Month guide · Colombo · Sri Lanka
Colombo in July
What July is really like in Colombo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Charaka Ranasinghe, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
July is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 12.5 hours of daylight. Rain eases slightly; many visitors pass through on the way to Kandy's Esala Perahera.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in July
July is the 7th-warmest month in Colombo: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 25°C (77°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with June (30°C (86°F)), July is about as warm; by August highs stay near 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 July)
- About 06:02
- Sunset (15 July)
- About 18:31
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F)
First inter-monsoon (April). Hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms; New Year festivities close many businesses for a few days.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, July rates 3 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in January). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in July
- Esala Perahera in Kandy (July or August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in July
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · Pettah
Wolvendaal Church
Pair it with a walk through Pettah's markets; it is quiet and cool after the crowds.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Zoo · Dehiwala
Dehiwala Zoo
The National Zoological Gardens, about 10 km south of the centre, is one of the oldest zoos in Asia, with Sri Lankan species such as leopards, sloth bears and endemic birds among its collection, plus a large aquarium section.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Nature · Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Beddagana Wetland Park
Visit at opening time for birds; bring water and insect repellent.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
Religious site · Kotahena
Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil
Built of granite brought from South India, this Shiva temple in the northern district of Kotahena is unusual for its stone, rather than painted, gopuram and carved pillars.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- History
The sea averages 28°C (82°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Colombo.
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 25°C and 12 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is July a good time to visit Colombo?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, December–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Colombo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is July a good time to visit Colombo?
It is a shoulder-season month. Rain eases slightly; many visitors pass through on the way to Kandy's Esala Perahera.
+How warm is Colombo in July?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Colombo in July?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.