April in Colombo averages 31C by day and 25C at night, with 158 mm of rain over about 25 wet days. It is the 4th driest month of the year. April splits into two moods: hot, sticky pre-holiday days and then a near-total shutdown for Avurudu. Good for cultural immersion, less so for sightseeing logistics.
What to Expect
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 31C by day, 25C at night |
| Rainfall | 158 mm, about 25 wet days |
Averages for 2015 to 2024 from the Open-Meteo weather archive.
Events and Festivals
- Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Avurudu), mid-April - shops and restaurants close for several days
What to Do This Season
- Experience Avurudu customs if timing coincides - street games, traditional sweets
- Visit Gangaramaya Temple, active year-round but quieter during the holiday lull
- Shop the Independence Square area before New Year closures
What to Watch Out For
- Many local businesses and restaurants shut for 3-5 days around mid-April
- Rainfall jumps sharply from March as the inter-monsoon season starts
- Domestic travel surges around the holiday, making transport busier
What to Wear
Light, quick-dry clothing; rain shell for sudden downpours.
Is It Worth Visiting Now?
Maybe - hot and increasingly wet, but the Sinhala and Tamil New Year gives a genuine cultural window few tourists see.
More on Colombo
Flexible on dates? Compare Colombo in March and Colombo in May. The best time to visit Colombo sets all twelve months side by side. For what is open and worth it, see the things to do in Colombo. The main Colombo page covers costs and transport.
We plan trips to Colombo and the rest of Sri Lanka. Tell us your dates and we will put a route together. Our routes are on the tours page.