The weather in Sri Lanka is generally wonderful between January and March, making it a great time to visit with warm dry sunny days typifying most of the island.

The south and west coasts are hot and dry so it’s a great time of year to combine these beaches with a tour of the interior. In January and February the Maha monsoon is still affecting the east coast areas of Trincomalee and Passekudah so it’s not the best time to be enjoying Sri Lanka's beaches here.

April in Sri Lanka can often be the hottest month of the year with the least rainfall, so can be a good time to visit. Although temperatures and humidity start to rise in Sri Lanka's cultural sites such as Sigiriya and the Cultural Triangle, the weather is generally pleasant and the landscapes are lush and green. This is also one of the best times to be visiting the higher elevations of the Central Highlands, including Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and the Tea Country, as the evenings are not so cool.

The Yala monsoon (or Southwest monsoon) affects the south and west of Sri Lanka between May and June bringing heavy rains to the southwest and western coasts of the island, including the Tea Country and the beaches. Seas can often also be very choppy here during this time and swimming is often not recommended.

Rains can be heavy but are often short with glorious sunshine in between, particularly in May. If you're looking for a dry stretch of sand to relax on, now is the time to start looking to the north east of Sri Lanka, to the Trincomalee Coast and Passekudah.

July to September is known as the inter-monsoon season in Sri Lanka, and is a transitional period where you can expect occasional short showers but also some glorious weather; so all in all a great time to explore!

In June the tail-end of the Yala monsoon still affect the beaches on the south and west coast, so the eastern beaches are still your best bet for warm, dry and sunny days. In August the rainfall drops significantly in the south west so the beaches here become a good choice, with September becoming wetter once again. The Indian Ocean coast on the east coast of Sri Lanka is still glorious during both months, so this is a great time to visit.

October and November, known as the Northeast monsoon period, sees higher rainfall with typical heavy showers in the afternoon. Tourist sites can be less crowded and the main area of Yala National Park reopens after its yearly closure, with abundant wildlife on display. 

The Yala National Park is also at its best at this time of year for wildlife viewing, as the animals congregate around watering holes.

December is generally a great time to visit Sri Lanka, with hot, dry weather following the end of the monsoon in the beach resorts of the south west coast. The north east is still feeling the effects of the Monsoon though, so heading south is your best bet for time on one of Sri Lanka's beautiful beaches. 

This time of year in these parts of Sri Lanka are also ideal for outdoor activities, watersports and exploring cultural sites.

The best time to visit Sri Lanka depends on your interests and preferred activities. 

For beach lovers, the dry season is ideal for beautiful beaches and watersports on the south and west coasts. 

For cultural exploration, the intermonsoon season provides comfortable temperatures for exploring Sri Lanka’s interesting cultural heritage and historical sites.

The southwest monsoon season is the perfect time of year for hiking in the central highlands, exploring the hill stations and enjoying Sri Lanka’s lush tea plantations. 

The northeast monsoon season offers peak conditions for wildlife viewing, so is the perfect time of year to embark on a safari through the wild Yala National Park.

Consider any cultural events or festivals that might coincide with your travel dates to Sri Lanka. 

These include the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April, a celebration that marks the start of the Lunar new year. As with most festivities in Sri Lanka, the island is full of colour, and the locals get together to share food, play games and take part in rituals. 

National Day is celebrated in February every year and celebrates the independence from the British Empire. The whole country celebrates with parades and a speech from the president. 

The Kandy Esala Perahera, held in July or August every year, is a colourful, lively and raucous Buddhist pageant steeped in tradition and history. Running over ten nights, the spectacle is a tribute to Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth relic which is housed at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.

Keep in mind that Sri Lanka’s dry season is the most popular, and therefore the busiest time for tourism. Prices for accommodation and tours may therefore be a little higher during this period. The intermonsoon and monsoon seasons can often offer more budget-friendly hotel options along with fewer crowds.

For more inspiration, take a look at our Sri Lanka Holidays pages.