The beautiful island of Sri Lanka has warm tropical weather moderated by ocean breezes. Mean temperatures range from 17 °C (63 °F) in the central highlands, where frost may occur for several days in the winter, to a maximum of 33 °C (91 °F) in more low-altitude areas. The climate is defined by two monsoon seasons, May to July in the southwest, and October to February in the north and east.?

It is hot and dry in the country’s north and east during March through September, with highs of 32°F C (90°F  ) in March, rising to 37°C (100°F) in July before falling back to about 33 °C (91°F ) in September, though the coast has a cooling effect so it does not seem so hot.  April brings the start of the southwest monsoon, so the best place to be is in the north of the country, cultural triangle, or the eastern coast. The stunning northeast beaches are perfect in in July, August and September. There are also many festivals at this time in Sri Lanka, such as the Vesak Poya in May, which celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death, and is marked with flowers, the lighting of lamps and burning of incense, as the country comes to life in ritual and ceremony

May to August and it is monsoon season in the country’s west and southwest, with rainfall of around 150 mm over these months. July and early August can be hot, between 25 and 31 °C (77-88 °F), but not unpleasant for traveling the island, which is invariably cooled by sea breezes. During these months it will be possible to see a great many elephants at the various game parks and preserves around Sri Lanka, with Yala National Park a highlight. It is home to many spectacular bird species, such as the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, crimson-fronted barbet, and black-capped bulbul, not to mention a vast array of reptiles endemic to the island, including the Sri Lankan flying snake, painted-lip lizard, Wiegmann's agama, and Bahir's fan-throated lizard.