Sri Lanka Colombo Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Colombo is high
December is high for Colombo.
December sees the dry season return to Colombo and the south/west coasts — rain eases through the month and sunshine builds, kicking off the peak tourist season. It averages a hot, humid 30°C/23°C with moderate rainfall (about 150mm), most of it early in the month.
By mid-to-late December the weather is reliably good, with Galle, the southern beaches, and newly reopened whale watching off Mirissa (the Dec-April season) all coming into their own. Christmas and New Year are festive and busy across the city's hotels and restaurants, with prices climbing accordingly.
Travel score
Colombo December Weather Stats
Avg High
30°C
Avg Low
23°C
Rainy Days
11
150mm total
Sunshine
7.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
77%
muggy
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
12 km/h
Gusts 22
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
23 μg/m³
PM10
42 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
35°C
Nighttime
25°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
12 km/h
Max gust 22 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dry season returns — sunnier, reliable weather
- Whale-watching season opens off Mirissa
- Festive Christmas and New Year atmosphere
- Great for Galle and the south/west coasts
Cons
- Peak-season crowds and prices from mid-month
- Early December can still see showers
- Extreme UV and humidity
- Book hotels and trains well ahead
December Events & Festivals
- Dry season returns — improving, sunnier weather
- Unduvap Poya (December full moon)
- Christmas & New Year — festive, busy, higher prices
- Whale-watching season opens off Mirissa (Dec-Apr)
Colombo in December — Full Picture
December sees the dry season return to Colombo and the south/west coasts — rain eases through the month and sunshine builds, kicking off the peak tourist season. It averages a hot, humid 30°C/23°C with moderate rainfall (about 150mm), most of it early in the month.
By mid-to-late December the weather is reliably good, with Galle, the southern beaches, and newly reopened whale watching off Mirissa (the Dec-April season) all coming into their own. Christmas and New Year are festive and busy across the city's hotels and restaurants, with prices climbing accordingly.
Early December can still catch the tail of the inter-monsoon showers, so the first week or two is a slightly cheaper window before the holiday surge.
Note: book hotels and popular hill-country train seats well ahead for the Christmas-New Year peak, and keep sun protection on — UV stays extreme.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Dry season returns — hot and humid around 30°C/23°C with rain easing and sunshine increasing. Light clothing, hat, sunglasses, SPF 50+ (extreme UV). A small umbrella for the odd early-month shower; a sarong for temples.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
31.7°C
25°C
13/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
30°C
26°C
12/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
30°C
24.3°C
16/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current30.7°C
23°C
8.3/mo
Colombo Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (Best) | 31° | 23° | 8d·60mm | 8h | 75% | 11 | Busy | Peak |
| February (Best) | 31° | 23° | 6d·70mm | 9h | 73% | 12 | Busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 32° | 24° | 8d·110mm | 8.5h | 75% | 12 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 32° | 25° | 14d·230mm | 7.5h | 78% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 26° | 17d·350mm | 6.5h | 80% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 30° | 26° | 15d·220mm | 6.5h | 79% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 30° | 26° | 11d·135mm | 7h | 78% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 30° | 26° | 10d·110mm | 7.5h | 77% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 30° | 25° | 12d·160mm | 7h | 78% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 30° | 24° | 19d·350mm | 6h | 80% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 30° | 24° | 17d·320mm | 6.5h | 80% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| December (Best) | 30° | 23° | 11d·150mm | 7.5h | 77% | 11 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Colombo December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Colombo?
Colombo in December is high. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Colombo in December?
Colombo December averages a high of 30°C and a low of 23°C.
Does it rain much in Colombo in December?
Colombo December averages 150mm of rainfall over about 11 rainy days.
What should I wear in Colombo in December?
Dry season returns — hot and humid around 30°C/23°C with rain easing and sunshine increasing. Light clothing, hat, sunglasses, SPF 50+ (extreme UV). A small umbrella for the odd early-month shower; a sarong for temples.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Colombo in December?
Colombo December sunrise is 06:10 and sunset is 18:00, with 11h 50min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Colombo in December?
Colombo December air quality (AQI) averages 54, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 23μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Colombo in December?
In December, Colombo is great for Whale watching from Mirissa (season opens), Galle Fort and south-coast beaches, Festive city dining and Galle Face sunsets.
Is December peak season in Colombo?
Colombo December crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Colombo
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.