Visiting Sri Lanka in July or August? Here is where the weather is best, the festivals worth planning around and a sample route.
Many Europeans assume Sri Lanka is rainy in summer. In fact, July and August are among the best months on the east coast.
Here is how to plan Sri Lanka in July and August, when most European families and couples travel.
From about May to September, the south-west monsoon brings rain and rougher seas to the west and south coasts. The east and north stay mostly dry and sunny. The Cultural Triangle is usually dry, and the hill country has passing showers.
East coast beaches. Trincomalee, Passikudah and Arugam Bay are at their best.
The Cultural Triangle. Sigiriya, Dambulla and Polonnaruwa are hot but dry.
Kandy and the hills. Green, cooler and good for tea country and train rides.
The north. Jaffna is dry and quiet.
The Kandy Esala Perahera usually takes place in July or August, with nights of processions, drummers and decorated elephants. Hotels fill quickly, so book early.
The Nallur festival in Jaffna runs for around 25 days, usually from late July or August.
Arugam Bay's surf season runs roughly from May to October. Beginners can learn at quieter breaks nearby.
Yala usually closes for part of September and October, so check dates. In August, Minneriya and Kaudulla often host large gatherings of elephants.
Negombo, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, train to Ella, Arugam Bay or Passikudah, then back via Ratnapura.
Ratnapura, the centre of Sri Lanka's gem tourism, sits on the route back to Colombo. It is a good place to see sapphire mines and cutters before your flight.
Pack light clothes and a rain jacket for the hills.
Avoid swimming on the south and west coasts when red flags are up.
Sri Lanka Travel Tours builds summer routes that follow the sunshine. Tell us your dates and we will plan a trip that suits the season.
Tell us what you're picturing and we'll build a trip around it.
