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Best time to visit Sri Lanka

When working out the best time to visit Sri Lanka, you need to work around its two monsoons, or just not worry about it and bring a brolly. In short, the South West has a monsoon between May and July and the North East has one from October until January. Crowds disappear with the clouds, but the local people will be beaming with joy to greet you during these times. Although, you always get a wonderful welcome in Sri Lanka. So in terms of happy times, there is no best time to visit Sri Lanka.

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Best time to visit Sri Lanka

The monsoon transforms villages into a whole other way of being, and our guests love that. We just do yoga by candlelight instead when electricity goes

Just to confuse those of you working out the best time to visit Sri Lanka, there are two monsoons. Heading to the southwest beaches? Stay clear of the southwest monsoon from May to July with sunbathing at its best December to April. Although with climate change 'n' all, May is often lovely. The northeast, however, which is just opening up to tourism, has a monsoon October to January so perfect during European summer. And the rest of the year? Showers happen. It’s the tropics.

Call us for the best time to go to Sri Lanka

Northeast Sri Lanka Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

160

FEB

100

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

100

OCT

210

NOV

340

DEC

370

Our Sri Lanka Vacations

Sri Lanka, month by month

May is just gorgeous in Sri Lanka, in between both monsoons and also very quiet. If you are heading to Yala National Park, February until June or July are great, as the water tables are low, and animals come out to exposed lakes to drink. You can play with the monsoons in Sri Lanka. The stunning beaches of the northeast have their monsoon October to January meaning that the European summer months of July, August and September are perfect here. While the southwest is still prone to rainfall. Even though the Cultural Triangle is in a drier region, it does still get hit by the monsoon in November and December. If you want to see blue whales, the beginning of March is the best time. But for other species, head there October until April. December through to early January is a very busy time in Sri Lanka. So, although you can find quiet spots off the beaten track, you do need to book well in advance.

Travel Team

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What happens when

John Beswetherick, Managing Director of our supplier Tikalanka (UK) Limited:
"Although November until April is the key season, I still feel that May is absolutely superb, all around the country, as it is outside both monsoon seasons. And it is the quietest time of the year too, so you can have a really good vacation then, and yet it is still considered low season.”

Liddy Pleasants is Managing Director at our supplier Stubborn Mule Travel:
"The east coast beaches are starting to open up again since the head of the civil war. The best time to visit these beaches is actually during the European summer, unlike Sri Lanka’s southwest beaches, which are best visited in winter. Which is great for families who want to come here during the school summer vacations. And at the moment, because they are undeveloped, the east coast still has those idyllic tropical beaches. "

Festivals & events in Sri Lanka

Did you know about...?

Rice is considered the giver of life in Sri Lanka and harvesting the paddy fields happens twice a year and is a wonderful community happening. The villagers all come together to work as a team, celebrating the harvest with rituals and ceremonies to bless the paddy. Some of the first crop is donated to the temple traditionally, and harvesting happens end August or beginning September and then again in February.

More about Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka responsible travel guide

Whether you are following in the footsteps of Paul Theroux and traveling by train, discovering the former colonial world of the tea plantations, wildlife watching in rainforests, or just blissing out at the beach, Sri Lanka has something for everyone. And as for the food – that just ticks everyone’s boxes.

Sri Lanka highlights

The most glimmering Sri Lanka highlights are the ancient archaeological and sacred wonders of the Golden Triangle. But this teardrop island has so many other glittering gems too.

Things to do in Sri Lanka

You can’t really go to Sri Lanka and not touch one of the points on the Golden Triangle. But with beaches, wildlife and Ayurvedic spas, there are endless activities.

Sri Lanka beach vacations

White sands, swaying palms and all year round heat in the high 20s makes Sri Lanka beach bliss. There are, in fact, 1,600km of beaches here.

Blue whale watching in Sri Lanka

As if Sri Lanka didn’t ooze magic from every pore already, blue whales are jumping out of the ocean to upstage the other natural wonders for a few weeks between February and mid March.

Buddhism & cultural tourism in Sri Lanka

Buddhism is at the heart of cultural vacations in Sri Lanka, whether you are visiting the ancient sites, a contemporary temple or just just meeting local people.

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

From the Sri Lanka blue magpie to the Sri Lanka leopard, the great Asian elephant to the ginormous blue whale, Sri Lanka has stupendous wildlife.

Cooking & food vacations in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a culinary paradise, where fresh local ingredients, sizzling spices and recipes bequeathed by a history of colonisation create a diverse and delicious culinary scene.

Things to see & do in Northern Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka translates as ‘resplendent island’ in Sanskrit and after years of conflict both north and south are now united and gloriously resplendent.

Sri Lanka tea plantations

The British introduced tea to Sri Lanka in 19th century and visiting plantations today is like returning to a slightly archaic genteel age. Where everything is solved with a cuppa.

Sigiriya rock fortress

Not for those with vertigo, Sigiriya is a 200m-tall rock fortress that sprouts out of the plains of northeast Sri Lanka.

Holidays to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Vacations to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Yala National Park steals the show on many a Sri Lanka vacation.

Sri lanka leopard safaris

Yala National Park is the key destination that big cat safaris in Sri Lanka focus on, as it's home to a higher concentration of leopards per square kilometre than anywhere else on the planet.

See Sri Lanka & the Maldives together

If you want a trip to the tropics that combines culture, history, nature and incredible Indian Ocean vistas then look no further – Sri Lanka and the Maldives are your perfect twosome.

Sri Lanka with kids

Traveling in Sri Lanka with kids is not only a journey through ancient culture, wildlife central and beach bliss, it is also a wonderful island of wonderfully welcoming families.

Sri Lanka travel advice

Our experts give great where, when, who and why Sri Lanka travel advice. Where to cycle, when to go, whom to meet and guide you and safari wisdom too.

Responsible tourism in Sri Lanka

There are many issues to take into account, sadly, when it comes to responsible tourism in Sri Lanka, and we encourage you to read on for more details.

All our Sri Lanka guides

Find all of our Sri Lanka guides in one place, for particular types of vacation we offer such as culture, cycling, wildlife or more. Choose from all our Sri Lanka guides