(October-March) Pleasant weather across most regions with temperatures between 15-25°C. Durga Puja (October) sees accommodation prices increase by 40-70% in Kolkata.
(March-May, August-September) Pre-monsoon summer and post-monsoon periods offer good conditions with fewer tourists. Hill stations popular during summer with corresponding price increases.
Off Season (June-July) Heavy monsoon rainfall, particularly in the mountains and coastal areas. Many Sundarbans tours suspended. Accommodation prices drop by 30-40% but outdoor activities limited.
Bengali is the primary language; English widely understood in urban areas and tourist centers; Hindi commonly understood in northern regions and hill stations.
West Bengal experiences diverse climate patterns across its regions. The Himalayan north (Darjeeling, Kalimpong) offers cool temperatures year-round (5-20°C), with potential snow in winter. The plains and Kolkata region experience hot summers (30-40°C) from March-June, monsoon rains from June-September, and pleasant winters (15-25°C) from November-February. Coastal areas maintain higher humidity throughout the year. The Sundarbans delta region is best visited during winter months when wildlife sightings improve and weather remains dry and moderate.