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.
Northeast Sri Lanka Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
24
26
160
FEB
24
28
100
MAR
24
30
50
APR
25
32
52
MAY
26
33
50
JUN
26
33
20
JUL
26
33
60
AUG
25
33
90
SEP
25
33
100
OCT
24
31
210
NOV
24
29
340
DEC
24
27
370
Our Sri Lanka Vacations
Sri Lanka vacations, tailor made
Independent tailor made vacations to Sri Lanka
From
£2145
15 days
inc UK flights
Sri Lanka family vacation
A fabulous family vacation including the best of Sri Lanka
From
US $1965 to US $2985
15 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka highlights vacation
An exciting mix of culture, nature, wildlife and beaches
From
£1598
14 days
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Sri Lanka small group tour, a food adventure
A delicious adventure through this provocative country.
From
US $1904 to US $2440
12 days
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Small group vacation to Sri Lanka
Explore Sri Lanka's natural paradise
From
US $2245 to US $2635
15 days
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Family vacation to Sri Lanka
Explore Sri Lanka with the family
From
US $2055 to US $2445
13 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka tour & beach vacation
Tropical island paradise with cultural tour
From
£2125
15 days
inc UK flights
Sri Lanka vacation, island explorer
Sri Lanka - its wildlife, culture and people
From
US $2000
15 days
ex flights
Beach vacation & tour in Sri Lanka
Beach vacation and wildlife tour of Sri Lanka
From
£2595
15 days
inc UK flights
Tailor made wildlife tour of Sri Lanka
Wildlife tour around Sri Lanka - see blue whales!
From
£2490
13 days
inc UK flights
Wildlife vacation in Sri Lanka, private departure
Wildlife vacation to see Sri Lanka's 'Big Four'
From
£2345
15 days
inc UK flights
Adventure vacation to Sri Lanka
Now is the time to discover this magical land
From
US $2325 to US $2660
15 days
ex flights
Grand tour of Sri Lanka, tailor made
A bespoke customised Sri Lanka Vacation
From
US $2799 to US $2999
14 days
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Family volunteering with elephants in Sri Lanka
Family volunteering with elephants in Sri Lanka
From
£745 to £1030
7 days
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Sri Lanka vacation, culture & relaxation
For couples & friends who want to relax with minimal travel!
From
£3616 to £4123
13 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka vacation including the north
Discover the very north to the very south of this island
From
US $2325 to US $2635
17 days
ex flights
Culture and history tour of Sri Lanka
A beautiful visit through exotic Sri Lanka
From
£1895
10 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka coast to coast cycling vacation
Sri Lanka Coast to Coast cycling ride
From
£1400
13 days
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Sri Lanka cycling vacation
Ride the cool highlands, jungle parks and ancient Buddhist cities
From
US $2635 to US $3565
14 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka Family vacations
A superb family adventure to Sri Lanka
From
£1175 to £1375
15 days
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Sri Lanka tour and Maldive Dhoni cruise
Join us on this trip exploring Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
From
US $3180 to US $3550
15 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka birding & cultural tour
Top tour of birding, wildlife and culture of Sri Lanka.
From
£1500
14 days
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Sri Lanka vacation, small group
Hidden temples, sacred Buddhist sites and Hindu shrines
From
US $1013 to US $1579
9 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka and Maldives vacations
Enjoy two Indian Ocean tropical island paradise
From
£3795
15 days
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Sri Lanka tailor made tours
An Island odyssey of ancient culture, unique natural beauty
From
£2850 to £4032
14 days
ex flights
Family tour to Sri Lanka
An ideal introduction to the magnificent island of Sri Lanka
From
US $1825
14 days
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Sri Lanka 21 day tour
21 day bespoke customised Sri Lanka Vacation
From
US $3999 to US $4299
21 days
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Sri Lanka, month by month
Our top Sri Lanka Vacation
Sri Lanka vacations, tailor made
Independent tailor made vacations to Sri Lanka
From
£2145
15 days
inc UK flights
Tailor made:
Our tailor made Sri Lanka vacations can be arranged at any time to suit you, and adapted to your requirements as necessary although we do not offer trips for under 10 days.
Our tailor made Sri Lanka vacations can be arranged at any time to suit you, and adapted to your requirements as necessary although we do not offer trips for under 10 days.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Sri Lanka or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
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.”
"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. "
"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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Sri Lanka translates as ‘resplendent island’ in Sanskrit. After years of conflict both north and south are now united and gloriously resplendent.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: chuvipro] [Temp chart: Vitalii Tkachenko]
[Festivals & events - Rice harvesting: NH53]
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