When to go · Dambulla
Dambulla in August
Good month. Outside the best window (Jan–Apr, Sep–Nov). Across Sri Lanka: East and north dry; Kandy Perahera and Jaffna's Nallur festival.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C) / 25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 13
- Crowds
- High
- Sri Lanka overall
- Prices
- High
- Sri Lanka overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jan–Apr, Sep–Nov). Across Sri Lanka: East and north dry; Kandy Perahera and Jaffna's Nallur festival.
Is another month better than August?
August is rated good. These months rate higher:
Weather in August
- DambullaHighs around 31 °C (88 °F), lows around 25 °C (77 °F), rain on about 13 daysHighs around 88 °F (31 °C), lows around 77 °F (25 °C), rain on about 13 days
- Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka · Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwafine
Dry zone: hot and dusty in April–May; the north-east monsoon rains fall October–January.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Kandy Esala Perahera big impact
Jul–Aug (10 nights, check dates) · Sri Lanka
Night processions of elephants and dancers; Kandy beds triple in price and sell out.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Sri Lanka overall
- High
- Prices · Sri Lanka overall
- High
Sri Lanka overall: East and north dry; Kandy Perahera and Jaffna's Nallur festival.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Dambulla, side by side.
Verdict
Aug: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Aug: 31 °C (88 °F)88 °F (31 °C)
Jan: 30 °C (86 °F)86 °F (30 °C)
Night low
Aug: 25 °C (77 °F)77 °F (25 °C)
Jan: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Rain days
Aug: 13
Jan: 2 (better)
Crowds
Aug: High
Jan: High
Prices
Aug: High
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Aug: 1
Jan: 1
August: Outside the best window (Jan–Apr, Sep–Nov). Across Sri Lanka: East and north dry; Kandy Perahera and Jaffna's Nallur festival.
January: Inside Dambulla's best window: Jan–Apr, Sep–Nov.
Dambulla: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast