The short answer
- Month
- April
- Verdict
- Very good
- South and west coasts
- Hot, first showers
- East coast
- Dry: season begins
- Cultural Triangle
- Hot, some storms
- Hill country
- Warm, some showers
April is hot and humid, with afternoon storms building in the south west towards the end of the month. The east coast season begins, so you can choose either coast.
New Year on 13 and 14 April is a big family holiday: some shops close and trains and buses are packed.
Where it is dry in April
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so one coast is usually dry. The map opens on April; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
April
Hot, with the first showers in the south west. Sinhala and Tamil New Year mid month.
- North (Jaffna) (best)
- East coast (best)Trincomalee, Pasikudah, Arugam Bay
- Yala (best)south east safari parks
- Cultural Triangle (mixed)Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa
- West coast (mixed)Colombo, Negombo, Bentota
- Hill country (mixed)Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella
- South coast (mixed)Galle, Unawatuna, Mirissa
April across the year
How April compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is April.
Swipe sideways to see all 12 months →
| Region | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South and west coastsGalle, Mirissa, Bentota | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best |
| East coastTrincomalee, Arugam Bay | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult |
| Cultural TriangleSigiriya, Polonnaruwa | Mixed | Best | Best | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult |
| Hill countryKandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed |
| NorthJaffna | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult |
| Yalamain blocks | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best |
Where to go in April
- Nuwara Eliya: April is the cool season's social peak, with races and flower shows.
- The east coast: Trincomalee and Arugam Bay are drying out; surf season starts.
- The south coast: Still good early in the month.
What to avoid in April
- Travelling on public transport around 13 and 14 April, when everyone goes home.
Festivals and events in April
- Sinhala and Tamil New Year (13 and 14 April): Family rituals at auspicious times, games and sweets.
Weather in April
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with April highlighted.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | Colombowest coast | Gallesouth coast, Mirissa is similar | Kandy500 m | Nuwara Eliya1,890 m, Ella is warmer | SigiriyaCultural Triangle, dry zone | Trincomaleeeast coast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31° / 23°60 mm | 30° / 23°95 mm | 28° / 18°120 mm | 20° / 9°140 mm | 29° / 21°100 mm | 27° / 23°180 mm |
| Feb | 31° / 23°70 mm | 30° / 23°80 mm | 30° / 18°70 mm | 21° / 9°70 mm | 31° / 21°50 mm | 28° / 23°80 mm |
| Mar | 32° / 24°130 mm | 31° / 24°130 mm | 31° / 19°100 mm | 22° / 10°90 mm | 33° / 22°80 mm | 30° / 24°50 mm |
| Apr | 32° / 25°250 mm | 31° / 25°240 mm | 31° / 21°190 mm | 22° / 12°170 mm | 34° / 24°180 mm | 32° / 25°50 mm |
| May | 31° / 26°380 mm | 30° / 26°350 mm | 30° / 22°150 mm | 21° / 13°200 mm | 33° / 25°70 mm | 34° / 26°60 mm |
| Jun | 30° / 26°190 mm | 29° / 25°210 mm | 28° / 22°130 mm | 18° / 14°290 mm | 32° / 25°15 mm | 34° / 26°30 mm |
| Jul | 30° / 25°130 mm | 29° / 25°140 mm | 28° / 21°130 mm | 18° / 14°250 mm | 32° / 25°25 mm | 34° / 26°50 mm |
| Aug | 30° / 25°110 mm | 29° / 25°130 mm | 28° / 21°120 mm | 18° / 13°200 mm | 32° / 24°30 mm | 33° / 25°90 mm |
| Sep | 30° / 25°160 mm | 29° / 25°240 mm | 28° / 21°150 mm | 19° / 12°180 mm | 33° / 24°60 mm | 33° / 25°100 mm |
| Oct | 30° / 24°370 mm | 29° / 24°350 mm | 28° / 20°280 mm | 20° / 12°250 mm | 32° / 23°250 mm | 31° / 24°210 mm |
| Nov | 30° / 24°310 mm | 29° / 24°280 mm | 28° / 20°260 mm | 20° / 11°240 mm | 30° / 22°280 mm | 29° / 23°360 mm |
| Dec | 30° / 23°150 mm | 29° / 23°170 mm | 28° / 19°200 mm | 20° / 10°200 mm | 29° / 21°220 mm | 28° / 23°360 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
A 10 day trip for April
Our suggestion for April: Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella, then the south or east coast. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates, or try your own route in our trip planner.
Tip: Ask your driver about New Year closures before you plan sightseeing on 13 and 14 April.
Want a April trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 10 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about March or May? See Sri Lanka in March and Sri Lanka in May, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit Sri Lanka.
Rather have a trip to Sri Lanka made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is April a good time to visit Sri Lanka?
Yes, with some showers in the south west late in the month. Both coasts are possible in April.
Sources we checked
Sri Lanka month by month
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