Put up Abstract: A Month by Month Breakdown of the Finest Time to Journey to Sri Lanka
When is one of the best time to go to Sri Lanka? Let’s dissect! Sri Lanka is a captivating, dreamy nation to go to. That is an island nation of jungles, seashores nearly as good for browsing as they’re lazing round on, some awesomely scrumptious meals, and a roster of mad festivals to maintain your schedule filled with issues to do.
It’s additionally affected by not one, however two monsoon seasons, so understanding one of the best time to go to Sri Lanka is unquestionably useful. That’s the place we are available, with this in-depth, month-by-month breakdown of Sri Lanka’s climate, in addition to a seasonal information to the Sri Lankan festivals that you must find out about!
When is the Finest Time to Go to Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka Climate in January
January in Sri Lanka is sizzling – 27°C within the capital, Colombo, kind of sizzling. The typical temperature throughout the island is 31°C, and the ocean itself has a temperature of 28°C. Just about the entire nation is basking in sunshine, with excessive humidity besides, although we’d say it’s time to go to Sri Lanka.
Head inland to Kandy for cooler temperatures; close by Nuwara Eliya is 20°C, for instance. It’s an space that sees just a little rain too, although the nation isn’t but in monsoon season (that’s later, from April to June).
Sri Lanka Climate in February
This is a wonderful time of yr to go to Sri Lanka generally. It’s between two completely different wet seasons, so you may count on dry days and excessive temperatures – the typical each day nationwide being 27°C, with highs hovering across the 31°C mark.
Humidity ranges will be fairly excessive, however not so excessive that you just’re going to be tremendous uncomfortable. February is an superior time of yr to hit the seashores of Sri Lanka, like these at Negombo or Unawatuna, or discover the nationwide parks, reminiscent of Yala Nationwide Park.
Sri Lanka Climate in March
A very fashionable time to go to Sri Lanka, March sees some fairly unbelievable climate, we’ve to say. With 9 hours of sunshine per day, it’s the final month earlier than the wet season begins – and it’s additionally the height season for guests. Humidity ranges, nonetheless, start to soar in the direction of the tip of the month as temperatures hit 30°C throughout the island. All in all, earlier within the month is likely one of the greatest instances to go to Sri Lanka.
One other nice month for hitting the seashore, the ocean is a fairly blissful 29°C. Kite browsing is sweet presently of yr, notably on the northwest seashores of Kalpitiya. Need to escape the warmth? Kandy remains to be fairly cool by comparability.
Sri Lanka Climate in April
The final month of “prime” vacationer season, April is when Sri Lanka’s monsoon season begins, however it’s nonetheless a good time of yr to go to Sri Lanka. Settling in in the direction of the tip of the month, rain will increase and is just about a each day characteristic until June.
The primary areas of Sri Lanka to see the rise within the rain are the southern and western coasts. Kandy will get temperatures across the mid-twenties and is prime for trekking: check out trails within the Knuckles Mountain Vary. Most of April is usually fairly heat and sunny, with temperatures within the early 30s and round eight hours of sunshine per day.
Sri Lanka Climate in Might
The monsoon season is right here. It is available in from the Bay of Bengal and hits the west and south coast; these are the areas that will likely be affected first. Nevertheless, there is nonetheless intermittent sunshine between the showers. Swimming within the sea within the affected areas might be not a good suggestion.
On the opposite aspect of the mountains on the east coast, issues are completely different; it’s about 29°C and largely sunny, with just a few showers that received’t final all day. Colombo, being within the southwest, will likely be fairly wet, however lodge costs will likely be a lot decrease presently of yr; it’s one of the best time to go to Sri Lanka when you like offers!
Sri Lanka Climate in June
The summer time monsoon remains to be looming over the island. The south, west, and central tea nation round Kandy see a rise in rainfall throughout June. If you happen to’re in these areas, count on tropical downpours, normally within the afternoon.
Temperatures throughout Sri Lanka are about 28°C on common, however it’ll nonetheless be cooler up within the hills. It’s not all rain although. Within the north and east on the other aspect of the island, days are dry and vibrant. Head to Nilaveli or the Arugam Bay space for days on the seashore.
Sri Lanka Climate in July
At first of July, the monsoon remains to be affecting the southern and western elements of Sri Lanka, however by the center of the month, clearer days enhance, and there will likely be much less likelihood of rainfall.
