Sri Lanka

A lush tropical island off the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka remains one of Asia’s overlooked gems – a status that is slowly but rightly changing. Called Taprobane by the Greeks, Serendib by the Arabs and Ceylon by the Europeans, it is a land of stunning natural beauty whose fabled riches and strategic maritime locale have combined for a captivating history. Over the centuries, the parade of boldface names that has visited its shores includes Ptolemy, Marco Polo, medieval Chinese admiral Zheng He, as well as the Portuguese, Dutch and British empires. Literary luminaries include Paul Bowles and Arthur C. Clarke (both made Ceylon their adopted home) and native Michael Ondaatje.

Today, after a period of internal conflict, a new era of peace and stability reigns and Sri Lanka once again beckons visitors with fantastic beaches, ancient World Heritage ruins, superb highlands trekking, national parks full of elephants, birds and other wildlife, and first-rate hotels. From the cultural heartland of Dambulla (home to Sigiriya, the massive 5th-century “Lion’s Rock” fortress) to the lush tea fields of Nuwara Eliya; from Kandy, the last redoubt of Sinhalese kings, to colonial ramparts of Galle, Remote Lands invites you to discover Sri Lanka with us.

Sri Lanka Regions

Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

Seasonality & Festivals

Browse a month-by-month breakdown of suggested itineraries, seasonal activities, climate considerations and festivals.

When to Go
When to Go
Festivals
Festivals

Weather in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has three distinct weather patterns. The best time to visit the west and south coasts is between October and March, the best time to visit the east and north coasts is April and March, while the central interior is best between January and March.

  • Sri Lanka has a tropical climate with high humidity that is tempered by sea breezes on the coast. The average temperature is about 81°F (27°C). January is the coolest month, when it becomes especially cold in the highlands, and May is the hottest time of year.
  • Sri Lanka has four seasons, influenced by the monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal:
  • From mid-May to October, winds originate in the southwest, bringing moisture from the Indian Ocean. When these winds encounter the slopes of the Central Highlands, they unload heavy rains on the mountain slopes and the southwestern sector of the island. Some of the windward slopes receive up to 100 inches of rain per month, but the leeward slopes in the east and northeast receive little rain.
  • In October and November, the inter-monsoonal months, periodic squalls occur, and occasional tropical cyclones bring overcast skies and rains to the southwest, northeast, and eastern parts of the island.
  • From December to March, the northeastern slopes of the island may be inundated with up to 50 inches of rain, brought on by monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal.
  • Another inter-monsoonal period occurs from March until mid-May, with light, variable winds and evening thunderstorms.
  • Humidity is typically higher in the southwest and mountainous areas and depends on the seasonal patterns of rainfall. Percentages range from 60 to 90 percent nationwide annually

Multi-Country Specialists

Sri Lanka Goes Well With

Travelogues

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