Weather
Weather at Ulpotha
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka? Hot, clear and largely dry for much of the retreat season, with the landscape shifting from dusty gold to vivid green as the rains arrive. Here's Sri Lanka's weather, month by month.
The weather in Sri Lanka
A warm, sheltered pocket of the dry zone
Ulpotha sits in Sri Lanka's dry zone, in the north-central interior, three hours from Colombo airport. The weather here differs from the south coast and the hill country: it's hot, clear, and largely dry for much of the retreat season, and the landscape shifts from dusty and golden in the early months to vivid green as the rains arrive.
When rain does come, it tends to arrive in short afternoon or evening bursts rather than sustained downpours. And whatever month you choose to visit Ulpotha, the mornings and evenings are almost always beautiful.
Month by month
The year at a glance
Weather in Sri Lanka with daytime and night-time temperatures, days with rain, humidity and hours of sunshine for every month of the year, along with a note on how each one actually feels.
Swipe sideways to see the whole table.
| Month | Day | Night | Rain days | Humidity | Sunshine | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 29°C | 22°C | 19 | 83% | 5 hrs | The wettest month of the season. Rain arrives in short bursts, usually in the afternoon or evening. The landscape is at its most lush and green. |
| December | 28°C | 21°C | 15 | 82% | 6 hrs | Warm with frequent rain and vivid green paddy fields. Evenings are comfortable. |
| January | 27°C | 20°C | 9 | 79% | 8 hrs | One of the loveliest months. Clear skies, cool nights and very little rain. |
| February | 29°C | 20°C | 6 | 80% | 8 hrs | Warm and clear. The nights are cool and the days bright. One of the best months to visit. |
| March | 32°C | 21°C | 8 | 75% | 8 hrs | Hot in the middle of the day. Mornings and evenings are beautiful. |
| April* | 33°C | 23°C | 13 | 78% | 7 hrs | The hottest month. Afternoon showers possible but brief. |
| May* | 32°C | 24°C | 11 | 80% | 7 hrs | Warm and occasionally showery. Paddy and tank are vivid green. |
| June | 32°C | 25°C | 7 | 67% | 7 hrs | Warm and largely dry. Humidity lower than May. A reliable month. |
| July | 32°C | 24°C | 7 | 67% | 7 hrs | Reliably dry and bright. One of the most comfortable months of the year. |
| August | 32°C | 24°C | 8 | 70% | 7 hrs | Hot and mostly dry. Evenings cool and clear. |
| September* | 32°C | 24°C | 9 | 73% | 7 hrs | Warm, with occasional brief showers. |
| October* | 31°C | 23°C | 16 | 80% | 6 hrs | The inter-monsoon brings more frequent rain. Still warm. |
* April, May, September and October are available for private retreats only. See the retreat calendar for current dates.
Source: World Weather Online historical averages for Ulpothagama, North Central, Sri Lanka (12+ years of data).
Planning
Best time to visit Sri Lanka
If you're after the clearest skies, the coolest nights and the least rainfall, January and February are your months. June and July are reliably dry and bright, with lower humidity than the months either side. November and December bring more rain, but also the most dramatic landscape: the paddy fields and tank at their most vivid green, and the wildlife most active around the water.
There's no bad time to come to Ulpotha. The place changes with the seasons in ways that returning guests find as compelling as the retreats themselves. If you're weighing up dates, our journal piece on the best time for a yoga retreat in Sri Lanka looks at how the seasons shape a stay.
Be prepared
What to pack
Light cotton clothing is essential throughout the season: loose, breathable fabrics in natural fibres work best in the heat. From November through to February, when nights can drop to 20 degrees, you'll be glad of a light layer for the evenings.
Rubber flip-flops are recommended for moving around the village, though many guests walk around barefoot from the moment they arrive. Bring good insect repellent and high-factor sun cream. And for temple visits, a simple light cotton outfit covering shoulders and knees is appropriate.
There's a fuller packing list in the FAQ on our contact page, covering everything from torches to temple wear.
Whenever you come
The village changes with the seasons; the welcome doesn't
Scheduled yoga retreats run through the season, and April, May, September and October are open for private retreats.