The best time to visit Sri Lanka
“Don’t let the rain ruin your vacation”The best time of the year to visit Sri Lanka
There’s always a rainy season somewhere in Sri Lanka as you can see in the Rainflow Map of Sri Lanka below,
so there is no one time you can expect perfect weather throughout the island.
Instead, you should find the Dry Zone for your visiting period.
December to March
Perfect for the southern coast beaches like: Galle, Mirissa, Tangalle, Dikwella, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and western beaches like: Induruwa, Bentota, Kalpitiya, Negombo, Colombo The hill country: Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Horton plains, Adam’s peak Wildlife parks: Wilpattu, Yala, UdawalaweApril to September
Ideal for the eastern coast beaches like: Arugam Bay, Pasikudah, Trinco, Nilaveli and southern coast beaches like: Tangalle, Dikwella, Hambantota, Kirinda The hill country: Ella, Haputale, Badulla, Bandarawela Wildlife parks: Wilpattu, Udawalawe, Minneriya, Yala(Yala usually closed from 1 Sep to 15 Oct)
Year-round
The Cultural Triangle: Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Yapahuwa The hill country: Ella, Haputale, Badulla, Bandarawela Wildlife parks: Wilpattu, Udawalawe, Minneriya, Yala(Yala usually closed from 1 Sep to 15 Oct)
Weather seasons in Sri Lanka
The climate during this period will be cool and dry making the environment pleasant and comfortable over many parts of the island except the eastern coastline and inland due to the Northeast monsoon.
All the areas within greenish color on the map are in the dry zone.
All the beaches on the Southern coast:
Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Galle, Mirissa, Tangalle, Dikwella
Beaches on the Western coast:
Kalpitiya, Negombo, Colombo, Induruwa, Bentota
Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy
Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Horton plains, Adam’s peak
Wilpattu, Yala, Udawalawe
Eastern coast beaches should be avoided during this season:
Arugam Bay, Pasikudah, Trinco, Nilaveli
Kitesurfing at Kalpitiya, Whale watching at Mirissa, Adam’s Peak
This is a dry and hot period in most parts of the island. The lowest amount of rain is expected during this inter-monsoon period.
All the areas within greenish color on the map are in the dry zone.
All the beaches on the Southern coast:
Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Galle, Mirissa, Tangalle, Dikwella
Beaches on the Western coast:
Kalpitiya, Negombo, Colombo, Induruwa, Bentota
Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy
Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Horton plains
Wilpattu, Yala, Udawalawe, Minneriya
Kitulgala, Ratnapura, Sinharaja
Whale watching at Mirissa
Most of the island has less rain apart from the Southwestern section which is affected by the Southwest monsoon.
All the areas within greenish color on the map are in the dry zone.
All the beaches on the Eastern coast:
Arugam Bay, Pasikudah, Trinco, Nilaveli
Beaches on the Southern coast:
Tangalle, Dikwella, Hambantota, Kirinda
Beaches on the Western coast:
Kalpitiya, Putlam, Chilaw
Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy
Ella, Haputale, Badulla, Bandarawela
Wilpattu, Udawalawe, MInneriya,
Yala (Yala, except September as it’s usually closed from 1 Sep to 15 Oct)
The following Southwest coast beaches should be avoided during this season:
Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Galle, Mirissa
Surfing in Arugam Bay, Whale watching at Trinco
These are the rainiest months in Sri Lanka and generally advised against visiting during these two rainy months. The thunderstorm-type of rain, particularly during the afternoon or evening, is the typical climate during this season. First half of October is less rainly compared to the second half and second half of November is less rainy as the rain fades away.
But if you must visit during this period, try to visit areas in the comparitively dry zone.
All the areas within greenish color on the map are in the comparitively dry zone but you may experiance some rain even in this zone during these two months.
Beaches on the Eastern coast: Arugam Bay, Trinco
Beaches on the Southern coast:
Tangalle, Dikwella, Hambantota, Kirinda
Beaches on the Western coast: Kalpitiya
Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Dambulla
Wilpattu, MInneriya, Yala
The following Southwest coast beaches should be avoided during this season:
Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Galle, Mirissa
Explore Sri Lanka
Discover the best of Sri Lanka with our expertly crafted tour itineraries, tailored to perfection according to the weather conditions of each month.
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