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The best time to visit Sri Lanka is between December to April. It is because the small island country experiences pleasant winter weather during this period, making travelling much more favourable.
With Sri Lanka being highly relevant in the epic poem Ramayana, most tour packages of Sri Lanka from India will include a Ramayana tour. The island country is also home to several mystical and beautiful places and a vibrant culture for visitors to enjoy.
Keep reading to know more about the best season to visit Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka primarily witnesses four significant seasons. However, three of them are favourable for travel.
| Month | Average Temperature | Description |
| March-May (Summer Season) | 24 to 32 degrees Celsius | Hotter temperatures, great for diving and snorkelling on the east coast, visiting national parks for wildlife spotting, and cultural tours in cities like Colombo and Kandy. Popular events during this time: Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Vesak Festival, and Colombo Fashion Week. |
| June-August (Rainy Season) | 25 to 30 degrees Celsius | Monsoon season in the southwest, excellent for visiting the east coast beaches, enjoying cooler climates in Nuwara Eliya, and exploring the ancient cities in the north-central region. Popular events during this time: Poson Poya, Kataragama Festival, and Kandy Esala Perahera. |
| September-November (Inter-Monsoon Season) | 23 to 31 degrees Celsius | Inter-monsoon rains, good for beach activities on the south and west coasts, bird watching, and exploring lush landscapes and waterfalls. Popular events during this time: Navarathri Festival, Deepavali, and Colombo International Book Fair. |
| December-February (Winter Season) | 21 to 30 degrees Celsius | Pleasant weather, perfect for exploring the Cultural Triangle, relaxing on the south coast beaches, and visiting tea plantations in the Hill Country. Popular events during this time: Christmas Celebrations, Galle Literary Festival, Duruthu Perahera. |
Summer in Sri Lanka is very colourful and animated and characterised by warm weather conditions and lush vegetation. For instance, this season involves cultural ceremonies and outdoor sports events.
Here are some of the key details you should know about this season when planning for a trip to Sri Lanka:
| Weather | Warm with occasional rain showers |
| Temperature | 24°C to 32°C |
| Season | Moderate |
| Season for Localities | Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Vesak Festival, Colombo Fashion Week |
| Key Highlights |
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Sri Lanka experiences monsoons during these months. However, the east coast remains sunny and dry, making it a perfect place to visit if you love beaches and adventure.
Here are some of the key details you should know about this season when planning for a trip to Sri Lanka:
| Weather | Monsoon in the southwest, dry in the east |
| Temperature | 25°C to 30°C |
| Season | Off-season |
| Season for Localities | Poson Festival, Kandy Esala Perahera, Kataragama Festival |
| Key Highlights |
|
The transitional period between the seasons in Sri Lanka is inter-monsoon, with occasional rainfall that brings a refreshing touch to the landscape. This time of year is great for exploring green landscapes and has a less crowded travel experience.
Here are some of the key details you should know about this season when planning for a trip to Sri Lanka:
| Weather | Occasional rain showers |
| Temperature | 24°C to 31°C |
| Season | Moderate |
| Season for Localities | Deepavali, Full Moon Poya, Colombo International Book Fair |
| Key Highlights |
|
During winter holidays in Sri Lanka, there are plenty of dry conditions ideal for different activities throughout the country. The climate is so comfortable that it can be considered a beach holiday or an exploration of cultural heritage.
Here are some of the key details you should know about this season when planning for a trip to Sri Lanka:
| Weather | Pleasant and dry |
| Temperature | 21°C to 30°C |
| Season | Peak |
| Season for Localities | Galle Literary Festival, Christmas Celebrations, New Year Celebrations, Duruthu Perahera |
| Key Highlights |
|
While Sri Lanka is a beautiful and diverse destination year-round, there are certain periods when visiting might not be ideal. Understanding these times can help you plan a more enjoyable and hassle-free trip.
| Months to Avoid | Reason |
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Travelling from India to Sri Lanka can cost you less if you follow price variation trends during different seasons when planning your trip. Here below is a summary of airfare plus hotel prices for every season:
| Season | Average Flight Cost (INR) | Average hotel Cost per Night (INR) | Description |
| Summer season (March-May) | ₹16000- ₹25000 | ₹2500-₹5000 | Moderate season with moderate prices; ideal for exploring the cultural sites and enjoying the pleasant weather. |
| Rainy Season (June-August) | ₹18000- ₹30000 | ₹3000- ₹6000 | Off-season with moderate prices; good for beach activities on the East Coast, but expect monsoon rains in the southwest. |
| Inter-Monsson (September-November) | ₹15000- ₹28000 | ₹2500- ₹5000 | Moderate season with a moderate price; suitable for visiting cultural landmarks and enjoying the tail end of the East Coast beach season. |
| Winter Season (December-February) | ₹20000- ₹35000 | ₹3500-₹7000 | Peak season with higher price; best weather for beaches on the southwest coast and cultural tours, especially around Christmas and New Year celebrations. |
Before the beautiful places of Sri Lanka enthral you, there are a few points you need to remember for a safe trip.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind while planning a trip to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has a blend of Sinhalese and Tamil populations, so these two are significant languages of this country. Although most Sri Lankans can speak and understand English, knowing their native tongue will make communication easy. If you travel to Sri Lanka from India, you should be frequent with a few Tamil phrases.
Here is a list of Sinhalese and Tamil that might come in handy while looking for the best time to visit Sri Lanka.
| English | Sinhalese |
| Please | Karunakerara |
| Hello | Ayubowan / Vannakkam |
| My name is | Mage nama |
| Yes | Ow |
| No | Naa |
| Thank you | Istuti |
| I want coffee | Kapi vendum |
| I don’t understand | Puriyadu |
| Room | Arai |
| Bed | Kattil |
| Temple | Kovil |
| Toilet | Malasalakurum |
| Money | Kassu |
| 1 | Eka |
| 2 | Deka |
| 5 | Paha |
| 10 | Daha |
| 20 | Vissa |
| 100 | Seeyie |
| Town | pura |
| Bank | bank eka |
| Clean | Pirisidu |
| Dirty | kilutu |
| Hotel | hotela |
| Restaurant | apna sala |
| Breakfast | udee tee |
| Lunch | dawal Kaama |
| Dinner | Paa Kaama |
| Water | watura |
| Do you speak English? | Ingrissi Dannevada |
| How much is this? | Meeka Kiyadha |
| Goodbye | Subha udas wewa |
| Sorry / Excuse me | Samahara karanna |
| I'm fine, thank you | Hari, istuti |
| What is your name? | Oyage nama mokakda? |
| Where is...? | Eya koheda? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Malasalakurum koheda? |
| I want... | Mata ... karanava |
| I need help | Mata sahaayak karanna ona |
| Can you help me? | Oyage sahaayak karanna puluwan? |
| I'm lost | Mage aluth ekka epa |
| Hospital | Roga sala |
| Police station | Polis asana |
So, now that you have an idea of the best time to visit Sri Lanka, you can start planning your trip. You can also put the above beautiful places in Sri Lanka on your bucket list for a memorable trip. Before booking your tickets to Sri Lanka, make sure to have travel insurance for a safe trip and ensure your luggage's security.
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Disclaimer -
Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions mentioned in your policy schedule and policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.
The information mentioned here about the countries, visa fees and others is taken from different sources. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. Please verify the same before you book your tickets, apply for a visa, buy a travel policy or make any other decision.
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