January follows the annual 'Australian Monsoon' season, which soaks the entire country, and lingers around the northeast. Sri Lanka becomes less hot, with low humidity and plenty of sun. This makes it the perfect month to escape from winter and hit the golden beaches that surround Sri Lanka.
With temples from Colombo to Kandy, historic forts in Galle, and unmatched natural beauty in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka really does have it all, and we recommend these places for a January visit.
Read on to find out more about the expected weather and travelling around this unique slice of paradise in January.
Sri Lanka Weather in January: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 22–29°C (72–85°F)
- Rainfall: 9 cm (4 inches)
- Rainy days: 6
- Sunshine hours/day: 7
- Humidity: 70%
Sri Lanka has two annual wet seasons, which inundate the country with rain and humidity. Visitors in January can avoid this and instead enjoy warm weather with cool, Indian Ocean breezes, low-humidity, and limited rainfall. Sri Lanka's post-monsoon months bring less heat, a brief respite from the humidity and lots of blue skies and sunshine.
January Climate Comparison (Averages) for Sri Lanka's Top Tourism Areas
| City/Area | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo (main city, travel hub, architecture, culture) | Hot | Warm | Moderate |
| Kandy (second city, history, culture, colonial architecture) | Warm | Mild | Moderate |
| Galle (World Heritage colonial fort townscape, beaches) | Hot | Warm | Moderate |
| Yala (SL's top national park, elephants, leopards, beach) | Hot | Warm | Moderate |
| City/Area | High (ºC) | Low (ºC) | Rain (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo (main city, travel hub, architecture, culture) | 31 | 23 | 8 |
| Kandy (second city, history, culture, colonial architecture) | 27 | 18 | 8 |
| Galle (World Heritage colonial fort townscape, beaches) | 30 | 23 | 9 |
| Yala (SL's top national park, elephants, leopards, beach) | 29 | 24 | 12 |
| City/Area | High (ºF) | Low (ºF) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo (main city, travel hub, architecture, culture) | 88 | 73 | 3 |
| Kandy (second city, history, culture, colonial architecture) | 81 | 64 | 3 |
| Galle (World Heritage colonial fort townscape, beaches) | 86 | 73 | 4 |
| Yala (SL's top national park, elephants, leopards, beach) | 84 | 75 | 5 |
Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka in January
Sri Lanka is a tropical nation and does not have a winter/summer cycle. Instead, it follows a dry/wet season cycle, and remains hot year-round. January is one of the cooler months and gives a reprieve from the intense humidity which builds as the wet seasons approach.
If you're looking for somewhere warm/hot with historical, multi-cultural cities, and soft sandy beaches, then Sri Lanka is right for you.
For visitors in January, we especially suggest visiting Colombo, Kandy, Galle, and Yala. To find out more about what to see and do at each of these places, keep reading.
If you're looking to visit Sri Lanka in January, reach out to our team of experts to get started on planning your trip. We can customize your itinerary so that you have the best possible time in Sri Lanka, without any of the stress of planning. Contact us to start planning your Sri Lanka trip.
1. Colombo — Explore the Capital
Colombo is a bustling treasure trove of temples, eclectic architecture, markets, restaurants and scenic walks. This cosmopolitan city is the life and soul of Sri Lanka in any month, but in January, when the weather is just perfect, it becomes extra enticing.
Getting around the island is a breeze with the network of intercity buses, trains, taxis, and tuk-tuks. We highly recommend grabbing a taxi and making the 1.5-hour trip from Colombo to Bentota and get involved in some water sports like jet-skiing, windsurfing, and banana boating.
Accommodation is plentiful in Colombo, and despite being more expensive in January, there's plenty of places to suit all budgets: from local guesthouses to multi-national hotel chains with comfortable, modern rooms.
In January, hitting up Colombo's beaches is the best way to experience the city. The beaches come alive with tourists and locals alike, particularly at Mount Lavinia beach just 10 km (6 miles) south of the city center. With golden sand and a vibrant nightlife this beach can be enjoyed both night and day. It features endless bars and seafood restaurants, with the historic Mount Lavinia hotel adding its own charm to the area.
