Conversation with Merlin · Mon Dec 11 2023

What are the locations best to visit during December to avoid moonsoons

The best locations to visit in December to avoid monsoons depend on the region and hemisphere you're considering. In general, here are some popular destinations known for dry, pleasant weather in December:

  1. Southeast Asia: Countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam are great to visit in December as they typically experience dry and cooler weather during this time.

2.: December marks the beginning of summer in Australia, making it an ideal time to explore destinations like Sydney, Melbourne, and the Great Barrier Reef.

  1. South Africa: December brings warm and dry weather to regions like Cape Town and Kruger National Park, making it an excellent time for safaris and coastal exploration.

  2. South America: Places like Argentina, Chile, and Peru experience their summertime in December, providing excellent weather for exploring popular destinations like Buenos Aires Patagonia, and Machu Picchu.

  3. Middle East: Countries like the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Jordan offer dry and mild weather in December, making it a comfortable time to visit historical sites and enjoy outdoor activities.

When planning a trip, it's always advisable to check the specific weather patterns and forecasts for your chosen destination to ensure the best travel experience.

Sri Lanka What are the best places to visit during the month of December to avoid the moonsoons

In Sri Lanka, the month of December is actually one of the favorable times to explore the country. The southwest region, including like Galle and Colombo, experiences warm and dry weather from December to March, making it an ideal time to visit these areas and avoid the monsoon. The northeast, however, tends to be rainy and wet during this time.

Specifically, Galle is a UNESCO Heritage site and an enchanting town to explore, with imposing Dutch colonial buildings, ancient mosques, churches, grand mansions, museums, and various shopping destinations. It's definitely worth for a visit in December.

Furthermore, the central highlands of Sri Lanka, including destinations like Kandy and Nuwaraya, experience cooler weather with temperatures ranging from 22-26°C in December. The Cultural Triangle, which includes ancient cities such as Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, usually mild and dry weather in December, perfect for exploring historical attractions.

are just a few of the many incredible places to consider when planning a trip to Sri Lanka in December, and they offer a great to enjoy the country while avoiding the monsoon season.

January in Sri Lanka Warm, dry and sunny Cycling and hiking Busy in early January Sri Lanka in January is warm, dry and sunny, especially in the south great for cycling, hiking and wildlife watching tours. Early January especially is busy, so its best to book well in advance. Things start to dry up in the north-east as the monsoon season there draws to a close. This is a great time for hiking central Sri Lanka, which is at its sunniest and cooler than the coast. January is a great time for a tailor made Sri Lanka adventureFebruary in Sri Lanka Beach weather Wildlife tours Hike, bike and kayak With the rains dying down on the east coast and hot sunshine in the south, February is a great time of year to visit Sri Lanka especially if you want to factor in some serious beach time. National parks such as Yala start their best season as elephants and leopards materialise to drink at the watering holes. Active hiking, biking and kayaking holidays take to the interior in Sri Lanka in February, where the mountains are a cool escape from climbing temperatures.March in Sri Lanka Blue whale watching Largely dry all over Sri Lanka Hill Country warms up The beginning of March is the best time to see blue whales in Sri Lanka as they gorge on the abundant krill. In fact, most wildlife tours are in full swing now, welcoming families on their spring break. Sri Lanka in March sees hot and sunny weather in the south, with temperatures above 30C. This is one of the warmest months to be in the cool tea-growing climate of the Hill Country. March is also a good month for adventurous honeymooners combining Sri Lanka with the Maldives. March is great for a wildlife and whales tour in Sri LankaApril in Sri Lanka Family adventures Cycling tours Visit the Maldives too Sri Lanka in April starts to get quite humid as the dry season ends in the south-west, but its still a brilliant time for families, especially when you choose to cool down with surfing or rafting. April is one of the best times to cycle and camp in the Hill Country, as the typically cool nights lack the usual chill; however, the rains descend again at the end of the month. Its also an excellent time to add the Maldives into your itinerary. The tourist season winds down at the end of April, when its also your last chance to see blue whales.May in Sri Lanka Peaceful low season Between monsoons North-east Sri Lanka For many, May is the best time of the year to visit Sri Lanka, seasonally positioned in-between both monsoons and very quiet. This is when youll encounter the least number of fellow tourists; those that are here tend to have come for specialist food and wildlife tours. The focus shifts in Sri Lanka in May as the south-west monsoon season approaches, with visitors aiming for the beautiful, undeveloped beaches out east as they bathe in sunshine and mid-20C temperatures. May is your last chance to pilgrimage to sacred Adams Peak before the weather turns.June in Sri Lanka Northern Sri Lanka Still peaceful Wildlife tours June is one of the best months to see northern Sri Lanka as the monsoon season starts in the south. Its an excellent time to explore the Tamil temples of Jaffna and sandy north-eastern beaches under dry, sunny weather and with few other visitors. Bird watching and elephant tracking tours in national parks throughout Sri Lanka in June make the most of active wildlife. July in Sri Lanka Island-wide tours Northern beaches End of wildlife watching season at Yala Northern Sri Lanka basks in sunny, warm weather, while the intermittent monsoon storms in the south ease off. This combo makes July a great time for exploring the whole island; just pack your umbrella for any sudden downpours. This month is your last chance to get the best wildlife viewings at Yala National Park. Temperatures hover at around 30C all over Sri Lanka in July. July and August are great for a Sri Lanka family holidayAugust in Sri Lanka Most popular with families Northern beaches Bird watching Families lo

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Sri Lanka in December is one of the most favorable months to explore the country. While Sri Lanka is lively and worth visiting throughout the year, December is an on-season on the west and south coasts. One can soak the sunshine on the mesmerizing beaches while enjoying refreshing coconut water or beer. As it comes under the peak tourist season, there are larger crowds, and accommodations should be booked in advance. Here are some aspects of Sri Lanka in December.Weather in Sri Lanka in December After facing heavy southwestern monsoon rains between May and September, the southwest region, including places like Galle Colombo, experiences the pleasingly warm and dry season from December to March. The day temperature in December is 30C, and the lovely evenings see a temperature drop to 22C, making it the prime time for tourism in the southwest, while the northeast is rainy and wet.In the central Highlands, destinations like Kandy and Nuwara Eliya experience cooler weather with temperatures ranging from 22-26C. The Cultural Triangle, which includes ancient cities such as Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, usually has mild and dry weather in December, perfect for exploring historical attractions. Sri Lanka is a year-round holiday destination, although December to mid-April is considered the peak season. Best places to visit in December 1) Galle Source Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Sri Lanka, is an enchanting town to explore. With imposing Dutch colonial buildings, ancient mosques, churches, Grand mansions, museums, and various attractions along with numerous shopping destinations, Galle has to be on one's 'to visit' list. 2) Ella Source During December and February, the temperature of Ella oscillates between 27C and 23C and is calm with no extreme weather conditions, ideal for those who enjoy the sun. December is the second busiest time of the year to be in Ella. However, slight rain every other day lowers the temperature and makes the tea plantations dewy and scented with petrichor. The various hotspots in Ella, like Ella Rock, Little Adam's Peak, & the famous Nine Arch Bridge, keep the region bustling with tourists. 3) Negombo Source The pleasant months of December to April are generally considered as the ideal time to visit Negombo. Negombo Lagoon is fed by several small rivers and a canal that is linked to the sea by a narrow channel towards the north, near Negombo city. It is a dense marsh region grassland and blesses the tourists with sightings of beautiful birds while they enjoy a boat ride in the lagoon. Angurukaramulla Temple: It is a colorful Buddhist temple with a 6-meter-tall Buddha, ornate sculptures, murals & the ruins of a historical library. The St. Mary's Church: One of the largest cathedrals in Sri Lanka, Saint Mary's is a modern Roman Catholic church in Negombo. A lot of activities, like Kitesurfing, boating, etc., take place on Brown's Beach and Negombo Beach. 4) Colombo Source In December, Colombo has low humidity in spite of frequent rainfalls. The rainfalls keep the weather fresh and well-suited for sightseeing and other outdoor activities. It is an excellent time to enjoy the beaches and the exciting nightlife that allures the tourists. The weather, with less heat and humidity during this time, is also suitable for shopping and excursions in Colombo. Tourists can take full advantage of the other in this month to visit places like Kelaniya Raja MahaVihara, Seema Malaka, Colombo Dutch Museum, Independence Square, etc. National parks to visit in December: 1) Yala National Park and Gal Oya are both excellent. 2) Bundala National Park is famous in December for bird watching and spotting crocodiles and elephants. 3) Udawalawe National Park covers an area of 30,821 hectares and is home to monkeys, deer, crocodiles, leopards, sloth bears, giant flying squirrels, a rich array of birdlife, and elephants. The park is covered in light and arid scrub and is famous for a safari in October to January. 4) Horton'sPlains Na

