Month guide · Colombo · Sri Lanka
Colombo in September
What September 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
September is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 12.1 hours of daylight. Changeable weather with heavy showers; the quietest time for hotels.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 12.1 hours
- Sea temperature
- 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in September
September is the 9th-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 14 of its 30 days. Compared with August (30°C (86°F)), September is about as warm; by October highs stay near 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 06:01
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 18:10
- Daylight
- About 12.1 hours
- Sea
- 27°C (81°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, September rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes September one of the better-value months to book.
Events in September
September has no major recurring festival in Colombo, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in September
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Park · Cinnamon Gardens
Viharamahadevi Park
Visit in the late afternoon when it is cooler; the trees are full of flowering colour from March to May.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Market · Pettah
Pettah markets
Just east of the Fort, Pettah is a grid of streets where each lane specialises: spices and dried fish, fabrics, electronics, hardware or gold.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Photo spot
Religious site · Pettah
Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)
Visit outside prayer times, especially avoiding Friday midday; dress modestly and women should cover their hair.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Historic site · Fort
Old Dutch Hospital
Dating from the Dutch period in the 17th century, this restored colonial building with courtyards and verandahs is one of the oldest in the Fort.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Food
- After dark
- Free
The sea averages 27°C (81°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Colombo.
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 25°C and 14 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 September a good time to visit Colombo?
A good-value shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, December–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Colombo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is September a good time to visit Colombo?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Changeable weather with heavy showers; the quietest time for hotels.
+How warm is Colombo in September?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Colombo in September?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.