This compact island nation lies in the Indian Ocean, south of India. For a small country, Sri Lanka offers a very diverse set of experiences. And the places to visit and things to see in Sri Lanka are surprisingly varied, from national parks to beaches to cultural sites and colonial towns. We visited Sri Lanka in November, the shoulder season for tourism in this country. Our 10 day Sri Lanka itinerary included UNESCO heritage sites like Sigiriya, national parks like Yala and Kaudulla, sandy beaches on the southern coast, misty hills and tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya, car-free colonial fortresses like Galle to roam around in.
If you are visiting Sri Lanka in November, read on to find out the weather, what to expect, the best travel tips, best places to visit, and things to do in the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
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Weather in Sri Lanka in November
Sri Lanka is a tropical country with hot humid weather throughout the year. There are 2 monsoon periods to be considered while planning your trip to Sri Lanka. The south west areas in Sri Lanka that are more popular get south-western monsoons between May and September. So this is off-season for the more developed south-western parts of the country. Sri Lanka’s east coast is influenced by the north-eastern monsoon between October to January. The best season to visit the east coast of Sri Lanka is between April to September.
The months of October and November fall between the southwest and northeast monsoons, also known as the inter-monsoon period. Rainstorms are evenly spread throughout the island, although the amount of rainfall is much less than in the monsoon season. Sri Lanka weather in November is quite warm, but the nights are pleasant. The average high in capital city of Colombo is 30ºC in November.
What to wear in Sri Lanka in November
The weather is mostly hot and humid in Sri Lanka so pack accordingly. Loose cotton shirts, pants or shorts, loose summer dresses in cotton or linen work well. Do pack a hat and adequate sunscreen. And sandals or slippers to roam around everywhere. Here is a complete packing list for Sri Lanka.
While it is fine to wear swimwear at beaches or by the pool side at resorts, it is not ok to be traipsing around in swimwear on the road. You can wear t-shirts and shorts on your travels to Sri Lanka, but as such, avoid very skimpy clothes.
Please remember that you must be properly covered while entering a Buddhist temple or other religious sites, so do carry something that covers your upper arms and legs completely. It is always a good idea to carry a stole or scarf for such occasions that can double up as headgear or be thrown across your shoulders.
What to expect regarding crowds and cost
December to April is peak season for a trip to Sri Lanka. November is should season for this country. There are intermittent rains, but the south-western parts of the country is mostly dry towards the end of November.
So you can expect lesser crowds everywhere, at the cultural sites, at the national parks and on the beaches. Furthermore, with discounts available on some of the luxury hotels, you can get some good deals. We splurged a bit on our trip and really enjoyed the hospitality at Amanwella, a luxury beach resort in the quiet fishing village of Tangalle.
Best places to visit in Sri Lanka in November
Cultural Immersion
The ancient ruined city of Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka’s longest-serving capital and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. You can visit ancient ruins here. The The rock citadel in Sigiriya, cultural places in Polonnaruwa, and Dambulla Temple make up what is known as the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya is a World Heritage site and one of the most popular attractions of Sri Lanka. Then there is Kandy, a famous pilgrimage site for Buddhists, with beautifully carved houses, palaces, and temple preserved for nearly 500 years.
Beach vacays
If you are looking for a beach vacation in a tropical country, Sri Lanka offers plenty of options. There is Bentota near Colombo with a wide collection of luxury beachside hotels. South of Galle lies Unawatuna and Mirissa, both with fine beaches. The town of Galle is a Unesco World Heritage Site founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century.
National Parks
What many folks don’t realise is that outside of Africa, there are many amazing national parks in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka wildlife safaris to see animals and marine life in its natural habitat is a great reason to visit this country. There are many options for a wildlife safari in Sri Lanka if you stay in or close to Sigiriya. Consider viewing elephants herds at Minneriya or Kaudulla or Hurulu. There is plenty to see in the ocean as well. For your time in Sri Lanka during November, limit your travels to the south-west coast.
Green rolling hills
The central highlands, filled with stirring mountains and lush green tea gardens, definitely make for one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya, also referred to as Sri Lanka’s ‘Little England’ makes a good base to explore the spectacular countryside and the tea plantations. Another appealing destination in the hill country is Ella surrounded by green hills and tea plantations.
Things to do in Sri Lanka in November
Relax at the southwestern beaches
As the rainfall recedes, dry and sunny weather returns to the beaches along the southwestern coast. Mirissa, Unawatuna, Negombo, and Hikkaduwa are some of the gorgeous beaches where you can enjoy sun, sand, and the ocean.
Go on a wildlife safari
Sri Lanka is part of the top 5 biodiversity hotspots in the world. From leopards at Yala, elephants at Kaudulla or Minneriya or Udawalawe, sloth bear at Wilpattu, there is plenty of exciting wildlife to take several safaris. December to March is the driest time for national parks in the central and south-western side of the country. but you will see wildlife in November as well, with lesser crowds.
Go whale watching
The ocean around the island is home to the blue whale, sperm whale and dolphins. On the southwest coast, around Mirissa, the best season for whale watching is from November until April.
Visit a tea plantation
We visited a tea plantation and a tea factory at Nuwara Eliya on our Sri Lanka trip. If your budget allows, you can even stay at a tea estate to enjoy the spectacular countryside.
Adventure activities
A host of water activities, such as surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, can be enjoyed in Sri Lanka in November. Surf schools and diving centers are aplenty at the beachside destinations, particularly at Mirissa and Hikkaduwa.
At the elevation of about 2200 metres, Horton Plains is the highest national park in Sri Lanka. It offers plenty of hiking trails. There is a spot here named The World’s End‘, which is a viewpoint about halfway along a nine-kilometre circular walking trail. From here, you can look down across the green highlands all the way to the ocean.
Try the local cuisine in Sri Lanka
You could try different types of curries with rice or appam, like sour fish curry, chicken curry, dhal curry, green jackfruit curry. Seafood is fresh and abundant. Kottu is a street food widely available, it can be prepared with vegetarian or meat ingredients.
Events and Festivals in Sri Lanka in November
Festivals in Sri Lanka provide a glimpse into the country’s diverse traditions, religious beliefs, and communal harmony.
Deepavali or Diwali is a Hindu festival, which celebrates the victory of good over evil. The date for this festival changes each year as per Hindu calendar, but it mostly falls in November. Throughout the country, the Tamil community in Sri Lanka celebrates Deepavali with great splendour. They light lamps, burst firecrackers, wear new clothes, visit Hindu temples, exchange gifts and meet their loved ones over lavish meals.
Summary: Pros and Cons of visiting Sri Lanka in November
Pros
Shoulder season, so you will get lesser crowds at popular spots.
Good rates may be available for hotels and resorts.
All activities are available and open on the developed south-western coast.
Cons
Intermittent rains throughout the country in November.
Avoid the east coast as it is influenced by the north-eastern monsoon between October to January.
Have I convinced you to visit Sri Lanka in November? We had a lovely family vacation here and you will too.
Planning a trip to Sri Lanka?
Do check this post on Beautiful places to visit in Sri Lanka
My 10 day itinerary for Sri Lanka
Make sure you spend time visiting the cultural sites at the Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka
And do a wildlife safari at one of the National Parks in Sri Lanka
Finally, here is a guide on what to wear in Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka is so high on my list so I’m definitely saving this for later!!
I love to go on holiday on November, so Sri Lanka seems like a very suitable destination! Thank you for your detailed guide!
There are many other Asian destinations good for November, and Sri Lanka is quite beautiful and worth a trip.