20° to 28°
Cool & Dry
Cool by local standards, part of the best window for a visit.
☀️ Sunscreen🧥 Light layers for evenings
20° to 29°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, still part of the best window.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
20° to 31°
Dry Season Ends
Still comparatively dry, rounding out the best window.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
20° to 32°
Warmest & Wetter
The warmest month of the year on average, with rain picking up noticeably.
☔ Heavy rain gear🥵 Heat protection
20° to 32°
Rain Eases Slightly
Rain eases a little from April, though a mid-month cyclone can occasionally bring a heavy downpour.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
19° to 31°
Moderate Rain
Rain remains a fairly regular presence, part of the mid-year shoulder stretch.
☔ Umbrella handy🧥 Light layers
19° to 31°
Esala Perahera Season
Rain moderates somewhat, and the Esala Perahera festival is sometimes held this month.
☔ Umbrella handy🎉 Festival crowds possible
19° to 31°
Driest of Mid-Year
Among the driest months of the year, and often when the Esala Perahera festival is held.
☔ Umbrella handy🎉 Festival crowds possible
19° to 31°
Rain Builds
Rain ticks back up as the year moves toward its wettest stretch.
☔ Umbrella handy🧥 Light layers
20° to 30°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, with rain on more days than any other month.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
20° to 28°
Deep Monsoon
Nearly as wet as October, with an added risk of passing cyclones.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
20° to 28°
Worst Period Continues
Still part of the year's worst rainy stretch by the source's own account, despite fewer rain days than mid-year.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
★★★ peak season, ★★☆ decent shoulder months, ★☆☆ true off-peak, based on rain frequency, heat, and haze.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Kandy?›
Kandy's heaviest rain historically falls from October through December, historically the worst stretch of the year for a visit, with October the wettest month, averaging around 302mm across 18 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Kandy?›
January through March is historically Kandy's driest, most reliable window for a visit.
What is the least favorable time to visit Kandy?›
October through December is historically the wettest, most sustained rainy stretch of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Kandy?›
October is historically the wettest month, averaging around 302mm of rain across 18 days.
Which month is the driest in Kandy?›
February is historically the driest month, averaging around 79mm of rain.
How hot does Kandy get?›
April is historically the warmest month on average, though Kandy stays comparatively mild year-round thanks to its elevation.
What should I pack for Kandy during the rainy season?›
Rain gear is worth having year-round, and light layers are worth packing for cooler hill-country evenings.
When is the Esala Perahera festival in Kandy?›
This ten-night procession of drummers, dancers, and decorated elephants is historically held each July or August, one of Asia's most famous Buddhist festivals.
Can cyclones cause landslides in Kandy?›
Occasionally. A cyclone forming over the Bay of Bengal around mid-May can bring heavy rain across Sri Lanka, and in mountainous inland areas like Kandy this can raise the risk of landslides and localized flooding.
Is Kandy home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic?›
Yes. This is one of the most sacred sites in Buddhism, said to house a tooth relic of the Buddha, at the heart of the old royal city.