Wants to know best time to visit Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka is renowned for its beautiful coastlines, lush green hill country and a place filled with exciting adventures such as surfing, snorkeling, whale watching, hikings and many more. This island has a lot to offer all its travelers all year around let us guide you on what they are.
January in Sri Lanka
It would be best to visit Sri Lanka in January right after the new year celebration. Travelers can experience one of the best weather conditions during this month. Temperature in January is about 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. January is a month filled with excitement and festivals such as Dipawali celebrated by the hindus. There are some great destinations you should not miss out on, some of them are specified below.
Places to visit:
- Mirissa is the ideal destination if you’ve been dreaming of a vacation between swaying coconut trees, hamrocks, and shimmering golden beaches. You would be able to go whale watching and have a fun filled surfing experience, a moment where unforgettable memories are made.
- Yala National Park is located in the district of Take a trip to this amazing wildlife sanctuary. Enjoy a safari experience where you would be able to have a unique experience with the animals.
- Nuwara Eliya is a city known as Little England and the weather is best suitable during this month. The lush greenery of tea plantations, mountains and waterfalls shows off the beauty of nature.
- Anuradhapura is also known for historical ruins and is also a city you could explore to learn about SrI Lanka’s ancient buddhist culture and history.
February in Sri Lanka
February is also known for its pleasant weather for traveling since it is a rain free month. Few rainfalls are felt occasionally, normally a rare occurrence. The best place to visit during this month are:Â
Places to visit:
- Beruwala and Bentota beaches, these golden sand beaches are famous for turtle conservation, delicious foods and exciting night lifes. Beruwala is also known for its gem trading fairs.
- Hikkaduwa is a small town located 68 km away from Colombo. This place has various fun activities such as surfing and snorkeling. The nightlife, food and parties are pretty exciting here. Also make sure you don’t miss out on the Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary if you are planning a visit.
- Sigiriya has also been a tourist spot for centuries. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a proof of the rich historical values in Sri Lanka. The weather is moderately cool during this month making the climb easier. Sigiriya garden at the top is a breathtaking site. This rock fortress tells the story of ancient times and a place loved by many tourists. Colombo, Nuwaraeliya, Kandy are also some of the other interesting places to pay a visit to.
March in Sri Lanka
During March you can make the best out of your trip, the weather is good during the entire month and there is little possibility of rain. There are various activities and places to do during this month.
Places to visit:
- You could surf to your heart’s content in the beautiful beaches like Hikkaduwa. Pasikuda, Bentota and Beruwala are some of the beautiful beaches to enjoy a vacation.
- Explore wildlife at Wilpattu National Park and Yala National Park and bond with nature.
- If you’re in for an adventure of your own, go Trekking at Horton Plains or Adams peak and have an adventure of your own!
- The cities Colombo, Kandy and Galle also provide various activities and places to enjoy a vacation so make the most out of it.
April in Sri Lanka
April is also known to be a good month to visit Sri Lanka but when it gets closer to May there could be rainfalls especially in the hill country of the island. The south coast and west coast would still enjoy sunshine with a temperature of 30 degree celsius.
Places to visit:
- Since the hill country temperature is about 20 degrees it would be convenient for hiking in Knuckles Mountain.
- The best beaches to be enjoyed are the Negombo and Colombo beaches where you would be able to relax and be yourself.
- Colombo and Kandy also offer various enjoyments, at Colombo you could visit the Dehiwala zoo, Galle face green, Gangaramaya Buddhist temple and try out the delicious street foods. Kandy is a cultural city a place where you can learn and observe the islands Buddhist cultural values and even visit the sacred tooth relic temple.
May in Sri Lanka
Colombo, Galle, and the hill country are all affected by the Yala monsoon between May and August, which invades Sri Lanka in May. The temperature is 29 degrees Celsius on average at the time, making it pleasant to move about and explore. However, tourists are normally not allowed to swim in the sea along Sri Lanka’s west and south coasts in May due to the possibility of hazard.
Places to visit:
- Pinnawala Elephant orphanage where you can observe and interact with these gigantic creatures.
- Pay a visit to the Temple of tooth relic in Kandy and the pettah floating market to enjoy some delicious foods. If you are looking to have some fun at the beach.
- Bentota beach is an ideal place to relax and have some fun.
