Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka in May

May is not a good time to visit Sri Lanka.

Poor time Low season

Sri Lanka. May. South-west monsoon arrives on the west and south coasts. Colombo, Galle, and Mirissa become grey and wet; beaches are rough and often non-swimable. Some resorts on the south coast close for renovation. The east coast (Trincomalee, Nilaveli) is now dry and coming into its best season. Inland sites (Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy) remain accessible despite intermittent rain. Hotel prices drop significantly on the west coast.

Festivals in May

Vesak Poya Celebration (approximate dates)

The most sacred Buddhist full moon, streets lit with lanterns and free food stalls (dansala). Usually May.

Full moon of the month of Vesak, usually in May; in years with an extra lunar month it can move to late April or June.

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 April Sri Lanka in June

Other places with good weather in May

Burma in May Indonesia in May Malaysia in May Philippines in May Singapore in May
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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