When to go · Colombo
Colombo in April
Mixed month. Hot; Sinhala and Tamil New Year closures in mid-April; first storms.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 31° / 25°
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 13
- Crowds
- Medium
- Sri Lanka overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Sri Lanka overall
Verdict
Hot; Sinhala and Tamil New Year closures in mid-April; first storms.
Weather in April
- ColomboHighs around 31 °C, lows around 25 °C, rain on about 13 days
- West and south coast, Sri Lanka · Colombo, Negombo, Bentota, Galle, Mirissahot
South-west monsoon May–Sep brings rough seas and red flags; October–November inter-monsoon storms are heavy in Colombo.
Sinhala/Tamil New Year season
A distinct city mood: quiet streets, closed shops, the run-up to the monsoon.
Watch: Many restaurants and shops close for several days.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Sinhala and Tamil New Year check
Mid-April (usually 13–14 April) · Whole city
Shops, offices and many restaurants close for several days as people travel to family homes; streets are quiet, hotels near the coast fill with domestic travellers after.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Sri Lanka overall
- Medium
- Prices · Sri Lanka overall
- Medium
Sri Lanka overall: Hot; New Year (13–14 Apr) closes shops and fills transport; inter-monsoon storms late in the month.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast