The Pearl of the Indian Ocean – Sri Lanka – is a pretty affordable and enjoyable getaway for Indians. With its proximity to the Indian mainland, the island country welcomes thousands of Indian tourists each year who visit it to explore its heritage, history, culture, and beach life. However, if a Sri Lanka trip is on your cards, knowing about the best time to visit Sri Lanka is crucial. Worry not, team unstumbled’s here to guide you about the same and how you can plan your flights. Keep reading and start packing for your ultimate Sri Lanka trip.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Sri Lanka? A Detailed Guide For Indian Travelers
Weather In Sri Lanka By Region
- Colombo & South-West Coast
Bentota, Colombo, Negombo, Kalpitiya
Monsoon: May to September
Best time to visit: November to April
- South Coast
Galle, Yala National Park, Tangalle, Mirissa
Monsoon: May to October
Best time to visit: November to April
- East Coast
Passekudah, Trincomalee, Arugam Bay, Batticaloa, Nilaveli
Monsoon: October to January
Best time to visit: April to September
- North-East Coast
Jaffna, Mullativu
Monsoon: October to January
Best time to visit: May to September
- The Cultural Triangle
Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Minneriya National Park
Monsoon: November and December
Best time to visit: Almost throughout the year except during a few monsoon months
- Kandy & Tea Country
Kandy, Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Adam’s Peak, Hatton
Monsoon: March and September to November
Best time to visit: December to April
December To April: The Best Time To Visit Sri Lanka
Most of the island experiences a pleasant, hot, and dry climate, perfect for sightseeing. With ample sunshine, clear-blue skies, and lush green landscapes, Sri Lanka, for most of its parts, is best explored from December to April. A majority of the country has warm, dry weather and the atmosphere is conducive for both in-land exploration like trekking, visiting national parks, as well as outdoor, beachside activities like surfing, kayaking, and more.
However, this is also the time when throngs of tourists flock to Sri Lanka, resulting in bigger crowds, higher hotel prices, increased flight prices, and lengthy queues at most tourist attractions. Book your flight tickets and accommodation in advance to avoid paying higher prices.
May To November: Worst Time To Visit Sri Lanka From India
May to November is a particularly rough time to visit most parts of Sri Lanka, excluding the North and North-East Coast. These months are when the country experiences the South-West monsoon wind, resulting in thunderstorms, consistent rain showers, and even cyclones in rare cases.
The months of May to November will not be a rain-drenched period throughout – there are chances of light drizzles and sporadic rains over a stretch of a few days. In this period, you can go exploring different historic and religious sites. However, beachside activities are by and large either temporarily closed or too risky to try in this period.
Yala And Maha Monsoon Seasons
The country of Sri Lanka experiences two distinct monsoon seasons and these monsoon seasons significantly affect the sightseeing season in the country.
The Yala season is characterized as the Southwest monsoon, usually lasting from May to August. During this period, the southwestern parts of Sri Lanka receive abundant rainfall.
On the other hand, the Maha season brings rainfall in the country from October to January. During this time, parts of North and East Sri Lanka receive heavy rainfall from the northeast monsoon winds.
Flights From India To Sri Lanka
Thanks to its proximity to India and good diplomatic relations, there are regular and direct flights connecting major Indian cities to those in Sri Lanka. You can get direct flights from cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, and more to the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka.
Direct flights usually take anywhere between 1.5 to 3 hours, with connecting flights usually halting at Chennai and then continuing their journey onward to Colombo.
Here are typical return flight prices from major Indian cities to the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport in the peak tourist season (December to April):
- Chennai: Starting INR 15,400
- Hyderabad: Starting INR 20,000
- Mumbai: Starting INR 25,140
- Bangalore: Starting INR 25,600
- Delhi: Starting INR 28,000
Summing Up
If you were wondering when is the best time to visit Sri Lanka, now you know! With its beautiful, pristine white beaches, turquoise waters, lush green tea estates, and centuries-old historic sites, Sri Lanka is the perfect destination for family travelers, solo adventurers, or just about anyone interested in knowing more about this country. Plus, now you know when’s the best time to visit Sri Lanka, so planning a trip to this country just became much easier. Pack your bags, plan your itinerary, and set out on an adventure in the island country of Sri Lanka!
