Best time to visit
Best time to visit Sri Lanka
There is always a dry coast in Sri Lanka. The west/south coast is best December–March; the east coast shines April–September. Year-round travel is possible.
Best monthsDecember–March (west), April–September (east)
Month-by-month overview
| Month | High / Low | Rainfall | Crowds | Prices | Verdict | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30° / 22°C | 60mm | High | $$$Peak | Great | Dry on west coast |
| Feb | 31° / 22°C | 55mm | High | $$$Peak | Great | — |
| Mar | 31° / 23°C | 70mm | Medium | $$Mid | Great | — |
| Apr | 31° / 24°C | 135mm | Medium | $$Mid | Good | Sinhala/Tamil New Year |
| May | 31° / 25°C | 250mm | Low | $Low | Okay | Southwest monsoon starts |
| Jun | 30° / 25°C | 180mm | Low | $Low | Good | East coast now dry |
| Jul | 30° / 25°C | 120mm | Medium | $$Mid | Good | Kandy Perahera |
| Aug | 30° / 25°C | 110mm | Medium | $$Mid | Good | — |
| Sep | 30° / 24°C | 160mm | Low | $Low | Okay | — |
| Oct | 30° / 23°C | 300mm | Low | $Low | Avoid | Inter-monsoon; heavy rain |
| Nov | 30° / 22°C | 280mm | Low | $Low | Avoid | Northeast monsoon |
| Dec | 30° / 22°C | 130mm | High | $$$Peak | Great | Dry season returns on west |
Month-by-month deep dives
Featured in our research
Sri Lanka ranks #22 in The Shoulder Season Score 2026
Colombo, Sri Lanka — Asia · Early February. Dry monsoon, trains bookable day-of, 74% of peak pricing.
Read the full ranking →Festivals & events
Sinhala & Tamil New Year
AprThe island celebrates with rituals, games, and traditional sweets.
Kandy Esala Perahera
Jul–AugSpectacular ten-day procession with decorated elephants and fire dancers.
Vesak
MayBuddhist festival of lights celebrating Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death.
Book your Sri Lanka trip for December–March (west), April–September (east)
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