Summer in Sri Lanka you say? No! It’s rainy season in Sri Lanka during the summer months! Sri Lanka is not the best place for your summer holiday…
WRONG!
Summer is the perfect time to visit Sri Lanka, you just need to know where to go to get the best weather in Sri Lanka during July and August. Read on to find out the reasons why we think summer is a fantastic time to visit Sri Lanka…
1. Summer in Sri Lanka is considered Low Season
The beauty of a summer in Sri Lanka is that it is quieter than winter months as many people believe that it is not the best time to visit. You can experience low season travel, without so many people, crowds and inflated hotel prices whilst not experiencing low season weather!
Plus, in certain parts of the island, summer in Sri Lanka is peak season. On the East Coast, where you will find the best weather on the island in summer, they are experiencing high season. So, if you like busy places then you can still find that in Sri Lanka in the summer.
On the East Coast, the area of Arugam Bay is busy during July and August. It is a popular surfers beach town and a great place to go if you are looking for a bustling atmosphere during the evenings.
If you have your heart set on the West and South Coast in places like Bentota, Mirissa or Galle, you will find great deals on hotel prices. You may experience some rain and the sea might be a bit too rough to swim in, in certain areas but you will get a great deal on a good hotel and it won’t rain all the time!
2. You can still experience fantastic weather!
It is just about knowing where to go and what to expect during the summer months so that you can plan your trip to Sri Lanka in the summer properly.
What is the weather like in July and August in Sri Lanka?
The weather in July and August in Sri Lanka depends on which part of the island you are visiting. The North and East Coast has the best weather during summer in Sri Lanka. The weather on the East Coast during July and August will be sunny and dry with temperatures around 28°c to 32°c. The sea will be calm and has the perfect conditions for a family summer holiday in Sri Lanka.
In contrast, although the temperature will be similar on the South and West Coasts 28°c to 32°c, you can expect rain at times and the seas to be rough with high waves.
Central areas of Sri Lanka will still be warm with similar temperatures of around 30°c, the higher up in the hills you get, the cooler the weather will be. With Nuwara Eliya getting lots of cloud, wind and rain, although that is to be expected year round in this Sri Lankan hill town.
If you are planning a visit to Yala National Park for a safari then July and August is a great time to visit. It is at the end of the dry season when the water holes are low and you have a good chance to glimpse animals like leopards and bears going for a drink of water.
Where is the best place to go in summer in Sri Lanka?
The northern areas and east coast are considered the best places to go during a Sri Lankan summer. The north is still relatively undiscovered a bit more off the beaten track and tourist trail.
As well as the East Coast beaches, we would also recommend other popular places in Sri Lanka like Sigiriya, Ella as well as Yala. These areas all enjoy great weather in the summer.
Summer in Sri Lanka 2 Week Itinerary
If you are planning a summer visit to Sri Lanka here is our tried and tested itinerary to cover all the best places to visit in Sri Lanka:
- Days 1-3 – Sigiriya
- Days 3-5 – Nuwara Eliya
- Days 5-8 – Ella
- Days 8-10 – Yala National Park
- Days 10-14 – Pasikudah Beach (stay at Sun Siyam Pasikudah – full review here!)
Renting a Car in Sri Lanka
You can read the full details of our Summer in Sri Lanka 2 week itinerary here. Including where to stay and the best places to visit at each destination.
You can also check out our Instagram Reel here for a 2 Week Sri Lanka Itinerary with lots of videos and information.
If you are looking for an itinerary to be planned and organised for you, as well as all your transport needs being covered then we highly recommend getting in touch with Ehalagala Travels. We used them for all our van driving around Sri Lanka as well as recommendations for the best places to go. They have also offered a 10% discount to anyone who mentions us on booking (mention @dubaiandbeyond_ on Instagram or Claire from The Wandering Whites). You can check out their website here for full information.
3. Sri Lanka is still cheap!
Whether you choose to travel to Sri Lanka in summer or any other time of the year, there is always one huge bonus. It is still super affordable. Now, this is likely to change as time goes on and inevitably more and more people decide to visit Sri Lanka. So, get there quickly!
Average Prices experienced in Sri Lanka in 2024
- Lion Beer in a popular restaurant – 1200RPS or 14AED or £3.10 (quieter/smaller places cheaper!)
- Soft drink in a bar – 700RPS or 8AED or £1.80
- Litre of water in a shop – 100RPS or 1AED or 25p
- Sri Lankan Curry – from 2000-3500RPS or 25-43AED or £5-£9 depending on where you are
- Tuk Tuk driver for 1 hour to take you around locally – 5000RPS or 60AED or £13
- 4kg laundry washed and dried – 2500RPS or 30AED or £6.50
- 2 nights in a guesthouse in Ella with breakfast for a family of 4 – 24000RPS or 300AED or £63
As you can see, these prices are still very affordable in Sri Lanka. You can comfortably go for a 2 week holiday here and spend less than you would during 1 week in Europe.
If you want to see more of our travels around Sri Lanka make sure to check out our Instagram @dubaiandbeyond_ and look through all the highlights for pictures, videos and information of each place we visited during our travels.
