"When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?" The honest answer is: any time, as long as you choose the right part of the island. Sri Lanka has two monsoons that arrive at different times on different coasts, plus a cool, misty highland in the middle. That combination gives the island a remarkable variety of landscapes and climates, and means there is almost always somewhere enjoying the sunshine.
The two monsoons
- The south-west monsoon (roughly May to September) brings rain to the west and south coasts and to the western side of the hill country. This is the best season for the east coast: Trincomalee, Pasikudah and Arugam Bay.
- The north-east monsoon (roughly December to February) brings rain to the north and east. This is peak season for the west and south coasts, from Colombo and Bentota to Galle, Mirissa and Tangalle.
- Between the monsoons, around October to November and again in April, you can expect afternoon showers in many parts of the island.
Monsoon rain usually falls in heavy bursts rather than all day, and the countryside is at its greenest afterwards.
The coasts: warm all year
Along the coasts, temperatures stay pleasantly warm all year, typically somewhere between the mid-20s and low 30s °C. Sea conditions matter more than temperature: swimming and surfing are best on whichever coast is outside its monsoon.
The hill country: a cool escape
Climb into the Central Highlands and the air changes completely. Nuwara Eliya, at around 1,900 metres, has cool evenings, morning mist and even the occasional frost in the early months of the year. Ella and Haputale are a little lower and warmer, with spectacular views. Pack a light jacket: after the heat of the coast, a fireplace in a tea-estate bungalow is one of the joys of a Sri Lankan trip.
The dry zone and the Cultural Triangle
The north-central plains, home to Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, are hot and mostly dry for much of the year. Start sightseeing early, rest in the middle of the day, and enjoy the golden light of late afternoon.
A simple plan
- December to April: Cultural Triangle, hill country and the south and west coasts.
- May to September: Cultural Triangle, hill country and the east coast.
- Any time: Kandy, the tea country and the wildlife parks (check park closures).
Whatever the month, a well-planned route lets you follow the sunshine around the island.