Sri Lanka in December: Weather, What to Pack & Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Sri Lanka in December

1. Bentota Beach
2. Dondra Head Lighthouse
3. Golden Temple of Dambulla
4. Sigiriya Rock Fortress
5. Nine Arches Bridge
6. Sinharaja Forest Reserve
7. Galle Dutch Fort
8. Gangaramaya Temple
9. Sri Lanka National Museum
10. Yala National Park

Sri Lanka in December is a pure wonder to explore as it experiences incredibly pleasant weather throughout. Although you can travel here all through the year, December is the peak season due to dry weather on the west and south coasts. This is a great time to sunbathe on the golden beaches and explore the ancient heritage sites spread across the island. Be it family vacations, romantic honeymoons, trips with friends, or solo excursions, Sri Lanka is perfect for all plans in December.

Apart from the favourable weather, the numerous festivals organised in December also makes it a popular time to visit. You can participate in the vibrant Christmas festivities, go on the Adam’s Peak pilgrimage, and enjoy the Unduvap Poya celebrations. Explore Sri Lanka comfortably with your friends and family as you plan a weeklong December trip to the island nation.

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01

Why Visit Sri Lanka in December?

Sri Lanka in December experiences mild and dry weather conditions in the most popular regions, which makes it the peak season for travelling here. Temperatures in most regions except the northeast range between 22 and 30 degrees Celsius with minimal chances of rainfall.

The month is a great time to explore the outdoor attractions, beaches, heritage landmarks, and participate in thrilling activities like hiking. You can comfortably visit hill stations like Ella, cities like Colombo, and the beaches of Bentota and Unawatuna. This is also a great time to participate in festivals like Unduvap Poya and Christmas.

Essential Information About Sri Lanka in December

02

Sri Lanka Weather in December

Sri Lanka in December experiences varying weather conditions in different regions. The southwest region sees a comfortably warm and dry climate with temperatures ranging between 22 and 30 degrees Celsius. The northeast, on the other hand, sees wet and rainy conditions in December.

The Central Highlands experience cool weather conditions with temperatures in the range of 22 to 26 degrees Celsius. Even the Cultural Triangle has mild and dry weather, which makes December an overall great time to explore Sri Lanka.

03

What to Pack for Sri Lanka in December?

Sri Lanka in December has pleasant and dry weather, unless you plan to visit the northeast where it gets wet and rainy. In that case, carry rain protection like raincoats and waterproof shoes. Additionally, carry light clothes as the days are beautifully sunny. Take sunscreen and caps along, as well as necessary medications and toiletries.

If temples and sacred sites are on your itinerary, remember to carry a few pairs of clothing that cover arms and knees. Keep the necessary travel documents handy.

Places to Visit in Sri Lanka in December

04

Bentota Beach

Among the most famous beaches in Sri Lanka is the Bentota Beach, which lies on the western coastline of the country. Sit back and relax on the golden sands of the beach as you enjoy the cool sea breeze and watch the swaying palm trees. The waters are pristine and calm, which makes the beach perfect for family-friendly adventures.

You can simply sunbathe here or engage in water sports like diving, snorkelling, jet skiing, and swimming.

Location: Bentota, Sri Lanka

Timings: Open 24 hours on all days

Entry Fee: No entry fee

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05

Dondra Head Lighthouse

Ranked among the best places to see in Sri Lanka in December, Dondra Head Lighthouse lies on the southernmost point of the island. It is the country’s tallest lighthouse and is one of the tallest in Southeast Asia.

The structure is fully operational and stands amidst lush green gardens lined with palm trees. The Dondra Lighthouse offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding waters.

Location: Light House Road, Dondra, Matara, Sri Lanka

Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM on all days

Entry Fee: LKR 500 approx.

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06

Golden Temple of Dambulla

Witness the grandeur of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, which ranks among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. The attraction is a cave monastery that has been revered as a sacred pilgrimage site for over two millennia.

The cave temple complex is among the largest and best-preserved in the country and has stunning Buddhist murals and statues.

Location: Kandy-Jaffna Highway, Dambulla 21100, Sri Lanka

Timings: 7 AM to 7 PM Daily

Entry Fee: LKR 1500 for adults; LKR 750 for children aged 5 to 12 years; Free entry for children aged less than 5 years.

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07

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

If you are wondering where to travel in Sri Lanka in December, you need to add the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress to your itinerary. The hilltop fortress is among Sri Lanka’s most famous heritage landmarks and is locally known as the eighth wonder of the world.

It was constructed in the fifth century and showcases distinctly Sri Lankan architectural and art styles. What makes it unique is that it was constructed from a single rock.

Location: Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Timings: 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM Daily

Entry Fee: $18 to $36 approx. Children under 6 years have free entry.

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08

Nine Arches Bridge

Admire one of the best surviving examples of Sri Lanka’s colonial railway architecture as you visit the Nine Arches Bridge in Ella. The structure is part of the Colombo-Badulla railway and is also known as ‘Bridge in the Sky’.

The uniqueness of this bridge lies in the fact that it is built entirely from stone, bricks, and cement with no metallic components. The best time to visit is when a train crosses the heritage structure.

