Looking for Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka by Month? March is the best time to visit Sri Lanka. This island experiences warm, sunny days with few clouds and precipitation. During this time of year, the southwestern and central parts of Sri Lanka—which include well-known tourist destinations like Colombo, Galle, and Kandy—enjoy agreeable temperatures and perfect beach weather. Kandy is on the top of the list of best places to visit in Sri Lanka in March. Apart from this, the rest of destinations are also described below:

Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka in March

Weather Overview

Average Daily Temperature: 29 °C

Average Rainfall in March: 42mm

Kandy City

Kandy is the capital and administrative city in the central province. The distance between it and Colombo City is 116 km, making it the second largest city in Sri Lanka. Kandy is a popular tourist destination and a designated World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its tropical mountain greenery and home to the shrine of the Tooth Relic, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa.

When visiting Sri Lanka, be sure to visit Kandy, since it is the hub from where you may access the other regions of the country that hold significant cultural value. The collective term for this is the “cultural triangle.” The Kingdom of Kandy formerly flourished under a variety of rulers in Ceylon and is known to be one of the Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka. It was an area that was uninhabitable but drew a lot of invaders.

The primary reasons Kandy was chosen as a viable site for the establishment of a kingdom were its exceptional natural beauty and defenses. The mountains that surround the city have rich evergreen trees. The hills are home to a wide variety of species. Even uncommon species of birds have chosen to live here because of the abundant greenery. In Kandy, monkeys are equally as common as birds. As a result, it’s advisable that you hold onto your belongings while you stroll around the streets because you never know when you might run into these cunning forest critters.

You observe well-organized store lanes as you walk through downtown. There will also be small cafes and restaurants among them.

The people in the region are really friendly. The air in Kandy is peaceful and pleasant at the same time. This will become apparent to you as you cycle past Kandy Lake in the evening. As the temple lights start to come on, the refreshing breeze will leave you feeling rejuvenated. By dusk, as the sky turns pink and orange, the little village comes to life in a whole different way.

There isn’t much going on in Kandy after sundown because it’s a quite peaceful city. By 7:30 p.m., the streets are indeed almost deserted. The biggest monument of them all, glowing in the distance from the mountains, would be the enormous Buddha statue, even as night falls. The tiny flecks of sparkling lights in the mountains give Kandy a rather ethereal appearance. Come experience the enchantment of Kandy City.

Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue

Roughly 2 kilometers from the city centre of Kandy lies a Theravada Buddhist temple called the Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya, and also known as the Bahirawakanda Temple. The temple is famed for its giant white statue of Lord Buddha, called Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue, standing at 88 feet, one of the tallest Buddha statues on the island. By climbing to the very top of the hill, you’re gifted with awe-inspiring and undisturbed views of the city of Kandy and the emerald mountain ranges that surround it. The hill of Bahirawakanda, which directly translates to ‘gnome mountain’ has several fascinating folklore attached to it.

The temple was built in the year 1972 and the construction of the statue was completed in 1992. The glistening statue with Lord Buddha in the position of Dhyana Mudra can be spotted from almost anywhere in Kandy, which has resulted in this temple becoming a favoured tourist destination, even to this day.

Galle and Matara

Although not many people are familiar with Matara, the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka, referred to by its inhabitants as “Dondra Head,” was formerly a strategically significant location. Fortified by time and replete with a hidden past with an underground elephant trade that complemented a flourishing cinnamon trade, Matara—or Mature, as the Portuguese mispronounced it back in 1595—has a rich background that is just waiting to be unearthed.

Matara Fort

Originally constructed by the Portuguese in 1560, the Matara Fort is a striking stronghold that the Dutch fortified during the siege of Galle. It is situated between the Nilwala River, home to saltwater crocodiles, and the Indian Ocean.

Kirti Sri Rajasinha’s Kandyan army took the fort in 1761 during the great “Matara Rebellion,” but the Dutch retook it in 1762. It is now one of the top attractions in Matara. Notable features are the Dutch Reformatory Church, which is the oldest in the fort, and a number of other intriguing structures that were formerly the houses of Sri Lankan nobility.

Hummanaya Blow Hole

Head to the world’s second-largest blowhole from the fort! This term belongs to the Hummanaya Blow Hole, which is worth visiting. It’s about an hour’s drive from the Matara Fort. The “hoo” sound produced by the blowhole during its active phase is the source of the name Hummanaya. It shoots up every few minutes and can reach heights of 82 to 98 feet with its sprays.

Gangaramaya Temple

The 120-year-old Gangaramaya temple in Sri Lanka is not like other temples. This fascinating temple complex is located next to the picturesque Beira Lake in the heart of bustling inner-city Colombo. It serves as a place of prayer, a hub for education and career training, and a highly popular tourist destination.

At Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, one should anticipate enormous collections of intriguing artifacts and crowds rather than expansive, peaceful settings. The temple is particularly famous for its beautiful construction and statues representing Sri Lankan, Chinese, Thai, Burmese and many other artistic forms. The temple’s facade is flamboyantly adorned with ornate patterns and gilded accents. The black slate tiles of the temple grounds are covered with a jumble of Buddha, lion, and nymph statues as well as china vases.

All people, of any faith, are welcome to visit the magnificent Gangaramaya temple in Colombo.

