Sri Lanka is a year-round destination, but the weather shifts depending on where you go. Thanks to the island’s two monsoon seasons, different regions experience sunshine at different times. That’s why understanding the best time to visit, month by month, helps you plan the perfect holiday.

This guide gives you a clear breakdown of what to expect throughout the year, whether you’re chasing beaches, wildlife, festivals, or cooler hill-country weather.

Sri Lanka’s Two Monsoons (Quick Overview)

Sri Lanka has two main monsoons:

① Southwest Monsoon (May–September)

Affects: Colombo, Galle, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa
Weather: Frequent showers, rough seas, more humidity.

② Northeast Monsoon (November–February)

Affects: Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Passikudah, Arugam Bay
Weather: Rain in the East and North; dry in the South and West.

BEST MONTHS OVERALL FOR TRAVEL

December to April – Best weather across most popular regions
June to September – Ideal for East Coast beaches and surfing

MONTH-BY-MONTH BREAKDOWN

January

• Weather: Dry, sunny, warm in most areas.

• Best For: South & West beaches (Bentota, Galle, Mirissa), hill country, wildlife in Yala.

• Travel Tip: One of the most popular tourism months — book early.

February

• Weather: Perfect beach weather, low rain, ideal temperatures.

• Best For: Snorkeling, whale watching in Mirissa, scenic train rides.

• Travel Tip: Great month for honeymooners.

March

• Weather: Warm and stable across the country.

• Best For: National parks, hill country hikes, beach days.

• Travel Tip: Great time to visit Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy.

April

• Weather: Hotter days, start of the inter-monsoon season.

• Best For: Island-wide travel; cultural festivals begin.

• Travel Tip: Sinhala & Tamil New Year (mid-April) adds cultural charm.

May

• Weather: Southwest monsoon begins; rainy on the West & South coasts.

• Best For: East Coast (Trincomalee, Nilaveli).

• Travel Tip: Hotel prices in the South drop.

June

• Weather: Sunny and dry on the East Coast; rainy in the Southwest.

• Best For: Swimming, diving, whale watching in the East.

• Travel Tip: Perfect for surf trips.

July

• Weather: Similar to June.

• Best For: Arugam Bay surf season at its peak.

• Travel Tip: Kandy hosts the famous Esala Perahera festival.

August

• Weather: Still ideal on the East Coast; warm elsewhere.

• Best For: Beaches, surfing, cultural tours.

• Travel Tip: Great for combining wildlife + beach itineraries.

September

• Weather: Monsoons begin shifting; mixed conditions.

• Best For: East Coast winds down; central highlands are beautiful.

• Travel Tip: Shoulder season deals are common.

October

• Weather: Wettest month of the year (inter-monsoon storms).

• Best For: Cultural attractions, temples, food tours.

• Travel Tip: Still possible to travel — just expect occasional heavy showers.

November

• Weather: Northeast monsoon starts; East Coast gets rain.

• Best For: South & West beaches start getting sunny again.

• Travel Tip: A transition month — pleasant but unpredictable.

December

• Weather: Peak travel season; sunny in most tourist areas.

• Best For: Entire South & West coastline, wildlife safaris, scenic tea country.

• Travel Tip: Christmas–New Year weeks are very busy — book in advance.

Best Time to Visit by Region

Final Tips for Choosing Your Travel Month

• If you want beaches, choose Dec–Apr for the Southwest or May–Sep for the East Coast.

• If you want wildlife, choose Feb–Jul for Yala & Wilpattu.

• If you want cool weather, the Hill Country (Jan–Apr) is perfect.

• If you want surfing, pick Arugam Bay (May–Aug) or Hikkaduwa (Dec–Mar).

Sri Lanka truly offers something spectacular in every season you just need to match your interests with the month.