The best time of year to travel to Sri LankaOur comprehensive guide to weather in Sri Lanka will tell you all you need to know when you are planning your holiday to Sri Lanka. We reveal the best time to visit Sri Lanka by enabling you to compare the climate not just month by month, but region by region. With the right information at your fingertips, you can plan an enjoyable holiday at virtually any time of the year. With our guidance, Sri Lanka really is an all-year-round destination.
Sri Lanka is a perfect destination to escape a European winter - and its holiday season is at its peak from December to April. But Sri Lanka’s tropical climate generally offers warmth and sunshine somewhere on the island throughout the year. A position just north of the equator ensures pretty consistent temperatures throughout the year.
December to March are the best time to visit the west and coast and south-central highlands, while the east coast has Sri Lanka's best weather between May and September. March and August offer consistently settled weather across the bulk of the island.
Whatever time of year you travel, the Sri Lanka climate ensures that with skill and knowledge you can arrange a satisfying itinerary to chase the best of the weather. Check out our unrivalled month-by-month guides and regional guides to weather in Sri Lanka to discover the best times to visit Sri Lanka.
In Colombo and the west coast, noon temperatures range between 28-32C and peak in April before the seasonal rains. It can be slightly hotter in the Cultural Triangle and on the east coast. Kandy's daytime average is around 24C and average temperatures further into in the hills range from a daytime peak of 23C to a nightly low of around 9C.
Humidity ranges between 70-90 percent in Colombo, lower in the highlands and cultural triangle. Ocean breezes also moderate temperatures on the coast.
Rainfall is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Sri Lanka averages about 240cms a year, which explains its beauty, but much of the rain falls in short, heavy bursts, often at night, and figures vary widely from region to region. The north and east of the island represent the Dry Zone, with the far north-west and south-east the driest of all. The western slopes of the central highlands, inland from the coast, are the wettest.
Sri Lanka monsoons
Sri Lanka lies 400 miles north of the equator and is affected by two monsoon seasons caused by winds originating from the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The monsoon weather patterns in Sri Lanka ensure that some coastal waters are always in season for swimming, snorkelling, and diving.
The main south-west monsoon (Yala) originates from the Indian Ocean and brings most rain to Colombo, the south, and west coasts and during May/June.
The weaker north-east monsoon (Maha) brings rain from the Bay of Bengal and affects the far north and east between December and February. In this dry zone, the monsoon makes up the vast majority of its rain for the year.
There are also inter-monsoon rains, usually in October and early November when heavy rain is possible anywhere across the island.
Useful Links
Department of Meteorology Sri Lanka - www.meteo.gov.lk
Latest weather info from government’s meteorology department.
Sri Lanka weather month by month
Sri Lanka weather region by region
Weather in Colombo
Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, can be stifling during the day, with heat hanging in the built-up areas, but the reduction of a few degrees can make the evenings blissful.
Weather in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
The cultural triangle is largely situated within a dry zone. The southern town of Dambulla experiences the most rainfall while Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, to the north, are much dryer.
Weather on Sri Lanka’s East Coast
Sri Lanka’s east coast comes into its own while the rest of the island is experiencing monsoonal rains. April to September is not just packed with sunshine, humidity levels as also markedly low.
Weather on the Galle Coast
Traditionally, the best time to visit the Galle Coast is from mid-November to April, with the region offering similar weather patterns to the West Coast of Sri Lanka.
Weather in the Sri Lanka Hill Country
The weather in Sri Lanka's Hill Country is influenced by both monsoons. At nearly 2,000m above sea level, the region is much cooler than elsewhere in Sri Lanka.
Weather in Jaffna
Jaffna, in the far north of Sri Lanka, is the hottest region in the country with average temperatures reaching 30C. It has a tropical savanna climate with a dry season between February and August.
Weather in Kandy
Kandy sits at a far lower altitude than the other main hill towns and because of this often basks in higher temperatures and lower rainfall than in the hills to the south.
Weather on Sri Lanka’s North-West Coast
The North-West Coast has different weather patterns, depending how far north you travel. Negombo follows the weather patterns of Colombo, only 20 miles to the south.
Weather in Sinharaja and Kitulgala
The Sinharaja Reserve has a wet equatorial climate and, in common with the south west highland towns such as Kitulgala which it fringes, is one of the wettest parts of Sri Lanka.
Weather on the South Coast of Sri Lanka
Traditionally, the best time to visit the south coast of Sri Lanka is from December to April, with similar weather patterns to the Galle Coast. But there are other temptations, too.
Weather in Tissa and Kataragama
Tissa and Kataragama, positioned in the far south east, are in one of the driest parts of Sri Lanka. The north-east monsoon is even more urgently anticipated in this lightly-populated area.
Weather on Sri Lanka’s West Coast
The West Coast of Sri Lanka was one of its first holiday destinations. It has its share of rain, but it often falls in heavy but brief storms which leaves plenty of time for sunshine even on the wettest days.
Weather in Yala
Located in one of the more arid regions of Sri Lanka, conditions at Yala National Park are mostly hot and dry, although rainfall is primarily expected from October to January.
