Travelling in January
Uda Walawe and Wilpattu National Parks are at their peak in January, which is a great all round month to visit Sri Lanka. Dolphins and blue whales can be spotted off the south coast. Temperatures average between 27-30°C.
Travelling in February
Expect good weather across Sri Lanka in February, with temperatures averaging between 27-30°C. Find optimal sunshine and minimal rainfall in the south and west. Yala, Uda Walawe, Wilpattu, Sinharaja and Bundala National Parks are all at their peak for wildlife spotting.
Travelling in March
Often the best time of year to visit Sri Lanka, March offers optimal weather conditions across the country, with Uda Walawe, Wilpattu, Sinharaja, Bundala and Gal Oya National Parks at their peak, and whales can be seen offshore.
Travelling in April
One of the hottest months of the year in Sri Lanka, and one of the best for travelling there too. Towards the end of the month, rainfall will increase in Tea Country and the south and west, but there's sunshine everywhere and wildlife is optimal, onshore & off.
Travelling in May
The monsoon brings rain to south-west Sri Lanka in May, and sea bathing in this area can become dangerous, to head to the east coast for beach R&R. Whales can be seen off the south coast, and many of the National Parks are optimal for wildlife spotting.
Travelling in June
Head to the east coast for the best chances of sunshine. Temperatures in the Cultural Triangle reach 32°C during the day, so plan your sightseeing accordingly. Monsoon rains make the south-west less reliable for sunshine, although there are still sunny days.
Travelling in July
July is the month to see the 'Elephant Gathering' phenomenon in Minneriya National Park, and several whale species can be seen off the east coast. It's rainy in the south-west, so head to the east for beach time.
Travelling in August
The 'Elephant Gathering' phenomenon is in full swing in Minneriya National Park, and the Esala Perahera festival takes place in Kandy. The south is seeing a little sunshine, but east and north are best for beach weather and whale-spotting.
Travelling in September
The tail end of a monsoon is drenching the south-west, and it can get quite windy and rainy across the country - travel early in the month to avoid this. Yala, Uda Walawe, Minneriya, Wilpattu, Sinharaja and Wasgomuwa National Parks all offer optimal wildlife spotting.
Travelling in October
One of the wettest months of the year across Sri Lanka. The south-west monsoon is fading away, while rains start to fall in the north and east. It can also be pretty windy, but there's still wildlife to be seen, especially blue whales off the east coast.
Travelling in November
Travel towards the end of November for better weather in the south and west of Sri Lanka, as the monsoon switches to the north and east. Temperatures are still warm across the country, although it can be chilly at higher altitudes.
Travelling in December
Peak beach conditions return to the south-west, while rains set in across the north and east. Uda Walawe, Sinharaja and Bundala National Parks are at their peak for wildlife spotting, and whales can be seen offshore in the south and north-west.