The short answer
- Month
- December
- Verdict
- Very good
- South and west coasts
- Dry and sunny
- East coast
- Wet
- Cultural Triangle
- Showers
- Hill country
- Mostly dry
December brings the start of the main season. The south and west coasts are sunny, whale watching returns to Mirissa and the Adam's Peak season begins around 24 December in 2026. The east is still wet.
Where it is dry in December
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so one coast is usually dry. The map opens on December; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
December
South and west coasts back in season; the east and north are wet.
- West coast (best)Colombo, Negombo, Bentota
- South coast (best)Galle, Unawatuna, Mirissa
- Yala (best)south east safari parks
- Hill country (mixed)Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella
- North (Jaffna) (wet or difficult)
- Cultural Triangle (wet or difficult)Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa
- East coast (wet or difficult)Trincomalee, Pasikudah, Arugam Bay
December across the year
How December compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is December.
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 December
- The south coast: Galle, Unawatuna and Mirissa.
- Adam's Peak: From the Unduvap full moon, around 24 December in 2026.
- Yala: Good wildlife viewing.
What to avoid in December
- The east coast.
- Last minute bookings over Christmas and New Year.
Festivals and events in December
- Unduvap Poya (around 24 December 2026): The start of the Adam's Peak pilgrimage season.
- Christmas: Celebrated widely, especially in Colombo and Negombo.
Weather in December
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with December 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 December
Our suggestion for December: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Yala and the south coast. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates, or try your own route in our trip planner.
Tip: Book Christmas and New Year beach hotels several months ahead.
Want a December 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 November or January? See Sri Lanka in November and Sri Lanka in January, 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 December a good time to visit Sri Lanka?
Yes for the south, west and hills; the east coast is wet.
Sources we checked
Sri Lanka month by month
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