Location: Nine Arches Bridge, Ella, Sri Lanka

Timings: Open 24 hours on all days

Entry Fee: No entry fee

09

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Sinharaja Forest Reserve (kingdom of the lion), is a paradise for nature and wildlife lovers. It is home to a vast number of endemic species of birds and mammals of Sri Lanka. About 95 percent of Sri Lankan endemic birds and more than 50 percent of endemic mammals are known to have their habitats in this Forest Reserve. Year round, the forest is covered by plenty of rain clouds. The area span of the reserve is about 21 KM from east-west and about 7 KM from north-south.

Location: Situated in the Southern Province, a two-hour drive from Galle via Galle-Deniyaya-Madampe Highway.

Highlights: Experience the leisurely pace of wildlife and the splendor of dense and copious evergreen rainforests. The guide will tell you about different endemic species of flora and fauna that you encounter during your guided tour.

Timings: Opens daily from 6:30 AM to 6 PM

Price: Approximate price ranges from 664 LKR to 1160 LKR

10

Galle Dutch Fort

The Galle Dutch Fort happens to be one of the treasured historical monuments of Srilanka located on the southern coast of the country. The fort was constructed by the Portuguese in the course of their reign in Srilanka and was later renovated by the Dutch. The fort is one of the most important UNESCO world heritage sites out of many in Srilanka. This is because of its wonderful illustration of European Architecture and South Asian Traditions of the 16th and 19th century.

The fort displays an amazing amalgamation of age-old architecture and antiquity in the middle of astounding natural beauty.You will come across a number of lively shops, cafes, exhibition halls, lifestyle stores, and villas, which adds to the beauty of the place. It would be just amazing to move by the walls witnessing the intricate artworks and sheer craftsmanship. At the present time, the fort is still home to multi-ethnic and multi-religious population, as some properties inside the fort are still owned by many Dutch people and local Srilankan people as well.

11

Gangaramaya Temple

Gangaramaya Temple is not only one of the most beautiful but also one of the most iconic Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. It is more than a century since this temple was constructed; however even today, the temple doesn’t stop to surprise tourists and devotees. The pathways and doors that lead into the main sanctum sanctorum contain intricately carved sculptures that are simply breath-taking.

Highlights: The ceilings and walls contain pictures and miniature paintings that explain stories from Buddhism religion. In the main sanctorum, a huge Buddha statue exudes a brilliant sense of calmness in the devotees. Built in a mix of various architectural styles including India, Burmese, Thai and Chinese, this temple also houses a museum.

Location: The temple is located right on the Jinaratana Road in the heart of Colombo city.

Timings: The temple is open from 5.30AM to 10PM.

Price: Entry fee is LKR200 per adult.

12

National Museum Of Colombo

The largest museum in Sri Lanka, the National Museum of Colombo was established in January 1877 by Sir William Henry Gregory, the then British Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Currently maintained by the Department of National Museum of the central government, the museum is home to a lot of important collections, including the crown and throne of the Kandyan monarchs.

Housed in a two-storied building, the museum has a big, well-maintained, lush green lawn right in front that is shaded by mighty banyan trees, which adds to the beauty of the place. As you enter the museum, you shall also find a fourth-century Buddha smiling at you in the lobby. Going forward, you will be mesmerized to find the collections in the museum.

The galleries are as old as 1877, and you shall find all sorts of ancient art, carvings, and statues from Sri Lanka’s past along with a collection of antique demon masks. You can also find guns, swords, and other things from the colonial times. If you love art, you are totally in for a treat as the gallery also has in display 19th-century reproductions of English paintings of Sri Lanka.

On display are the royal throne made for King Wimaladharmasuriya II in 1693, the 9th-century bronze Bodhisattva Sandals, and much more. And that is not all. There are agricultural displays and many more things that are sure to grab your attention and leave a mark in your memories.

13

Yala National Park

Spotting a leopard prowling in the Park of Yala is quite an ordinary spectacle. Witness the untamed world of nature in the Yala National Park and quench your eagerness to explore and learn more about wildlife. Yala National Park is located in the South-East part of Sri Lanka. Amidst both nature and wildlife, you will also find some faint cultural ruins which give the travellers a deeper insight about the earlier civilization. the Yala National Park lies in the south-eastern part of Sri Lanka closely hugging the Indian Ocean.

Highlights: A safari to this natural park will surely leave you jaw drop as you will be able to witness Sri Lankan Sloth Bear, Leopards, and Elephants in big numbers.

Prices: Approximate price starts from 3700 LKR

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Temple Of The Truth

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, nestled in Kandy, Sri Lanka, is a revered spiritual destination often featured in Sri Lanka tour packages. Home to the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha, the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting intricate Kandyan architecture and serene surroundings. Pilgrims and visitors are captivated by the rich cultural heritage and the daily rituals that honor the relic. The Esala Perahera, an elaborate annual procession, further enhances the temple's significance. Including a visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka tour packages ensures a profound cultural and spiritual experience amidst the historical and religious grandeur of Kandy.

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