The short answer
- Month
- November
- Verdict
- Mixed
- South and west coasts
- Showers, drying out
- East coast
- Wet: monsoon
- Cultural Triangle
- Wet
- Hill country
- Wet
November is changeable. The east and north are now in their monsoon, while the south and west coasts gradually improve through the month.
Where it is dry in November
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so one coast is usually dry. The map opens on November; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
November
North east monsoon in the east and north; the south coast starts to dry out.
- West coast (mixed)Colombo, Negombo, Bentota
- South coast (mixed)Galle, Unawatuna, Mirissa
- Yala (mixed)south east safari parks
- North (Jaffna) (wet or difficult)
- Cultural Triangle (wet or difficult)Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa
- East coast (wet or difficult)Trincomalee, Pasikudah, Arugam Bay
- Hill country (wet or difficult)Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella
November across the year
How November compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is November.
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 November
- The south coast: Galle and the beaches improve as the month goes on.
- Yala: Open again after the annual closure.
- Kandy: Culture between showers.
What to avoid in November
- The east coast: many hotels close.
- Expecting dry hill walks.
Festivals and events in November
- Il Poya (November full moon): Temple observances across the country.
Weather in November
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with November 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 November
Our suggestion for November: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Yala and Galle. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates, or try your own route in our trip planner.
Tip: Late November is better than early November for the south coast.
Want a November 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 October or December? See Sri Lanka in October and Sri Lanka in December, 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 November a good time to visit Sri Lanka?
It is mixed: wet in the east and north, improving in the south and west.
Sources we checked
Sri Lanka month by month
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