Sri Lanka has a rather complicated climate and is affected by two separate monsoons. There is, however, usually good weather somewhere on the island most of the year.

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Yala, the main monsoon, brings rain to the west and southwest coasts and the hill country, from May to September, while Maha, the northeast monsoon hits the east coast from November to March.  There is also a period in October and November during which heavy rain and thunderstorms occur across the island.

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This means that the best time to visit the west and south coasts and hill country is from December to March, while the best weather on the east coast is from April/May to September.

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Due to its position close to the equator, temperatures on the island remain fairly constant year-round. Coastal and lowland areas enjoy average daytime temperatures of around 26–30°C (often climbing up well into the 30°Cs during the hottest part of the day). While in higher altitudes much lower temperatures are experienced.  Humidity is high everywhere, rising to a sweltering ninety percent at times in the southwest, and averaging sixty to eighty percent across the rest of the island.