Sri Lanka is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Along with the breathtaking natural beauty, Sri Lanka is blessed with historical landmarks that are more than a thousand years old. Sri Lanka is a diverse country that is full of jaw-dropping beaches, ancient temples, forests and mouth-watering cuisine. No matter which part of Sri Lanka you are in, you are going to find something amazing in every corner. The culture of Sri Lanka is so unique that it will stay in your memories forever. You are not going to find any other place like it.
Sri Lanka offers a beautiful landscape and diversity in terms of weather across the island. The great thing about it, from a tourist’s point of view, is that the weather is quite predictable, so you will most likely know what it will be like before you are even there. Though the country can be visited at any time of the year, you might want to avoid the monsoon season. To plan your trip to Sri Lanka better, you must know about its weather. Here’s a guideline about the weather conditions year-round, so you can better decide about the best time to visit Sri Lanka:
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January
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January is a great time to visit Sri Lanka as the weather is dry and hot with minimal rainfall. You’re going to experience a lot of sunshine across the country with an average temperature of 30 C degrees. Though in coastal regions of Sri Lanka, heavy rainfall can be expected. You can also visit the National Parks of Sri Lanka which are usually dry and hot during January. Wildlife can also be spotted during this month. The most famous Adam’s Peak can also be climbed in this month due of pleasant weather. Make sure to attend some of the festivals that are held in various parts of the country in January.
February
February is the best time to visit Sri Lanka especially Colombo. The combination of hot weather along with little rainfall makes February an ideal time to visit the country. The average daily temperature remains around 27 C, but it may increase up to 31 C. However, nights are a little more pleasant with temperatures of around 23 C. Monsoon begins to go away by the beginning of this month, in the northern and eastern coastal areas. The weather is pretty much stable making it easier for the tourists to walk around. Wildlife sighting could be easily done in February. Animals such as leopards can be found at the Yala National Park.
March
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If you are a beach lover, March is the best time for you to visit Sri Lanka as the temperature gets dry during this month with an average temperature of 30 C. The East is fully dried up and the climate gets warmer by this month. However, rainfall can be expected in the Southern parts of Sri Lanka. As for cultural insight, pilgrimage starts on Adam’s peak in March. Tea country hills offer a beautiful view and warmth for the tourists. March is considered the best time to explore Sri Lanka according to many tourists. Among all the cities, Kandy has the most pleasant temperature in this month. Tourism is at its peak in Sri Lanka during March with an increase in price.
April
April is the start of the monsoon season in Sri Lanka. The average temperature stays around 30 degrees and its even higher in Colombo. The beaches offer sunny weather with clear and beautiful skies. Kitesurfing can be enjoyed in some areas with a lot of zeal and excitement. Tea country hills might experience heavy rainfall this month, however, April serves as the best month for trekking the Knuckles Mountain Range. Make sure to keep a rainproof jacket with you as it’s going to rain almost 15 days of this month in many parts of the country.
May
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The average temperature of Sri Lanka during May is 33 degrees with around 90 mm of rainfall and humidity. The first half of May stays moderately sunny, but the other days get a lot of rainfall and gushy winds. Visiting beaches can become dangerous as the winds are fast and dense. Adam’s Peak pilgrimage ends this month, so a decrease in crowds is highly expected. Tea country region experiences a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees with a significant decrease in rainfall.
June
June is the month of heavy rainfalls but the temperature still remains hot with an average of 28 C. The monsoon wind blows in from the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, hence the rainfall increases in the South Coast. Hilly areas get colder, while the temperature stays high on the coast. High sea levels are expected in some areas, but swimming is allowed in other parts. If you’re looking for a drier part in this month, North and East Coast are the best places to go to. The weather is brighter and sunnier there, making these ideal spots to visit during June.
July
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The temperature rises to mid-30 degrees during July. The monsoon begins to settle down as the days pass by. The East Coast and the North Coast of the country continue to shine bright making the weather perfect for swimming and other water activities. The sea temperature in July remains around 28 C. The Cultural triangle is warmer than the coast, yet the hills around Kandy get chilly. July is certainly the best time to visit Sri Lanka for those who love the beach and sunshine.
August
The rainfall gets subtle on the South West Coast, with temperatures rising up to 34 C degrees in the daytime and 30 C degrees during the night. You should expect pleasant weather in the Northern region, providing an opportunity for beach lovers to come and enjoy the sea under the sunshine. August is the perfect time to visit Yala National Park and spot wildlife. There is another famous park located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka named “Minneriya National Park” which you can visit in August and see the Asian elephants around the water tanks.
September
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The weather stays hot during the days in September, but only pleasantly and warm during the nights. The temperature remains around 30 C in most of parts of Sri Lanka with only a little rainfall. However, if you don’t want to stay in warm places, you can visit Kandy where the temperature is a little more pleasant, but with rainfall. Cyclones are quite expected by the end of this month, bringing along thunderstorms and heavy rains. The Eastern side is bearable to visit with drier and less humid weather conditions. If you are planning to visit Yala National Park, then you shouldn’t visit Sri Lanka in September as the main blocks of the parks are closed due to weather conditions.
October
October turns out to be the wettest month in Sri Lanka. This month, the Southern monsoon ends or is in the process of winding down, but the winds of monsoons start to blow in the North-Eastern side of Sri Lanka. Heavy rainfall and strong winds may restrict your visit to some parts of the country. However, the temperature remains around 32 C degrees during the days and 30 C in the evenings. Cultural Triangle stays hot and the Tree country region experiences rainfall and high temperatures. Visit beaches during this time of the year is not recommended due to weather conditions.
November
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The climate improves a little in the South Western region of Sri Lanka, with brighter and clearer skies at the beaches. However, storms increase on the North East end, making the areas wet and muddy. Just like October, temperatures in November remain at around 30 C on average throughout the country. If you are planning on coming this month, the beaches in the South should be on your ‘must-visit’ list. Visiting Galle is also an amazing option in November. However, rainfall may increase around the hills and evenings get pretty cold.
December
The average temperature in Sri Lanka is around 29 C degrees during the month of December, but it drops down to 22 C in the evenings. The humidity level is high across the country with few days of rainfall. Rainfall decreases in the hilly areas, but the evenings still stay chilly. Adam’s Peak pilgrimage commences this month. Heavy rainfall can be seen in the Cultural Triangle and on the Northeast side. December can be a fun time to visit, as the weather is pleasant and there are many festivals across the country including Christmas celebrations.
Conclusion
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In our opinion, December to February is the best time to visit Sri Lanka. The climate is stable, dry and not humid as well. Chances of rainfall are also very low in few parts of the country. You can visit almost any place of Sri Lanka during these months. The temperature stays moderate, making your travel easy and comfortable.
Start packing your bags and get ready for the most exciting trip of our life to this incredible country!
If you want to find out more about this beautiful country, what you can experience here and how the climate is, visit backpackertrail.de, which will tell you more details about Sri Lanka.
