Sri Lanka In December: What to Expect

Sri Lanka in December is one of the most favorable months to explore the country. While Sri Lanka is lively and worth visiting throughout the year, December is an on-season on the west and south coasts. One can soak the sunshine on the mesmerizing beaches while enjoying refreshing coconut water or beer. As it comes under the peak tourist season, there are larger crowds, and accommodations should be booked in advance. Here are some aspects of Sri Lanka in December.

Weather in Sri Lanka in December

After facing heavy southwestern monsoon rains between May and September, the southwest region, including places like Galle Colombo, experiences the pleasingly warm and dry season from December to March. Sri Lanka, in December, sees the northeast monsoon bringing rain to the eastern and northern regions (Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa), while the southwest (Colombo, Galle, Bentota) experiences reduced rainfall and plenty of sunny days. Average temperatures in Southwest Sri Lanka (Colombo, Galle, Bentota) are around 28°C to 30°C, and rainfall is light to moderate with mostly clear skies. In the North and East (Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa), temperature averages between 29°C to 31°C, with frequent rainfall due to the northeast monsoon.

In the Central Highlands (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella) experience cooler weather with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 23°C. It experiences occasional showers and cooler evenings. The Cultural Triangle, which includes ancient cities such as Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, usually has mild and dry weather in December, perfect for exploring historical attractions. Sri Lanka is a year-round holiday destination, although December to mid-April is considered the peak season.

Crowds in Sri Lanka in December

Popular Tourist Spots: Crowds are at their highest in December, especially in beach destinations and cultural areas like Kandy and the Cultural Triangle. Booking in advance is crucial if you want to secure a place in high-demand areas.
Festive Season: The combination of Christmas, New Year celebrations, and local festivals brings both international tourists and locals out, especially toward the end of the month.

Costs in Sri Lanka in December

Higher Prices: Accommodation rates, tours, and even transport costs tend to increase significantly. December’s surge in tourism leads to price hikes, especially in popular regions like the southern beaches and central highlands.
Flights: International flights to Sri Lanka also experience price increases as travelers flock in for the holiday season. It’s best to book flights as early as possible to secure better rates.

Best places to visit in December

1) Galle

Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Sri Lanka, is an enchanting town to explore. With imposing Dutch colonial buildings, ancient mosques, churches, Grand mansions, museums, and various attractions along with numerous shopping destinations, Galle has to be on one's 'to visit' list.

2) Ella

During December and February, the temperature of Ella oscillates between 27°C and 23°C and is calm with no extreme weather conditions, ideal for those who enjoy the sun. December is the second busiest time of the year to be in Ella. However, slight rain every other day lowers the temperature and makes the tea plantations dewy and scented with petrichor. The various hotspots in Ella, like Ella Rock, Little Adam's Peak, & the famous Nine Arch Bridge, keep the region bustling with tourists.

3) Negombo

The pleasant months of December to April are generally considered as the ideal time to visit Negombo. Negombo Lagoon is fed by several small rivers and a canal that is linked to the sea by a narrow channel towards the north, near Negombo city. It is a dense marsh region grassland and blesses the tourists with sightings of beautiful birds while they enjoy a boat ride in the lagoon.

4) Colombo

In December, Colombo has low humidity in spite of frequent rainfalls. The rainfalls keep the weather fresh and well-suited for sightseeing and other outdoor activities. It is an excellent time to enjoy the beaches and the exciting nightlife that allures the tourists. The weather, with less heat and humidity during this time, is also suitable for shopping and excursions in Colombo. Tourists can take full advantage of the other in this month to visit places like Kelaniya Raja MahaVihara, Seema Malaka, Colombo Dutch Museum, Independence Square, etc.

4. Visit National Parks

Yala National Park and Gal Oya are both excellent.
Bundala National Park is famous in December for bird watching and spotting crocodiles and elephants.
Udawalawe National Park covers an area of 30,821 hectares and is home to monkeys, deer, crocodiles, leopards, sloth bears, giant flying squirrels, a rich array of birdlife, and elephants. The park is covered in light and arid scrub and is famous for a safari in October to January.
Horton's Plains National Park: The best time of the year to visit Horton Plains is from January to March. December is the most comfortable and dry time for hiking and enjoying the safari. The lush greenery after the monsoons leaves the Horton plains utterly breathtaking.

The Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka in December

December to March is mostly dry across the famous Cultural Triangle and southern coastline, making it the best time to plan a trip to the heritage sites. The cultural triangle of Sri Lanka includes the cultural highlights of Kandy, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, and Dambulla. While Kandy is the cultural capital, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura are famous for their ancient history and ruins.

Dambulla, in Jaffna, has the Golden Temple of Dambulla, which is the best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, apart from being a World Heritage Site. Sigiriya has great mythological importance and is famous for its palace ruins on top of a massive 370-meter-high rock. It is also called the Lion Rock and is surrounded by an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures at the base of the landscape. The gardens are utterly breathtaking to look at from the top of the 370-meter-high rock.

Festivals in Sri Lanka in December:

1. Sri Pada Pilgrimage (Adam's Peak): Adam's Peak is famous for its views of scenic beauty and witnesses a national and one of the most popular events in Sri Lanka, called the Pada Pilgrimage. The pilgrimage to Adam's top is Sri Lanka's most massive religious expedition. Duration: It begins on the full moon of December and continues until the moon of April.
2. Vesak Poya: It marks the end of Adam's Peak pilgrimage season, and more importantly, it is the birth date of Lord Buddha.
3. Unduvap Poya: A festival celebrated in Anuradhapura to commemorate the arrival of the Bodhi tree from India. Thousands of pilgrims, both locals and foreigners, attend the event with utter devotion.
4. The Colombo Shopping Festival (CSF): Other than religious festivals, Sri Lanka has an exciting shopping festival held in Colombo every year during December for the Christmas season and again for Sinhala Tamil New Year. The Colombo Shopping Festival attracts about 80000 visitors eyeing the substantial discounts and is an ultimate shoppers' paradise. There are approximately 250 Exhibitors every year and it is like a fair with a lot of food, play areas for kids, and lots of music and entertainment. It stays for a week in December every year from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM, all days during the fest. Entry tickets are 100 LKR per person.