Fast downpours are widespread throughout this time. Nevertheless, temperatures for the entire of the island are, on common, 30°C. Northern and japanese areas, just like the beachside locales of Passekudah and Trincomali, are appropriate for beachgoers, with loads of sunshine. Cheaper lodge charges are nonetheless in place throughout the island, too – helpful when you’re on a price range.
Sri Lanka Climate in August
August is an superior time to go to Sri Lanka. Room charges are nonetheless low-cost, however it’s now a lot drier than the earlier monsoon-influenced months. Even the south and western areas see so much much less rain and at the moment are welcoming sunny days. Within the northern “Cultural Triangle,” the temperatures are 32°C; there’s no rainfall and barely any wind.
Throughout the island nation, the temperature is round 28 to 30°C on common. August is stuffed with sunshine and lands between the summer time monsoon and the upcoming second monsoon (sure, that’s a factor), which is due in September.
Sri Lanka Climate in September
It’s time for one more monsoon season to rear its head in September! About half the month, from the center onwards, is wet; within the north, you may even get tropical storms – assume excessive winds and intense rain that rips by way of coastal areas.
Most of September is marked by excessive temperatures and excessive humidity, which may make it fairly uncomfortable. Swimming within the sea, particularly on the south and west coasts, will be harmful attributable to currents. Yala Nationwide Park can be closed in September. It’s no shock that September will get fewer guests than different months.
Sri Lanka Climate in October
The summer time monsoon introduced in unhealthy climate from the southwest; now the northeast monsoon is bringing heavy downfalls within the north and east of Sri Lanka. It tends to have an effect on extra of the nation than the summer time monsoon, with excessive rainfall throughout the board; it’s the rainiest month for Colombo, for example.
Temperatures are additionally nonetheless very excessive (round 30°C) with hovering humidity making it really feel hotter. Swimming remains to be not really helpful. Cyclones can happen in October too, which – when you hadn’t guessed already – is one in every of Sri Lanka’s wettest months, with 19 days of rainfall occurring.
Sri Lanka Climate in November
It’s nonetheless wet. The north and east coast sees plenty of rain, however as November (the second wettest month of the yr) continues, issues do begin to enhance in sure elements of the nation.
The southern coast sees higher climate than a lot of the remainder of the nation; Kandy sees excessive rainfall, and so does the “Cultural Triangle.” Despite the rain, the temperatures are nonetheless excessive, with the typical being one thing like 29°C for a lot of the month. By the tip of November, nonetheless, issues begin to enhance because the excessive season for guests inches nearer.
Sri Lanka Climate in December
December is an efficient time of yr to go to Sri Lanka, particularly the west and southern coasts. The north and east are nonetheless getting plenty of rainfall (because of that northeast monsoon nonetheless in play), however elsewhere, there’s plenty of sunshine and dry days, because the seashores turn out to be a good suggestion as soon as once more.
Seashores reminiscent of Bentota and Galle are prime for seashore days. Sea temperatures are 28°C, whereas the precise temperature hovers within the early thirties. Due to the sunny climate and the Vacation Season in December, vacationers flock to Sri Lanka presently of yr. It’s an ideal month to go to Sri Lanka.
Festivals in Sri Lanka
Spring Festivals
In March, get ready for Mendin Poya, a pageant that marks Gautama Buddha’s return to his homeland to evangelise to his father. Within the capital of Colombo, the festivities will likely be in full swing for this pageant.
Avurudu (Sinhala & Tamil New 12 months) happens both in March or April – it’s based mostly on the lunar calendar. You may count on plenty of video games (one in every of which is principally an enormous pillow struggle), celebrations, firecrackers, and burning of sacred oils. It’s one of many greatest occasions in all of Sri Lanka; outlets will likely be closed as folks flock to the streets in new garments to have a good time and eat conventional meals. All singing, all dancing – it’s one of many prime festivals to see in Sri Lanka.
The Vesak pageant – or Poya (full moon pageant) – in Might is a celebration of Buddha’s life and loss of life. There are just a few completely different decisions of the place to see this pageant, however when you’re in Colombo, you must head to Bhauddoloka Mawath – it’s the avenue to see this pageant play out.
Summer season Festivals
In early June, there’s Poson Poya, which commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka within the third century BC by Arhantha Mahinda. Count on processions and celebrations, notably in Anuradhapura, or in Mihintale, the place hundreds of pilgrims wearing white climb as much as the supposed assembly place of Mahinda and the King Devanampiyatissa. By way of Poya, this one is second in significance solely to Vesak.
