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Best time to go to Northwestern Sri Lanka

Find the best time to travel to Northwestern Sri Lanka using month-by-month climate and weather. Also compare tourist crowding by season. Also explore the region's main cities to find best time to go to Sri Lanka. Identify the activities to prioritize by month.

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Find your best time to Northwestern Sri Lanka

Check your ideal travel criteria and find the best time to go to Northwestern Sri Lanka according to your preferences.
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Best time to go to Northwestern Sri Lanka

Page summary

Northwestern Sri Lanka : best time to go in short
Most pleasant sea
above 28.8°C
AprilMay
Climate

Climate of Northwestern Sri Lanka

Explore monthly temperatures and rainfall city by city in Northwestern Sri Lanka with our detailed climate charts.

Weather charts: temperatures and precipitation in Northwestern Sri Lanka

Climate averages in Puttalam

More details
25°C to 32°C 2256 mm/year (max 393 mm/month)

Temperatures

Average curve and range between monthly minima and maxima.
Average Min / max

Precipitation

Average monthly rainfall observed each month.
Average rainfall
Cities and places

Main cities of Northwestern Sri Lanka

Compare the main towns in the region to choose your base according to the weather, climate and the best time to travel.

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Puttalam
Best time to go Climate

Puttalam

Kurunegala
Best time to go Climate

Kurunegala

Chilaw
Best time to go Climate

Chilaw

Kuliyapitiya
Best time to go Climate

Kuliyapitiya

Kalpitiya
Best time to go Climate

Kalpitiya

Activities

Best time to go to Northwestern Sri Lanka according to your preferences

Identify the most favorable months for each travel desire to Northwestern Sri Lanka and the activities you wish to do there.

Diving and snorkeling

9/10
Best months
January February March July August
The Northwest of Sri Lanka offers the chance to explore reefs and seagrass beds on snorkeling and light diving outings from Kalpitiya, Chilaw or Puttalam. Expect often... little-visited sites, visibility varying with weather and season; trips generally depart from the coast or the lagoon and may require a local operator and boat travel depending on conditions.

Animal observation

9/10
Best months
January February March July August
In the North-West of Sri Lanka, wildlife watching combines lagoon birding with encounters with small rural fauna. Kalpitiya offers lagoons and varied birdlife, and the coast... sometimes allows glimpses of marine animals; from Kurunegala and Kuliyapitiya, expect paddy edges, scrub and nearby reserves to observe birds, small mammals and insects. Adapt your outings to local conditions and cooler hours.

Beach and swimming

9/10
Best months
January February March
In the North-West of Sri Lanka, the beaches of Chilaw, Kalpitiya and Puttalam offer swimming in generally shallow waters and calm shorelines, suitable for relaxing and... bathing when the sea is calm. These coasts also allow exploration of lagoons and sandbanks from these towns, while remaining attentive to changing currents and periods of stronger winds.

Nature and landscapes

8/10
Best months
January February March July August
In the North-West of Sri Lanka, discovering the panoramas alternates between mangroves, lagoons, flat coastline and agricultural plains. From Kurunegala, Kalpitiya, Chilaw... , Puttalam or Kuliyapitiya, you have easy access to viewpoints, coastal walks and boat trips to observe vegetation, salt pans and rice fields. Trails are generally accessible, but visibility and comfort vary by season; bring appropriate gear and allow travel time from each town.

Boat trip and cruise

8/10
Best months
January February March July August
Cruises and sea excursions in the North-West of Sri Lanka offer coastal outings from Kalpitiya, Chilaw and Puttalam for fishing, marine wildlife watching and visiting islands... and mangroves. These short departures allow exploration of the local coastline; the frequency and comfort of the outings remain dependent on sea conditions and can vary by season and operator.

Watersports

8/10
Best months
January February March July August
In the North-West of Sri Lanka, water sports offer different experiences by area: Kalpitiya is popular for kitesurfing thanks to its lagoon and steady winds, while Chilaw and... Puttalam are better suited to paddleboarding, kayaking and light sailing when the sea is calm. The towns mentioned serve as departure points; conditions vary locally and by season, so adapt your choice accordingly.

Well-being

6/10
Best months
January February March April
In Sri Lanka’s North West, wellness offerings are mainly simple and focused on relaxation: Ayurvedic massages, seaside yoga and restful stays. Kuliyapitiya, Kurunegala... , Kalpitiya, Chilaw and Puttalam serve as calm bases for alternating walks, local treatments and rest. Expect modest facilities rather than high-end spa centers; adjust your expectations according to the town you choose.
Visitor numbers

Crowd levels and tourist seasons

Compare the busiest periods and the quieter months to plan your trip to Northwestern Sri Lanka according to the atmosphere you seek.

Peak season
December
High season
September
Mid-season
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilJuneJulyAugust
Low season
MayOctoberNovember
Crowds at a glance

How do visitor numbers change in Northwestern Sri Lanka?

Visitor numbers in Northwestern Sri Lanka vary significantly depending on the time of year. The choice of month can therefore really change the atmosphere of the trip: livelier in high season, more relaxed and quieter in low season.

The high season is concentrated mainly in September and December, with more visitors, a livelier atmosphere and often increased demand for accommodations.

To travel with fewer crowds, the months of January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, October and November are generally the most interesting in terms of crowds.

Updated on 15/09/2026

Visitor index month by month

An index from 0 to 100 to visualize how visitor numbers vary over the year.
The information and the chart above are an average of visitor numbers in Northwestern Sri Lanka. The low and high season dates may therefore vary depending on regions, cities, climate, or certain local events.
Regions

Other regions of Sri Lanka

Find our information on the climate and the best times for the other regions of Sri Lanka.

Frequently asked questions

Best time to go to Northwestern Sri Lanka: Frequently asked questions

Short answers to the questions we most often ask ourselves before booking.

The best weather conditions in Northwestern Sri Lanka are concentrated over 9 months: January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September and December. It is during this period that the weather is considered good to ideal.

No month is really to be avoided in Northwestern Sri Lanka: conditions remain fair to favorable throughout the year. The choice should be made based on prices, crowd levels or your preferred activities on site.

Precipitation is concentrated mainly in these months: May, June, July, August, October and November. The peak occurs in June, with about 514 mm of precipitation spread over approximately 21 wet days. Conversely, the driest month is February, with about 93 mm.

The hottest month in Northwestern Sri Lanka is March, with an average of 34°C during the day and 32°C at night. The coolest is December, with 30°C during the day and 29°C at night.

Swimming is most pleasant when the water temperature exceeds 29°C, that is during these months: April and May. The peak is reached in April, with about 30°C on average.

Visitor levels are significantly higher during these months: September and December. For a quieter trip, aim for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, October and November. Over the year, the average visitor index is 44/100.

We detail the month-by-month weather for 5 cities in Northwestern Sri Lanka, including Puttalam, Kurunegala and Chilaw. Compare them before finalizing your itinerary: conditions can vary significantly from one area to another.
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