When to go · Ella
Ella in December
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Dec (heavy rain), and the worst of the May–Sep southwest monsoon.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) / 14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 14
- Crowds
- High
- Sri Lanka overall
- Prices
- High
- Sri Lanka overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Dec (heavy rain), and the worst of the May–Sep southwest monsoon.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- EllaHighs around 23 °C (73 °F), lows around 14 °C (57 °F), rain on about 14 daysHighs around 73 °F (23 °C), lows around 57 °F (14 °C), rain on about 14 days
- Hill country, Sri Lanka · Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Adam's Peakcool
Nuwara Eliya nights near 5 °C (41 °F) in winter; the Adam's Peak pilgrim season is December–May; landslide risk in heavy rain (Cyclone Ditwah, 2025).Nuwara Eliya nights near 41 °F (5 °C) in winter; the Adam's Peak pilgrim season is December–May; landslide risk in heavy rain (Cyclone Ditwah, 2025).
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.
Christmas and New Year big impact
25 Dec – early Jan · Sri Lanka
South-coast beach hotels at peak prices.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Sri Lanka overall
- High
- Prices · Sri Lanka overall
- High
Sri Lanka overall: South-west coast dry again; Adam's Peak season opens; book Christmas early.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Ella, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 23 °C (73 °F)73 °F (23 °C)
Jan: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Night low
Dec: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Jan: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 14
Jan: 7 (better)
Crowds
Dec: High
Jan: High
Prices
Dec: High
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Jan: 1
December: Listed as a month to avoid: Dec (heavy rain), and the worst of the May–Sep southwest monsoon.
January: Inside Ella's best window: Jan–Apr.
Ella: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket