Best time to visit Sri Lanka

North and East Coast Sri Lanka

While the ‘Yala’ monsoon is sweeping rain across the south and west coasts during the months of May to September, the weather around the north and east coast, in places such as Trincomalee, is at its best. The cultural triangle is home to some of the country’s biggest cultural highlights, including UNESCO sites Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya. Our Sri Lanka Uncovered itinerary is ideal for visiting these areas – located further inland, the regions remain mostly dry throughout the year with some rainfall around November and December.

Kandy and the Central Hill Country

Perched at a lower altitude, Kandy enjoys a drier and warmer climate than the higher tea hills of the south. In places like Ella, which is located in the southern hill country where the elevation is higher, the weather is akin to a mild British summer for most of the year. Check out our Through Rolling Tea Hills to Tranquil Bays itinerary to see what there is to see and do in Kandy and Ella. This part of the island is considerably cooler than anywhere else in the country, making it a pleasant hilly retreat from the heat.

West Coast Sri Lanka

The West Coast of Sri Lanka is, in many ways, the gateway into the country with the international airport sitting just outside of Colombo. The climate on this side of the island is swayed by the south west monsoon, meaning that the best time to head to this coastline is between late-November and April.  Negombo is a great place to kick-start your Sri Lanka holiday with its stretches of beach, colonial history and lively markets – check out our A Taste of Sri Lanka itinerary for ideas of what to see and do on the west coast of Sri Lanka.

South Coast Sri Lanka

The south and south west of Sri Lanka have a similar climate to the west coast, where the better months for sun-seekers are between December and April. If you want somewhere to unwind, Tangalle is an idyllic spot for some tropical downtime. The further east you travel along the south coast (past Yala), the more the weather is impacted by the north east monsoon which blows between October and December.

January

January is one of the best months for a holiday in Sri Lanka, with dry warm weather across most of the south and west coast for a beach holiday at Tangalle or Unawatuna, as well as to visit the ancient cities and historic sites of the Cultural Triangle or Kandy.

It’s also hot and dry around the national parks at Yala and Udawalawe, so it’s perfect for sighting the animals as they gather around water holes, although Yala can be busy this month. If you head to the south coast, it’s a good time to see whales, or for exploring the rainforest at Sinharaja National Park.

Want to go trekking, or simply to escape the heat for a few days? It’s cooler in the hills and Tea Country around Nuwara Eliya thanks to the higher altitude, so a perfect month for exploring Ella or climbing Adam’s Peak.

While the north-east monsoon is still affecting the east coast, it’s also less rainy here than in previous months if you’re planning to visit Trincomalee.

Festivals: Galle Literary festival takes place in late January or early February, with a string of extra events including an art trail, food showcase and children’s festival.

Best for: South coast beaches, exploring the historic sites, whale watching, trekking

The fantastic weather continues throughout February, another of the best times to visit Sri Lanka. You’ll find warm, dry days at the beaches of the south and west coast, such as the Indian Ocean beaches of Tangalle and Unawatuna, along with at the historic sites in the Cultural Triangle and in Kandy.

As in January, February is a great month for wildlife spotting in Sri Lanka, as the animals gather at water holes in the country’s largest national park, Wilpattu, and further south at Udawalawe and Yala. It’s also the height of whale-watching season off the south coast, with blue whales stopping to feed on their migration, as well as a good month to explore the rainforest at Sinharaja National Park.

The Hill Country can be comparatively cool, with average temperatures reaching a high of 21C and dropping down to 10C in Nuwara Eliya, but it’s also one of the driest months of the year with the most hours of sunshine if you’re planning to go trekking in the hills around Ella.

The north-east monsoon is still affecting the east coast but starting to come to an end so it’s less rainy here than in previous months if you’re planning to visit Trincomalee.

Festivals: Galle Literary festival takes place in late January or early February, with a string of extra events including an art trail, food showcase and children’s festival.

February 4 also marks Sri Lankan Independence Day with ceremonies and parades across the country.

Best for: The beaches on the south and west coast, animals in the national parks, blue whales, exploring the historic sites

If you’re wondering when to go to Sri Lanka to explore both coasts, March is a great time to pick, in the shoulder season between monsoons. The west and south coasts are still dry, sunny and hot with only scattered showers expected later in the month, while on the east coast, the northeast or Maha monsoon is finally blowing itself out with drier weather towards the end of March.

The ancient cities and historic sites of the Cultural Triangle are also still hot and dry, with very little rainfall in Kandy and Tea Country as well, and temperatures in the low 20s at Nuwara Eliya this month. It’s the perfect time to get outdoors, including the beginning of the trekking season in the mountains of the Knuckles Range.

Visit before mid-month and you can still see blue whales around Mirissa on their migration route, although you’ll be able to spot other whales throughout the month. The end of the dry season is ideal for spotting animals in the national parks, including leopard at Yala, as well as the wildlife in Udawalawe and Wilpattu. Or this is also a good month to explore the rainforest at Sinharaja National Park.

Festivals: The Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratri takes place in early March (sometimes late February), one of the most important festivals of the year for the majority of Sri Lanka’s Hindu community, with ceremonies and all-night vigils.

Best for: Exploring both coasts, south and west coast beaches, trekking, blue whales, animal spotting

Weather-wise, April is another good month for a holiday in Sri Lanka if you’re hoping to visit both coasts, although bear in mind it’s very busy around the New Year celebrations mid-month. The Maha monsoon on the north and east coast is over, with drier hot weather here, while the Yala monsoon hasn’t yet started on the south and west coasts, although you can expect more unsettled weather as the month goes on, especially around Colombo and Galle.

If you’re looking for beach time, stick to the west coast around Negombo or north of here for the best weather, or venture to the east coast beaches towards the end of the month. You’ll still find sun on the south-west but don’t be surprised if you have to dodge some showers here this month.The seas are also less calm in the south by April, although you can still spot whales in the waters off Mirissa.

Kandy and Tea Country are rainier this month, although you’ll find plenty of dry days to explore, as well as cooler temperatures high up in the hills and in the Knuckles Range. It’s the hottest month of the year to explore the historic sites of the Cultural Triangle, with temperatures around 35C, so plan to explore early, especially if you’re climbing Sigiriya.

Festivals: Sinhalese and Tamil New Year traditionally begins at the sighting of the new moon, but is celebrated on April 13 and 14. It’s a major public holiday across the whole country, with shops often closing for a week after the start of New Year. Expect parties, fireworks, lots of food and a chance to discover traditional rituals.

Best for: West coast beaches, exploring the whole country, celebrating New Year

The southwest – or Yala – monsoon arrives this month, starting the rainy season in the south and west of Sri Lanka. Definitely not the best time to visit the beaches on this coast, with conditions making it too dangerous to swim at some locations, plus high humidity and lots of rain in Colombo and Galle.

It’s still dry and hot around the Cultural Triangle but it’s becoming rainier in the Hill Country as well, so expect showers if you’re planning any treks. This is the last month to attempt scaling Adam’s Peak until the monsoon passes.

It’s one of the top times for a holiday in Sri Lanka’s north and east coast though, including colourful Jaffna where you can discover Sri Lanka’s Tamil heritage and culture, with Hindu temples as well as its old fort. For beach time, head to Trincomalee, where you’ll find secluded stretches of coast outside the bustling vibrant town, or the laid-back beach at Pasikudah, just outside Batticaloa with its colonial history. Surfers should head down to Arugam Bay.

And if you’re hoping to see Sri Lanka’s wildlife, it’s a great month to visit Wilpattu National Park as the fruit ripens on the palu trees this month. The usually shy sloth bears love to feast on these, so it’s one of the best times to spot them. Yala National Park is another tempting option, far enough east to miss the rain and with elephant calves and leopard cubs making their first appearances. There’s also some fantastic whale-watching around Trincomalee this month.

Festivals: Buddhists celebrate the Vesak Poya this month, a two-day festival marking Buddha’s birth, death and enlightenment.

Best for: East coast beaches, Jaffna, wildlife at Wilpattu and Yala National Park, whale-watching at Trincomalee

This is a great time for a holiday in Sri Lanka’s east coast, with fantastic weather across the north and east. The beaches here tend to be much quieter and unspoiled than the west and south, perfect if you’re looking for more of a castaway experience. Arugam Bay is unmissable for keen surfers, or head to Batticaloa and Trincomalee, which both have tempting stretches of sand nearby.

Save some time to explore Jaffna in the north too, with its colourful Hindu temples, old fort and the chance to learn more about Sri Lanka’s Tamil heritage and culture. The Cultural Triangle is still hot and relatively dry too, although it can be windy.

The rainy season is well underway in the south and west, as well as the Tea Country. You may still find some sunny days among the rain, although it’s not a good time to swim here and the weather is very humid, while trails are not at their best for trekking in the hills.

For wildlife spotting, head to Yala National Park for a chance of seeing leopard cubs and elephant calves, and animals enjoying the lusher scenery, while at Wilpattu, the sloth bears will still be feasting on the fruit of the palu trees, so it’s another good time to see them in the wild. There’s more whale-watching around Trincomalee this month too.

Festivals: Another important Buddhist festival takes place this month, the Poson Poya, celebrating the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura is one of the key sites, with festivities in the temples, while thousands of pilgrims climb around 1,840 steps up Mihintale, to the sacred stupa on the mountain.

Best for: East coast beaches, Jaffna, wildlife at Wilpattu and Yala National Park, whale-watching at Trincomalee

The weather is still best across the north and east coast of Sri Lanka this month, although the country gets busier as school holidays begin. You’ll still find whales off the coast at Trincomalee, one of the top places to enjoy some time at the beach this month, along with Pasikudah and the surf breaks at Arugam Bay.

And July sees the start of one of Sri Lanka’s most unusual natural sights this month, with hundreds of elephants making their way to find water at the Minneriya tank in Minneriya National Park – the largest meeting of Asian elephants anywhere in the world. The weather at Wilpattu and Yala national parks make them a good option to see leopard as well.

It’s still hot and relatively dry in the Cultural Triangle too, although it can be windy, as well as being a good time to discover Tamil culture and heritage in Jaffna.

By the end of the month, the rain is starting to lessen in the west and south of the country, but it’s hard to predict when the monsoon will end, so you might find tropical downpours along with those sunny days.

Festivals: The famous Esala Perahera in Kandy starts at the end of the month, lasting for 10 days, with thousands of dancers and drummers taking part in a giant procession to celebrate the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, kept in the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. You’ll find smaller events across the country celebrating the festival too.

Best for: Elephants at Minneriya, whale watching at Trincomalee, east coast beaches, Jaffna

The Yala monsoon is beginning to ease in the south and west this month, with a brief boost of sunshine, so it’s possible to explore the whole country once again this month. It’s still officially low season in August, with the best weather in the north and east of Sri Lanka though.

For guaranteed sunbathing, head to Trincomalee and Pasikudah on the east coast, although the weather is improving in the north-west too, so the beaches from Negombo northwards are one alternative. It’s cooler and less humid in Colombo as well this month, with the rains lessening here.

The ‘Gathering’ of elephants at Minneriya National Park continues in August, with hundreds of Asian elephants (and some babies) heading to the Minneriya tank to find water during the dry season.Wilpattu National Park is hot and dry as well, while the conditions make it a good month for spotting leopard at Yala National Park. It’s also one of the key months to explore the rainforest at Sinharaja National Park.

The winds have started to drop around the Cultural Triangle, although the ancient cities remain hot and dry.

Festivals: See the Esala Perahera in Kandy, with thousands of dancers and drummers taking part in a giant procession to celebrate the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. The 10-day festival usually begins in July, but with events and festivities continuing in August. Kandy is one of the best places to experience it, with the relic kept in the Temple of the Tooth here, but you will find smaller events across the country too.

In Jaffna, the Nallur Festival usually takes place in August (sometimes beginning in July or ending in September). Lasting for 25 days, it’s a more peaceful occasion than some more celebratory festivals, with pilgrims travelling across the country to the Kandaswamy Temple.

Best for: Elephants at Minneriya, east coast beaches, Colombo, wildlife spotting at Wilpattu and Yala national parks

You’ll find much more mixed weather across Sri Lanka this month: the south-west monsoon is coming to an end with a rainy time on the south and west coast, as well as showers starting to increase on the east coast at the end of the month, plus more rain in the Tea Country. There’s also a possibility of cyclones across the country towards the end of September as well, bringing heavy rain and high winds.

