Kandy Holiday Weather Overview
Kandy is the second largest city of Sri Lanka, in South Asia, and is generally recognized as the cultural capital.
Things to do and see in Kandy
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth is the home to Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha. The room is heavily guarded but is open to devotees and tourists who can look upon the gold casket where the relic is kept. There are numerous other temples and museums within the complex to visit.
An artificial lake dominates the city and it is a lovely place to stroll around and take in the atmosphere by sitting on the lakeside seats. Kandy Lake is near the main temples and offers serene views of the local area. Why not take a boat ride to explore the entirety of the water.
Just outside of Kandy is Amaya Hill, which is a treatment centre, set in the hills. They have their own signature treatments including a complete body massage using selected Ayurvedic medicinal oils. Embrace the stress free atmosphere by spending the day by the pool and having a lovely prepared lunch.
If you want to do something a little more active, there are many trekking expeditions to Knuckles Range. Trips can be overnight and mountain-biking and rafting trips can also be arranged.
Best food and places to eat in Kandy
Despite its name, the Kandy Muslim Hotel is not a hotel at all but a lively eatery favoured by the locals. It offers arguably the cities best samosas and guests are expected to follow tradition by eating their meal with their right hand.
Helga’s Folly embraces Hollywood glamour and is a perfect spot for a relaxed lunch or afternoon drinks. The menu attempts to be as organic as possible and there is a wide variety of vegetarian options.
Kandy House is a restaurant that mixes European fusion and traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, with specialities including poached fillet of para fish with jasmine rice. It has a beautiful veranda which is the perfect location for a romantic dinner.
If you want to see some of the best views of the city while you dine, Slightly Chilled Lounge is the restaurant for you. It specialises in Chinese cuisine but still offers other dishes such as pasta and burgers. During the evening the laidback atmosphere is transformed to a lively cocktail bar with live music.
What languages are spoken in Kandy?
As part of Sri Lanka, the official languages spoken in Kandy are Sinhala and Tamil. The main foreign language of the country is English.
What currency is used in Kandy?
The currency used in Anuradhapura is the Sri Lankan Rupee. For the best exchange rates, it is advised you organise your money before your trip.
Top hotels in Kandy
Set in the hills, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy is inspired by Kandy’s past and present with a chic design that embraces the heritage of the ancient kingdom. It is an ideal luxury retreat for those seeking relaxation.
Only a 5 minute drive from Kandy Town, Thilanka Hotel is surrounded by the natural beauty of Hunnasgiriya Mountain and Udawattaekelle Natural Reserve. It has its own spa and outdoor swimming pool.
Lakshmi Guest House is a cheap and cheerful accommodation option just outside of Royal Palace Park. Guests can enjoy spa and massage treatments or make use of the free motorbike rentals.
Nature Walk Resort is a small boutique hotel between the Temple of the Tooth and the Forbidden Forest. Decorated with terracotta tiles and French doors, it provides excellent forest views of monkeys.
When is the best month to visit Kandy?
The best time to visit Kandy is during the dry season (December to April), when the weather condition is most favourable for holidays. However, as it never really gets cold, it is possible to visit Kandy throughout the year. The weather can becomes unpredictable during the monsoon season, so bear this in mind when planning your journey.
Climate in Kandy
Kandy experiences cooler and relatively wetter weather than the tropical climate of Sri Lanka should suggest. The coldest month of the year tends to be January while the hottest is in July, and the humidity is generally between 70% and 79%. Kandy has two distinct seasons: the monsoon season and the dry season.
Monsoon Seasons in Kandy
The monsoon season lasts from May through to August with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 29°C. The weather is rough and unpredictable during this season, and rainfall is at its highest.
The inter-monsoonal period is from September through November, during which there is light rain and high humidity. The temperatures range from 24°C to 29°C.
Dry Season in Kandy
Kandy’s dry season lasts from December until April and the temperatures remain between 22°C and 30°C. During this period, the climate is very hot and humid as rainfall is infrequent and low.
What to pack and wear in Kandy?
As the weather in Kandy is dry and hot throughout the year, wear lightweight, cotton clothes such as shorts and T-shirts for a comfortable visit.
Sun glasses and sun cream should also be packed to protect from the bright sun.
If you are planning on visiting during a wet season, make sure to bring with you suitable waterproof clothing as only an umbrella may not be enough during the heavy downfalls.
Best months to visit Kandy?
February and March are the best month to go for holiday or travel to Kandy. The weather averages gathered from Kandy weather forecast and Kandy weather history also forecast these months temperature to be around 28°c and average of 208.0667 hours of sunshine in a month.
Coldest months of Kandy?
January and February are the coldest months with temperature at around 19°c.
Which months receive most rainfall in Kandy?
October and November receive most rainfall with precipitation count of 446.41mm.
Travelling to Kandy? Check out our Weather averages of Kandy to better plan your holiday or travel.
If you would just like to know what the weather was for a past dates for research or education or you are just curious then visit our historical weather of Kandy section.