When to Go
Sri Lanka in December
What Sri Lanka is like in December: weather, crowds, prices and the trips that work best that month.
4 min read · Updated 2026-08-01
Yes — December is one of Sri Lanka's strongest months. Tropical; two monsoons affecting opposite coasts
Weather and crowds
South & west dry: Peak season for the classic route. East dry: Arugam Bay surf and east-coast beaches. Inter-monsoon: Wettest island-wide. Hill country: Clearest views for tea country and hikes.
What to do in December
Best suited to nature, beach, culture trips. Good bases this month: Kandy, Ella, Yala.
Budget in this month
Plan on roughly $85 a day per person at mid-range (estimate, excluding flights).
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