Our comprehensive guide to weather in Sri Lanka will tell you all you need to know when you are planning your holiday to Sri Lanka. We reveal the best time to visit Sri Lanka by enabling you to compare the climate not just month by month, but region by region. With the right information at your fingertips, you can plan an enjoyable holiday at virtually any time of the year. With our guidance, Sri Lanka really is an all-year-round destination.
Sri Lanka is a perfect destination to escape a European winter - and its holiday season is at its peak from December to April. But Sri Lanka’s tropical climate generally offers warmth and sunshine somewhere on the island throughout the year. A position just north of the equator ensures pretty consistent temperatures throughout the year.
December to March are the best time to visit the west and coast and south-central highlands, while the east coast has Sri Lanka's best weather between May and September. March and August offer consistently settled weather across the bulk of the island.
Whatever time of year you travel, the Sri Lanka climate ensures that with skill and knowledge you can arrange a satisfying itinerary to chase the best of the weather. Check out our unrivalled month-by-month guides and regional guides to weather in Sri Lanka to discover the best times to visit Sri Lanka.
In Colombo and the west coast, noon temperatures range between 28-32C and peak in April before the seasonal rains. It can be slightly hotter in the Cultural Triangle and on the east coast. Kandy's daytime average is around 24C and average temperatures further into in the hills range from a daytime peak of 23C to a nightly low of around 9C.
Humidity ranges between 70-90 percent in Colombo, lower in the highlands and cultural triangle. Ocean breezes also moderate temperatures on the coast.
Rainfall is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Sri Lanka averages about 240cms a year, which explains its beauty, but much of the rain falls in short, heavy bursts, often at night, and figures vary widely from region to region. The north and east of the island represent the Dry Zone, with the far north-west and south-east the driest of all. The western slopes of the central highlands, inland from the coast, are the wettest.
Sri Lanka lies 400 miles north of the equator and is affected by two monsoon seasons caused by winds originating from the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The monsoon weather patterns in Sri Lanka ensure that some coastal waters are always in season for swimming, snorkelling, and diving.
The main south-west monsoon (Yala) originates from the Indian Ocean and brings most rain to Colombo, the south, and west coasts and during May/June.
The weaker north-east monsoon (Maha) brings rain from the Bay of Bengal and affects the far north and east between December and February. In this dry zone, the monsoon makes up the vast majority of its rain for the year.
There are also inter-monsoon rains, usually in October and early November when heavy rain is possible anywhere across the island.
Department of Meteorology Sri Lanka - www.meteo.gov.lk
Latest weather info from government’s meteorology department.
Sri Lanka weather month by month
Weather in Colombo
Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, can be stifling during the day, with heat hanging in the built-up areas, but the reduction of a few degrees can make the evenings blissful.
Weather in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
The cultural triangle is largely situated within a dry zone. The southern town of Dambulla experiences the most rainfall while Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, to the north, are much dryer.
Weather on Sri Lanka’s East Coast
Sri Lanka’s east coast comes into its own while the rest of the island is experiencing monsoonal rains. April to September is not just packed with sunshine, humidity levels as also markedly low.
Weather on the Galle Coast
Traditionally, the best time to visit the Galle Coast is from mid-November to April, with the region offering similar weather patterns to the West Coast of Sri Lanka.
Weather in the Sri Lanka Hill Country
The weather in Sri Lanka's Hill Country is influenced by both monsoons. At nearly 2,000m above sea level, the region is much cooler than elsewhere in Sri Lanka.
Weather in Jaffna
Jaffna, in the far north of Sri Lanka, is the hottest region in the country with average temperatures reaching 30C. It has a tropical savanna climate with a dry season between February and August.
Weather in Kandy
Kandy sits at a far lower altitude than the other main hill towns and because of this often basks in higher temperatures and lower rainfall than in the hills to the south.
Weather on Sri Lanka’s North-West Coast
The North-West Coast has different weather patterns, depending how far north you travel. Negombo follows the weather patterns of Colombo, only 20 miles to the south.
Weather in Sinharaja and Kitulgala
The Sinharaja Reserve has a wet equatorial climate and, in common with the south west highland towns such as Kitulgala which it fringes, is one of the wettest parts of Sri Lanka.
Weather on the South Coast of Sri Lanka
Traditionally, the best time to visit the south coast of Sri Lanka is from December to April, with similar weather patterns to the Galle Coast. But there are other temptations, too.
Weather in Tissa and Kataragama
Tissa and Kataragama, positioned in the far south east, are in one of the driest parts of Sri Lanka. The north-east monsoon is even more urgently anticipated in this lightly-populated area.
Weather on Sri Lanka’s West Coast
The West Coast of Sri Lanka was one of its first holiday destinations. It has its share of rain, but it often falls in heavy but brief storms which leaves plenty of time for sunshine even on the wettest days.
Weather in Yala
Located in one of the more arid regions of Sri Lanka, conditions at Yala National Park are mostly hot and dry, although rainfall is primarily expected from October to January.
