Sri Lanka is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, and it is warm throughout the year. The average temperature does not fall below 28°C but in the central hill country, it can fall to 18°C during some months of the year.
Being a tropical island, it has its fair share of the Monsoon rainy seasons from May to July in the south and west, and from October to January in the north and east of the island.
Having said that one could always find round the year a region and beaches where it is dry and sunny on the island, with very high mountains in the centre of the island playing a big part in separating the Monsoon winds.
An idea of the yearly weather pattern in Sri Lanka
| January – March | A very good time to travel across the whole island, plenty of sunshine and relatively dry throughout these months. Beaches on the south and west coasts are dry, hot, and sunny, temperatures will be pleasant and warm, a touch cooler up in the Hill Country. |
| April | In April, it is usually hottest and driest in the north, central and Cultural Triangle regions with temperatures touching the mid-30°Cs with clear skies and long, sunny days. Make sure to protect yourself from the sun during the hottest hours, from midday to mid-afternoon. |
| May - June | Short and sharp rainfall comes with the south-westerly monsoons during these months. The rain passes through quickly and affects the south-west region of the island including Colombo, Galle, and west and south-west coastal areas. |
| July - September | These are great months to travel on the island as these months fall in between the monsoon seasons and pretty much no rain is expected during this period in Sri Lanka. Average temperatures remain high, and the beaches are hot and dry. An ideal time for a family holiday in the tropics. |
| October - November | These are months for the north-easterly monsoon, although the name suggests the monsoon is just confined to the north and east regions it does however affects the whole island. It is heavier than the south-westerly monsoon and unpredictable in that it has been light, sporadic and did not arrive at all in the recent past. |
| December | The eastern coast and north experience more rain during the month of December whilst the west and the south of the island are wonderfully warm and dry. Christmas and New Year are good times for a good break on this island. |
