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Explore The Island

Sri Lanka, Region by Region

An island the size of Ireland with eight climate zones. Here is what each region is actually good for, and the month you should be there.

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All Regions South Coast (3) Cultural Triangle (2) West Coast (2) Hill Country (2) East Coast (2) North (1)
Sigiriya
Cultural Triangle
Sigiriya Ancient Rock Fortress Best: January to September
Kandy
Cultural Triangle
Kandy Cultural Capital Best: Year round
Ella
Hill Country
Ella Misty Hill Country Best: December to March
Yala
South Coast
Yala Leopard Safari Best: February to July
Mirissa
South Coast
Mirissa Whale Watching Bay Best: November to April
Galle
South Coast
Galle Colonial Fort City Best: November to April
Nuwara Eliya
Hill Country
Nuwara Eliya Little England, Tea Country Best: March to May
Trincomalee
East Coast
Trincomalee Turquoise East Coast Best: May to September
Bentota
West Coast
Bentota Riverside Beaches Best: November to April
Arugam Bay
East Coast
Arugam Bay Surf Point Best: May to September
Colombo
West Coast
Colombo Capital Gateway Best: Year round
Jaffna
North
Jaffna Northern Heritage Best: April to September

Two Monsoons, One Island

When to be where

Sri Lanka has no bad season — only the wrong coast for that month. This is the short version.

December – March

Peak season. The south and west coasts, the Cultural Triangle and the hill country are all at their best. Blue whales off Mirissa. Book festive weeks months ahead.

May – September

Go east. Trincomalee, Pasikuda and Arugam Bay are calm and quiet, Pigeon Island is diveable, and Yala's leopard sightings peak as waterholes shrink.

April, October & November

Inter-monsoon shoulder months — cheapest rates, fewest people, and rain that usually arrives as one heavy afternoon burst rather than all day.

Not sure which region suits your dates?

Send us the two weeks you have free and we'll tell you honestly where on the island will be at its best — then build the route around it.

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