There is no wrong month to come to Sri Lanka, only a wrong coast for the month you picked. Two monsoons run on opposite schedules, which means somewhere is always dry.
The southwest monsoon brings rain to the south and west coasts and the hill country roughly May to September. The northeast monsoon brings rain to the east and north roughly November to February.
So the standard advice — "come between December and March" — is really advice about the south and west coasts, which is where most first-time visitors go. It is right, as far as it goes.
Peak season on the south and west: Galle, Weligama, Mirissa, Bentota. Dry, busy, and the most expensive rates of the year. Whale watching off Mirissa runs in these months. The Cultural Triangle is hot and dry and fine.
The two turnovers between monsoons. Unpredictable, quieter, and often excellent value. April is the hottest month and includes Sinhala and Tamil New Year, when much of the country closes down for several days. Ask us about the dates, because it moves.
The southwest is wet, so the east coast takes over: Trincomalee, Passekudah, Arugam Bay for the surf. The Cultural Triangle stays workable. This is also the best stretch for elephants at Minneriya, which is a real reason to come in what the brochures call the low season.
Cooler all year, wetter than the lowlands, and misty in the afternoon in most seasons. Mornings are usually clear even in the wet months, which is why every hill country plan we write puts the views first thing and the indoor things after lunch.
Tell us your month before you tell us your route, and we will point you at the coast that is dry. Both our ten-night routes work best December to March; in the wet months on the south coast we would rather move you east than sell you rain.
It depends entirely on which coast. October and November bring rain to most of the island as the monsoons change over, which is the closest thing to a nationwide wet month.
Yes, if you go where it is dry. May to September on the east coast is excellent, and the elephant gathering at Minneriya is at its best then.
Off Mirissa on the south coast, roughly November to April. Off Trincomalee in the east, roughly May to September.
Rarely. It usually means heavy rain for part of the afternoon and a clear morning. It is the sea state, not the rain, that decides whether the south coast is swimmable.
Every drive on these is included, which is what most of the advice above is about.
Suggested route 10 nights
Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Yala and the south coast
Everything, without rushing. Two nights at every stop, so you unpack once and stay put for a day.
Price based on
Suggested route 10 nights
Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Haputale and the south coast
For people who would rather go high and then go flat than tick off ancient cities. Four nights in the hills, four on the coast.
Price based on
Ask a planner in Sri Lanka. Same people, whichever way you get in touch.
Send your dates and who's travelling. We'll reply with a plan and real prices.
Start a chatPrefer email? Tell us what you have in mind and we'll write back with a full plan.
travel@genuinesrilankans.comPlan it face to face with a planner, and see the hotels and routes on screen together.
Choose a time
