Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka

 Discover all that Sri Lanka has to offer year round with Scott Dunn…

Best time to visit

From relaxing on the beach and making the most of the warm weather to sheltering from the monsoon rains in a scenic Buddhist temple, there are endless things to do in Sri Lanka, no matter the time of year. 

If you’re unsure when to go to Sri Lanka, our destination experts are on hand to advise and help you pick the best dates for your vacation. With all the insider knowledge, they know the best times to visit the country to enjoy a range of experiences - from when to go whale watching to the best times to visit the Hill Country - they can help you plan the perfect vacation around what you want to see and do. 

When is the best time of year to visit Sri Lanka?

The best time of year to visit Sri Lanka depends on which parts of the country you’d like to see. 

Temperatures are typically warm all year long throughout Sri Lanka, with coastal areas consistently experiencing 80-90℉ and above. The central hills remain cooler, making them a great destination to visit during May, June and July when the rest of the country is at its hottest. 

Thanks to its tropical climate, Sri Lanka also has monsoon seasons with heavy rainfall from May to September in the southwest and October to January in the northeast. While conditions may be stormy in these areas, other parts of the country are usually dry and sunny during these months, meaning there is always somewhere to visit. 

No matter when you’d like to travel, our experts will gladly create a uniquely customized itinerary for your trip so you can just sit back, relax and enjoy your time in Sri Lanka.

Spring in Sri Lanka

With warm temperatures and minimal rainfall, spring is a great time to visit anywhere in Sri Lanka. 

March and April are the best times to visit the south of Sri Lankato make the most of the heat and avoid the oncoming Mala monsoon that begins in May. Enjoy the sunny conditions with a visit to one of the region's beautiful beaches or travel to the port of Galle  to learn more about Sri Lanka’s colonial heritage. 

Spring is also an ideal time to visit Sri Lanka’s national parks and catch a glimpse of leopards, elephants and water buffalo  on a memorable safari trip. 

Summer in Sri Lanka

With temperatures in the 80s and 90s across most of the country, summer in Sri Lanka can be hot and humid. While the Yala monsoon takes place in the southwest, this is a good time to visit the north and east of the country. For nature-lovers, the North Western Province provides stunning natural scenery and is home to the famous Wilpattu National Park, Alternatively, for those looking to relax on a palm-lined beach, we recommend a visit to the sandy East Coast

As temperatures climb higher, central locations like Kandy and the Hill Country provide a welcome respite from the heat. Now is the time to take the famous Kandy to Ella train or explore the lush plantations of Nuwara Eliya

Fall in Sri Lanka

Coming between the major monsoons, the weather during fall in Sri Lanka can be a bit unpredictable. But don’t let this put you off. 

In fact, October and November are good times to go to Sri Lanka’s south coast for whale watching without the crowds. Head to Trincomalee to catch a glimpse of blue whales, sperm whales and even dolphins as they migrate through the Indian Ocean. We can even arrange a private boat trip with a local guide to get you as close as possible to these amazing creatures.

Fall is also a good time to visit the Cultural Triangle if you’re looking to beat the tourists. Take a trip to Sigiriya  to see the famous ancient rock fortress or visit Anuradhapura to see the breathtaking Dagobas domes. 

Winter in Sri Lanka

While it may be cold and grey elsewhere, winter is one of the best times of year to visit Sri Lanka for some bright and warm weather. 

Temperatures are typically in the 70s and conditions are dry throughout most of the country, making this a good time to visit most locations.

Colombo is a great winter destination, with sunny and dry weather throughout the season. Combining colonial architecture, amazing food and beautiful temples, a visit to this cosmopolitan capital will give you a taste of everything this country has to offer. 

Christmas and New Year are popular times to travel to Sri Lanka so make sure you plan well in advance and be prepared to pay a little more for accommodation


Our Experts Say...

"Sri Lanka is definitely an all-year-round destination with each season offering its own advantages. Typically, the best months to visit to enjoy the best weather across the island are between December and April. However during the summer months, between May and September, the north, central and eastern regions enjoy plenty of good weather and only the far south and westerly regions should expect significant rainfall. The weather in October and November can be unpredictable across the island, however, the island is lush at this time of year and you get the best value for money. Always keep in mind the fact that Sri Lanka is a small tropical island and, therefore, you should expect some rain at any time of the year."

Rikki Poynton, Asia Specialist

Monthly Climate Guide for Sri Lanka

, Sri Lanka

Average temperatures (Fahrenheit) and rainfall (mm)

Jan
86°F 8mm
Feb
88°F 5mm
Mar
91°F 3mm
Apr
96°F 14mm
May
96°F 10mm
Jun
94°F 3mm
Jul
94°F 3mm
Aug
94°F 4mm
Sep
94°F 8mm
Oct
94°F 15mm
Nov
90°F 18mm
Dec
86°F 20mm
Jan
92°F 4mm
Feb
95°F 3mm
Mar
93°F 8mm
Apr
92°F 7mm
May
91°F 12mm
Jun
88°F 8mm
Jul
88°F 3mm
Aug
88°F 5mm
Sep
88°F 8mm
Oct
88°F 7mm
Nov
91°F 14mm
Dec
91°F 9mm
Jan
86°F 7mm
Feb
87°F 8mm
Mar
88°F 19mm
Apr
87°F 24mm
May
85°F 15mm
Jun
86°F 11mm
Jul
88°F 10mm
Aug
87°F 15mm
Sep
85°F 14mm
Oct
85°F 18mm
Nov
85°F 24mm
Dec
79°F 15mm
Jan
86°F 8mm
Feb
88°F 5mm
Mar
91°F 3mm
Apr
96°F 14mm
May
96°F 10mm
Jun
94°F 3mm
Jul
94°F 3mm
Aug
94°F 4mm
Sep
94°F 8mm
Oct
94°F 15mm
Nov
90°F 18mm
Dec
86°F 20mm
Jan
92°F 7mm
Feb
95°F 2mm
Mar
94°F 5mm
Apr
92°F 6mm
May
90°F 15mm
Jun
88°F 14mm
Jul
88°F 15mm
Aug
87°F 8mm
Sep
88°F 12mm
Oct
88°F 9mm
Nov
90°F 14mm
Dec
89°F 11mm
Jan
86°F 8mm
Feb
88°F 5mm
Mar
91°F 3mm
Apr
96°F 14mm
May
96°F 10mm
Jun
94°F 3mm
Jul
94°F 3mm
Aug
94°F 4mm
Sep
94°F 8mm
Oct
94°F 15mm
Nov
90°F 18mm
Dec
86°F 20mm
Jan
87°F 10mm
Feb
89°F 10mm
Mar
91°F 20mm
Apr
90°F 18mm
May
89°F 26mm
Jun
87°F 15mm
Jul
87°F 14mm
Aug
86°F 18mm
Sep
86°F 25mm
Oct
87°F 14mm
Nov
87°F 24mm
Dec
86°F 17mm
Jan
92°F 4mm
Feb
95°F 3mm
Mar
93°F 8mm
Apr
92°F 7mm
May
91°F 12mm
Jun
88°F 8mm
Jul
88°F 4mm
Aug
88°F 5mm
Sep
88°F 8mm
Oct
88°F 7mm
Nov
91°F 14mm
Dec
91°F 9mm
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