Sri Lanka is best in February because…

The temperature at this time is hot but not too humid so you won’t be drenched in sweat all the time. Expect around 30 °C around the coasts and the Cultural Triangle. In the highlands the temperatures are usually cooler (around 20 °C).

Kandy, Colombo, Galle, Nuwara Eliya, Bentota, Weligama, Mirissa, Hikkaduwa.

Virtually nowhere! The monsoon in the northeast will have died down by now and while there might still be the odd bit of rain in the North and around the Cultural Triangle, it certainly isn’t enough to deter you from going.

As for the national parks, Yala National Park will have completely dried out by this point so you have a good chance of spotting a leopard dozing in the sun.

You can also see sperm and blue whales as well as dolphins off the coast of Mirissa in February.

Up in the highlands the temperature will be dry and a bit cooler – averaging around 20°C during the day. This is ideal weather for hiking and exploring the tea plantations. Beware, however, that it can get pretty cold at night time.

February 4th is Sri Lanka’s national day. This day celebrates Sri Lanka gaining independence from British rule in 1948. Festivities include dancing in the streets, colourful costumes and a lot of flag waving. It’s not a key event on our list, but if you have some spare time make sure to be a part of the festivities.