October to March is the pleasant season, with warm, dry days and cool evenings ideal for forts and bazaars; December and January can be genuinely chilly at night. April to June is extremely hot, often above 40 degrees Celsius, while July to September brings the monsoon with humidity and occasional heavy downpours. Aim for the cooler months, and note that festivals like Diwali and the January literature festival make the city busy.
Summer heat in Jaipur is intense, regularly climbing above 40 degrees Celsius from April to June with little shade at open sites like Amber and Nahargarh. Carry water, wear a hat and sunscreen, and plan forts for early morning or late afternoon, keeping the midday hours for cool indoor stops.
Traffic is dense and assertive, mixing cars, buses, autos, bikes, cycle-rickshaws and the occasional cow, and crossings are informal. Cross with locals, watch for vehicles coming from all directions, and take extra care on uneven pavements and in the crowded bazaar lanes.
Stomach upsets are the most common traveller complaint. Drink only sealed bottled or filtered water, avoid ice of unknown origin, and favour busy stalls and restaurants with high turnover for freshly cooked food. Build up to street food gradually and carry basic remedies.