For Sri Lanka’s Muslim inhabitants, there’s Id ul-Fitr. This June celebration marks the tip of the fasting that was Ramadan, and other people return to their hometowns for feasting and festivities.
In July (or August), there’s Adi-Vel, celebrating the Hindu god of battle. At its greatest in Colombo and Jaffna, completely different variations of the chariot of Murugan (aka Skanda, the god of battle), are paraded by way of the road.
Esala Perahera is a pageant that takes place in August within the Kandy area. Honoring Kandy’s Sacred Tooth relic, it is a 10 to 15-day extravaganza of whip dances, processions, insane illuminations, and even lavishly adorned elephants.
Coinciding with Esala Perahera is the pageant of Kataragama Esala; held in Kataragama, South Sri Lanka, this one is all about self-mutilation and skin-piercing, in what are fairly ugly acts of penance to Hindu deities. This pageant isn’t for you when you’re in any respect squeamish!
Fall Festivals
Although there aren’t too many fall festivals in Sri Lanka, it’s vital to notice that the Poya – full moon festivals – occur each single full moon. You’ve heard of the complete moon events of Thailand, proper? Nicely, Poya aren’t these. Poya celebrates Uposatha, a month-to-month Buddhist observance of fasting and abstinence from meat and alcohol. Companies typically shut on the Poya days.
Backside line: festivities each 28 days. In fall, there’s Binara Poya (September), Vap Poya (October), and Il Poya (November).
For non-Poya occasions, there’s Id ul-Adha. It’s a three-day celebration for Muslims embarking on Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), and it takes place (largely) in September. However it’s primarily an in-house, household affair.
Deepavali is the Hindu pageant of sunshine which takes place in October. Because the title suggests, you’ll see plenty of oil lamps and different mild sources (clearly), all in celebration of the return of Rama from rescuing Sita within the Hindu epic the Ramayana. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is honored on the third day of the pageant.
Winter Festivals
In December, you may see the celebrations for Unduvap Poya. One other of Sri Lanka’s full moon festivals, this one commemorates Sangamitta, daughter of Emperor Ashoka, bringing again a chopping of the sacred bodhi tree (the place Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment) in 288 BC. You may nonetheless see the tree she introduced again in Anuradhapura, considered one of many oldest bushes planted by a human on this planet. The celebrations carry out hundreds of worshippers of their finery.
Additionally in December, there’s the Adam’s Peak Pilgrimage. Adam’s Peak, close to Ella, is understood for a mysterious “footprint” positioned on the prime of the 7,359ft mountain. Buddhists say it’s Buddha’s footprint; Christian and Islamic custom calls it Adam’s footprint (therefore Adam’s Peak).
Talking of Christians, you may count on Christmas decorations and seasonal feasting throughout Sri Lanka come December 25. Although primarily celebrated as a Christian vacation by the precise Christian inhabitants in Colombo, exterior of the capital it’s well-liked to “have a good time” – most likely due to globalization and Hollywood.
Plan and Pack for Sri Lanka
E book a Tour
Generally it’s good to let another person do the work!
Journey Water Bottle
Plastic air pollution is an issue in Sri Lanka so it’s greatest to not contribute to the issue of shopping for plastic water bottles all over the place.
Nevertheless, we additionally love filtered water bottles in areas we’re unsure of the water provide. Learn extra about favourite water bottle for journey in our submit.
Mountain climbing Sandals
These had been nice to have! You’ll do plenty of strolling round Sri Lanka within the extraordinarily sizzling solar. Mountain climbing sandals enable in your toes to breathe and they don’t acquire sand when trudging by way of the desert. You guess we’ve reviewed one of the best climbing sandals for vacationers!
Rainbow Sandals
Need to slot in in Sri Lanka? Get your self some Rainbow model sandals, severely everybody round you may be carrying them – and for cause. They’re uber snug when you break them in and final without end!
Journey Footwear
If you happen to’re questioning what journey requirements to carry to Sri Lanka then good strolling footwear must be your prime concern.
Adapter
Keep in mind that Sri Lanka makes use of the Sort D and G electrical outlet. Ensure you discover a good common adapter just like the one I’ve to maintain you charged. In any other case, you might be paying for an inexpensive one when you land.