green grass field under blue sky during daytime

Jaffna

Jaffna is the capital of Sri Lanka's Northern Province and the main city on the Jaffna peninsula. Visitors come for Hindu temples and Dutch and British colonial buildings.

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Jaffna is the capital of Sri Lanka's Northern Province and of Jaffna District, on the peninsula of the same name at the island's northern tip. The city lies about 396 km (246 miles) from Colombo and is linked to it by train, road and air. Before the civil war it was the country's second most populous city, and most residents are Sri Lankan Tamils, most of them Hindus.

Temples and colonial layers are the main draw. Nallur Kandaswamy temple is an important Hindu temple, and Nallur was the capital of the medieval Jaffna kingdom. Jaffna Fort and Parangi Theru, the old Dutch residential quarter, recall the Dutch period, though many colonial buildings were damaged in the civil war and some are still under repair. The ancient trading site of Kandarodai lies about 10 km from the city. Jaffna is the hottest city in Sri Lanka, averaging about 28 °C, with a dry season from February to August.

Jaffna in five

Read the FCDO note on northern Sri Lanka firstThe FCDO describes a visible military presence and ongoing mine clearance in the north, with free movement on the Jaffna Peninsula apart from High Security Zones. Keep to roads and cleared paths.UK regional advice
Keep cameras and drones away from military sitesThe FCDO warns against photographing military bases, government buildings and VIP vehicles, and against flying drones near them or looking at them through binoculars.FCDO safety advice
Plan the long way northJaffna lies far from the south coast and the airport, and the road and rail corridor runs through Anuradhapura. Check Sri Lanka Railways or your driver for current services before you fix dates.Anuradhapura travel guide
Follow temple etiquetteExpect to take off shoes and cover shoulders and knees at temples of any faith, and ask before you photograph inside a shrine. Dress modestly in the town as well.
Carry cash for the road northThe FCDO says ATMs are in major towns but not all accept international cards, and that accommodation and infrastructure are limited in parts of the north. Carry rupees and book ahead.UK travel advice

Things to do in Jaffna

See all attractions in Jaffna

A colorful Hindu temple tower beneath a starry night sky with orange light

Temple · JaffnaNallur Kandaswamy Kovil

Sight · JaffnaYazhpanam Public Library

Castle · JaffnaDutch Fort - Jaffna

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to JaffnaPut the places you like in Jaffna on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Bandaranaike (CMB); Jaffna is a long way north by road or rail
Getting there: Through Anuradhapura by road or rail; ask about domestic flights
Getting around: Tuk-tuks, taxis and buses on the peninsula
Best base: Jaffna town
Time needed: 2 to 3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Dry, breezy
FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry
MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Dry, hot
AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh32°Low28°Hot
MayRain14 rainy daysHigh31°Low29°Hot, windy
JuneClear11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low28°Hot, windy
JulyClear12 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Hot, windy
AugustRain15 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Hot, dry
SeptemberRain14 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low27°Hot, dry
OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rains begin
NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Wet
DecemberRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Wet

Average daily high and low in Jaffna, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Jaffna

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 30°
Humidity: 83%
Wind: 16 km/h
Chance of rain: 60%

Jaffna

02:10 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today30°26°60%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 60%.
Wed30°24°90%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 90%.
Thu30°24°94%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 94%.
Fri30°24°97%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 97%.
Sat30°24°96%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 96%.
Sun29°24°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 11:31 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 332.4 LKR

Amount

Converted to

LKR · Sri Lankan Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Anuradhapuraa full travel day southThe sacred city on the route back to the ancient cities.Read the guide
The peninsula coasta day by roadCoastal roads and small towns; ask locally about current road and security conditions.
The northern islandsboat times varyIsland trips by boat; confirm schedules and permissions on the day.

Before you go to Jaffna

Jaffna peninsula toursA local guide for sites and foodCompare day trips

Stays in Jaffna townHotels and guesthouses in the centerCheck availability

eSIM for the northMaps and calls on long roadsRead the guide

Insurance for the northRead the cover terms before you goRead the guide

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Rules for Jaffna, checked

FCDO: visible military presence in the north; mine clearance continues on the Jaffna Peninsula, and apart from High Security Zones there is free movement.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
FCDO: do not fly drones near, use binoculars to look at, or photograph military bases, government buildings or VIP vehicles.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
The CCF price list shows a Jaffna ticket at USD 5 full and USD 2.50 half, VAT included; ask at the counter what it covers.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source

Plan around Jaffna

Anuradhapura travel guide

The sacred city on the road north

Read the guide Colombo travel guide

The gateway city for most arrivals

Read the guide Sri Lanka ETA

Apply online before you fly

Read the guide Getting around Sri Lanka

Drivers, trains and buses compared

Read the guide Travel insurance

Check cover for regions with FCDO notes

Read the guide All of Sri Lanka

Routes, seasons and entry rules

Read the guide

Jaffna FAQ

Is Jaffna safe for tourists?

Most of the peninsula is open to travel: the FCDO describes free movement outside High Security Zones. Read its regional page, linked in the essentials above, follow local advice and the instructions of the security forces.

How do you get to Jaffna from Colombo?

By road or rail through Anuradhapura, or by a domestic flight if one is offered for your dates. Journey times change with road works and timetables, so check Sri Lanka Railways or your driver and leave a full day for the trip.

How many days do you need in Jaffna?

Two nights cover the town, the temples and a half day on the peninsula coast, and a third lets you add an island by boat. Because the trip north is long, a stay shorter than two nights rarely pays off.

When is the best time to visit Jaffna?

The drier months from January to March suit sightseeing, and the hot, dry mid-year months also work if you plan around midday. The north-east monsoon brings the main rains from October, so expect disruption then.

Can you photograph military sites in Jaffna?

No. Do not photograph military bases, government buildings or VIP vehicles, fly drones near them or use binoculars to look at them. Ask before photographing checkpoints, and check Civil Aviation Authority rules before flying any drone.