The best time to visit Sri Lanka, and why the answer is two answers

The usual advice is to visit Sri Lanka between December and March, but that is only true for one coast. The island is small enough to cross in a day, yet it has two monsoons at different times of year. This means there is no bad month to visit, only a coast to avoid in each month.

The two seasons, in one paragraph

The south-west monsoon runs roughly from May to September and brings rain to the west and south coasts and the hill country. The north-east monsoon runs roughly from October to January and brings rain to the east and north. Between them are two inter-monsoon periods, in October and November and again in March and April, when thunderstorms can occur anywhere.

As a result, the beaches at Mirissa and Unawatuna are at their best from December to March, and the beaches at Arugam Bay and Trincomalee are at their best from May to September. Their best seasons are almost exactly opposite.

Month by month

December to March. The peak season. The south and west coasts are dry and hot, the hill country is clear, whale watching is possible off Mirissa, and Colombo is at its most comfortable. It is also the busiest and most expensive time, and Christmas and New Year should be booked several months ahead.

April. The hottest month, and the month of Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Much of the country pauses for several days in mid-April. It is a wonderful time to experience the celebrations, but travelling around the island can be more difficult.

May to September. The best season for the east coast. In Colombo, rain comes in short, heavy showers rather than lasting all day, rates are lower across the west of the island, and the garden is at its greenest. A quiet, good-value time to visit.

October and November. The wettest weeks in Colombo, and the least expensive. Thunderstorms usually build in the afternoon and clear by the evening. For a city stay rather than a beach holiday, this is one of the best-value times of the year.

What about Colombo specifically

Colombo is a city rather than a beach destination, so the monsoon affects it less than other parts of the island. Temperatures stay between twenty-six and thirty-two degrees all year. The humidity and rainfall change, but rain usually falls in bursts of less than an hour.

It is more useful to plan around the Poya days, the monthly full moon holidays. No alcohol is served in Sri Lanka on Poya days, so there is no happy hour, many businesses close, and the city is quiet. Ask us which Poya day falls during your stay and we will let you know.

The short version

Beaches on the south or west coast: December to March. Beaches on the east coast: May to September. Hill country and tea estates: January to April. The Cultural Triangle: any time, although April is very hot. Colombo on its own: whenever suits your flights, ideally avoiding a Poya day.

We are open every day of the year. The rooms are here. Our wet-season rates are our lowest, and the best rate is always on our own website.