When to go to Sri Lanka for families

Sri Lanka can be visited year-round, although conditions vary throughout the year and between different regions and coasts. So a bit of forward planning can help you avoid the monsoons and make the best of the wonderful sunshine!

Temperatures hover around the late-20s to mid-30s, except in central regions which are usually around 10°C cooler. Rainfall (and weather in general) is a little unpredictable but downpours are usually heavy but short, except during the monsoons.

In all likelihood, you’ll be restricted to times when the kids aren’t at school. So, to make things easier, here’s a summary of Sri Lanka weather during school holidays, and where to go to get the best of it.

February is an excellent month to visit Sri Lanka, with sunny, warm conditions and minimal rainfall in most regions. It’s the peak time to visit the beaches like Unawatuna in the south and west, and the inland weather will be largely fine too.

You’ll see more clouds and rain in the north and east, but the Maha monsoon will have passed so travel is very much possible.

Easter is another good time to head to Sri Lanka, with fair or excellent weather throughout most of the country. In terms of beaches, pretty much all options are on the table and it depends a little when Easter falls – from late-March into April the south and west coasts are drier, then the north and east comes into its own as you get towards May.

Central regions will be largely dry and pleasant too, although it can get up towards the mid-30s in the afternoons around the Cultural Triangle (the area that includes Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya). Up in the tea hills around Ella, conditions are just about perfect for walking and exploring.

The Yala monsoon will be affecting the southwest of Sri Lanka from late May through September, although the worst should have passed by August and rainy days become more sporadic. This is a good time to visit the wildlife of Yala National Park or head into the hills at Ella, while the south and west coast will see a mix of sunshine and showers.

Many families choose to head northeast for their beach break, including spots like Trincomalee or Passikudah which will be in their dry season. Temperatures can get up into the mid-30s though, so pack the sunscreen! Things will also be hot and dry in central regions around the Cultural Triangle.

Although there will be some sunny days dotted around, October is a fairly wet month across Sri Lanka with the southwest monsoon on its way out and the northeast monsoon starting up. Central areas around the Cultural Triangle will be pretty dry but expect a fair amount of rain around the coast and in the highlands.

Sri Lanka is an excellent place to go for your Christmas break, with temperatures hovering around the high-20s all around the coast and the end of the southwest monsoon bringing dry days to beaches such as Arugam Bay and Unawatuna, as well as the highlands.

There will be some rainy days around the Cultural Triangle, although this is less than in previous months and cooler temperatures make this good time to hike to Sigiraya. We would recommend staying further south for any beach breaks, since the northeast coastal regions will still be seeing significant rainfall from the Maha monsoon.