Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka: March and August

Sri Lanka is small enough to drive across in a day but contains enough diversity to fill weeks: ancient Buddhist temples, colonial hill stations, leopard-dense national parks, and beaches that rival the Maldives. If you're wondering when to visit Sri Lanka, March and August are when different coasts hit their peak. March is ideal for the west and south coasts, while August favors the east coast. Both months offer excellent wildlife viewing and cultural exploration across the interior.

March: Southwest Coast and Cultural Triangle

March sits at the tail end of the northeast monsoon, which means the southwest coast — Galle, Mirissa, Tangalle — is in prime condition. The seas are calm, the skies are clear, and the beaches are genuinely stunning without the December-February crowds. This is also blue whale season off Mirissa, where the continental shelf drops close to shore and the world's largest animals cruise past with surprising regularity.

Inland, March is excellent for the Cultural Triangle. Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the ancient cave temples of Dambulla, and the ruins of Polonnaruwa are all accessible and spectacular. The weather is warm but manageable, and the spring heat hasn't fully arrived yet. Yala National Park in the southeast offers some of the world's highest leopard densities, and March's dry conditions make sightings more likely as animals congregate around water sources.

The hill country — Ella, Nuwara Eliya, the tea plantations — is particularly beautiful in March. The tea bushes are bright green, the waterfalls are still flowing from earlier rains, and the train journey from Kandy to Ella ranks among the world's most scenic rail trips.

August: East Coast and Peak Safari Season

August is when Sri Lanka's east coast comes into its own. While the southwest gets monsoon rains from May through September, the east coast — Trincomalee, Arugam Bay, Pasikuda — enjoys dry, sunny weather. Arugam Bay is a legendary surf spot, with consistent point breaks and a laid-back vibe that feels miles from the more developed south coast. Trincomalee's beaches are stunning and largely undiscovered by mass tourism.

August is also peak safari season across the national parks. Yala, Udawalawe, and Wilpattu see concentrated wildlife activity as the dry season intensifies. Elephants gather at waterholes, leopards are more visible in sparse vegetation, and the birdlife includes both resident species and early arrivals of migratory birds from the north.

The Cultural Triangle remains excellent in August, though it's hot. Early morning temple visits become essential, but the trade-off is having Sigiriya or Polonnaruwa nearly to yourself during midday heat when most tourists retreat.

Where We'd Stay: Tekanda Lodge

For the southwest coast near Ahangama, Tekanda Lodge offers something rare: a boutique property that feels like a private estate. Set on 10 acres of rewilded coconut and tea plantation, the lodge has just six rooms — including two private standalone cabanas — with views across jungle canopy toward the coast. The conical cabanas are spectacular, with handmade furnishings, four-poster beds, and semi-circular verandahs perfect for private dinners under the stars.

What sets Tekanda apart is the commitment to place. Half the estate has been returned to rainforest, organic farming supplies the kitchen, and solar power handles most energy needs. The infinity pool overlooks the jungle treetops, yoga sessions happen at sunrise and sunset on the deck, and the property feels deeply connected to the landscape rather than imposed upon it. Through our Virtuoso partnership, you'll receive daily breakfast, a resort credit, and room upgrades when available.

Note that Tekanda closes in June during peak monsoon season, making March and August ideal windows to experience this special property.

Why These Months Work

Sri Lanka's monsoons are regional, not national, which means there's always a coast in season. March offers the classic Sri Lankan circuit — southwest beaches, Cultural Triangle, hill country — with ideal conditions. August flips the script, opening up the less-visited east coast while maintaining excellent safari and cultural touring.

Both months avoid the December-January peak season pricing and crowds while delivering the same quality of experience. You're seeing Sri Lanka when it's cooperative and beautiful, with the added benefit of having popular sites feel more personal.

Ready to explore Sri Lanka's diversity? Enquire with The Camel Collection and let us design your Sri Lankan journey — from beaches to wildlife to ancient temples.