Best travel time and climate

There are two best times to travel to Sri Lanka, depending on whether you are traveling in the east or west of the island. The weather is determined by two monsoon currents. The rule of thumb for the weather is: in the European summer on Sri Lanka's east coast, in the European winter on Sri Lanka's west coast.

Rainy and dry seasons in Sri Lanka

The climate in Sri Lanka is mainly influenced by two monsoons, each of which only affects a part of the country – the central mountainous region is considered the weather pide. In the mountain region, the home of the famous tea, on the other hand, the rainfall is the same all year round. However, in terms of weather, it belongs to the northeast monsoon.

Northeast monsoon in Sri Lanka

On the other hand, the north and northeast are dominated by the intense rainfall of the northeast monsoon between October and February. 

From October to February, it rains in the north and northeast of Sri Lanka. From the beginning of March to the end of August, the northeast of Sri Lanka is the best time to travel for a beach holiday. It is hot with high humidity.

Southwest monsoon in Sri Lanka

The southwest monsoon rains down in front of the mountains between May and October and causes heavy rainfall on the south and southwest coasts. The low dry zone in the north and northeast of the country will remain free of precipitation. 

From May to October, it rains in the south and southwest of Sri Lanka. From mid-December to the end of March, the best time to travel to the southwest coast and the central highlands is - especially for beach holidays.

Best time to visit the east and northeast of Sri Lanka

• For a trip to the culturally interesting north of the island, the months between May and September are optimal. It is the dry season, the temperatures are somewhat cooler and therefore more pleasant for temple visits and hikes.
• Festival tip: The region around Kandy in the central highlands is all about the two-week festival Esala Perahera in July and August.
• In the northeastern Minneriya National Park, the huge herds of elephants gather in August, and in the Yala National Park on the southeast coast, there are the best conditions to see leopards and sloth bears.
• From November onwards, heavy rainfall and strong winds begin from the east, which mainly affect the tea region.

Best time to travel to the south and southwest of Sri Lanka 

If you travel to the west and south of Sri Lanka, you should choose the time from December to April. This period is ideal for a combination of safari and beach. At the beginning of the season (around November), Sri Lanka's national parks are lush green after the monsoon season, towards the end of the dry season, i.e. around February/March, you have the best chances of wildlife sightings, as the vegetation is drier and thinned out. 

Best time to visit Sri Lanka's north

Thanks to its consistently warm temperatures, the north is an attractive travel destination almost all year round, only in November and December does the probability of rain increase.

Best time to travel for an island tour

If you want to combine the east and west coast of Sri Lanka in one big round trip and avoid the high season (December to February) as much as possible, the months of March/April or September/October are recommended as transitional months between the monsoons.