The short answer
When to go to Bentota
December to March is the best window: the driest months on the Galle climate table, which is the nearest station with a published table, with February the driest and calmest. April is hot and humid, and May to November is wetter, with October the wettest month at over 340 mm. The beach is rough and often unsafe for swimming in the monsoon, though gardens, temples and the river remain usable. Older travellers should plan outings for the morning and rest at midday.
Month by month
Bentota weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C | 23°C | 87 mm | Dry season; calm seas and clear river light | |
| February | 31°C | 24°C | 71 mm | Lowest rain on the table; best for beach and river | |
| March | 32°C | 25°C | 90 mm | Dry and hot; mornings and evenings are comfortable | |
| April | 31°C | 25°C | 202 mm | Hotter and wetter; showers build, sea getting rougher | |
| May | 30°C | 26°C | 316 mm | Southwest monsoon: heavy rain, rough sea, red flags | |
| June | 29°C | 26°C | 184 mm | Monsoon showers; swimming often unsafe, gardens lush | |
| July | 29°C | 25°C | 173 mm | Showery; temples and gardens work, beach days are risky | |
| August | 29°C | 25°C | 162 mm | Showery with bright spells; quieter resorts | |
| September | 29°C | 25°C | 261 mm | Rain increasing; keep indoor options in the plan | |
| October | 29°C | 25°C | 345 mm | Wettest month; storms and thunder likely | |
| November | 30°C | 24°C | 283 mm | Heavy inter-monsoon rain; expect disrupted days | |
| December | 30°C | 24°C | 176 mm | Drier again; busy with festive-season visitors |
Temperatures and rainfall are long-term monthly averages. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.
Seasons at a glance
Bentota seasons for families and seniors
The easiest months: January, February and March
- January: Dry season; calm seas and clear river light
- February: Lowest rain on the table; best for beach and river
- March: Dry and hot; mornings and evenings are comfortable
Good, with small trade-offs: December
- December: Drier again; busy with festive-season visitors
Possible, with planning: April, June, July, August and September
- April: Hotter and wetter; showers build, sea getting rougher
- June: Monsoon showers; swimming often unsafe, gardens lush
- July: Showery; temples and gardens work, beach days are risky
- August: Showery with bright spells; quieter resorts
- September: Rain increasing; keep indoor options in the plan
Best avoided with parents or children: May, October and November
- May: Southwest monsoon: heavy rain, rough sea, red flags
- October: Wettest month; storms and thunder likely
- November: Heavy inter-monsoon rain; expect disrupted days
Useful answers
Best time to visit Bentota: FAQs
What is the best month to visit Bentota?
January, February and March are the best months to visit Bentota, with December also good. December to March is the best window: the driest months on the Galle climate table, which is the nearest station with a published table, with February the driest and calmest. April is hot and humid, and May to November is wetter, with October the wettest month at over 340 mm. The beach is rough and often unsafe for swimming in the monsoon, though gardens, temples and the river remain usable. Older travellers should plan outings for the morning and rest at midday.
Which months should I avoid in Bentota with elderly parents?
May, October and November are the months to avoid with older travellers. Southwest monsoon: heavy rain, rough sea, red flags Wettest month; storms and thunder likely
When does it rain most in Bentota?
October is the wettest month, with about 345 mm of rain on average. The hottest month is March, with average highs around 32°C.