The Weather in Sri Lanka and the Best Time to Visit

With its endless beaches, lush mountains, and stunning temples, it is easy to see why Sri Lanka is such a hit with tourists. Top attractions include the Buddhas carved into the rocks at Gal Viharaya, and Yala National Park, where visitors can see leopards and elephants in their natural habitat. With year-round high temperatures and sunshine, the climate of Sri Lanka is also a great reason to visit the country.

The easiest way to visit this tropical island is with the Sri Lanka eVisa, which eliminates the need to apply for a visa from an embassy or consulate. The simple Sri Lanka eVisa application form can be completed in just a few minutes. In the vast majority of cases, applicants will receive a decision in under a day. All you need to apply for the electronic visa for Sri Lanka is a passport valid for at least 6 months, a working email address at which to receive the visa, and a credit or debit card to pay for the eVisa fee.

Average Temperatures and Rainy Season

Being close to the equator, the weather in Sri Lanka is good all year round and there is never a bad time to visit. Average annual temperatures for the tea-growing highlands are around 15-18ºC, while in coastal areas average temperatures fall between 25 and 30ªC.

However, depending on which part of the country you are intending to visit, you should be aware of Sri Lanka’s two rainy seasons:

• The West and Southwest are hit by monsoons from April to September
• The Northeast of the island experiences its rainy season from November to March.

You can obviously still visit at these times. The advantage is that you are more likely to find bargains for accomodation, but the clear drawback will be significantly fewer beach days.

Visiting Sri Lanka in July

July is a great time to visit Sri Lanka. Temperatures are high, averaging around 29ºC, and it’s a really good time of year for a beach holiday, especially in the south of the island. July also falls between monsoon seasons and so, apart from the occassional light shower, rainfall should be minimal.

There are also some beautiful festivals to enjoy in Sri Lanka in July:

• Aadi Vel is one of the most important Tamil festivals and is held in honor of the Hindu war god Skanda. If you are lucky enough to attend, you will see lots of people dressed in bright colorful clothing and carrying chariots. This festival is celebrated in the capital Colombo, as well as other towns across Sri Lanka.
• Esala Poya is a celebration of Buddha’s first sermon and takes place on the first full moon in July. The festival also celebrates the arrival of Buddha’s tooth, which is housed in the Tooth Temple in Kandy, yet another highly recommended place to visit.

So, remember to check when the rainy season is in the part of the island you will visit, and don’t forget to investigate which local festivals you may be able to enjoy. Whenever you decide to visit Sri Lanka, make sure you give yourself enough time to apply for your Sri Lanka eVisa to enjoy a relaxing holiday on this unique and varied island!