June in Sri Lanka
June’s monsoonal rains are erratic and typically don’t last all day. Less rainfall is felt during this month. To take advantage of the moderate temperatures and tranquil ambiance, visitors could venture to these places.
Places to visit:
- Trincomalee and Batticaloa on the island’s east coast. These less-traveled areas provide an escape from the crowds that can be found on Sri Lanka’s southern beaches. They provide quick access to neighboring beach communities and are home to historical buildings and hotels from the colonial era.
- Yala safari is also the best during this time due to the less number of tourists.
July in Sri Lanka
While the end of the monsoon rains is impossible to predict, the south and west of Sri Lanka experience less precipitation and brighter skies as July goes on, while brief, sharp showers should still be anticipated. Temperatures are about 29 to 30 degrees Celsius on the entire island.Â
Places to visit:
- Trincomalee and Batticaloa situated in the island’s east coast offers its visitors some enjoyable activities such as whale watching, tour the historic forts of the city, and relaxing on the secluded golden beaches.
- Both Yala National Park to go on safaris and the religious town of Kataragama host festivals where you could be part of.
- You can explore the northern part of the island and visit Jaffna where you can learn about the tamil culture in the city of Jaffna.
August in Sri Lanka
August is one of the rare months when beach lovers have their pick of Sri Lanka’s beaches due to the favorable weather forecast for the north and the east coast. From Negombo northward, to the north-west shore can not disappoint as well. While Kandy is about 84°F , Colombo experiences temperatures around 86°F.
Places to visit:
- Normally the Kandy Perahera occurs in August, being a part of it would be an exciting experience.
- It’s a wonderful month for observing animals at Trincomalee or Yala National Park.
- One of the major temple festivals on the island is taking place during this month in Jaffna, which is the best venue to learn further about Sri Lankan Tamil culture.
September in Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, September is recognized for its frequent and occasionally torrential rainfalls. Even though this month experiences less sunshine travelers can freely explore the nation and discover its wonders.
Places to visit:
- There will be less crowd than usual at tourist destinations like the city of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, and Dambulla, and the weather will be pleasant.
- Visit the cities of Trincomalee and Batticaloa on Sri Lanka’s east coast for their beautiful beaches, as well as Jaffna near the island’s northernmost tip.
October in Sri Lanka
In October temperatures are below their average and rainfall continues to be extremely heavy on Sri Lanka’s southern and western coast (average temperature: 28 °C). By the end of the month, full sunny days are expected, however some beaches are still not safe for swimming. Heavy rainfalls are expected in hill country during this month.
Places to visit:
- October is the month to explore the underwater world in Pasikuda.
- Visit Hikkaduwa and snorkel for a more leisurely experience with marine life.
- Unawatuna beach is known as surfers paradise. Take the chance to have a thrilling adventure here.
- Explore wildlife at the national parks such as Yala National park, Wilpattu national park. If you are a nature lover these places have a story of their own to tell.
November in Sri Lanka
Rainfalls are common throughout the island at this time including strong winds and thunderstorms. While Kandy typically has around 84°F in November, Colombo sees temperatures around 86° F. The mountainous town of Nuwara Eliya is very cold during this month.
Places to visit:
- The best time to visit the well-known tourist destinations in and around Galle and Colombo is now, before more tourists start to come in December.
- Enjoy beach life at Unawatuna beach where the weather is best in the latter part of November.
December in Sri Lanka
The northeastern part of the island experiences the Northeastern monsoon in December, which provides stormy, rainy weather. However, the dry season is only just getting started in the southwest of the island. In December, places are filled with beautiful Christmas decorations and exciting activities with seasonal offers making your vacation even more exciting.
Places to visit:
- Discovering Colombo’s urban attractions and Kandy’s significant religious sites is best done in December.
- The well-known beaches in southwest Sri Lanka are also a great time to visit because the weather is pleasant.
- Visitors staying in the neighboring city of Galle frequently visit Unawatuna Beach, Talalla Beach is well-known for its peace and quiet, and Mirissa Beach is a popular option for those seeking facilities without crowds.
Sri Lanka offers its travel something exciting all year around. Make the most of your stay here and enjoy the calm weather as you explore. Tourists visiting this island will not leave disappointed no matter what time they visit.
Now you know best time to visit Sri Lanka, Contact Travelco Leisure a Sri Lanka travel agency to arrange Sri Lanka tour.
Editorial Staff at Travelco Leisure are specialist on Sri Lanka tourism.