The short answer
- Month
- May
- Verdict
- Good
- South and west coasts
- Wet: monsoon arrives
- East coast
- Dry and sunny
- Cultural Triangle
- Dry
- Hill country
- Showers, especially west
May marks the switch: rain arrives on the west and south coasts and in the western hills, while the east coast and the Cultural Triangle are dry and sunny. Prices drop and the island is quieter.
Where it is dry in May
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so one coast is usually dry. The map opens on May; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
May
The south west monsoon arrives on the west and south coasts; the east is now good.
- North (Jaffna) (best)
- Cultural Triangle (best)Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa
- East coast (best)Trincomalee, Pasikudah, Arugam Bay
- Yala (best)south east safari parks
- Hill country (mixed)Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella
- West coast (wet or difficult)Colombo, Negombo, Bentota
- South coast (wet or difficult)Galle, Unawatuna, Mirissa
May across the year
How May compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is May.
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 May
- The east coast: Nilaveli, Pigeon Island and Pasikudah have calm, clear water.
- The Cultural Triangle: Dry, with fewer visitors.
- Yala: Still open and quieter than in the peak season.
What to avoid in May
- South coast beach stays: seas are rough and many beaches unsafe for swimming.
- Adam's Peak after Vesak, when the season ends.
Festivals and events in May
- Vesak (May full moon, around 20 May in 2027): The Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, marked with lanterns, light displays and free food stalls.
Weather in May
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with May 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 May
Our suggestion for May: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, then Trincomalee and the east coast. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates, or try your own route in our trip planner.
Tip: Stay out after dark on Vesak to see the lanterns and pandals in Colombo and Kandy.
Want a May 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 April or June? See Sri Lanka in April and Sri Lanka in June, 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 May a good time to visit Sri Lanka?
Yes, if you head east: the east coast and Cultural Triangle are dry, while the south west is wet. It is also good value.
Sources we checked
Sri Lanka month by month
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