Drop-dead gorgeous land with serenity, vast topography, exotic wildlife, scenic beaches, and ethereal landscapes perfectly defines Sri Lanka. Emerging as one of the top-notch tourist destinations near India, it is an ideal escapade for those looking to change their mundane life and want to revitalize their mind and body.
Rich in historical, cultural, and natural beauty, Sri Lanka is a perfect holiday destination offering travellers various activities. Let’s look at how it is to travel to Sri Lanka in winter and what it can offer at this time of the year.
Weather In Sri Lanka In Winter
Are you planning a vacation during the winter season in Sri Lanka? During winter, the Sri Lankan coastline is hit by a flock of tourists. December to February constitute the winter months in Sri Lanka, which is the ideal time to visit most places in Sri Lanka.
In the winter months, it is best to visit the southern part of Sri Lanka when the weather is dry, and it is perfect for visiting beaches, monuments, and other activities. The precipitation level remains between 82 mm and 165 mm during winter. The average temperature in Sri Lanka in winter months in Sri Lanka ranges between 22°C to 30°C. Visiting this heavenly, gorgeous country in December will let you see its spark during Christmas. The beaches remain calm so that swimming can be enjoyed without any hindrance. The cool breeze hits the atmosphere, making the weather pleasant and ideal for sightseeing and beach activities.
Also Read: Places To Visit In Nuwara Eliya
Sri Lanka In Winter: Best Places To Visit
There are so many places to visit in Sri Lanka during winter. Stroll through the list below to find their best and make the most of your winter trip to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
1. Yala National Park
This is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka during winter. The park is rich in a variety of wildlife, including Sri Lankan animals, sloth bears, golden palm civets, fishing cats, toque macaques, and many other unique animals.
Tourists can also enjoy camping here for three days in a wild and natural setting. Safari is one of the highlights of Yala National Park, and it lets you glimpse various animals. Magul Maha Viharaya and Sithulpawwa are two important sites to visit at this national park.
Entry fee: For children aged 6-12 years – 8$ and for adults – 15$
2. Nuwara Eliya
One of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka in winter is Nuwara Eliya. Famous for its lush green valleys, misty air, and aesthetic tea gardens, Nuwara Eliya is a nature lover’s paradise. Get to know about the entire process of tea making and gorge upon the tea made from freshly picked tea leaves at these tea gardens in Nuwara Eliya. Other places to visit here include Lake Gregory and Lover’s Leap Waterfall.
Famous for: Tea Gardens, Lake Gregory, and Lover’s Leap Waterfall
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3. Kandy
Kandy is another major tourist destination to visit in Sri Lanka during the winter months from December to February. Famous for its temples and spiritual charm, explore the stunning places to visit in Kandy for an enthralling vacation.
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Royal Botanical Gardens, National Museum of Kandy, Hulu River Waterfall, Kandy Lake, Royal Palace of Kandy, and Udawattakele Forest Reserve are some of the best places to visit in Kandy in the winter season.
4. Mirissa
Misrissa is a small town in the southern province of Sri Lanka. It is famous for its beachside resorts, quirky cafes, and enthralling nightlife. The picture-perfect beaches of Mirissa offer great views of the sunset and the sunrise, along with adventurous activities like surfing, fishing, and dolphin watching.
Some of the best places to visit here are Mirissa Beach, Polhena Beach, Parrot Rock Bridge, Secret Beach, and Coconut Tree Hill. You can also indulge in fun things to do in Marissa while staying here!
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Sri Lanka In Winter: Best Things To Do For An Exciting Vacay
The following are the most exciting things to do in Sri Lanka in winter for a perfect experience:
1. Indulge In The Christmas Festivities
One of the best places to celebrate Christmas in Sri Lanka is Negombo, and it is also one of the major festivals in Sri Lanka in winter. The whole vibe and aura of this city change at the time of Christmas festivities. Houses get decorated, and people are all merry and excited about the festival.
People celebrate the festival by performing Kafirinha folk music and dance. Restaurants and cafes offer great offers and discounts to celebrate the Christmas festival.
Where to celebrate: Galle Face, Cinnamon Grand, Loft Lounge Bar, Barefoot Garden Cafe
2. Experience The Mesmerizing Views From Train
One of the best things to do in Sri Lanka in winter is to witness the natural beauty, pristine landscapes, rugged mountains, and lush valleys by taking a train ride. The weather in winter is just perfect for boarding the train when the cool and misty breezes make the overall train journey exciting and enjoyable.
