Month guide · Colombo · Sri Lanka
Colombo in October
What October is really like in Colombo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: AKS.9955, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
October is a month many travellers avoid. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 24°C (75°F), about 19 rainy days and roughly 12 hours of daylight. Inter-monsoon storms make this one of the wettest months, usually with heavy afternoon and evening rain.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days
- About 19
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in October
October is the 10th-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 24°C (75°F). Rain falls on roughly 19 of its 31 days. Compared with September (30°C (86°F)), October is about as warm; by November highs stay near 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 05:57
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 17:55
- Daylight
- About 12 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, October rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes October one of the better-value months to book.
Events in October
- Deepavali (October or November)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Beach · Mount Lavinia
Mount Lavinia Beach
Colombo's nearest swimming beach, 12 km south, is a golden strip backed by seafood restaurants and the Mount Lavinia Hotel, a former governor's mansion.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Kids
Religious site · Kelaniya
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
Visit in the late afternoon and dress in white or light colours, as Sri Lankan pilgrims do.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Pettah
Wolvendaal Church
Completed in 1757, this Dutch Reformed church on a rise at the edge of Pettah has thick walls, a cross-shaped plan and the tombstones of Dutch governors set into the floor.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Zoo · Dehiwala
Dehiwala Zoo
Go early in the morning when animals are active and the heat is lower; combine with Mount Lavinia beach in the afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
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 24°C and 19 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 October a good time to visit Colombo?
A month many travellers avoid, 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 October a good time to visit Colombo?
It is a month many travellers avoid. Inter-monsoon storms make this one of the wettest months, usually with heavy afternoon and evening rain.
+How warm is Colombo in October?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Colombo in October?
Expect rain on about 19 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.