So you’re planning your next holiday and have decided that you would like to go to Sri Lanka. You’ve heard so much about how amazing this island is and now want to see for yourself. The first, most important step is to decide when you will travel. Peak holiday seasons are crowded and prices soar. While it would seem sensible to travel outside of these times, very few people have that kind of flexibility. Work commitments and school schedules mean that you often have very little choice in terms of timing. If you’re worried that your travel dates may fall within the peak travel season for Sri Lanka, we say stop fretting and just lock it in! We will help you figure out how to make the most of your holiday.
What are the peak travel seasons in Sri Lanka?
Weather-wise, Sri Lanka has two main seasons: the monsoon season and the dry season. The monsoon rains tend to make travel unpleasant. The heavy tropical downpours and thunderstorms can sometimes be hazardous, especially along the coast where the seas can get very rough, and in the mountain regions where there are occasional risks of earth slips and landslides. Therefore, for obvious reasons, travellers tend to avoid the monsoon season, opting to visit Sri Lanka during the dry season.
Sri Lanka has two main monsoon seasons: the Yala and Maha:
- Yala or south-west monsoon occurs from April to September
- Maha or north-east monsoon occurs from November to March
Based on these weather patterns, different parts of the country have different peak seasons. From December to March, the south, west and hilly interior are bustling with activity. Tourists flock to Colombo, Galle and Kandy at this time of the year. The east coast, including Arugam Bay, tends to get busy from May to August.
The great thing about Sri Lanka is that, no matter what time of year it is, there is always somewhere in the country that can be visited. While it may be pouring in one region, there will be bright sunshine in another. This paradise island is a true year-long holiday destination.
How can you make the most of travelling during peak periods?
Once you’ve decided which places you want to go to in the island, you will need to make sure you travel at the right time, when the weather is right. More often than not, this means that there will be scores of other holidaymakers there as well. Don’t let that thought get you down. Just follow these tips and you will have an amazing holiday.
Plan ahead and make your bookings early
One of the best ways to avoid the peak-time price surge is to book early. Plan your holiday ahead and make your airline and holiday reservations well in advance. The longer you wait, the higher the prices become. The demand for last-minute bookings tends to send prices soaring, making most places unaffordable. So don’t delay, block off your calendar as soon as you can.
Check on when an attraction is less crowded
If you’re travelling during peak periods, then you won’t be able to completely avoid crowds. That said, there’s no sense in being jostled by the throngs and becoming stressed about the hundreds of other people around. Every travel spot is bound to have a quiet time and this is when you should aim to visit. Google Maps is your best bet for this – you can check the popular times of an attraction and then plan your visit outside of those slots. Also check if the place you want to go to has visiting hours outside of the standard schedule – some places open up early or stay open till late on certain days of the week.
Buy tickets in advance
If you’ve got an itinerary, then you know when you plan to see what. Buy your tickets online so that you don’t waste time languishing in long lines simply to buy entrance tickets. Even if you don’t have a strict itinerary, once you’ve decided on where to go, you should try to purchase your tickets before you get there.
Visit the lesser-known attractions
Once you’ve looked at a few travel sites and blogs, you will realize that there are some standard attractions that get recommended over and over again. Not to undermine the significance of these landmarks (which exist on must-see lists because of their importance), but there are also a whole host of less popular places that are equally wonderful and well worth checking out. Perhaps you could visit these during the busy times of the better-known sites, giving yourself the chance to have a far more diverse experience.
Dine at a different time or make reservations
Restaurants are swarming at lunch and dinner time. If you can manage it, try to avoid the standard meal times and eat either before or after. Places will be much quieter, which means you will get a table more easily and won’t feel pressured to rush your meal. Some eateries have special deals during off-peak times so keep an eye out for offers! If you don’t have a choice but to dine at the regular meal times, then you should make reservations. Pick your cafe or restaurant and book a table as early as you can.
Sign up for guided tours
Guided tours are great at well-known locations. Trained guides will know the best route to take and can expertly usher you through the crowds. Some guides are also able to gain access to parts of a site that regular visitors may not be allowed to visit. They are also well versed in their subject and will give you a deeper insight into the place, its history and significance.
Be flexible
It’s good to have an itinerary for your trip – you’ll be able to organize your time efficiently and get to see the places and do the things that you were looking forward to. That said, things don’t always go to plan and you need to be open to last minute changes. If you are flexible enough to alter your itinerary on the trot, not only will you be better equipped to navigate any unforeseen setbacks, you can also capitalize on unexpected opportunities that come your way.