Shoulder gold
Sri Lanka in
March.
The last of the dry-season certainty, with thinner crowds and softer prices — our quiet favourite.
Direct from LHR
~10h 45m non-stop
Time difference
GMT + 5h 30m
Visa
ETA online · ~£40
Pricing
Quoted in £ GBP
Plan from your country
March weather
March is warm and dry across the south, west and the Cultural Triangle, with coastal temperatures climbing to 30–32°C and rising humidity late in the month. The hills stay comfortable. Seas remain calm enough for whale watching until around the end of the month.
Why March works
The February crowd has gone home, hotel availability opens up and rates soften by roughly 10–15%. Yala remains dry, so sightings stay strong right through to the park's seasonal closure window. It is the best month of the year for value against weather.
Planning notes
Start early each day — by midday the coastal heat is genuine. We front-load the ruins and Sigiriya at dawn, keep the middle of the day for pools and spas, and finish with sunset drives in the tea country.
Other months
Compare with Sri Lanka in February and Sri Lanka in April, or read the full best time to visit Sri Lanka guide.
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Begin your bespoke journeyCompare at a glance
Which Sri Lankan destination is right for you?
The short answer: pair one cultural stop, one hill-country stop and one coast. This table compares what each place is best for, when to go, how long to stay and how far it is from Colombo.
Cultural Triangle
- Best for
- First-timers, history, the iconic rock climb
- Best months
- Jan–Sep (driest Feb–Aug)
- Ideal stay
- 2 nights
- From Colombo
- 4 hrs by car · 30 mins by helicopter
- Pairs with
- Kandy, Habarana safaris
Central Highlands
- Best for
- Culture, temple ritual, a soft landing before the hills
- Best months
- Jan–Apr, Jul–Sep
- Ideal stay
- 1–2 nights
- From Colombo
- 3–3.5 hrs by car · 2.5 hrs by train
- Pairs with
- Sigiriya, Nuwara Eliya
Tea Country
- Best for
- Tea bungalows, cool air, Horton Plains
- Best months
- Jan–Apr
- Ideal stay
- 2–3 nights
- From Colombo
- 5 hrs by car
- Pairs with
- Kandy, Ella
Hill Country
- Best for
- The train ride, walks, relaxed hill romance
- Best months
- Jan–Apr
- Ideal stay
- 2–3 nights
- From Colombo
- 6 hrs by car · 45 mins by helicopter
- Pairs with
- Nuwara Eliya, Yala
South-east
- Best for
- Leopards and private dawn game drives
- Best months
- Feb–Jul
- Ideal stay
- 2 nights (4 drives)
- From Colombo
- 5 hrs by car
- Pairs with
- Ella, Tangalle
South
- Best for
- Guaranteed elephants, families with children
- Best months
- Year-round
- Ideal stay
- 1–2 nights
- From Colombo
- 4 hrs by car
- Pairs with
- Yala, the south coast
South-west Coast
- Best for
- Colonial fort, boutiques, villa living
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Ideal stay
- 2–3 nights
- From Colombo
- 1.5 hrs via expressway
- Pairs with
- Mirissa, Ahangama
South Coast
- Best for
- Blue whales, easy beach days
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (whales)
- Ideal stay
- 2–3 nights
- From Colombo
- 2 hrs via expressway
- Pairs with
- Galle, Tangalle
Far South Coast
- Best for
- Privacy, staffed villas, uncrowded sand
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Ideal stay
- 3–5 nights
- From Colombo
- 3 hrs via expressway
- Pairs with
- Yala, Galle
East Coast
- Best for
- Summer beaches when the south-west is wet
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Ideal stay
- 3–4 nights
- From Colombo
- 5.5 hrs by car · 1 hr by seaplane
- Pairs with
- Sigiriya, Pasikuda
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Answers
Common questions
Is March a good time to visit Sri Lanka?+
Very good. The south and west coasts remain dry and sunny, wildlife viewing is still at its best, and there are noticeably fewer visitors than in January and February.
How hot is Sri Lanka in March?+
Coastal areas run 30–32°C with rising humidity; the hill country stays around 20–22°C by day and cool at night.
Is March cheaper than February in Sri Lanka?+
Usually yes — expect roughly 10–15% off peak rates at most luxury hotels, and far better availability at short notice.
Can you see whales in March?+
Yes. Blue whales are still passing Mirissa through March, though sightings taper as the month ends and the sea state changes.