Best time to visit Sri Lanka & the Maldives

The best time to visit Sri Lanka & the Maldives is January to March, judged across 13 places; November is its low season.

in seasongoodnot its bestlow season

Updated September 2026 · South Asia · 13 places, each judged for what it is · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Sri Lanka & the Maldives month by month

MonthSeasonWhyBest places
Januaryin seasondry season · 29°C highs · 10 h sunNuwara Eliya, Mirissa, Weligama
Februaryin seasondry season · 30°C highs · 10 h sunNuwara Eliya, Mirissa, Weligama
Marchin seasondry season · 31°C highs · 11 h sunTrincomalee, Nuwara Eliya, Arugam Bay
Aprilgood31°C highs · 11 h sunTrincomalee, Arugam Bay, Malé
Maynot its bestmonsoon · best Jan–MarArugam Bay, Trincomalee, Nuwara Eliya
Junegooddry season · 30°C highs · 11 h sunTrincomalee, Arugam Bay, Nuwara Eliya
Julygooddry season · 29°C highs · 10 h sunArugam Bay, Trincomalee, Mirissa
Augustgooddry season · 29°C highs · 10 h sunArugam Bay, Trincomalee, Malé
Septembergooddry season · 29°C highs · 10 h sunArugam Bay, Trincomalee, Malé
Octobernot its best24 wet days · best Jan–MarArugam Bay, Malé, Trincomalee
Novemberlow seasonmonsoon · best Jan–MarMalé, Nuwara Eliya, Mirissa
Decembergooddry season · 29°C highs · 9 h sunNuwara Eliya, Galle, Mirissa

In season: one of the region's three best months, and good in its own right. Low season: one of its three worst, and well below its best. The reasons compare each month with the region's own year and name the seasons on the ground — monsoon, autumn colour, hurricanes — where most of its places share them.

All 13 places in Sri Lanka & the Maldives

Sri Lanka & the Maldives — FAQ

When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka & the Maldives?
January to March. In February: dry season · 30°C highs · 10 h sun.
When is the low season in Sri Lanka & the Maldives?
November. In November: monsoon · best Jan–Mar.
Which months are in season in Sri Lanka & the Maldives?
January to March — the months among its best that are also good in their own right.