UncategorizedSri Lanka is a year-round holiday destination thanks to its combination of weather systems ensuring that one or several regions, as well as a section of coastline, is statistically always expecting sunshine.
Whilst the best time to go to Sri Lanka is between December and mid-April, which is considered to be the countrywide peak season, the traditional summer holiday months are also favourable on the east coast which is at its peak from May to September.
Temperatures are fairly constant year round, with coastal regions enjoying average temperatures of 25-30°C and the highlands 15-18°C on average. If you’re travelling during the summer months (May to September) you’ll want to head towards the east coast and northern regions for dry, sunny weather, as the west and south west coasts experience rain at this time. On the flip side, the west and south west enjoy favourable weather conditions during the winter months (October to February) when the monsoon season hits the east and north.
Weather overview
Unlike many other Asian destinations, Sri Lanka can lay genuine claim to being a year-round holiday destination. You just have to know which side of the island to focus on in any given month, and this is never more important than when planning your beach destination.
When should you travel to Sri Lanka?
The period from December to mid-April is considered the peak season for overall weather and therefore overall visitor numbers. Whilst there is good reason for this, there are equal benefits to travelling outside of this period, with the shoulder season often providing the best of both worlds; namely great weather and a lower visitor numbers.
Summer holiday is also a popular time with the east coast expecting plenty good weather and sunshine whilst the south-west monsoon leaves much of the south and west coast with high rainfall and winds.
When is the best beach weather in Sri Lanka
The easiest way to understand the seasons of Sri Lanka’s beaches is to divide the coast into three sections:
The south-west (the section south of Negombo & Colombo) and the entire south coast.
Peak season: December to March
Shoulder season / mid-season: October, November and April
Monsoon season: May to September
The entire east coast
Peak season: April to September
Shoulder season / mid-season: October
Monsoon season: November to March
The central and northern section of the west coast (from Negombo northwards)
Peak season: February to October (but high winds/big seas from June to September)
Shoulder season/ mid-season: October
Monsoon season: November to January
