01
December to March
The classic time to come. The south and west coasts are dry and sunny, and the hills are clear. It is also the busiest and most expensive time, especially around Christmas and New Year. The east coast is wet.
When to go
Pick a month, and see where to go
Two monsoons hit opposite sides of the island at different times. That means you can visit any month, as long as you choose the right coast.
BestGoodWet
November in Sri Lanka
At their best
Nowhere quite at its best this month
Still good
The year at a glance
Four seasons, roughly
This is the usual pattern. Weather does not follow a calendar exactly, so expect some exceptions.
02
April
A changeover month. Much of the island is still good, and whales are often still off Mirissa. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year in mid-April means hotels in the hills fill up with local visitors.
03
May to September
The south-west monsoon brings rain to the south and west coasts, so head to the east coast, where the sea is calm and clear. The Cultural Triangle stays mostly dry. Prices in the south and west are often lower.
04
October and November
The wettest stretch across much of the island, with short heavy showers rather than rain all day. It is also the quietest and often the cheapest time, which suits flexible travellers.
Design a trip for your dates
Tell the designer when you are coming, and it shows which stops are at their best and what the hotels cost on those nights.