The short answer
- Month
- July
- Verdict
- Good
- South and west coasts
- Showers, improving
- East coast
- Dry and sunny
- Cultural Triangle
- Dry
- Hill country
- Showers
July is the heart of the east coast season. It is also busy with summer holiday visitors, and the Kandy Esala Perahera begins in late July in some years (in 2026 it began on 18 August).
Where it is dry in July
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so one coast is usually dry. The map opens on July; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
July
East coast season; the Kandy Esala Perahera usually falls in late July or August.
- North (Jaffna) (best)
- Cultural Triangle (best)Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa
- East coast (best)Trincomalee, Pasikudah, Arugam Bay
- Yala (best)south east safari parks
- West coast (mixed)Colombo, Negombo, Bentota
- Hill country (mixed)Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella
- South coast (mixed)Galle, Unawatuna, Mirissa
July across the year
How July compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is July.
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 July
- The east coast: Calm seas from Trincomalee to Arugam Bay.
- Minneriya: The elephant Gathering starts to build.
- Kandy: Check the Perahera dates when the temple announces them.
What to avoid in July
- Assuming Perahera dates: they follow the lunar calendar and change each year.
Festivals and events in July
- Kataragama festival: Pilgrims walk from the north and east to the Kataragama shrine near Yala, ending around the Esala full moon.
- Esala Perahera: Kandy's ten night procession, in July or August.
Weather in July
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with July 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 12 day trip for July
Our suggestion for July: Sigiriya, Minneriya, Kandy, Ella, then Trincomalee or Arugam Bay. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates, or try your own route in our trip planner.
Tip: Summer is busy with families: book east coast hotels early.
Want a July trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 12 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about June or August? See Sri Lanka in June and Sri Lanka in August, 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 July a good time to visit Sri Lanka?
Yes, especially for the east coast and the Cultural Triangle.
Sources we checked
Sri Lanka month by month
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