Best time to visit Sri Lanka

The best time to visit Sri Lanka is Jan–Feb. It is the only stretch of the year — 2 months — rated go on both daytime heat and rainfall.

Two monsoons split the island

Best window
Jan–Feb
Driest month
February · 33% rainy days
Warmest month
March · 31.5°C / 89°F
Coolest month
July · 27.9°C / 82°F
Months rated go
2 of 12

Month by month

Monthly climate normals for Sri Lanka, 1991–2020
MonthHigh °CHigh °FRainy daysVerdict
January29.48536%Go
February30.68733%Go
March31.58946%Fair
April30.48783%Too wet
May29.28581%Too wet
June28.38379%Too wet
July27.98264%Too wet
August28.08262%Too wet
September28.28373%Too wet
October28.28385%Too wet
November28.58383%Too wet
December28.78462%Too wet

Verdict combines mean daytime high with rainy-day frequency. “Rainy days” is the share of days in the month with at least 1 mm of rain.

What the numbers say

February is the driest month, with rain on 33% of days and daytime highs near 30.6°C (87°F). October is the wettest, at 85%. Temperature barely moves all year — just 3.6°C between the warmest and coolest months — so rainfall, not heat, decides when to go. The record rules out too wet in Apr–Dec.

Where else to go