Sri Lanka is a tropical island where elephants are revered and Buddhism is practiced. Vacation in the country is popular with surfers and lovers of the azure coast under evergreen palm trees – it is warm all year round. However, every season in Sri Lanka is different: sunny days are replaced by monsoons and heavy rains.
For you to have a perfect vacation, I tell you when it is better to go to the island, what are the seasons and in which regions of Sri Lanka you should stay.
Winter in Sri Lanka: perfect beaches, surfing and a full moon festival
Air temperature: +27…+31 °C
Water temperature: +28 °C
Winter in Sri Lanka is the best time for a beach vacation. In winter Sri Lanka has a dry season – almost the whole island is clear, there is no wind and rain, and the ocean is calm and clean.
Sri Lanka’s beach resorts are located in the southwest. For trips choose such cities as Colombo, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, Unawatuna. If you arrive before the New Year vacations, there is a chance to see the whale migration – many sea tours depart from Mirissa.
Also, as long as there are no strong winds (and therefore high waves), you can learn surfing and windsurfing in Bentota or Kaluntara.
Another fun activity in high season is sea fishing. You can try your luck and catch exotic fish such as gourami, marlin, Spanish mackerel and even shark.
Sri Lanka is an island of outdoor attractions. In winter, it is most convenient to explore the tourist spots on the southwest coast of the kingdom.
Elephant viewing is a must in Minneriya, Udawalawe or Yala National Parks, where you can go on safari and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort.
In winter, there are several Buddhist festivals on the island and you can witness ornate processions with elephants. On the twelfth day of the full moon near Colombo, they celebrate Duruta Poya, the day Gautama Buddha visited Sri Lanka.
And on the full moon they celebrate Unduvap Poya: locals go on a pilgrimage to Mount Sri Pada, visit temples, perform rituals at the Bodhi tree, under which, according to legend, the Buddha reached enlightenment.
In winter, Sri Lanka will also delight birdwatching enthusiasts. Birdwatchers from all over the world flock to the island for a chance to photograph rare birds.
Spring in Sri Lanka: tea plantations and local New Year’s Eve
Air temperature: +30…+33 °C
Water temperature: +29…+30 °C
March in Sri Lanka will please you with warm sunny weather – you can sunbathe in the south and west. But already in April the rains come here – it’s time to go to the central part of Sri Lanka. Among the resorts in the center are Ellu, Sigiriya, Kandy, Peradeniya, Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa.
Plan for an unforgettable day: visit the tea plantations in the mountains near Nuwara Eliya, then take the train from Nanu Oya station and enjoy the island’s tropical scenery. In three hours, the train will take you to another local attraction, the nine-arched Demodara Bridge.
And if you’re passing by Peradeniya, stop by the Royal Botanical Gardens to admire the orchid collection and stroll among the lush greenery.
May is the month when the season starts on the north-east coast. For swimming in the sea, sunbathing on the beach and water sports, come to the resort of Batticaloa or Trincomalee. There’s also a national reserve nearby on Pigeon Island, where you can scuba dive Sri Lanka’s most beautiful coral reef and swim with colorful fish and turtles.
In spring, every corner of the island celebrates the national New Year of Aluth Avurudu from April 13 to 14. Attend the festive procession in Colombo. On the May full moon, Vesak, the birthday of Buddha, is celebrated across the island. On this day, Buddhist rituals, street lights and processions are held.
At dawn, you can climb Mount Adam, a local shrine of four religions.
Summer in Sri Lanka: animal sightings and picturesque ruins
Air temperature: +28…+33 °C
Water temperature: +27…+29 °C
Summer vacations in Sri Lanka are cheaper than winter vacations. Monsoons blow in the main resorts, storms are not uncommon in the sea, and rains scare away tourists. But in the less crowded cities, animals come more often: you will see monkeys, peacocks and other tropical animals and birds.
In summer, the bathing season opens on the northeastern coast of the island. This is where resorts such as Batticaloa and Trincomalee are located. Professional surfers gather in these areas and catch a wave on the beaches of Nilaveli and Upuveli.
Dedicate June to the historic Rajarata district. Here you should see Sigiriya, a rock formation with the ruins of an ancient palace; the center of Buddhism – the city of Anuradhapura, where the sacred tree Sri Maha Bodhi grows, as well as the sights of the city of Polonnaruwa.
Festive processions can be seen at the Nallur festival in honor of the god Murugan on the Jaffna peninsula in July and August. At this time, the streets are decorated with burning torches and lamps. The processions themselves take place at night accompanied by chariots and the sound of drums. Another festival – Esala – is held in Kandy in honor of the fact that the Tooth of Buddha was brought to the island. The festival is always full of lights, musicians, dressed up elephants and dancing.
Autumn in Sri Lanka: cave temples and a kaleidoscope of oriental traditions
Air temperature: +28…+31 °C
Water temperature: up to +29 °C
In September, the beach season continues only on the northeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Starting from autumn, travelers leave the island: the weather deteriorates throughout the kingdom. However, this is the most favorable season for tourism: prices are much lower and there are almost no people. So you won’t have to stand in queues to visit local temples.
In October, head to Aluvihara Temple, Buddha Tooth Temple and Dambulla Golden Temple. Their appearance and interiors look beautifully oriental and get into the spirit of the local culture.
Aluvihara Temple is an ancient rock structure that is over 25 centuries old. After passing through the stone gate, you enter the caves, in each of which you will meet a statue of Buddha.
The Temple of Buddha’s Tooth, one of the island’s main shrines, is a must-see. Architects have erected airy and light buildings made of marble, granite, ivory and wood. Behind its walls is a real relic – the Tooth of Buddha.
Important to know: turning your back to the Buddha is considered disrespectful, so you will not be able to take selfies with the statue.
The territory of the Temple of Buddha’s Tooth is enclosed by an openwork fence.
The cave-like Golden Temple of Dambulla has been on the island since before Christ. Stroll through its stone grottoes and see the religiously painted walls. The total area of paintings in the temple is 2100 square meters, which is half a soccer field. It is also home to the largest collection of Buddha statues in the world, with over 150 centuries-old specimens. 73 of the statues are gold, which is why the temple got its name.
The entrance to the Dambulla Golden Temple complex is adorned with a huge Buddha statue 30 meters high.
November is the beginning of the season on the southwest coast of the country. The rains stop at this time and the ocean becomes calm, which means you can go to the white-sand beaches of the resorts of Colombo, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, Unawatuna. In 2023, on November 12, also visit the “Festival of Lights” held in the temples, the festival of Deepavali.
