Best time to visit

Sri Lanka is known as a year-round destination in the world. Due to two monsoon seasons, at least one corner of the island is favored for the travelling.

The south and the western part of the country has affected by the southwest monsoon rain from May to August. That part of the country is dry from December to March. The north and the eastern part of the country has affected by the northeast monsoon rain from October to December. That part of the country is dry from May to September. Since the weather pattern in Sri Lanka is as such during the European winter season south and western parts and at the summer season, north and eastern parts of Sri Lanka is best for travelling.

The activities and the events in Sri Lanka have tightly bound with this weather pattern. Let’s have a quick look at activities and events that you can participate or witness in Sri Lanka.

JANUARY

January is one of the best months for travelling Sri Lanka. Temperature is maximum up to 30°C in the day time and 22°C in the night. While average water temperature is 28°C.

The main cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Anuradhapura has a nice climate to travel. However, at the hill country Nuwara Eliya, Hatton and Ella little bit of cooler than normal.

Most Fantastic Event

FEBRUARY

February is again one of the best months for travelling Sri Lanka. Temperature is maximum up to 32°C in the day time and 22°C in the night. While average water temperature is 29°C .

All most all the main cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Arugam Bay, Jaffna and Anuradhapura has a nice climate to travel. However, at the hill country Nuwara Eliya, Hatton and Ella little bit of cooler than normal and in the evening and morning temperature drop up to 5°C.

Most Fantastic Event

MARCH

March has considered as the best month to travel Sri Lanka by the experts. Temperature is maximum up to 35°C in the day time and 23°C in the night. While average water temperature is 29°C.

All the main cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Nuwara Eliya, Ella and the entire country has the best climate to travel and lots of recreations are available. However, at the hill country, a little bit of cooler than normal and in the evening and morning temperature drop up to 5°C.

APRIL

Early days of the month of April is the same as March. However, the inter-monsoon rain will start in April. Temperature is maximum up to 34°C in the day time and 24°C in the night. The sun is directly over Sri Lanka from 5th to 14th April. It is one of the warmest months of the year. While average water temperature is 30°C.

The main cities such as Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Nuwara Eliya and Anuradhapura has still with nice climate to travel. Nuwara Eliya becomes a vibrant city with celebrations and festivals. The month-long celebrations start from 1st of April with a wide array of activities competitions and races. The horse races, Motor races, Food festivals, Flower shows, Golf tournaments, Paragliding and carnivals are some of the activities you can participate.

Most Fantastic Event

Avurudu (Sinhala & Tamil New Year), the mega cultural event celebrates by Sinhala and Tamil communities. It lies in between 12th – 14th April. You will be able to experience traditional rituals, games and activities related to the new year celebration.

MAY

The southwestern monsoon begins. The south and the western parts and hill country gets heavy precipitation. Temperature is maximum up to 32°C in the day time and 25°C in the night. While average water temperature is 30°C and average rainfall is 360mm.

The main cities such as Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Nuwara Eliya experience rainy season. However, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Arugam Bay and Jaffna has a nice climate to travel. Due to low travelling season, best hotel rates and good deals can get.

Most Fantastic Event

The week-long Vesak festival celebration begins on full moon poya day of May. It celebrates birth, enlightenment and the demise of the Lord Buddha. Vesak festival celebration is one of the best opportunity for travellers to experience Sri Lankan traditional religious and cultural heritage.

JUNE

The southwestern monsoon is still blowing. The south and the western parts and hill country gets precipitation. Temperature is maximum up to 33°C in the day time and 25°C in the night. While average water temperature is 27°C and average rainfall is 415mm

The main cities such as Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Nuwara Eliya experience rainy season. However, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Arugam Bay and Jaffna has a nice climate to travel. Due to low travelling season, best hotel rates and good deals can get.

Most Fantastic Event

The Poson Festival celebration mainly based on Mihintale and Anuradhapura in full moon poya day of June. The arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka has celebrated on this festival. It is one of the best opportunity for travellers to experience Sri Lankan traditional religious and cultural heritage.

JULY

The southwestern monsoon has almost finished. July becomes one of the best months for travelling. Temperature is maximum up to 33°C in the day time and 30°C in the night. While average water temperature is 26°C and average rainfall is 75mm.

Almost all the cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Arugam Bay and Jaffna has a nice climate to travel. However, beaches of the south and the western parts are good for relaxation but not for a swim. Beach Cities of Trincomalee, Pasikuda, and Arugam Bay at its peak.

Most Fantastic Event

The two-week-long Kataragama perahera festival is an interesting and colourful event. There are 4 main ceremonies of Flag hoisting ceremony, Firewalking ceremony, Main pageant and Water cutting ceremony included in Kataragama festival.

AUGUST

August is the perfect month for travelling. Temperature is maximum up to 34°C in the day time and 30°C in the night. While average water temperature is 26°C and average rainfall is 130mm

Almost all the cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Arugam Bay and Jaffna has a nice climate to travel. However, beaches of the south and the western parts are good for relaxation but not for a swim. The north and east beaches specially Trincomalee, Pasikuda, and Arugam Bay have promising sunshine with a number of adventure activities.

Most Fantastic Event

The Kandy Esala Perahera, an extravaganza and grandest cultural show in Sri Lanka scheduled to be held in the month of August. The main and the grand show of this eleven days long cultural procession Called “Maha Randoli Perahera” held on August full moon poya day.

SEPTEMBER

Early September is perfect for travelling. However, later parts of the month bit more rain may be expected. Temperature is maximum up to 34°C in the day time and 30°C in the night. While average water temperature is 27°C and average rainfall is 185mm.

Early September almost all the cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Arugam Bay and Jaffna has a nice climate to travel. However, beaches of the south and the western parts are good for relaxation but not for a swim. The north and east beaches specially Trincomalee, Pasikuda, and Arugam Bay reach their last few weeks of another stunning season.

Most Fantastic Event

Around 400 elephants are gathering to Minneriya reservoir in Minneriya national park for feeding. That cannot be seen anywhere in the world.

OCTOBER

The northeast monsoon begins. The whole country gets widespread heavy rain with strong winds. Temperature is maximum up to 32°C in the day time and 30°C in the night. While average water temperature is 28°C.

NOVEMBER

The northeast monsoon begins. The whole country gets widespread heavy rain with strong winds. Temperature is maximum up to 30°C in the day time and 30°C in the night. While average water temperature is 29°C

Beaches in the south and the western parts of the country getting better with wonderful sunny days.

DECEMBER

December is one of the best months for travelling Sri Lanka. After the heavy monsoon period, the weather could be hot, dry and sunny throughout the country. Temperature is maximum up to 30°C in the day time and 22°C in the night. While average water temperature is 28°C.

The main cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Anuradhapura has a nice climate to travel. However, at the hill country Nuwara Eliya, Hatton and Ella little bit of cooler than normal.