Last places available for Sri Lanka this autumn with Pilar Petit
Autumn is just around the corner, and we have selected our standout destinations. One of our star trips is Sri Lanka, a jewel of Southeast Asia, accompanied by our guide Pilar Petit.
Who said the million-smile country was Thailand? Come to Sri Lanka and you will see!
This is how he described his first experience Isi Juve, after 2 days pedaling around Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka emerged a few years ago from a civil war between the government and the Tamil Tigers. Now, following peace agreements, the country is showing its best side.
Like the countries of Southeast Asia, the island’s climate is shaped by monsoons, so it is important to know the best time to travel to Sri Lanka if we want to avoid surprises. In fact, Sri Lanka has a tropical monsoon climate with an annual average temperature close to 27 degrees, making it a destination you can visit year-round. Rain is frequent during the monsoon, but even then there are sunny, hot days.
The climate in the island of Sri Lanka has two wet seasons:
- The Southwest Monsoon
It blows between May and August, is the most intense of the two and brings rain along the south and west coast and on the central plateau. It's like nature squeezes a giant sponge over those areas, leaving them super green and full of life. - The monsoons of the northeast
They blow between October and January, bringing rain to Sri Lanka’s northern and eastern coasts. Less intense than the southwestern monsoon, they are still a welcome gift to the land and plants. The driest months, December to March, can be ideal for hiking and enjoying clear panoramic views.
Knowing when the monsoons occur and which places are most affected helps us plan our itinerary. Given the island’s almost continental scale, The weather we're going to find in the mountains is very different from what we'll find on the coast..
What is the best time to travel to Sri Lanka?
If we plan to visit the south and west coast during the months of May to August, when the southwest monsoon is at its peak, we must be prepared for heavy rains in areas such as Colombo, Galle and Bentota. However, this time can also be ideal for exploring lush nature and waterfalls that wake up with rain.
If we plan to explore the central mountains, such as Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella, it is important to keep in mind that the climate can be cool and humid all year round due to altitude.
In many parts of Sri Lanka’s interior, people smile and say “ayuboan” — hello and welcome — with their hands together. There are still places where visitors feel like rock stars, surrounded by curious children keen to meet a foreigner.
Ayuboan!
“I’ve been here for 3 days and all I see are smiles and people waving to me!” Isi Juvé
Three landmarks of Sri Lanka: the World Heritage temples, colonial cities and nature reserves.
Travel to Sri Lanka in winter, December to February
Coinciding with every full moon from January to May, Buddhists, Christians and Muslims begin the pilgrimage to the summit of Adam’s Peak, 5,200 steps to watch one of Southeast Asia’s finest sunrises. Quite a spectacle!
In addition, this is the driest season, perfect for visiting the mountainous area and the beaches of the west and south of the island. However, if we plan to travel east of Sri Lanka during the months of December and January, we may encounter the occasional shower brought by the Maha monsoon.
Travelling to Sri Lanka in spring, March to May
Our spring is, as far as climate is concerned, one of the best seasons to visit Sri Lanka, and it is during the months of March and April when we'll probably find clear skies all over the island. Between late April and early May, the first rains will begin.
If we used to say that until May we can enjoy the pilgrimage to Adam’s Peak, April has the added attraction of the Sinhala New Year, with all kinds of celebrations taking place throughout the month.
Travelling to Sri Lanka in summer, June to August
If we decide to travel during our summer to Sri Lanka, we are sure to encounter rain. As mentioned, the Yala, or southwest monsoon, begins in May and lasts until late September.
Even so, for those less interested in beaches, it remains a good time for a cultural itinerary and a chance to enjoy nature at its most lush. During July, Esala Perahera Festival, the most famous Buddhist festival in the country, where we can see processions accompanied by decorated elephants in Kandy. We love this festival so much that every year we arrange Special trips to visit the Perahera festival in Kandy.
Travelling to Sri Lanka in autumn: September to November
If what you're looking for is to enjoy the sun and the beaches of the country, September, October and November are the months that offer the best conditions to do so. As in the month of April, we will usually find a sunny climate without rainfall.
Rains and temperatures in Sri Lanka
Travel to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka with Pilar Petit.
Originally from Barcelona, Pilar Petit settled in Sri Lanka in 1994. After a year coordinating humanitarian projects for Doctors Without Borders, she decided to stay, drawn by the island’s beauty and its people’s smiles. Over the years, she has enjoyed this wonderful island while deepening her understanding of its culture and spirituality.
Now we have the opportunity to benefit from their experience.
| Route | Departure | Duration |
| Special Perahera Festival | 22/08 | 17 days |
| The great island of the Indian Ocean | 12/09 | 16 days |
| The great island of the Indian Ocean | 03/10 | 16 days |
| Culture, tradition and hidden landscapes | 18/10 | 16 days |
| Culture, tradition and hidden landscapes | 05/11 | 16 days |
Sri Lanka✔️ Departure 12 SEP | 3 Oct 2026
✔️ Price from 2970€
✔️ Daily departures 2026
✔️ Price from 2170€
✔️ Departures 2027
✔️ In preparation