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Finding the Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka: The Gem of the Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka, also known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean is one of the most beautiful islands we had ever seen. It has a little bit of everything: culture, wildlife and exotic beaches.

When is the best time to go to Sri Lanka

Best time to go in Sri Lanka in order to maximize your time, depends on what you are planning to do while on the island.

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A very well known thing is that Sri Lanka is an ideal destination for nature fans, surfers and culture lovers.

First, think about what you want to see there and then I will tell you what is the best time to visit Sri Lanka.

The Pearl of the Indian Ocean! Best time to go to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka best time to visit

The ocean, due to its currents, is just perfect for surfers, especially for beginners and the beaches are very beautiful.

Unfortunately, swimming in that waters might be a little dangerous, especially if you are not a very good swimmer!

I tried to swim in the ocean, on the south part of the island but the currents were so strong that I hardly managed to get out of water.

Honestly, I did not try to enter in the ocean again during my stay on The Pearl of the Indian Ocean! I prefer to swim in the pool on our next beach destination!

No matter which time of the year you choose to visit this country, the currents are pretty strong all year around that is why Sri Lanka is a good destination for surfers!

But Sri Lanka is not just beaches and surf! It is wildlife!… and culture!… and religion! Dambulla Caves, Polonnaruwa Ancient Ruins, Temple of Tooth and natural parks are just some spots which should be included in your trip! These places are spread all over the country, so you will have the opportunity to see how locals live and to better understand their traditions and culture!

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Pearl of the Indian Ocean climate

When speaking about the best time to go to Sri Lanka, bear in mind that the island is influenced by 2 monsoons, so all year around there is a place with great climate in Sri Lanka.

In the southwest of the island from April till September is the stormy period while in the northeast side rain usually falls between November to March.

Find out here when is the best time to visit Sri Lanka.

We chose to visit Sri Lanka at the end of March and the weather condition was just excellent! The days were sunny with a beareable climate!

Whichever period you pick to visit Sri Lanka, remember that in the mountains, the climate is chillier and also much more foggy than in various other parts of SriLanka.

A raincoat and a jacket is constantly an excellent suggestion to have in your luggage even if you consider that period of the year as the best time to go to Sri Lanka.

We had to take all types of clothes with us as we chose a tour around the island! We wanted to see wild animals, temples but also to have some days on a beach!

An island excursion finished with few days on the beach is the best way to finish a holiday there. People are extremely kind as well as friendly; they do their best to make you feel like home. 

You should not be stressed over your safety and security when travelling around the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. All you need to do is to act suitable as well as keep away from trouble!

Because of Sri Lanka location and form, all year around is the best time to go to Sri Lanka! Adapt your trip taking in consideration the local monsoon and enjoy the beauty of the island!

Logistical tips and tricks for your trip

Book your accommodation
We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.

You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.

Don't forget travel insurance
We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money.

When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.

Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected costs caused by medical events like illness, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.

We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.

Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.

We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.

Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.

We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.

Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.

Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.