May 24th, 2019 by OYO Team

If your holiday plans are incomplete without a piece of sea and sand, then Sri Lanka could be one of the best places to visit for you. This beautiful island, one of the largest in the world, is defined by a colorful hue of clear blue and sparkling gold across its coasts along with an exotic variety of wildlife that livens up the place. However, one of the best features of this nation is the fact that it can be visited all through the year as it has unique weather conditions marked by two distinct monsoon seasons.

A popular tourist destination in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a land known for its scenic greenery and beautiful beaches among others. This historical nation is a great place to get away from the noise of the city and be one with nature. It’s a great destination to explore with your friends and family, so ensure you visit Sri Lanka with a nice bunch.

The beautiful country can be easily accessed from India, with plenty of flights operating from the mainland towards Sri Lanka. The best time to visit Sri Lanka really depends on where you’re planning to visit and what activities you’re indulging in.

Here is a detailed guide to help you decide the best time to visit Sri Lanka and enjoy everything that it offers!

Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka:

There are many seasons where you can visit Sri Lanka and witness some of its beautiful natural resources. Owing to its proximity to the equator, generally, the best time to visit Sri Lanka can be categorized into the regions of the country you’re visiting. If you’re planning on visiting to see the country without the warm weather, then sometime from December or January can be a great time to take Sri Lanka Package. The weather during this time is milder compared to the warmer summers and there are plenty of activities you can enjoy as well.

Best Season to Visit Sri Lanka

The fact that the island country of Sri Lanka is graced by two monsoons plays a vital role in determining the weather conditions. The climate is tricky and unpredictable, with bouts of heavy rain across the year. However, since Sri Lanka is close to the equator, the temperatures stay almost constant throughout. So, deciding on the best season to visit Sri Lanka can pose to be a difficult problem. You can travel to different parts of Sri Lanka during different seasons to get the most of this island nation. Hence, it is a year-round destination.

The months of January till mid-April are the best time for a Sri Lanka trip. The climate is dry during this time with the coastal temperatures fluctuating at 25°C to 30°C while the mercury at the Highlands runs between 15°C to 18°C. If you have planned your travel to Sri Lanka during this time, then you can visit any of the cities
and villages or hit the beaches around the coasts.

The summer months between May to September is the time when the west and south coasts are reeling under a cloudy spell of rainfall under the influence of the southwest monsoons. The north and east coasts are dry with the bright sun overhead. You can visit these areas to make the most of your Sri Lankan holidays and experience the beauty of the beaches in summer.

Winter descends from October to February, but the temperature remains constant except for heavy rainfall around the east and north coasts from the northeast monsoon winds. A visit to Sri Lanka at this time should be to the west and south coasts in search of drier pastures that is sparkling under the bright sun.

The best season to visit Sri Lanka depends on which part of the country you’re planning on visiting. If you’re planning to visit the Western and Southern coastline, then October to March works as the best time. Capital city Colombo, Galle in the south and the western town of Chilaw all experience better weather this time. Since most of the beach hotels are in these regions, this makes it a great time to visit Sri Lanka for its beaches.
As Sri Lanka is an island, you cannot rule out the downpour, but pleasant weather is expected on more days than the former. January to March are also the months when the sea is calmer and provides an opportunity to spot blue whales.

Those looking to party and festive time in Sri Lanka should get there in April, which marks the “New Year” festival, as it is the end of the harvesting season for the Sinhalese. There is an array of gastronomical and social events which are also planned during this time.

March is a good time to visit Sri Lanka if you’re planning on exploring the dense Central Hills region. The towns of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Peradeniya Botanical Gardens come alive during this time. The mountainous region has hills that peak at 300 meters. The hills are much cooler and have an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius.
April to September is the best time to visit Sri Lanka to explore the Eastern and Northern regions. These areas tend to get during otherwise peak season and from  August to September is the best time for  Sri Lanka Holidays, owing to dryer weather here.

Peak Season in Sri Lanka

The best months to visit Sri Lanka are rather complicated as two ends have their own monsoon seasons based on the time of the year. The main southwest monsoon, also known as Yala, hits the south and southwest corners of the country. During this period, the North and Eastern regions have the best time to visit Sri Lanka. You can head to Passikudah and enjoy the beaches which are great for snorkeling and surfing as well.
The other peak season from October to March allows you to visit the more commercial regions, which include the capital city Colombo, and Galle. Galle is an erstwhile Dutch settlement, so you will have a great time if you’re a history lover, viewing the many Dutch-inspired churches, forts, and lighthouses. If you’re a surfing lover and planning for the best Water Activities Packages In Sri Lanka, then a good time to visit Sri Lanka includes the months of November to March on the southwest and May to September to the East.

