Best time to visit
Best time to visit Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so there's always a dry coast. December to March is best for the west and south coasts and the hill country. May to September is best for the east coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay).
- Best value
- Busy and pricier
- Quiet
The cultural triangle in the middle of the island is good for most of the year. April and November can be wet anywhere as the monsoons change over.
Where timing differs
- West and south coastsBusy and pricier
Best Dec to Mar.
- East coastBest value
Best May to Sep.
- Hill countryBest value
Cooler. Driest Jan to Apr.
Month by month in Colombo
- J25°
- F26°
- M27°
- A28°
- M27°
- J27°
- J26°
- A26°
- S26°
- O26°
- N26°
- D26°
Best valueBusy and pricierQuiet
Average temperature each month (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2025), coloured by season.
Planning a round trip
Most visitors combine the cultural triangle (Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy), the hill country tea estates and a beach. From December to March, finish on the south or west coast. From May to September, finish on the east coast instead. That way you'll have the best weather wherever you end up.
Wildlife by season
- Whale watching off Mirissa: December to April.
- Whales off Trincomalee: May to September.
- Leopards in Yala: Best February to June. The park closes for part of September and October.
- Elephant gathering at Minneriya: August and September.
Before you go
- Whale watching off Mirissa peaks from December to April.
Stay and do
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