When to go · Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya in December
Good month. Outside the best window (Jan–Apr). Across Sri Lanka: South-west coast dry again; Adam's Peak season opens; book Christmas early.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) / 10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 13
- Crowds
- High
- Sri Lanka overall
- Prices
- High
- Sri Lanka overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jan–Apr). Across Sri Lanka: South-west coast dry again; Adam's Peak season opens; book Christmas early.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated good. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- Nuwara EliyaHighs around 21 °C (70 °F), lows around 10 °C (50 °F), rain on about 13 daysHighs around 70 °F (21 °C), lows around 50 °F (10 °C), rain on about 13 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 Nuwara Eliya, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 21 °C (70 °F)70 °F (21 °C)
Jan: 21 °C (70 °F)70 °F (21 °C)
Night low
Dec: 10 °C (50 °F)50 °F (10 °C)
Jan: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 13
Jan: 8 (better)
Crowds
Dec: High
Jan: High
Prices
Dec: High
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Jan: 1
December: Outside the best window (Jan–Apr). Across Sri Lanka: South-west coast dry again; Adam's Peak season opens; book Christmas early.
January: Inside Nuwara Eliya's best window: Jan–Apr.
Nuwara Eliya: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket