Month guide · Colombo · Sri Lanka
Colombo in November
What November is really like in Colombo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kondephy, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
November is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 23°C (73°F), about 16 rainy days and roughly 11.8 hours of daylight. Still showery, though rain starts to ease late in the month as the season turns.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days
- About 16
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in November
November is the 11th-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 23°C (73°F). Rain falls on roughly 16 of its 30 days. Compared with October (30°C (86°F)), November is about as warm; by December highs stay near 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 November)
- About 06:01
- Sunset (15 November)
- About 17:50
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F)
South-west monsoon (May–September). Heavy rain peaks in May and June, then turns showery; rough seas close west-coast swimming, but prices are low.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, November 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 November
- Deepavali (some years)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in November
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · Kotahena
Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil
Remove shoes and, for men, sometimes shirts, as worshippers do; ask the priests before photographing inside.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- History
Religious site · Slave Island
Gangaramaya Temple
One of Colombo's most important Buddhist temples mixes Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese styles, with a bodhi tree, a vihara full of Buddha statues and an eclectic museum of gifts, from vintage cars to clocks.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Museum · Cinnamon Gardens
National Museum of Colombo
Allow time for the mask gallery and the regalia room, then walk across to Viharamahadevi Park.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
Viewpoint · Beira Lake
Lotus Tower
At about 350 metres, the lotus-shaped Colombo Lotus Tower is the tallest structure in South Asia.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Kids
- After dark
- Rainy day
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 23°C and 16 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 November 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 November a good time to visit Colombo?
It is a shoulder-season month. Still showery, though rain starts to ease late in the month as the season turns.
+How warm is Colombo in November?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Colombo in November?
Expect rain on about 16 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.