Sri Lanka
Ancient capitals, a rock fortress, tea-country trains and beaches, where the best month depends on the coast.
Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean, off India's southern tip, with the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar lying between them. Known as Ceylon until it became a republic named Sri Lanka in 1972, it has a documented history of over 3,000 years. Colombo is the largest city and the commercial and cultural centre, while Kandy, the capital of the last independent kingdom on the island, holds the Temple of the Tooth and its sacred Tooth Relic. Farther north, the ruins of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa and the rock fortress of Sigiriya show the island's old kingdoms.
The ancient sites, the hill country and the coast make a natural route. The highlands are cool, and frost can occur on some winter days. Monsoon winds shape the rain, so the best month depends on which coast you visit. Trains are a popular way to see the hill country. Sinharaja rainforest and the national parks of Yala and Wilpattu add wildlife and birdwatching.
Five things to know before Sri Lanka
- Get the free ETA before you fly
Every visitor needs an Electronic Travel Authorization before arrival. Since 25 May 2026 it is free for tourists from 40 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany and Spain, for 30 days. Visa checker
- Reserve seats on the Kandy to Ella train
The hill country line is the most popular train ride on the island, and reserved seats can sell out in the dry season. The story compares a booked seat with an unbooked carriage. Seat or standing
- Pick the coast by the monsoon
The south and west coasts are best from about December to March. The east coast is drier from about March to September, when the south-west monsoon is under way. The South
- Read the FCDO note before the north and east
De-mining continues in parts of the east and north, with a visible military presence in the north. The FCDO says to take landmine warning signs seriously and keep to roads and cleared footpaths. FCDO regional risks
- Budget for Cultural Triangle tickets
Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura each sell a separate US-dollar ticket to foreign visitors, USD 95 at full price for all three on the CCF list updated 24 September 2026. The Ancient Cities
Sri Lanka travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Who gets it free, how long it lasts and how to apply.
Read the guideKandy to Ella by trainBooked seat or unbooked carriage.
Read the guideColomboFort, Pettah and getting in from the airport.
Read the guideThe Ancient CitiesSigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and Dambulla.
Read the guideThe Hill CountryKandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella and the scenic train.
Read the guideThe SouthGalle, the beach towns and the safari parks.
Read the guideThe EastTrincomalee, Arugam Bay and the inland ruins.
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains, buses and hiring a car with a driver.
Read the guide
Destinations in Sri Lanka
CityTrincomaleeExplore
CityMirissaExplore
CityEllaExplore
CityColomboExplore
CityTangalleExplore
CityGalleExplore
CityAnuradhapuraExplore
CityWeligamaExplore
CityPolonnaruwaExplore
CityJaffnaExplore
CityHikkaduwaExplore
CityArugam BayExplore
CitySigiriyaExplore
CityNuwara EliyaExplore
CityThe Ancient CitiesExplore
CityNegomboExplore
CityKandyExplore
CityMataraExplore
CityUnawatunaExplore
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- LKR 4,000
- Food
- LKR 3,000
- Transport
- LKR 500
- Sights
- LKR 1,000
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- LKR 12,000
- Food
- LKR 7,500
- Transport
- LKR 4,000
- Sights
- LKR 12,000
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- LKR 25,000
- Food
- LKR 18,000
- Transport
- LKR 12,000
- Sights
- LKR 25,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Dry, west coastJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, west coast
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Dry, west coastFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, west coast
- MarchRain19 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Dry, hotMarchRain
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- AprilRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hot, showersAprilRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 172 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- MayRain30 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Southwest monsoonMayRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 500 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Southwest monsoon
- JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Wet west, dry eastJuneRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 366 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet west, dry east
- JulyRain28 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low26°East coast bestJulyRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 254 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
East coast best
- AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°East coast bestAugustRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 299 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
East coast best
- SeptemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°ShowersSeptemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 345 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WettestOctoberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 412 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°WetNovemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 457 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- DecemberRain18 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry beginsDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 178 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry begins
Average daily high and low in Colombo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Sri Lanka
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 94%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Sri Lanka
01:35 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today27°22°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed29°21°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu30°21°100%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri30°21°100%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat30°20°100%Saturday: Rain. High 30°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun29°21°100%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Mon30°21°100%Monday: Rain. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 10:02 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 332.4 LKR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Festivals by month
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- AugKandy Esala PeraheraKandy
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Sri Lanka FAQ
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
You need an ETA before you travel. Since 25 May 2026 tourists from 40 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany and Spain, get it free for 30 days. Other passports follow the general rules on the official ETA site.
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
December to March suits the west and south coasts, and the hill country is usually clearer from January to April. The east coast is drier from about March to September. October and November are the rainiest period island-wide.
How long is the train from Kandy to Ella?
About six to seven hours on the scheduled trains, often longer with delays. Reserve seats ahead, or buy an unreserved ticket on the day and expect to stand.
How many days do I need in Sri Lanka?
Ten to fourteen days covers Kandy, the Cultural Triangle, the hill country, Ella and the south coast without rushing. A week is enough for two regions.
Is it easy to get around Sri Lanka without a car?
Yes. Trains and buses reach most places cheaply, and many visitors hire a car with a driver for part of the loop. The FCDO notes a weekly fuel quota per vehicle, with special arrangements for tour operators and hotels, so ask your driver.