Wildlife that leaves you in awe for several lifetimes, beaches that invite you to unwind and relax, historical ruins rich in tales older than humanly comprehensible to food that sets a lasting journey for taste buds. - That’s Sri Lanka in a nutshell. 

Now, getting to Sri Lanka is not so easy, or is it? Especially if you are from Australia. 

Which is why you need to really UP your planning game!

While Sri Lanka is a year-round destination, your time of visit depends on your activities. 

When to Visit Sri Lanka

Short answer? It depends. 

Long (and more helpful answer)? Sri Lanka is one of those rare destinations where there’s always someplace good to be, but for the best time of your life - visiting times and your interests need to align.

If you are flying down from Aussie, December through April is PRIME TIME (for the west and south coasts of the island)! Sunny days, blue skies, gentle waves. 

It’s Sri Lanka’s high season. This is when the island attracts large crowds. The weather during this time is great for beach trips, water sports and visiting ancient cities.

Prices do rocket during these months – especially in December. So, if you want to snag a better value, plan ahead to book early and get the options you want. 

But, like we mentioned a couple of times already, the best time to visit really depends on: 

• What you want to see

• Where you want to go

What’s the climate like in Sri Lanka? 

Sri Lanka’s weather can be a little complicated. At the same time, it’s brilliant. Why? Because the island runs on two different monsoons. 

Okay, but why is that brilliant? 

Simply because each of these monsoons affects the country at different times… and they affect different areas of the country. 

It’s what makes Sri Lanka a year-round destination. You can just drive a few hours and end up in a completely different climate. Bright and sunny on one side - Cool and misty on the other hand. 

The Southwest Monsoon 

Also known as the ‘Yala monsoon’, this monsoon usually rolls in around May and stays around until September. It brings about heavier rainfall to: 

• The west coast

• the south coast

• The hill country and central highlands

All the while, the cultural triangle and the east coast stays relatively dry.

The Northeast Monsoon 

Then comes the ‘Maha monsoon’ from October through January. This mainly affects: 

• The north 

• The east coast

And as you may have guessed, the west and south coasts enjoy their driest, sunniest months with warm temperatures and minimal rain. Talk about peak conditions. 

Month-by-Month Guide to Sri Lanka

All in all, Sri Lanka doesn’t have a bad month. 

If you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka and would like to know more about the best time to visit, reach out to our team at Fernando Travels. We can create the perfect itinerary for you based on your preferences.