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Lanka Arrivals

Best time to visit Sri Lanka, month by month

Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so while one coast is wet the other is sunny. Pick your travel month and see which trips are usually at their best, then ask your driver to build the days around it.

What is good in your month?

Showing all 32 trips.

The island by region

South and west coast beaches

Nov to Apr

  1. January: usually the best time
  2. February: usually the best time
  3. March: usually the best time
  4. April: usually the best time
  5. May: outside the best season
  6. June: outside the best season
  7. July: outside the best season
  8. August: outside the best season
  9. September: outside the best season
  10. October: outside the best season
  11. November: usually the best time
  12. December: usually the best time

Calmer seas and sunshine are most likely from about November to April. The south-west monsoon brings rough water and rain from about May to September.

East coast beaches

Apr to Sep

  1. January: outside the best season
  2. February: outside the best season
  3. March: outside the best season
  4. April: usually the best time
  5. May: usually the best time
  6. June: usually the best time
  7. July: usually the best time
  8. August: usually the best time
  9. September: usually the best time
  10. October: outside the best season
  11. November: outside the best season
  12. December: outside the best season

The east coast has its best weather roughly from April to September, when the south and west are wetter.

Hill country and tea estates

Jan to Apr

  1. January: usually the best time
  2. February: usually the best time
  3. March: usually the best time
  4. April: usually the best time
  5. May: outside the best season
  6. June: outside the best season
  7. July: outside the best season
  8. August: outside the best season
  9. September: outside the best season
  10. October: outside the best season
  11. November: outside the best season
  12. December: outside the best season

Early in the year is usually clearest. Mornings are the best time for views, and a light rain layer is wise at any time.

Ancient cities and the dry zone

Feb to Sep

  1. January: outside the best season
  2. February: usually the best time
  3. March: usually the best time
  4. April: usually the best time
  5. May: usually the best time
  6. June: usually the best time
  7. July: usually the best time
  8. August: usually the best time
  9. September: usually the best time
  10. October: outside the best season
  11. November: outside the best season
  12. December: outside the best season

Dry, sunny months make the ruins easiest to explore. Midday heat is strong, so start early.

Best time to visit the parks

Dark squares mark the months that are usually best for each park or trip.

More on each park: see our wildlife safaris.

When to go: questions

When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?

There is no single best month, because the island has two monsoons. Broadly, the south and west coasts and the hills are at their best early in the year, while the east coast is better in the middle of the year. Use the planner above to match your month with what you want to do.

Is it ever a bad time to come?

Every month has somewhere good. In the wetter spells of a region, plan indoor stops and use the planner to switch to a sunnier part of the island.

Do park seasons change from year to year?

Yes. Rains arrive earlier or later, and parks sometimes close for a few weeks. Ask us for current guidance before you plan around a month.

Can your driver change the plan on the day?

Yes. With a private driver you can move a beach day or a safari to another morning if the weather turns.

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