The best travel time for Sri Lanka
In order to determine the best travel time for Sri Lanka , the island must be divided into northeast and southwest. As I explained to you above, the two monsoons Yala (southwest monsoon) and Maha (northeast monsoon) determine the climate in Sri Lanka. If it is rainy on the west coast due to the southwest monsoon, the climate on the east coast is dry. Therefore, the island state is suitable for travel all year round. When is the best travel time for your Sri Lanka vacation depends on where you are going and what you want to do. In the following sections I will give you a few valuable tips.
The best months to travel to Sri Lanka at a glance:
- South, Southwest and West:
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- November : 29 ° C, 6 hours of sunshine, 27 ° C water temperature, 16 rainy days
- December : 29 ° C, 8 hours of sunshine, 27 ° C water temperature, 12 rainy days
- January : 30 ° C, 8 hours of sunshine, 27 ° C water temperature, 5 rainy days
- February : 30 ° C, 9 hours of sunshine, 27 ° C water temperature, 5 rainy days
- March : 32 ° C, 8 hours of sunshine, 28 ° C water temperature, 8 rainy days
- North, Northeast and East:
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- March : 32 ° C, 8 hours of sunshine, 28 ° C water temperature, 8 rainy days
- April : 32 ° C, 7 hours of sunshine, 29 ° C water temperature, 14 rainy days
- May : 31 ° C, 6 hours of sunshine, 29 ° C water temperature, 15 rainy days
- June : 30 ° C, 5 hours of sunshine, 29 ° C water temperature, 15 rainy days
- July : 29 ° C, 6 hours of sunshine, 28 ° C water temperature, 12 rainy days
- August : 29 ° C, 6 hours of sunshine, 28 ° C water temperature, 12 rainy days
- September : 29 ° C, 6 hours of sunshine, 27 ° C water temperature, 13 rainy days
- October : 29 ° C, 7 hours of sunshine, 27 ° C water temperature, 17 rainy days
- November : 29 ° C, 6 hours of sunshine, 27 ° C water temperature, 16 rainy days
Best travel time for the southwest coast, the south and the west of Sri Lanka
You want to have a nice vacation on the southwest coast, in the south or in the west of Sri Lanka, for example in the capital Colombo? Then the best travel time for you is in the months of November to March . For those who can tolerate the hot temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, April is also a good time to go on vacation. The high season on the southwest coast is from January to March, when the climate is driest. During these months, Sri Lanka trips are more expensive as the hotels are full. If you want to experience a monsoon up close, visit Sri Lanka during the southwest monsoon from mid-May to the end of September. As many tourists visit the rainy season shy, trips are particularly cheap during these months.
Best travel time for the north, the east and the northeast of Sri Lanka
The best travel time for a vacation in the north, east or northeast of Sri Lanka is from March to November . Visit Jaffna, the capital of the Northern Province, or take a dream vacation in Trincomalee, the capital of the Eastern Province. In the northeast, warm tropical weather with high humidity prevails all year round. According to Plus-size-tips, the rainy season is during the northeast monsoon from December to March . However, the showers are not as heavy and stormy as during the rainy season on the southwest coast. Therefore, this time of year is also suitable for a Sri Lanka vacation. Bargain hunters in particular should fall back on this time, as prices for hotels, flights and package tours decrease during the rainy season.
Best travel time for various activities in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is just as popular with beach holidaymakers as it is with snorkelers, surfers and nature lovers. Therefore, I will now show you when and where you can best spend the perfect holiday in Sri Lanka.
Best travel time for a beach holiday
If you are looking for the best travel time for a beach holiday in Sri Lanka, you can visit the enchanting beaches on the east coast from April to October. From November to March, the beaches on the south and west coast are inviting with pure sunshine.
Best travel time for diving and snorkeling
Diving and snorkeling in the Indian Ocean have a special charm. The underwater world enchants you with its brightly colored colors. You can best observe the different animal and plant species on the south and west coast in the months of November to April. On the east coast you have the clearest visibility for diving and snorkeling between April and September.
Best travel time to observe marine animals
Once you’ve traveled that far, you should take as much of the distant country with you as you can. It is a unique experience to watch dolphins, whales or turtles in the Indian Ocean. The latter is most likely to be seen between September and March. Dolphins and whales are best seen on the east coast between May and October. They show up on the south coast of Sri Lanka from January to April.
Best travel time for surfing
Sri Lanka is one of the strongholds for surfers. In the south, west and on the southwest coast you can best kite or windsurf between November and April. The east coast has the best weather conditions for a surf vacation between April and October.
Best travel time for nature lovers and hikers
If you want to climb the mountains of Sri Lanka and visit the highlands, watch out for the rainy season. In the high areas, the weather during the monsoon rains is much more stormy and rainier than in the lowlands and on the coast. Therefore I recommend the months January to March for the mountainous region. If you want to visit the Yala Safari Park in the south of Sri Lanka at the best time of the year, fly to the island between November and April. The same time of year is suitable for Horton Plains National Park. If you want to climb Adam’s Peak, the months of December, January, February, March, April and May are best.