than pretty much anywhere else in the area. The peak of this mountain was formed by a volcano that partially eroded. Pu’u Kukui receives around 365 inches of rain per year on average. The Pu’u Kukui Preserve overlook is a beautiful hiking destination in Western Maui.
Baguio, Philippines
Several regions of the Philippines receive a great deal of rain, including Baguio. This town gets around 46 inches of rain each year and is located in the Benquet Province on Luzon island. This is a busy town that is a business center, and the name Baguio is derived from a word that means “moss.” There is a lot of moss that grows in the region due to the very wet conditions. All the rain also encourages the growth of beautiful orchids in the tropical pine forests. But despite the rain, this is a popular tourist destination to celebrate the Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival, as well as a flower festival that lasts for a month called Panagbenga.
