Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka in January

January is one of the best times to visit Sri Lanka.

Great time High season

Sri Lanka. January. North-east monsoon at its tail end. West and south coasts (Galle, Mirissa, Tangalle) are in excellent shape — the prime beach season. Colombo weather is sunny and breezy. Whale-watching from Mirissa peaks. The Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura) is dry and accessible. Hill country (Ella, Nuwara Eliya) is cool with some mist. East coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay) has residual rain from the north-east monsoon.

Festivals in January

Duruthu Perahera Celebration (approximate dates)

January procession at the Kelaniya temple near Colombo, marking the Buddha's visit to the island.

Full moon of the Sinhala month of Duruthu, usually in January.

Where to go in Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura
AnuradhapuraAnuradhapura is Sri Lanka's first ancient capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was one of the great cities of the ancient world, housing a sophisticated…
 Colombo
ColomboColombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka, a vibrant port city on the western coast that blends colonial-era architecture with gleaming…
 Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara EliyaNuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka's highest town at 1,868 metres, a hill station developed by the British as a cool retreat that earned the nickname 'Little England'…
 Arugam Bay
Arugam BayArugam Bay is a small coastal town on Sri Lanka's east coast, consistently ranked among the top ten surfing destinations in the world, with a right-hand point…
 Polonnaruwa
PolonnaruwaPolonnaruwa was Sri Lanka's second ancient capital, flourishing between the 10th and 13th centuries AD and home to some of the finest medieval architecture in…
 Mirissa
MirissaMirissa is a small beach town on Sri Lanka's southern coast, beloved for its crescent-shaped bay of golden sand, swaying coconut palms, and the best blue whale…
Sri Lanka in December Sri Lanka in February

Other places with good weather in January

Burma in January Cambodia in January Laos in January Malaysia in January Nepal in January Philippines in January Singapore in January Thailand in January
Sri Lanka all year round Which visa do you need for Sri Lanka? Best time to visit Southeast Asia, month by month

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