Where and when
Best time to visit Colombo from India
Colombo is a short hop from south India and the gateway to Sri Lanka's south-coast beaches and hill country; the city itself offers Galle Face sunsets, the colonial-era Fort and food that suits Indian palates.
Cheapest month to fly: October, from ₹19,789 return (Chennai, seen 9 Oct). Cheapest fare checked in the last 48 hours: ₹19,789 from Chennai.
Colombo month by month
| Month | Season | High / low | Rain | Cheapest fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Peak | 29° / 22°C | 75 mm | ₹20k ● live ₹23k |
| February | Peak | 30° / 23°C | 71 mm | ₹22k ● live ₹22k |
| March | Shoulder | 31° / 25°C | 115 mm | ₹22k ● live ₹22k |
| April Sinhala and Tamil New Year | Off-season | 30° / 26°C | 226 mm | – |
| May Vesak | Off-season | 29° / 26°C | 223 mm | ₹24k ● live ₹24k |
| June | Off-season | 28° / 25°C | 143 mm | – |
| July | Off-season | 28° / 25°C | 99 mm | – |
| August | Off-season | 28° / 25°C | 113 mm | – |
| September | Off-season | 28° / 25°C | 162 mm | – |
| October | Off-season | 28° / 25°C | 292 mm | ₹20k ● live ₹20k |
| November Deepavali (public holiday) | Off-season | 29° / 24°C | 305 mm | ₹21k ● live ₹26k |
| December | Peak | 28° / 23°C | 175 mm | ₹21k ● live ₹22k |
Fares are the lowest return fare seen in the last 14 days for trips departing that month, from any Indian city we track; a green dot means a fare checked in the last 48 hours. Months with a dash have no fares yet. Seasons: Sri Lanka Tourism: Sri Lanka Climate Guide (checked 2026-10-09). Weather averages: NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources) Daily API v2.10.0, MERRA-2 based, 2001-2020 monthly means of daily values.
Dates to plan around
In Colombo
- Deepavali (public holiday) · 8 Nov 2026 (moon-dependent, may shift). Public and bank holiday on a Sunday; Hindu temples in Kotahena and Wellawatte are busy and some shops close, but there is no Monday off in lieu. source, checked 2026-10-09
- Sinhala and Tamil New Year · 13–14 Apr 2027. Two public and mercantile holidays on 13 and 14 April; many shops and restaurants close, and buses and trains out of Colombo are heavily booked in the days before as people head home. source, checked 2026-10-09
- Vesak · 19–20 May 2027 (moon-dependent, may shift). Full-moon Poya holiday plus the following day; lantern displays and free food stalls light up the city, while alcohol sales stop and many businesses close. Every monthly Poya day is also a dry holiday. source, checked 2026-10-09
Indian rush periods
Fares out of India rise around these holidays, so book earlier or fly just outside them.
- Dussehra & Durga Puja · 16–21 Oct
- Diwali · 5–11 Nov
- Guru Nanak Jayanti · 20–24 Nov
- Christmas & New Year · 18 Dec – 3 Jan
- Pongal / Makar Sankranti · 13–18 Jan
- Republic Day weekend · 22–26 Jan
Flights to Colombo by departure city
Visa for Indian passports
Indian passport holders can visit Sri Lanka without a visa for up to 30 days. Free ETA required online (eta.gov.lk) before travel; free since 25 May 2026.
Colombo: questions
What is the best time to visit Colombo?
Colombo's peak season is December, January and February, with March as shoulder months. Sri Lanka Tourism marks December to February as the peak on the southwest coast, where Colombo sits, with March and April a transition of afternoon thunderstorms, May to September the southwest monsoon and October to November a second showery spell. The climate table puts October and November at around 300 mm each, more than any other month.
When is the rainy season in Colombo?
The wettest months are April, October and November, with about 226 mm, 292 mm, 305 mm of rain respectively on average.
How hot does Colombo get?
March is the hottest month, with average daily highs near 31°C. January has the coolest nights, around 22°C.
When is Colombo most crowded?
Expect the most visitors in December, January and February. Events that draw crowds: Deepavali (public holiday) (8 Nov 2026), Sinhala and Tamil New Year (13–14 Apr 2027), Vesak (19–20 May 2027).
Which month is cheapest to fly to Colombo from India?
October 2026 has the lowest return fare FlyBun has seen in the last 14 days, ₹19,789 from Chennai. We have fares for 7 of the next 12 months, so a month with no figure may be cheaper. Fares change daily.
Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Indian passport holders can visit Sri Lanka without a visa for up to 30 days. Free ETA required online (eta.gov.lk) before travel; free since 25 May 2026.
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