Essential Sri Lanka
This tour encompasses much of the island - taking in the ancient cities, the hill country and a beach stay.
There is a great deal of confusion around the best time to visit Sri Lanka. It's a year-round destination, and even during the monsoon periods, the weather is not consistently wet. The weather doesn’t run like clockwork here, and we can always be surprised in Sri Lanka! There are some rules to bear in mind though, to work out the best time for you to visit, but they do depend on where you want to go and what you want to see and do while there.
However, there will rarely be weather so dramatic that it will stand in the way of a brilliant holiday with plenty of warm sunshine. Here is our guide as to when you might like to visit Sri Lanka. For a more in-depth breakdown of the best times to travel to Sri Lanka, download our free Sri Lanka weather guide, or for holidays ideas take a look at our Sri Lanka travel guide.
We love organising holidays in Sri Lanka as this country is blessed with incredible natural beauty, a rich culture dating back millennia and a wealth of wildlife. We know this country inside out and will put in as much adventure, luxury or comfort as you wish. No two travellers are the same, so no two ETG holidays are the same. Ask our travel experts about your holiday to Sri Lanka, and we'll give you impartial and honest advice on the best time to visit.
When to visit (Quick Summary)
Best Time
January - April (Entire Country)
Mid-July - September (Entire Country)
February - September (North and East)
Monsoon Season
May - July (South-West Monsoon)
October - January (North-East Monsoon)
Beach Season
January - April (South)
May - September (East)
Mid-July to September (South)
Wildlife
December - April (Bundala National Park - birds)
(South coast - whales)
November - April (Kalpitya - dolphins)
July - September (Minneriya / Kaudulla)
January - October (Yala/Wilpattu - leopards)
January - March
A fantastic time to travel across the whole country, Sri Lanka is generally basking in sunshine and relatively dry all over throughout these months. Temperatures will be lovely and warm, although a touch cooler up in the Hill Country. Beaches on the south and west coasts are dry, hot and sunny.
April
Arguably the driest and hottest month of the year, April starts to get very hot - especially in the central and Cultural Triangle regions with temperatures at least in the mid-30°Cs. It’s a great month to head to the beach, with clear skies and long, sunny days. Make sure to avoid the hottest hours of the day (11am-3pm) when sightseeing during April.
May - June
The south-west monsoon blows through May and June, but as the name suggests it only affects the south-west quarter of the country such as Colombo and Galle. It is also the more gentle of the two monsoons that Sri Lanka experiences, with mainly short and sharp showers that tend to pass quite quickly.
July - September
This is what is known as "inter-monsoon" season, meaning that spare the odd shower, the weather is great at this time of year. Temperatures remain high across the country at around 29°C average and the beaches are hot and dry. All in all, a great period to travel.
October - November
The north-east monsoon blows in October and November, and it is the heavier of the two monsoons that Sri Lanka experiences. Whilst the name may lend itself to the north-east only, this monsoon does in fact affect the whole country. This monsoon can be unpredictable – it can be stronger, lighter or more sporadic than past years, and sometimes it never comes at all!
December
December is usually a great month to travel if the monsoon winds down, with nice, hot and dry weather across the island. However, there have been instances in recent years of monsoon rains lasting into December. The rains will also have helped thicken out the lush green landscapes, making it an exceptionally beautiful time to enjoy the rural parts of Sri Lanka.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE TRAVEL GUIDE
Download your Sri Lanka travel guide for:
- Expert advice on where and when to travel
- Top places to visit, including the main sights with a twist and hidden off-the-beaten path experiences
- Best beaches and recommended boutique hotels
Our guide will be followed by a handful of emails full of travel inspiration. Curious to learn more? Give us a call on 020 3811 2247. We love talking travel
SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAYS TO SRI LANKA
Essential Sri Lanka
Deluxe Sri Lanka
The relaxed pace allows you to enjoy the wonderful sights of Sri Lanka in the best hotels. Experience the serendipity that characterises this amazing island!
Slow Paced Sri Lanka
This relaxing holiday takes in some of the best scenery and hotels in Sri Lanka. Get a feel for the 'real' Sri Lanka from your own unique perspective.