One of the most scenic rail routes is from Colombo to Nanu Oya, which is full of scenic beauty and mesmerizing views. The place will surely offer you awesome winter experiences in Sri Lanka.
Most famous train routes: Ella to Kandy, Kandy to Nanu Oya, Anuradhapura to Jaffna
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3. Celebrate New Year
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What could be better than celebrating the arrival of the new year while holidaying in winter in Sri Lanka? Make the most of this opportunity and enjoy the New Year festivities. One of the best places to witness the New Year festivities in Sri Lanka is Colombo, where night parties, concerts, and New Year events are in full swing, and people celebrate the arrival of the new year with great pomp and show.
Where to celebrate: Rhythm and Blues nightclub, ZAZA Bar, Sky Lounge, Old Trinitians Sports Club
4. Enjoy Surfing On The Deep-blue Ocean Waves
One of the best adventures to try in Sri Lanka in the winter season is surfing. Surfing in Sri Lanka attracts many tourists from all over the world as the waves here are suitable for every kind of surfer. The weather during the winter months is just perfect for this audacious yet exciting water activity.
Where to surf: Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Weligama, and Arugam Bay
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How To Reach Sri Lanka
Due to proper connectivity between the two nations, reaching Sri Lanka from India is straightforward. Let’s find out how to reach Sri Lanka as best we can.
By Air: The best mode of travel to Sri Lanka is by air. The major international airport is located in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Flights from India and all over the world arrive at this airport daily. It takes 1.5 to 3 hours to reach Sri Lanka from India, depending on the city from which you are travelling. Companies like Sri Lankan Airlines, Air India, Spicejet, IndiGo, etc. provide direct services.
By Sea: There is direct connectivity between India and Colombo via a ship. However, this mode of transport is very time-consuming, as it takes around 7 to 8 days to reach Sri Lanka from India. Only a few ships depart from Mumbai port and arrive at Colombo port. The ships are luxurious cruises that people can afford without budget constraints.
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Now that we have given you several reasons to visit Sri Lanka in winter, there shouldn’t be anything left to hold you back from packing your bags and going on a trip to Sri Lanka. Witness the charm of Sri Lanka, an amalgamation of culture, history, and nature. Enjoy a visit to its religious and historical places, meet the exotic wildlife, relax on its pristine beaches, or go for an enchanting night party. Sri Lanka has everything to offer travellers who plan to visit Sri Lanka.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sri Lanka In Winter
What is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country that offers pristine beaches, blissful tea estates, grand temples and much more. You can visit the country anytime of the year. However, the best time for visiting the country's Western region is from December to March when the weather is pleasant to explore the destination. And April to May is the best time to visit the east coast of Sri Lanka. So, plan your trip accordingly.
How is the weather in Sri Lanka in December?
Visiting Sri Lanka in Winter months is a great idea, especially in December. But, before planning your trip, you must know about the country's weather during that month. Sri Lanka experiences warm weather throughout the year as it has a tropical climate. During the month of December, the highest temperature remains 30-degree Celsius, and the lowest temperature goes down to 22-degree Celsius. This makes it very easy to explore the beautiful country in December.
What is the rainy season in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is one of those countries that experiences two rainy seasons. The south-west region of the country experiences a rainy season from May to September. There is little rain during this time. However, the other region of Sri Lanka, that is, North-east side the rainy season enters in the month of October and goes on till January. So, now you know when to expect rain in which side of the country and plan your trip accordingly.
What is the coldest place in Sri Lanka?
Nuwara Eliya is one of the coldest places in Sri Lanka. It is a hill city of Sri Lanka and offers picturesque views of tea estates.
Is Sri Lanka expensive?
Visiting Sri Lanka is not that expensive. One can visit the country on a backpacker’s budget without any hassle. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that sports activities and heritage sites are quite expensive in Sri Lanka.
Can you drink alcohol in Sri Lanka?
While drinking alcohol in Sri Lanka in public is not considered a good act, there are few places in the country where you will see people drinking alcohol without any issue and quite a lot. Apart from that, there are many places where alcohol is not served from 2 to 5 pm whenever you go.
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As a Travel Content Writer, I live to conquer the world of globetrotting with words. With my unquenchable thirst for storytelling, I believe that my words will inspire you to travel around the world’s breathtaking landscapes. As for me, I am an unapologetic selenophile, who loves to wander around in a starry night!