The dress code at Gangaramaya Temple

  • Any kind of informal attire: Provided they completely envelop your body, from the shoulders to the knees. Wear appropriate clothing.
  • Hats, caps, and hijabs are not permitted inside; please remove them with grace.
  • Please leave your shoes and/or slippers at the door.
  • Any Sri Lankan temple would have to follow this dress code.

Whales underwater in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has gained attention for its unique snorkeling locations, which are perfect for discovering the world beneath the surface. These snorkeling places are not just for professional divers, PADI training facilities are available to help newbies learn the sport. Make the most of your beach holiday by embarking on an exciting and daring underwater exploration experience, such as swimming with whales in Sri Lanka at these snorkeling destinations.

  1. Hikkaduwa

Hikkadawu is the country’s cultural beach hub and the best beach in Sri Lanka for snorkeling. This beach, which is only 98 kilometers south of Colombo, is home to numerous tropical fish and stunning coral reefs. This is an ideal location for both experienced snorkelers and novices, who can pick up some diving techniques from the season-long PADI instructors. It is one of my favorite best places to visit in Sri Lanka in March.

  1. The Pasikudah

Nestled in the Batticaloa area, this vacation town offers vast stretches of unspoiled blue waters and empty beaches. This beach is a fantastic paradise for those who want to take a walk over the ocean instead of land and discover the marine life. And nowhere else but this beach will allow you to explore the breathtaking coral reefs by diving and snorkeling just off a yacht.

  1. Kirinda

Kirinda is a charming town located on the southeast coast of Tissa, just 10 kilometers away. This area is home to a gorgeous beach and a Buddhist shrine on the rocks. This unique diving location not only has breathtaking beauty, but it also protects wrecks of Little and Great Basses. March and April are the ideal months of the year to visit these basses. Although Kirinda lacks a diving center, visitors can visit the ones in Hikkaduwa and Mirissa.

Udawalawe National Park

About 200 kilometers southeast of Colombo, Udawalawe is conveniently reachable by bus or automobile. Additionally, it is nearer to Mirissa and Unawatuna, two well-known beach resorts in the south. I boarded a bus in Ella and got off at the Thanamalwila intersection in Wellawaya. From there, you have 90 minutes to get to Embilipitiya via bus or tuk tuk. The optimum time to go there is in February or March and during the dry season, which runs from May to October. In addition to elephants, other animals you may encounter include deer, hornbills, eagles, wild buffalo, wild foxes, and monitor lizards.

Ventura Beach

One of the most well-liked and stunning beaches in Sri Lanka’s southern province is Ventura Beach. Beside Bentota Beach, as well.

One of the numerous stunning golden beaches in the nation is widely regarded as being Bentota Beach. Being a stunning luxury resort and hotel, it is one of the nation’s top tourist destinations. The resorts are renowned for their diverse cuisine and delicious seafood. It’s also among the greatest places to go sightseeing and participate in water sports. This beach is an enjoyable place to be because of its lovely waters, lovely surroundings, and exciting water activities. There is rarely any crowding on the immaculate beach. It’s a really upscale and lovely location.

It’s a really upscale and lovely location. The resorts provide its guests with nightly entertainment. Not only may guests cruise the Bentota River, but they can also use the resort’s swimming pools. Top water sports at Ventura Beach include jet skiing, scuba diving, windsurfing, snorkeling, and banana boat/tube rides.

Sri Lanka Itinerary March – Things to Do!

Day 1:

  • Enter Sri Lanka via Airport
  • Check-in to your hotel
  • Take breakfast and a nap to get some rest
  • Start your trip with a tour to Kandy City
  • Visit Theravada Buddhist temple and see Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue
  • Eat at a local restaurant
  • Come back to your hotel
  • Take Rest

Day 2:

  • After taking bath and breakfast
  • Get ready to move to Galle by road(4 hr 42 mins)
  • Check-in to your hotel
  • Take lunch and enjoy your evening tea with a beautiful sunset

Day 3:

  • Take Breakfast at your hotel
  • Go to Matara Fort and see the Hummanaya Blow Hole
  • Come back to your hotel
  • Move to Colombo by road (2 hr 10 min)
  • Check in to your Colombo Hotel
  • Take healthy sleep

Day 4:

  • Order Breakfast and get refresh
  • Go to Gangaramaya temple
  • Come back to your hotel
  • Move to Hikkadawu for Snorkeling by road (1 hr 59 min)
  • Check-in to your local hotel
  • Take Rest

Day 5:

  • Take Breakfast at your hotel
  • Go for snorkeling
  • Take a shower and then lunch
  • Move to Udawalawe National Park by road (2 hr 18 min)
  • See the beauty of wildlife at peak hours (5-7pm)
  • Check-in to nearest local hotel
  • Take Rest

Day 6:

  • Take Complimentary breakfast by your hotel
  • Do some shopping
  • Move to Ventura Beach
  • Try Jet-skiing or Scuba diving
  • Enjoy peaceful sleep at your beach hotel

Day 7:

  • Book your ride
  • Move to Colombo Airport for Departure

How to Book Your Tour in Sri Lanka

Please contact us directly at Sri Lanka Holiday Ideas for a custom Sri Lanka Itinerary March that includes whale viewing and safari rides. We will be pleased to assist you in setting up your visit.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the best time to visit Sri Lanka is March. Because Sri Lanka in March weather, adopts a serene beauty. In addition to engaging in a variety of beachside activities, people can go shopping, visit temples, and enjoy the sun without worrying about overheating. However, summertime weather requires caution.