Kandy Weather in December

December weather in Kandy

December is warm, damp and often cloudy. Rain falls on many days, and the air can feel sticky, so don't count on long, clear stretches for sightseeing. Showers can interrupt walks around Kandy Lake or the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya.

You can still visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, browse the Central Market or enjoy a slow lunch of rice and curry. Keep outdoor plans flexible, and save a rainy spell for the Ceylon Tea Museum. The hills around the city can look misty, but muddy paths make longer hikes less appealing.

Christmas and crowds

Christmas brings services and decorations to Kandy, while the festive travel season runs into New Year. The city is not known for a major December festival on the scale of the Esala Perahera, held later in the year.

Visitor numbers and prices tend to rise around Christmas and New Year compared with quieter, rainier months. December is still wetter than January, so it doesn't offer the same easy conditions for outdoor sightseeing. If you hate crowds, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic outside the main prayer times.

Make the rain work for you

Travelling with kids? A visit to the National Museum of Kandy gives you an indoor break near the lake, without losing a day to showers.

For a practical local tip, use the covered section of Kandy's Central Market to browse spices and produce when the rain starts. You'll find it close to the city centre, so it's easy to pair with the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. December's frequent showers can arrive between outings, rather than keeping you indoors all day. Keep your route compact, and you can swap a lakeside walk for the market without crossing town.