Sri Lanka Itinerary in December

Sri Lanka is one of the best places to visit in December. During the festive season, tourists can enjoy ideal beach weather, cool temperatures, and lush landscapes.

If you want to experience all of those end-of-year benefits and more, a Sri Lanka itinerary in December is a fantastic idea. We’ve curated one that will serve you for at least 10 days. Let’s help you plan an unforgettable holiday adventure!

Day 1 & 2 – Negombo

International flights to Sri Lanka always land in Bandaranaike International Airport, which lies just outside the capital city, Colombo. For your itinerary, don’t follow the chaotic crowd of tourists to Colombo. Instead, make the short trip to Negombo, which is even closer to the airport.

Negombo has lots of exciting attractions to offer, ranging from temples and beaches to fish markets and wildlife. The following is an overview of the best things to do in the city:

• Negombo Beach: Explore the long coastline filled with golden sand. Negombo Beach features turquoise waters that are ideal for swimming and water sports. The December weather makes the experience all the more relaxing.
• Fish Market: Fishing plays a major role in Negombo’s economy and identity. You can see fishing boats while standing on its coastline. Most of their catch is sold at the local fish market complex, one of the world’s largest fish markets. You’ll find sharks, tuna, and other seafood at the market.
• Dutch Fort: Although most of the fort is in ruins, it remains an important historic landmark. Learn how it was built by the Portuguese, rebuilt by the Dutch, and transformed into a prison by the Brits.
• Angurukaramulla Viharaya: This stunning Buddhist temple welcomes guests through an entrance resembling an open-mouthed lion. Its interior contains some colourful murals and massive statues.

Day 3 & 4 – Sigiriya & Dambulla

For the next two days, you’ll be exploring the two most famous destinations in Matale District, Central Province. Sigiriya is an ancient town and rock fortress. The village’s centre of attraction is Lion Rock. It’s a 200-metre-tall structure that was once the fortress and palace of King Kasyapa in the 5th century. Lion Rock is known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and is one of the reasons Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can spend an entire day exploring Dambulla City and the Dambulla Cave Temples, Sri Lanka’s largest cave-temple complex. Like Sigiriya, the complex is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features five caves containing various statues and artworks. Other attractions in Dambulla are the Golden Buddha located in the Buddha Museum and nearby national parks like Wilpattu, Kaudulla, and Minneriya.

Day 5 & 6 – Kandy

Central Province still has a lot to offer in our itinerary. Spend days 5 and 6 discovering sacred monuments and learning about the local culture. The city’s natural landscape consists of breathtaking hills, gardens, and lakes.

Here’s a list of things to do in Kandy:

• Temple of the Tooth Relic: The sacred tooth of Buddha lies somewhere in this iconic temple. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka.
• The Three Temple Loop: You can explore three of the most important Buddhist temples in Kandy in one day. These temples are Gadaladeniya Viharaya, Lankathilaka, and Embekke. 
• Royal Botanic Gardens: There are over 4,000 species of plants in this 147-acre garden.
• Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue: Tourists often climb to the top of the giant statue to see the city from a new perspective. It’s 88 feet tall!
• Kandy Lake: There is a two-mile pathway that surrounds the lake, which is perfect for taking a long stroll.

Day 7 & 8 – Nuwara Eliya

Two days in Nuwara Eliya will add British-style architecture, stunning landscapes, and perfect weather to your itinerary. The city is a hub for outdoor adventures such as visits to tea plantations and hiking trails. Check out our top recommendations below:

• Horton Plains National Park: Here’s your chance to explore a variety of hiking routes, including the famous “world’s end.” The view from the top is well worth the journey.
• Nuwara Eliya Post Office: The local post office is a colonial-era building that was constructed in 1894. It’s one of the oldest buildings in town.
• Tea Estates: Sites like Pedro Tea Estate and Labookellie Tea Centre offer tourists the chance to learn about tea harvesting and production.

Day 9 & 10 – Tangalle

The beaches of Tangalle are some of the finest in Sri Lanka. Their ocean is also known for harbouring large whales and other iconic sea creatures.

December falls outside of Tangalle’s monsoon season, making its beach areas safe for people to explore. Not sure which beaches to visit? We recommend Medaketiya Beach, Silent Beach, and Rekawa Beach (20 minutes away from town). But Tangalle has more to give you than just beaches. Nearby Mirissa Harbour offers one of the best whale-watching experiences in the world.

You can also take a day trip to some of the closest national parks, including Udawalawe, Bundala, and Yala.

Contact Wander Tropics to get Sri Lanka Itinerary in December.