If anywhere deserves the title of a true year-round destination then it’s Sri Lanka.
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If anywhere deserves the title of a true year-round destination then it’s Sri Lanka. Like neighboring Maldives, its proximity to the equator ensures pleasantly warm, stable temperatures whatever the season, while its annual dual monsoons means that while one side of the country is taking a soaking, the other is primed for afternoons on the beach.
On top of this is a calendar chock-full of festivals and holidays, offering a unique cultural highlight for visitors almost every month. So whether you’re looking for the best time to hit the beach, spot wild elephants in a national park, hike to the summit of Adam’s Peak, or simply avoid the tourist crowds, here’s our guide to the best time to visit Sri Lanka.
High season in December to April is the best time to hit the beach
Sri Lanka’s high season coincides with the coming of the best weather in the south and west of the country, meaning popular resorts like Hikkaduwa and Mirissa are at their most idyllic, but also busiest. However, the Maha monsoon season (October to January) keeps The East, north and Ancient Cities regions wet.
Sri Lanka is a year-round wildlife-watching destination but generally the best times to spot elephants, leopards and buffalo align with the main November-to-April tourist season. At this time of year all the big parks are open and the dry conditions mean that animals start to gather around water holes, making them easier to spot (especially so between February and early April).
Shoulder season (September to October and April) is the best time for exploring the whole country Squeezed between the two main monsoons, Sri Lanka’s two shoulder seasons offer the best weather right across the country, with fewer crowds and lower prices. April, however, does coincide with Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which can cause transport troubles as people move around the country. This is a good time for trekking in the Hill Country or climbing Sigiriya, with the weather mostly dry but not as hot as in the height of summer.
September, and sometimes August, also sees 200 or more elephants group together for several weeks in one spot in Minneriya National Park. The event, known as “The Gathering” where baby elephants can be spotted too, is considered one of Asia’s great wildlife spectacles.
