Visiting Sri Lanka in March
Weather and climate
Sri Lanka in March
If you’re wondering when to go to Sri Lanka to explore both coasts, March is a great time to pick, in the shoulder season between monsoons. The west and south coasts are still dry, sunny and hot with only scattered showers expected later in the month, while on the east coast, the northeast or Maha monsoon is finally blowing itself out with drier weather towards the end of March.
The ancient cities and historic sites of the Cultural Triangle are also still hot and dry, with very little rainfall in Kandy and Tea Country as well, and temperatures in the low 20s at Nuwara Eliya this month. It’s the perfect time to get outdoors, including the beginning of the trekking season in the mountains of the Knuckles Range.
Visit before mid-month and you can still see blue whales around Mirissa on their migration route, although you’ll be able to spot other whales throughout the month. The end of the dry season is ideal for spotting animals in the national parks, including leopard at Yala, as well as the wildlife in Udawalawe and Wilpattu. Or this is also a good month to explore the rainforest at Sinharaja National Park.
Festivals: The Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratri takes place in early March (sometimes late February), one of the most important festivals of the year for the majority of Sri Lanka’s Hindu community, with ceremonies and all-night vigils.
Best for: Exploring both coasts, south and west coast beaches, trekking, blue whales, animal spotting
Monthly Sri Lanka climate chart
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North / East | ● 28°C 🌤️ |
● 29°C 🌤️ |
● 31°C 🌤️ |
● 33°C ☀️ |
● 35°C ☀️ |
● 35°C ☀️ |
● 35°C ☀️ |
● 34°C ☀️ |
● 34°C ☀️ |
● 32°C 🌦️ |
● 29°C 🌦️ |
● 28°C 🌦️ |
| Central | ● 19°C ☀️ |
● 21°C ☀️ |
● 22°C 🌤️ |
● 22°C 🌦️ |
● 21°C 🌦️ |
● 19°C 🌤️ |
● 19°C 🌤️ |
● 19°C 🌤️ |
● 20°C 🌤️ |
● 20°C 🌧️ |
● 20°C 🌧️ |
● 20°C 🌦️ |
| South / West | ● 30°C ☀️ |
● 30°C ☀️ |
● 31°C ☀️ |
● 31°C ☀️ |
● 30°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌤️ |
A few of our favourite Sri Lanka holidays
