10 Countries with the Highest Rainfall

If some parts of the world are dealing with drought and lack of rains, countries with the highest rainfall have the opposite problem – recurrent flooding. Rain has lots of benefits as water is needed by all crops, without which we wouldn’t be able to sustain or grow our population. However, some countries in the world get lots of rain, and I mean lots of it!

As you might notice in our list, countries with the highest rainfall are mostly tropical countries and are adjacent to large bodies of water like the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. The rains are brought by the monsoons, which differ for every country. Some may have wet seasons from December to May while some have it from May to November. Most of the rains come during the rainy season for each country, and this enormous amount of rain usually brings with it problems, the biggest of which is flooding especially in low-lying areas. This may also explain why some of the 11 biggest rainforests in the world are located in some of these countries. It is also not a coincidence that the 10 countries with the highest rainfall are also home to most biodiverse ecosystems on our planet.

To make this list, Insider Monkey searched the internet for precipitation and rainfall data for most countries. However, most of the countries either have insufficient data for the past years or do not have data at all. In this case, we used The World Bank’s precipitation data for 2014. 

And because most of these countries also have the best beaches in the world, feel free to take down notes and use this list of countries with the highest rainfall as a future reference to your vacation schedules!

10. Bangladesh

Average precipitation (2014): 2,666 mm/year

With a sub-tropical monsoon climate, Bangladesh experiences a lot of rain. Monsoon season is from June to October, and the country receives 80% of its total rainfall during this period. Sylhet region in the northeast portion of the country receives the most rainfall, due to its location just south from the foothills of the Himalayas range.

9. Indonesia

Average precipitation (2014): 2,702 mm/year

The tropical climate of Indonesia is largely influenced by the warm waters that make up 81% of the country’s territory. Rainy season occurs from December to March, and the areas that receive the most rainfall are the northern and western parts of the country.

8. Brunei Darussalam

Average precipitation (2014): 2,722 mm/year

Brunei experiences heavy rainfall by both having a tropical and subtropical climate. Being in a tropical zone, the country experiences high temperatures and humidity and also frequent tides, contributing to the enormous amount of rainfall it receives.

7. Malaysia

Average precipitation (2014): 2,875 mm/year

Another tropical country, Malaysia receives its highest rainfall along the exposed slopes of Sarawak and Sabah due to the north and westward monsoons. Rainy season is from December to March.

6. Costa Rica

Average precipitation (2014): 2,926 mm/year

With long, white, sandy beaches, Costa Rica is a haven for any traveler looking for the perfect place for sun, surf and sand. However, be informed that the country receives a high amount of rainfall. Rainy season is from May to November, so be sure to avoid these months if you want to enjoy in sunny beaches.

5. Panama

Average precipitation (2014): 2,928 mm/year

Rainy season is typically from April to December, but varies considerably as rains can last for up to 9 months. The continental divide is a primary influence on the country’s climate, as is the moisture from the Carribean, carried by prevailing winds from the north and north-east.

4. Solomon Islands

Average precipitation (2014): 3,028 mm/year

With a warm and tropical climate, the Solomon Islands has two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The wet season is from February to May, and from September to November. Although the country receives a lot of rainfall, there is a minimal concern for typhoons as they generally pass far north from these islands.

3. Papua New Guinea

Average precipitation (2014): 3,142 mm/year

With a tropical climate, Papua New Guinea’s rainy season is from December to March, and the western and northern parts of the country receive the most rainfall due to monsoons.

2. Sao Tome and Principe

Average precipitation (2014): 3,200 mm/year

The country has two rainy seasons: a short one from October to November, and a long one from March to May. One contributing factor for the high amount of rainfall it receives is its location along the equator.

1. Colombia

Average precipitation (2014): 3,240 mm/year

Due to the high rainfall it receives, some parts of Colombia are permanently flooded, which is why Colombia easily tops this list of countries the highest rainfall.  The heaviest precipitation occurs on the low-lying areas facing the Pacific, where it rains almost every day. Not coincidentally, rainforests are also abundant in this area. Precipitation lessens as one goes towards the east.