Sri Lanka In December: Weather and Places To Explore The Beautiful Island Nation

Sri Lanka in December is one of the most favorable months to explore the country. While Sri Lanka is lively and worth visiting throughout the year, December is an on-season on the west and south coasts. One can soak the sunshine on the mesmerizing beaches while enjoying refreshing coconut water or beer. As it comes under the peak tourist season, there are larger crowds, and accommodations should be booked in advance. Here are some aspects of Sri Lanka in December.

Weather in Sri Lanka in December

After facing heavy southwestern monsoon rains between May and September, the southwest region, including places like Galle Colombo, experiences the pleasingly warm and dry season from December to March. The day temperature in December is 30°C, and the lovely evenings see a temperature drop to 22ºC, making it the prime time for tourism in the southwest, while the northeast is rainy and wet.

In the central Highlands, destinations like Kandy and Nuwara Eliya experience cooler weather with temperatures ranging from 22-26°C. The Cultural Triangle, which includes ancient cities such as Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, usually has mild and dry weather in December, perfect for exploring historical attractions. Sri Lanka is a year-round holiday destination, although December to mid-April is considered the peak season.

Best places to visit in December

1) Galle

2) Ella 

During December and February, the temperature of Ella oscillates between 27°C and 23°C and is calm with no extreme weather conditions, ideal for those who enjoy the sun. December is the second busiest time of the year to be in Ella. However, slight rain every other day lowers the temperature and makes the tea plantations dewy and scented with petrichor. The various hotspots in Ella, like Ella Rock, Little Adam's Peak, & the famous Nine Arch Bridge, keep the region bustling with tourists.

3) Negombo

The pleasant months of December to April are generally considered as the ideal time to visit Negombo. Negombo Lagoon is fed by several small rivers and a canal that is linked to the sea by a narrow channel towards the north, near Negombo city. It is a dense marsh region grassland and blesses the tourists with sightings of beautiful birds while they enjoy a boat ride in the lagoon. 
Angurukaramulla Temple: It is a colorful Buddhist temple with a 6-meter-tall Buddha, ornate sculptures, murals & the ruins of a historical library.
The St. Mary's Church: One of the largest cathedrals in Sri Lanka, Saint Mary's is a modern Roman Catholic church in Negombo. 
A lot of activities, like Kitesurfing, boating, etc., take place on Brown's Beach and Negombo Beach.

4) Colombo

In December, Colombo has low humidity in spite of frequent rainfalls. The rainfalls keep the weather fresh and well-suited for sightseeing and other outdoor activities. It is an excellent time to enjoy the beaches and the exciting nightlife that allures the tourists. The weather, with less heat and humidity during this time, is also suitable for shopping and excursions in Colombo. Tourists can take full advantage of the other in this month to visit places like Kelaniya Raja MahaVihara, Seema Malaka, Colombo Dutch Museum, Independence Square, etc.

National parks to visit in December:

1) Yala National Park and Gal Oya are both excellent.

2) Bundala National Park is famous in December for bird watching and spotting crocodiles and elephants.

3) Udawalawe National Park covers an area of 30,821 hectares and is home to monkeys, deer, crocodiles, leopards, sloth bears, giant flying squirrels, a rich array of birdlife, and elephants. The park is covered in light and arid scrub and is famous for a safari in October to January.

4) Horton's Plains National Park
The best time of the year to visit Horton Plains is from January to March. December is the most comfortable and dry time for hiking and enjoying the safari. The lush greenery after the monsoons leaves the Horton plains utterly breathtaking.

The Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka in December :

December to March is mostly dry across the famous Cultural Triangle and southern coastline, making it the best time to plan a trip to the heritage sites. The cultural triangle of Sri Lanka includes the cultural highlights of Kandy, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, and Dambulla. While Kandy is the cultural capital, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura are famous for their ancient history and ruins.

Dambulla, in Jaffna, has the Golden Temple of Dambulla, which is the best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, apart from being a World Heritage Site. Sigiriya has great mythological importance and is famous for its palace ruins on top of a massive 370-meter-high rock. It is also called the Lion Rock and is surrounded by an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures at the base of the landscape. The gardens are utterly breathtaking to look at from the top of the 370-meter-high rock. 

Festivals in Sri Lanka in December:

1. Sri Pada Pilgrimage (Adam's Peak): Adam's Peak is famous for its views of scenic beauty and witnesses a national and one of the most popular events in Sri Lanka, called the Pada Pilgrimage. The pilgrimage to Adam's top is Sri Lanka's most massive religious expedition. Duration: It begins on the full moon of December and continues until the moon of April. 

2. Vesak Poya: It marks the end of Adam's Peak pilgrimage season, and more importantly, it is the birth date of Lord Buddha.

3. Unduvap Poya: A festival celebrated in Anuradhapura to commemorate the arrival of the Bodhi tree from India. Thousands of pilgrims, both locals and foreigners, attend the event with utter devotion.

4. The Colombo Shopping Festival (CSF): Other than religious festivals, Sri Lanka has an exciting shopping festival held in Colombo every year during December for the Christmas season and again for Sinhala Tamil New Year. The Colombo Shopping Festival attracts about 80000 visitors eyeing the substantial discounts and is an ultimate shoppers' paradise. There are approximately 250 Exhibitors every year and it is like a fair with a lot of food, play areas for kids, and lots of music and entertainment. 

It stays for a week in December every year from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM, all days during the fest. Entry tickets are 100 LKR per person.

Beaches and water-based sports activities in Sri Lanka in December

1. Unawatuna:
Beach at Unawatuna is a popular weekend getaway for locals from the charming colonial town of Galle, which is only 5 km away. The towering dagoba present here offers magical views at sunset. 

2. Bentota:
The temperature is ideal for water sports and adventure activities on the lovely beaches of Bentota. Waterskiing, jet skiing, sailing, and windsurfing are some of the popular water sports attracting tourists mostly during December at Bentota Beach. Bentota River is also famous for boat safaris that connect with the lagoon, providing mangrove scenery and some aquatic birds that can be spotted. 

3. Hikkaduwa:
The beach town draws visitors with its lively nightlife. It also hosts the annual three-day Beach Fest in December, when international DJs spin out tunes all night long out on the beach.
December is an ideal time to try snorkeling and diving at the fantastic shipwrecks near the South Western coasts. Waves and wind are suitable for surfing and kite surfing during this time of the year. 

Kitesurfing, white water rafting, kayaking, etc., at popular adventure venues like the Kelani River in Kitulgala, are safest during the period from May to December.

Apart from that, Trincomalee Beach and golden sandy palm-fringed Tangalle Beach are some of the most mesmerizing and entertaining beaches. Rekawa Beach is famous for turtle nesting and utterly breathtaking sunsets. December is the best and safest time to swim and relax on the beaches.