Yala National Park usually closes this month to allow animals to roam freely in search of water, although conditions are good at Wilpattu National Park if you’re hoping to see some of Sri Lanka’s wildlife in September. It’s also the last month to see the ‘Gathering’ of elephants at Minneriya.

The east coast is still the best option for beach time, especially around Trincomalee and at Pasikudah, although the north-west coast from Negombo has increasingly good weather – expect high wind and rough seas along with the sun though. It’s still dry around the Cultural Triangle this month too.

Festivals: In Jaffna, the Nallur Festival is often still taking place in September (usually beginning in August). Lasting for 25 days, it’s a more peaceful occasion than some more celebratory festivals, with pilgrims travelling across the country to the Kandaswamy Temple.

Best for: East coast beaches, wildlife at Wilpattu National Park, elephants at Minneriya

You’ll find much more mixed weather across Sri Lanka this month: the south-west monsoon is coming to an end with a rainy time on the south and west coast, as well as showers starting to increase on the east coast at the end of the month, plus more rain in the Tea Country. There’s also a possibility of cyclones across the country towards the end of September as well, bringing heavy rain and high winds.

Yala National Park usually closes this month to allow animals to roam freely in search of water, although conditions are good at Wilpattu National Park if you’re hoping to see some of Sri Lanka’s wildlife in September. It’s also the last month to see the ‘Gathering’ of elephants at Minneriya.

The east coast is still the best option for beach time, especially around Trincomalee and at Pasikudah, although the north-west coast from Negombo has increasingly good weather – expect high wind and rough seas along with the sun though. It’s still dry around the Cultural Triangle this month too.

Festivals: In Jaffna, the Nallur Festival is often still taking place in September (usually beginning in August). Lasting for 25 days, it’s a more peaceful occasion than some more celebratory festivals, with pilgrims travelling across the country to the Kandaswamy Temple.

Best for: East coast beaches, wildlife at Wilpattu National Park, elephants at Minneriya

The good weather is back in the south and south-west coasts of Sri Lanka as the Yala monsoon finally comes to an end, with the sun shining on the beaches. There’s less rain in Colombo too, although you can still expect showers and high humidity this month.

And the Maha monsoon brings wet weather to the east coast and north of Sri Lanka, with one of the year’s rainiest months. It’s still possible to visit the Cultural Triangle but November is the wettest month of the year here, so not the ideal time to explore the ancient cities at Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. It’s still wet and often chilly up in the hills in November too.

If you’re planning wildlife-spotting this month, Yala National Park will be quieter as it’s one of the rainiest months in the park, but it’s a great time to see birdlife with hundreds of migratory species joining the native species. It’s similarly wet in Udawalawe and Wilpattu National Parks so not the best month overall to visit Sri Lanka to see the wildlife. Whales are starting to return to the south coast this month though, so you may see some species on boat trips from Mirissa.

Festivals: The Hindu festival of lights, Deepavali (or Diwali) often takes place in November, with families gathering together to celebrate.

Best for: South and west coast beaches, bird-watching at Yala National Park

The south-west monsoon is long gone, with some wonderful weather across the south and west – warm, dry and a perfect time to hit the beaches, such as by the Indian Ocean at Tangalle or Unawatuna. Christmas and New Year are popular so can be very busy, but visit earlier in the month and you’ll escape the worst of the crowds.

On the opposite coast, it’s the peak of the rainy season in the north and east, with some of the year’s highest rainfall in Trincomalee,and rainy conditions in the north-west from Negombo.

It’s still wet in the Cultural Triangle too, although rainfall gets less and less throughout the month. It’s also getting less rainy in the hills this month with lush green growth to enjoy, but it’s cool in the evenings and you won’t be guaranteed dry days for walking. If you’re happy to chance it, December marks the start of the season for Adam’s Peak, running throughout the drier months until May.

Whale-watching season is well underway at Mirissa on the south coast – you might be lucky and spot a blue whale, although most don’t arrive before February. Dry season means it’s easier to spot elephants at Udawalawe National Park, as well as some great sightings at Yala National Park, though this will be busy during the second half of the month.

Festivals: Although Sri Lanka is not a majority Christian country, Christmas is still celebrated across the island with a national holiday and all faiths making the most of the day to see family and friends.

Best for: Beaches in the south and west, wildlife spotting at Udawalawe and Yala National parks, whale watching