When is the best time to go to Sri Lanka?
Considering it's smaller than Scotland, Sri Lanka has a varied tropical climate with two distinct monsoon seasons. But, because the two monsoons affect the island at different times, it's important to know which part of Sri Lanka you want to visit. The monsoon season in the south-west region of the country takes place during May to September, with dry months from December to March – perfect timing if you fancy some winter sun. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka experiences its monsoon from October to January, while the drier season runs from May to September.
The dry season of each region see toasty temperatures, an influx of visitors and higher prices. Likewise, popular holidays like Christmas and New Year see increased prices. If you want cheap flights to Sri Lanka, the months of April, May and September are the best times to visit, when the weather is likely to be pleasant across the country. Compare flight tickets in these months to make the most of your travels, your hotel, and your budget.
Your choice of airports and airlines
Netflights lets you choose from a number of well-known airlines, including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Etihad and SriLankan Airlines. You can fly direct to Sri Lanka from London Heathrow, but other UK airports provide indirect flights – take a look at Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, for starters. Indirect flights usually stop over in Dubai, Doha, London or Mumbai, before continuing to Colombo in Sri Lanka.
What to expect in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s weather and location has made it a popular holiday destination, and even Italian explorer Marco Polo to call it ‘the finest island of its size in the world’. This, coupled with remarkably delicious food and cheap flights, make Sri Lanka a fantastic place to visit, especially if you're on a budget.
Jungle and beaches
The country’s main attraction is its natural beauty, consisting of topical jungles, high mountain peaks and sunny beaches. With over 1,600km of palm-fringed beaches and coastline, it is the perfect place to take advantage of swimming and surfing in warm tropical waters. You could dedicate an entire Sri Lankan holiday to boating off the sandy shores, and snorkelling or scuba diving to view the colourful marine life, coral gardens and even explore ship wrecks. On dry land, Sri Lanka’s national parks are an excellent way to view wildlife in its natural habitat, from leopards and elephants to reptiles and birds.
Ancient ruins
Within the jungle landscape there are also many ancient historic sites, from temples and palaces to castles, towns and cities. The rock fortress of Sigiriya stands at 660 feet and features impressive antique artwork, statues and gardens. The Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy still remains in use today for ritual worship. The ancient port city of Galle shows its Dutch and Portuguese influences with its buildings from Sri Lanka’s colonial days.