2. Kandy — Climb Ambuluwawa Tower
Kandy is a wonderland of iconic temples, peaceful gardens and forests, museums, and more. Visitors can easily spend two or three days taking it all in and enjoying the famous Sri Lankan hospitality. To get to Kandy, simply take a train or bus from Colombo and enjoy the scenic journey winding through the lush, green mountains of Sri Lanka's interior. Trains depart 10 times a day, with prices starting from 7 USD for the 2½–3½-hour journey.
In January we strongly recommend visiting Ambuluwawa Tower to the southeast of the city. Reachable by bus or a short train journey from Kandy to the satellite town of Gampola, followed by a short taxi or tuktuk trip or a 5 km (3 mile) walk.
This tower and the surrounding gardens offer more adventurous travelers truly stunning 360-degree views of the hills and valleys of central Sri Lanka. Notable for its external staircase leading to the top, the 54-meter (180-foot) climb offers some incredible views at the top.
3. Galle — Visit History-filled Galle Fort
Galle is an intensely-beautiful small city located on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. Notable for its abundant marine life (especially sea turtles), beautiful beaches, and SCUBA diving locations, it is a city that once you leave, you will always want to return to.
Visitors to Galle can enjoy bathing in the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean, enjoying the hot January sun on the sandy beaches or snorkeling with the numerous sea turtles that call these waters home.
If you like history, you absolutely must pay a visit to the old Galle Fort, a World Heritage Site which offers some of the best views in the city. Much of it is outdoors, so be sure to visit in January before the heat becomes too extreme. The Portuguese and Dutch used this fort to secure their holdings in Sri Lanka, defend Galle, and project power into the Indian Ocean. These days, it has a more peaceful purpose, as a museum and scenic area preserving the history of Sri Lanka.
4. Yala National Park — Enjoy a Full Day Safari
Yala is the most popular national park in Sri Lanka and sits on the southeast coast of the island. This sprawling national park covers 979 square km (378 square miles) and is the second largest in all of Sri Lanka. With the monsoon over a month previously, the park is still alive with greenery, and the temperatures don't become oppressive.
Although many mammals, fish, reptiles, and birds call Yala home, the park is widely known for its leopard population, which is one of the densest in the world, and for its herds of majestic Sri Lankan elephants. We recommend booking a full day safari and getting amongst the wildlife in a modified 4WD.
These safaris are run by several different companies in the area, with prices averaging around $100 USD per person, running from around 4:30am to 5pm each day. Just make sure to bring a hat and sunblock. Knowledgeable tour guides and experienced drivers will ensure that you get to experience as much of the Sri Lankan wildlife as possible. Visitors can expect to get close to the famous leopards and elephants of Sri Lanka once on the tour.
Crowds and Costs in January
Despite January being a peak season for tourism in Sri Lanka, the streets never feel too crowded, and the sights are still accessible to all. Sri Lankans are prepared for tourism and the crowded times are well catered for. For some activities though, it may be worth booking ahead.
The festival of Thai Pongal is celebrated from January 14th to 17th across the country and celebrates the harvest season and new year. Visitors at this time can enjoy the joyous atmosphere, soak in the cultural experience, and enjoy Sri Lanka's version of a sweet rice pudding — the Pongal.
What to Wear in January
Sri Lanka is hot. And regardless of January offering a break from the heavy rain and from the high heat that builds up to a peak in March/April, you will still be well advised to wear loose-fitting, cooling clothes, so shorts and T-shirts are strongly recommended.
Although, if you're planning a more spiritual getaway with the intention of visiting many temples, knees and shoulders are almost always required to be covered to enter. Sarongs, long skirts, or long linen trousers will be essential to beat the heat and see the temples that dot the country.
Recommended Tours for Sri Lanka in January
Explore Sri Lanka in January with our recommended tours. These tours offer a mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. We are ready to tailor-make your trip, maybe starting from one of our popular tour plans below.
- 10-Day Classic Sri Lanka Summer Tour
- 12-Day Sri Lanka Family Tour
- 12-Day Sri Lanka Wildlife Tour
- 14-Day Sri Lanka Romantic Tour
- 17-Day India and Sri Lanka Tour
For more travel tips, check out How to Plan a Trip to Sri Lanka.
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