Explore Sri Lanka and visit the relatively small island. Sri Lanka has plenty to offer its guests.
Shaped like a tear drop hanging off the southern tip of India, few countries can boast ancient cities, wildlife encounters, colourful festivals and some of the best beaches in the world. Just some of the many reasons to Explore Sri Lanka
5 Highlights
Explore Sri Lanka
- Capital: Colombo
- Area: 65,268km²
- Languages: Sinhala and Tamil, and English as a link language
- Where to visit: UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Cultural Triangle, tea plantations of the Hill Country, the national parks brimming with wildlife and its golden beaches.
- Wildlife to spot: leopard, Asian elephant, sloth bears, birds, whales and dolphins.
Explore Sri Lanka offers something for everyone, whether you are exploring its many ancient cities, seeking to be pampered in a wellbeing sanctuary, going in search of wildlife in one of its national parks or simply looking to relax on a golden beach.
Due to its multi-cultural heritage, there are many colourful festivals throughout the year with the Esala Perahera Festival in Kandy one of the biggest. Foodies will love the chance to try hoppers – a deliciously curry-filled pancake whilst a visit to Hill Country opens up the art of making the perfect cuppa during a tea plantation tour.
Whether you are travelling as a couple or a family, there are plenty of types of accommodation from quaint former plantation bungalows nestled in the heart of Hill Country to modern beach resorts. Getting around is easy and most people opt for a local driver/guide with the option to take scenic train journeys through the Hill Country or air taxis if time is short.
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When to go to Sri Lanka
The weather in Sri Lanka is rather complicated for such a small country, due to the fact that the island is affected by two separate monsoons. On the bright side, this means that there is usually good weather somewhere on the island at most times of the year.
The main southwest (“Yala”) monsoon brings rain to the west and southwest coasts and the hill country from April or May to September and is wettest from April to June. The less severe northeast (“Maha”) monsoon hits the east coast from November to March and is wettest from November to December.
January
This is a great time for whale and dolphin watching off the southern coast. Temperatures will be lovely and warm, and it is a good time to climb the sacred mountain Adam’s Peak. It is Sri Lanka’s peak season.
February
Independence Day is celebrated with parades, fireworks, and sporting events. This month is a lovely time to visit the atmospheric colonial fort town of Galle, which is particularly lively during their Literary Festival.
March
A great time to spot elephants, leopards and buffalo. It’s a great time to head to the lesser visited north Sri Lanka, such as the vibrant city of Jaffna, the eastern coast or the historical harbour of Trincomalee.
April
Warm and dry across the country, and outside the prime tourist period, April is a great month to visit Sri Lanka. Temperatures in the Cultural Triangle regions reach over 30°Cs – best visit the ancient sites early in the morning.
May
The start of the monsoon season. It is also Vesak Poya, an important Buddhist festival where towns are adorned with lights and colour. With humidity in the south the cooler temperatures are in the Hill Country.
June
Monsoons continue chasing tourists away. This is a good time to explore the north and the Tamil culture of the Jaffna Peninsula. Buddhism into Sri Lanka is celebrated in June during the Posan Poya celebrations.
July
July is cultural festival season and despite some monsoon rains it is a good time to visit. Hill Country is pleasant and the beaches of the east coast are at their best so ideal for a family holiday during school holidays.
August
The rains of the Yala monsoon slowly begin to ease. It is a good time to visit Jaffna where the Nallur Festival takes place. Watch spectacular floats and chariot processions pass by in honour of the war god Skanda.
September
The northern and eastern sides of the island have good weather conditions. September sees 200 or more elephants gathering in Minneriya National Park, considered one of Asia’s great wildlife spectacles.
October
The weather can be unpredictable as the north-east monsoon arrives and with it the ‘Green Season’. Travel at this time offers great value for money and the main sites are less busy. Try a spot of surfing on the east coast.
November
Weather is sunnier on the south and western coasts although there are showers across the island as the strongest monsoon arrives. In Oct / Nov, the Hindu festival of light, Divali, is celebrated in the Tamil areas.
December
Catch some waves at Weligama on the south coast and chill out on sunny beaches at Unawatuna Bay and Mirissa. Avoid the north and the eastern coast which are wet. Be sure to book ahead over Christmas.
Itineraries Featuring Sri Lanka
sri lanka wildlife