January To April:

The months of January to April are the best months to plan a holiday to Sri Lanka. The air is dry, with the sun shining brightly overhead. These are the months when the beaches across all the coasts of Sri Lanka are dry and sunny with a buzz of activity around them. The temperature between January and March is mildly warm, making it a great time to go out and enjoy all the awe-striking things that Sri Lanka has to offer. If you are tired by the bright sun, you can also head towards the hilly areas of Sri Lanka and enjoy the cool breeze.

April is the hottest month in the year around the central part of the island. However, the beaches showcase a vibrant palette of clear blue skies and sparkling sand. Laze around the beach during this time or go sightseeing to marvel at the architectural wonders of Sri Lanka, but, avoid the hours of 11 A.M. to 3 P.M., as they are the hottest time of the day.

Things to Do:

1. Go beach hopping across the coasts of Sri Lanka for a tryst with the Dolphins or a day under the swaying palm trees.
2. Get a taste of the rich culture by participating in the Thai Pongal festival in January.
3. Visit the various national parks across the island to be awed by the variety of flora and fauna available.

December:

The last month of the year also serves as a good time to plan a Sri Lanka tour. The clouds clear out during this time, and the temperature starts becoming drier and warmer. This is the time you can enjoy the diverse wildlife of Sri Lanka, especially the vibrant birds chirping around Bundala National Park. You can also spend your time exploring the hilly regions of the country that are marked by cool winds and a softer climate.

Things to Do:

1. Explore the fragrant paths of the tea garden across the hills of Nuwara Eliya.
2. Go bird watching at the Bundala National Park.
3. Laze around on the beaches of Galle, Bentota or Kogala for a fun-filled time.

Off-Season in Sri Lanka

There are no off-season periods in Sri Lanka as they receive two separate monsoon cycles. However, there is an inter-monsoon period where it can rain randomly without any warning owing to the coastal proximity. This is during the months of October and November and they aren’t considered the best time to visit Sri Lanka.
During the off-season, you could try heading for the hills as they experience pleasant weather almost throughout the year. The hills get super cool during these months with temperatures dropping to single digits on some nights as well. You can enjoy exploring the hills and trekking during these months to get away from the heat of the mainland.

Although there is no definitive off-season in Sri Lanka and you can travel to different parts of the country around the year, yet, visits to either coast of the island become restricted due to the advancing monsoons. There are two monsoons in Sri Lanka, one that is influenced by the south-west winds and the other that is affected by the north-eastern winds. These two monsoon seasons are the off-season for either coast of the nation.

May To September:

The southwest winds pave its way into the island, bringing with it a shower of rainfall along the south-western coast of Sri Lanka. The regions of Columbo and Galle receive a moderate amount of rainfall, adding to the humidity and creating a wet spell over the coasts.

You can take a trip to the northern and eastern coasts of the country during these months as the climate is dry and sunny.

Things to Do:

Attend the Kandy Esala Perahara, one of the most famous festivals of Sri Lanka that takes place in the city of Kandy.

October to January:

The heavier of the two Sri Lankan monsoons occur during this time bringing heavy rainfall along the north-eastern coast of the island. This monsoon tends to affect the entire nation, although the greatest impact is along the north-eastern coast.

Things to Do:

Make your way towards the southern and western coasts of Colombo and Galle that are comparatively drier during these months and make the most of the beach life.

Best time to take a Sri Lanka trip is before the monsoons set in, so, make your plans and get going to explore this green teardrop amidst the Indian Ocean. Book a Sri Lanka tour packages and enjoy a hassle-free holiday with fun and adventure.

Climate and Weather in Sri Lanka:

The climate of Sri Lanka is generally tropical as it is near the equator. The temperatures of the regions are generally in the high 20s and 30s during summer. However, there are a few months which are considered the best time for</br>  Sri Lanka Travel. The monsoon seasons see the temperatures drop down to the mid-20s. Based on where you’re traveling in Sri Lanka, the weather varies. Overall, the cooler months from October to February are the best time for Sri Lanka.

Thus, Sri Lanka has plenty of activities which can be enjoyed depending on when you want to visit. Choose the best time to visit Sri Lanka based on what works for you and plan your trip well in advance. Choose some of the best      Sri Lanka Tour Packages for a fun-filled and memorable trip to this magnificent island.

About OYO Team

We’re people who love to travel and it’s a pleasure to share our experiences from around the world with you here. You’ll see our favourite destinations, quirky stays and budget stay. Also the best wedding banquet halls and the most lit party destinations. You’ll also find insightful opinions about why we travel in the first place and what it’s really like out there. Enjoy the blog and please tell us what you think - feedback welcome!