Sri Lanka Weather by Month! Hit or Miss? We have All the Details!

Sri Lanka, an Island located in South Asia is a tropical wonderland with beautiful people, cultural practices and is infamous for tea that grows on almost every hillside. But, how is Sri Lanka’s weather by month? Are some months a hit, while others a miss, we have all the details! This is your in-depth travel weather forecast and report!

Best Times to Visit Sri Lanka: Hit

The high season for Sri Lanka coincides with most holiday times around the world, with December through April being the high season. 

The weather, the beaches and people long come to Sri Lanka during these seasons as it is the warmest. Also, for a chance to discover the wildlife, February and April tend to be the best times for elephants, leopards and buffalo. 

The weather during this time stays between 22 to 32 degrees celsius with warm and dry weather conditions. So if you’re looking to visit the tropics without the humidity, then this is the best time. 

And as far as humidity, does anyone remember that one episode in friends where Monica’s hair got deeply affected by the humidity, that’s another reason to avoid the monsoon season altogether. 

For the peak season, though, with many high-season places, awareness of the prices should be kept in mind. Each time you decide to travel during the high season, you shall be aware of the rising prices. 

Is November a Good Time to Visit Sri Lanka?: Hit or Miss?

Now, as stated previously, the best times to visit Sri Lanka and unfortunately, the high season falls between December to April. 

However, November can still be a good time to visit if you’re prepared for the weather conditions. April and November fall between the two monsoon seasons. So weather can either be mixed with rainy or sunny and most certainly humid. 

Now, as we stated previously, the best times to visit Sri Lanka fall between December to April, however, November is a great time to visit as it tends to be a low season for many tourists to visit. Therefore, the prices tend to be lower, however, you still have the risk of it falling in monsoon season.

Now, if you’re looking for a budget travel tip and are able to withstand some of the weather conditions, the low season in Sri Lanka can be a perfect time to visit some of the tea plantations as the rainy season brings a new lushness.

Moreover, towards the end of the month and the beginning of December, you can start enjoying some of the calmness as the rain stands still!

Also, worldwide, unless you’re traveling domestically, November tends to be one of those months where international travel is a bit uncommon, so you can enjoy, once again not the influx of tourists that will come in the higher seasons. 

So, we consider November a hit and a miss, if you can handle some of the rain and understand how to plan properly to ensure you can maximize the weather conditions. 

Also, if you’re lucky, the famous Diwali festival usually takes place in late October, or early November, so for those travelers who are seeking some fun cultural festivals, this might be a great opportunity to fall on board. 

When is the Worst Time to Visit Sri Lanka? Hit or Miss?

Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons and depending on where you take your travelers, you may fall into one of those seasons. 

The first inter-monsoon season begins in March and April. While the weather stays warm all year round, the monsoon season brings a huge risk of floods, thunderstorms, wind and rainfall. However, during the monsoon season, you can visit other parts of the country to stay safe and sound.

For instance, during March and April, the first monsoon, you can visit Nuwara Eliya and Kandy which will not have rainfall or thunderstorms, although the weather is alleged to still be humid. 

The Yala Monsoon comes from April/May to September. This one is known as the heavier of the monsoons and the places we stated before getting heavy downpours, so most tourists may opt to go to the eastern side. 

In Colombo and the other coastal cities, you can expect about 30 degrees Celsius. 

Then, you fall into the inter-monsoon season, October and November that fall right before the high season, which we stated was a hit…

In October and November, there is a lot of unpredictable weather that floats between dry and wet days. But, popular destinations experience a great amount of rain, like Colombo, Nuwara Eliya and more. 

Then, December to February also deals with its own Monsoon season, called the Maha monsoon season. The southern and southwestern ends are where the rain may be less severe. 

However, tourist areas like Colombo are great places to visit as well as other parts of the southwestern coast. 

So, once again, it is without a doubt on the border of a hit-and-miss. 

So whether, you’re going to Sri Lanka during the high season or going towards the low season to save some money, with a little bit of planning, the country can be a hit all year-round if you’re smart about how you plan your visit and work with your travel agent or operator in bringing you the best possible experience for the time you’re visiting. 

Luckily, for Global Tribes, working with local/inbound partners around the world who have a great understanding of their own country and know how the planning process works, means we can take the stress out of your planning. So while we detail the best times to visit Sri Lanka and its weather by month, worry not, because we have got you covered, rain or shine.