Best time to visit Sri Lanka

January in Sri Lanka

Warm, dry and sunny Cycling and hiking Busy in early January

Sri Lanka in January is warm, dry and sunny, especially in the south – great for cycling, hiking and wildlife watching tours. Early January especially is busy, so it’s best to book well in advance. Things start to dry up in the north-east as the monsoon season there draws to a close. This is a great time for hiking central Sri Lanka, which is at its sunniest and cooler than the coast.

January is a great time for a tailor made Sri Lanka adventure

February in Sri Lanka

Beach weather Wildlife tours Hike, bike and kayak

With the rains dying down on the east coast and hot sunshine in the south, February is a great time of year to visit Sri Lanka – especially if you want to factor in some serious beach time. National parks such as Yala start their best season as elephants and leopards materialise to drink at the watering holes. Active hiking, biking and kayaking holidays take to the interior in Sri Lanka in February, where the mountains are a cool escape from climbing temperatures.

March in Sri Lanka

Blue whale watching Largely dry all over Sri Lanka Hill Country warms up

The beginning of March is the best time to see blue whales in Sri Lanka as they gorge on the abundant krill. In fact, most wildlife tours are in full swing now, welcoming families on their spring break. Sri Lanka in March sees hot and sunny weather in the south, with temperatures above 30°C. This is one of the warmest months to be in the cool tea-growing climate of the Hill Country. March is also a good month for adventurous honeymooners combining Sri Lanka with the Maldives.

March is great for a wildlife and whales tour in Sri Lanka

April in Sri Lanka

Family adventures Cycling tours Visit the Maldives too

Sri Lanka in April starts to get quite humid as the dry season ends in the south-west, but it’s still a brilliant time for families, especially when you choose to cool down with surfing or rafting. April is one of the best times to cycle and camp in the Hill Country, as the typically cool nights lack the usual chill; however, the rains descend again at the end of the month. It’s also an excellent time to add the Maldives into your itinerary. The tourist season winds down at the end of April, when it’s also your last chance to see blue whales.

May in Sri Lanka

Peaceful low season Between monsoons North-east Sri Lanka

For many, May is the best time of the year to visit Sri Lanka, seasonally positioned in-between both monsoons and very quiet. This is when you’ll encounter the least number of fellow tourists; those that are here tend to have come for specialist food and wildlife tours. The focus shifts in Sri Lanka in May as the south-west monsoon season approaches, with visitors aiming for the beautiful, undeveloped beaches out east as they bathe in sunshine and mid-20°C temperatures. May is your last chance to pilgrimage to sacred Adam’s Peak before the weather turns.

June in Sri Lanka

Northern Sri Lanka Still peaceful Wildlife tours

June is one of the best months to see northern Sri Lanka as the monsoon season starts in the south. It’s an excellent time to explore the Tamil temples of Jaffna and sandy north-eastern beaches under dry, sunny weather and with few other visitors. Bird watching and elephant tracking tours in national parks throughout Sri Lanka in June make the most of active wildlife.