There is no any particularly best time to visit Sri Lanka. It is a tropical country and a year-round destination with two monsoon seasons. The western and southern areas experience their monsoon season from May to July while the northern and eastern areas are affected by the monsoon between October and November. So, tourists can choose their favourite beach destination according to the time they plan to visit Sri Lanka.

The ideal time to visit Sri Lanka is from April to September for the eastern coast and October to March for the west coast and central highlands. Christmas and the New Year seasons are also popular times to visit Sri Lanka, while in August the Kandy parade takes place (a cultural event which showcases Sri Lankan arts, dance and cultural heritage). If you plan to travel to Sri Lanka during Christmas, New Year and August, we recommend you book well in advance to make sure we find the most suitable accommodation for you. Generally speaking, upland areas of Sri Lanka are cooler with lower temperate, with a yearly average around 16-20ºC (60-68ºF), while coastal areas are warmer with average temperatures around 27ºC (80ºF). The March-June season experiences slightly higher temperatures of up to 33ºC (92ºF), while the temperatures in November-January is a few degrees lower at around 24ºC (75ºF) along the coast.

What to pack:

• All year round, pack light clothes and comfortable shoes.
• In the hill side of the country and at high altitudes, bring spring/autumn clothes, a sweater and a jacket for the evening.
• In tropical countries, the weather is always unpredictable, so it will be handy to bring a rain jacket.
• Wear appropriate shoes and clothing for adventure activities.
• When going to the reef, you will be provided snorkelling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.
• Sun protection, mosquito repellent, sunglasses and a hat can be very useful during your tour.
• Religious places have a strict protocol when it comes to clothes and people should cover themselves up when entering sacred places.