Where to Go in Sri Lanka in December: The Complete Traveller's Guide
December is peak Sri Lanka season — dry south, green hills, cool nights. Here's the honest, region-by-region guide to planning it right.
December is the single best month to be in Sri Lanka if you want beaches, hill country, and ancient cities in one trip. The south-west monsoon is done, the sun is out on the coast, and the highlands are cool enough for a jumper at breakfast. This is the traveller's guide to where to go in Sri Lanka in December — what's open, what's wet, and how to string the good bits together.
The one-line weather answer
In December, the south-west and central highlands are dry and sunny. The east and north-east (Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Arugam Bay) are on the wet monsoon and should be skipped. The Cultural Triangle sits in between — warm days, occasional short showers, still very travellable.
The classic December route (2 weeks)
- Days 1–2: Arrive Negombo, transfer to Sigiriya.
- Days 3–4: Cultural Triangle — Sigiriya rock, Dambulla caves, Polonnaruwa by bike, a Minneriya jeep safari.
- Day 5: Drive to Kandy, evening puja at the Temple of the Tooth.
- Days 6–7: Train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, tea country, Horton Plains sunrise.
- Days 8–9: Ella — Nine Arches Bridge, Little Adam's Peak, Ravana Falls.
- Days 10–14: South coast — Mirissa for whales, Galle Fort, Bentota for the river safari.
For step-by-step versions of this itinerary with a private driver-guide, see Serendipity's tour packages.
What's special about December
- Blue whales arrive off Mirissa (season December–April) — the most reliable big-whale sightings in Asia.
- Christmas & New Year in Galle Fort and along the south coast is a proper scene — book villas early.
- Hill-country nights drop to 8–12°C in Nuwara Eliya — pack a fleece.
- Poya (full moon) in December is Unduvap — pilgrims flock to Anuradhapura's sacred Bo tree.
Where NOT to go in December
Skip Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Pasikuda, Batticaloa, and Arugam Bay — all on the wet monsoon. Jaffna is possible but wetter than usual; save it for July–September.
Regional shortlist
Cultural Triangle
Warm and mostly dry. Read our Cultural Triangle deep-dive, or the shorter Kandy vs Sigiriya comparison.
Hill country
The most beautiful month up here — clear mornings, misty afternoons. Do the Kandy to Nuwara Eliya train.
South-west coast
Peak beach season. See south west Sri Lanka for beach holidays.
Booking tips for December
- Reserved train seats for the Kandy–Ella line open 30 days ahead and sell out in hours.
- Book villas in Galle, Mirissa, and Tangalle 2–3 months out.
- Blue whale operators fill fast between Christmas and mid-January.
For help stitching it into a private tour, contact Serendipity Private Tours or browse the full destinations list.
More slow-travel guides on our blog.