Weather in Sri Lanka in November
November is not very predictable month in terms of weather. Some years it rains cats and dogs. Some years it is nice and sunny. Thundershowers in Sri Lanka in November are most common in the afternoons and in the evenings and can be seen pretty much all over the country.
If you do not mind having some rain during your Sri Lanka holiday, November is a relatively inexpensive month to visit Sri Lanka. Most hotels and airlines charge low rates for this month.
The average daytime temperatures in the coastal lowlands of Sri Lanka in November range from 28°C to 32 °C (82.4°F to 89.6°F). The average daytime temperatures in the central highlands of Sri Lanka in November range from 20°C to 26°C (68°F to 78.8°F).
Sri Lanka itineraries for November
In terms of weather, there is no particular advantage of following a clockwise or counterclockwise itinerary for Sri Lanka tours in November. However, it is recommended choosing a clockwise itinerary for Sri Lanka tours in November, as they involve less travelling compared to counterclockwise itineraries.
Following are a few itineraries that can be used for a Sri Lanka tour in November.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How are the crowds and costs in Sri Lanka in November?
There are not many people travelling to Sri Lanka in November. It is unlikely that you will experience crowds in this month in Sri Lanka.
As the demand for accommodations and flights in Sri Lanka is relatively low, most hotels and airlines charge low prices for November.
2. How is the weather in Sri Lanka in November compared to adjacent months?
If you compare the rainfall data in Sri Lanka in November with its adjacent months, October and December, you will realise November has the highest rainfall figures.
If you have the option to choose any of these three months for your Sri Lanka holiday, pick December. It has the best weather conditions out of the three months.
3. What to do in Sri Lanka in November?
Since the weather is not very predictable in November, it is a good idea to prioritise the excursions less affected by the rain. You may visit the Kandy Temple of the Tooth, Dambulla Cave Temple, Gangarama temple, Polonnaruwa ancient city or enjoy a dance show in Kandy even when there is rain.
Sigiriya can be a bit difficult to climb when there are heavy rains. However, if you are staying in Sigiriya for two or three nights, it will not be a problem finding a couple of hours that do not rain.
Since November is an off-season month, you will also be able to enjoy jeep safaris in popular national parks such as Yala and Minneriya without having to deal with crowds.
4. Are there any local festivals in Sri Lanka in November?
Deepawali (also known as Diwali) is an important Hindu religious festival celebrated in Sri Lanka during the period mid-October to mid-November.
On this day, Hindus make offerings to goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth), light candles, set off fireworks, eat special holiday sweets and decorate their homes with Rangoli paintings.
The exact days of this festival differ from year to year because the day that the festival is held is determined according to a lunisolar calendar. If you are in Sri Lanka on Deepavali day, make sure to visit a Hindu temple to witness this colourful festival.
The III full Moon Poya day also falls in November. It is not a big celebration in Sri Lanka compared to Vesak or Poson Poya. However, many Buddhists visit temples to take part in religious activities on this day.
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