Laid back island life in full colour
Explore rolling tea plantations, forests punctuated with ancient palace and temple ruins, and tropical beaches where you can leave your footprints and worries behind.
Sri Lanka may be a relatively small island, but it has everything you could possibly want from a holiday. Lush green hills carpeted with tea plantations, where vibrant accents of orange and pink denote the presence of tea pickers hard at work. Vast swathes of golden sand, lined not only with coconut palms but also stilt fishermen posing for photographs as the sun dips below the horizon. And dreamy cloud forests dotted with the ancient ruins of palaces and Buddhist temples, just waiting to be explored. It's all here, and so much more.
Sri Lanka is an infectiously friendly country. Never mind your photographs, souvenirs and sun tan, the main thing you'll be bringing home with you from a holiday here is the contagious smile that is going around the island. There's a lovely laid back and welcoming way of life that accompanies the exquisite beauty all around, and you'll remember the people you meet just as much as the places you stay. Speaking of which, there's a staggering array of beautiful boutique hotels full of character, suitable for all budgets, to take you on a comfortable journey back in time without compromising on the luxuries of modern day life.
One of the joys of a holiday to Sri Lanka is that you don't need very long here to see a lot. In just a week or two you can climb the ancient rock fortress, ride a train through the hills and explore tea garden trails, stumble upon crowds of wild elephants in the national parks, and still have time to relax on the beach at the end.
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When to go to Sri Lanka
Find out the best time to visit Sri Lanka with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is the perfect time to visit different regions in Sri Lanka, temperatures will be warm and basking in sunshine, meaning the cultural triangle, beaches, national parks and hill country could all be visited during January. However, the central hills will be cooler than other regions due to their altitude.
February
February is much like January, with long sunny days and calm seas. Visitors travelling during this month have a higher chance of spotting sperm and blue whales.
March
March is considered the best time to visit the central hills, although cooler than other regions in Sri Lanka there is less chance of rains in March.
April
Typically April, is the hottest and driest month of the year, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees if you're travelling to Golden Triangle regions. It is a great month to head to Sri Lanka's beautiful beaches, with clear skies and long sunny days.
- Top Tip: when sightseeing visit in the mornings and evenings as you will avoid the hottest part of the day.
May
In May, the south is humid and increasingly hot whilst hill country is cooler with a higher chance of rainfall. We recommend travelling to the North and east of the island during May witnessing the unique history and culture of Sri Lanka.
- Vesak Poya, takes place during the first full moon, celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.
June
During June, temperatures in the south continue to be increasingly hot and humid as the southwest monsoon blows through the country. Southern regions will experience short sharp showers which tend to pass quite quickly.
July
As the summer holidays commence in July, Sri Lanka is in peak season, with temperatures staying around 30 degrees all month. If you're looking to explore Sri Lanka and visit different areas July is a great time to visit.
August
In August, the warm days continue with temperatures remaining in the high twenties. All in all it is a great month to travel especially if you want to witness culture, between August and September the Kandy Perahera festival takes place, a grand procession celebrating the 'sacred tooth' of Buddha.
September
All in all September is a great month to travel especially if you want to witness culture, between August and September the Kandy Perahera festival takes place, a grand procession celebrating the 'sacred tooth' of Buddha.
October
October brings with it the monsoon rains which affect the whole country, in saying this the weather remains warm and sunny. The monsoon can be unpredictable, rains can be heavy, sporadic or not come at all it is impossible to forecast.
November
In November the monsoon continues, with conditions affecting the whole country.
December
During December the monsoon rains can continue, however the southern and western coasts dry out and become warm and dry. The monsoon rains, means during December the landscapes become lush and full, meaning it is a beautiful time to explore the more rural areas of Sri Lanka.
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