Sri Lanka by train

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The best time to travel to Sri Lanka

For a relatively small country off the coast of India, it has quite a variety of weather, as two monsoons affect the island. The main monsoon, “Yala”, which brings most of Sri Lanka's rain, comes from the south-west. Yala affects the west and south-west coasts from May to September, although the wettest months are April to June. The milder “Maha” monsoon hits the north-east from November to March, bringing the heaviest rainfall in November and December.

We recommend thinking about where your main destination is and timing your trip around that region. To visit the whole country, we recommend May, as it historically falls between the monsoon seasons, when the least rain falls across the country. If you want to see wildlife, Yala National Park is best visited from February to June. If you're heading to the north or east coast, come between May and September; if you're visiting the west or south coast, come between December and March.

Confusing weather aside, Sri Lanka is definitely worth a trip. Known for its famous train journeys, picturesque beaches and centuries-old ruins, Sri Lanka might just knock your socks off.

• High season: December – April
• Low season: May–August