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If anywhere deserves the title of a trueyear-round destination, its Sri Lanka. Like neighboring Maldives, its proximity to the equator ensures pleasantly warm, stable temperatures whatever the season. Sri Lanka's annual dual monsoons mean that while one side of the country is taking a soaking, the other is primed for afternoons on the beach. On top of this is a calendar chock-full of festivals and holidays, offering a unique cultural highlight for visitors almost every month. So whether youre looking for the best time to hit the beach, spot wild elephants in a national park, hike to the summit of Adams Peak, or simply avoid the tourist crowds, heres our guide to the best time to visit Sri Lanka. Whether you choose the west or east coast, there's always somewhere to surf in Sri Lanka Andrey Danilovich / Getty Images December to March is the best time to hit the beach Sri Lankas high season coincides with the coming of the best weather in the south and west of the country, meaning popular resorts like Hikkaduwa and Mirissa are at their most idyllic, but also busiest. However, the Maha monsoon season (October to January) keeps the East, the North, and theAncient Citieswet. Sri Lanka is a year-round wildlife-watching destination but generally, the best times to spot elephants, leopards and buffaloalign with the main November-to-April tourist season. All the big parks are open and the dry conditions mean that animals start to gather around water holes, making them easier to spot (especially between February and early April). By December, high season is in full swing, with bathers on beaches along the south and west coast jostling for towel space. The Adams Peak pilgrimage season, when pilgrims of all faiths (and the odd tourist) climb the sacred summit near Ella, starts in December and lasts until mid-April. The end of the month also sees the arrival of Christmas, which is celebrated enthusiastically by Sri Lankas Christian community. Followers of other faiths also join in secular events over the holidays expect over-the-topdecorations aplenty. January sees the peak of the tourist season in Sri Lanka. Crowds may be at their largest, but fine weather in the south and west makes it an appealing time to visit the country. Additionally, many popular towns host major events during the first month of the year. This includes Duruthu Perahera inColombo, a lavish festival of lights, dances, and parades to celebrate the first of Buddhas visits to Sri Lanka. Elsewhere, Galle's somewhat more sedate annual literary festival takes over the city's Unesco-protected fort. Visitor numbers are still high in February, with wintering Europeans baking themselves on the beaches in the dry winter weather. This is a busy month for Sri Lankans, with Independence Day early in the month, commemorated with festivals, parades, fireworks, and sporting events across the nation. Visitor numbers decline but the festival of Maha Sivarathri in early March (or late February) brings a flurry of activity, with Hindus commemorating the marriage of Shiva to Parvati with all-night vigils and more. Its the most important day for Shaivites, who comprise the majority of Sri Lankas Hindus. Shoulder season can be a wonderful time to go trekking in Sri Lanka Billy Hustace / Getty Images September to October and April are the best times for exploring the whole country Squeezed between the two main monsoons, Sri Lankas two shoulder seasons offer the best weather right across the country, with fewer crowds and lower prices. April, however, does coincide with Sinhala and TamilNew Year, which can cause transport troubles as people move around the country. This is a good time for trekking in the Hill Country or climbing Sigiriya, with the weather mostly dry but not as hot as in the height of summer. September, and sometimes August, also sees 200 or more elephants group together for several weeks in one spot in Minneriya National Park. The event, known as "The Gathering" where baby

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