Colombo is at its best from December to March.
It is busiest and priciest in December to February.
Expect the most rain in May to November.
Here is every month at a glance, the dates to plan around, and flights from five Indian cities.
Colombo month by month
Average highs and lows, rain, the season and what's on, for the next twelve months.
| Month | Weather | Season | What's on |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 29° / 24°very wet, 329 mm | Off-season | Dussehra |
| November 2026 | 29° / 24°very wet, 421 mm | Off-season | Diwali |
| December 2026Best weather | 30° / 23°rainy spells, 148 mm | Peak | Christmas and New Year |
| January 2027Best weather | 30° / 23°some rain, 88 mm | Peak | Christmas and New YearRepublic Day weekend |
| February 2027Best weather | 32° / 23°mostly dry, 47 mm | Peak | Dry, sunny season on the west and south coasts (Colombo, Galle, Mirissa). Whale... |
| March 2027Best weather | 31° / 24°rainy spells, 93 mm | Shoulder | HoliGood Friday weekend |
| April 2027 | 31° / 25°rainy spells, 148 mm | Shoulder | Indian summer holidays |
| May 2027 | 30° / 26°very wet, 391 mm | Off-season | Indian summer holidaysVesak |
| June 2027 | 29° / 26°very wet, 269 mm | Off-season | Indian summer holidays |
| July 2027 | 29° / 26°wet, 173 mm | Off-season | Southwest monsoon: rain and rough seas on the west and south coasts. The east coast... |
| August 2027 | 28° / 25°wet, 185 mm | Shoulder | Southwest monsoon: rain and rough seas on the west and south coasts. The east coast... |
| September 2027 | 29° / 25°very wet, 257 mm | Off-season | Southwest monsoon: rain and rough seas on the west and south coasts. The east coast... |
Dates to plan around
Festivals, holidays and closures in Colombo, and the Indian holiday rushes that raise fares.
- 20 OctDussehraDussehra falls on Tuesday 20 Oct: many take the Monday off for a four-day weekend, so short trips abroad cost more that week.
- 6–10 NovDiwaliDiwali (Lakshmi Puja on Sunday 8 Nov): the busiest travel week of the autumn. Fares out of India rise, and short trips to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore book up.
- 19 Dec – 3 JanChristmas and New YearThe priciest fortnight of the year to fly out of India: school holidays, Christmas and New Year all at once. Book early or go just before or after.
- 23–26 JanRepublic Day weekendRepublic Day falls on Tuesday 26 Jan: take the Monday off and it's a four-day weekend, so short trips abroad book up.
- 22–23 MarHoliHoli (22-23 Mar) and Good Friday (26 Mar) fall in the same week, a favourite week for short trips abroad, so fares rise.
- 26–28 MarGood Friday weekendGood Friday (26 Mar) makes a long weekend in India, just after Holi.
- 15 Apr – 15 Jun · expectedIndian summer holidaysSchool holidays (roughly mid-April to mid-June, varying by state): outbound family travel peaks and fares climb, especially to the Gulf, Southeast Asia and Europe.
- 19–20 MayVesakLanterns, lit pandals and free food stalls (dansal) across the island; alcohol sales are banned on the full-moon day.
- 27–31 OctDiwaliDiwali (Lakshmi Puja on Friday 29 Oct): the busiest travel week of the autumn. Fares out of India rise, and short trips abroad book up.
Flights to Colombo from India
The cheapest fare our scanner has seen from each city in the last two weeks. Open a route to price every month live.
Good to know
When is the best time to visit Colombo?
The best weather in Colombo is from December to March. Dry, sunny season on the west and south coasts (Colombo, Galle, Mirissa). Whale watching off Mirissa runs roughly December to April. Peak season, with the most visitors and the highest hotel prices, is December to February. The quietest months are May to July and September to November.
When is the rainy season in Colombo?
The wettest months are May to November. Southwest monsoon: rain and rough seas on the west and south coasts. The east coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay) is at its best instead.
When is Colombo most crowded?
Peak season is December to February, when stays cost the most and the sights are busiest.
What is the cheapest way to fly to Colombo from India?
Of the Indian cities we track, Chennai has the lowest fare right now: ₹11,289 (one-way) for Sat 3 Oct.
How hot does Colombo get?
The hottest month is February, with average highs of 32°C; the coolest nights come in January, around 23°C.