When to go · Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka in February
Great month. The best month for most of the island; Cultural Triangle comfortable.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- High
- Sri Lanka
- Prices
- High
- Sri Lanka
Verdict
The best month for most of the island; Cultural Triangle comfortable.
Weather in February
- West and south coast · Colombo, Negombo, Bentota, Galle, Mirissabest weather
South-west monsoon May–Sep brings rough seas and red flags; October–November inter-monsoon storms are heavy in Colombo.
- Hill country · Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Adam's Peakbest weather
Nuwara Eliya nights near 5 °C in winter; the Adam's Peak pilgrim season is December–May; landslide risk in heavy rain (Cyclone Ditwah, 2025).
- Cultural Triangle · Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwabest weather
Dry zone: hot and dusty in April–May; the north-east monsoon rains fall October–January.
- East coast · Trincomalee, Pasikudah, Arugam Bayfine
Opposite season to the south-west: calm seas April–September; Arugam Bay surf May–September.
- North · Jaffna, Mannarbest weather
Hot and dry most of the year; cyclones possible in November.
- Colombo31° / 24°, 5 rain 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.
Poya days
Monthly full moon
Public holiday every full moon: no alcohol or meat sold, temples busy, some shops shut.
Independence Day
4 Feb
Parade in Colombo; roads closed near Galle Face.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Sri Lanka
- High
- Prices · Sri Lanka
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
What to pack
Nothing unusual for the weather this month.
Where to go in February
Rated best or good this month
West and south coast
Best weather of the year (Colombo, Negombo, Bentota, Galle, Mirissa)
Hill country
Best weather of the year (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Adam's Peak)
Cultural Triangle
Best weather of the year (Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa)
North
Best weather of the year (Jaffna, Mannar)
Dry and sunny; good month.
Best months: Dec–Mar (dry season on the west coast, least humid)
Best months: Jan–Apr (drier in the central highlands)
Best months: Dec–Mar (dry season on the south coast)