Did we mess up booking Sri Lanka in August??
Two weeks from 18 Aug. Every Google result screams monsoon. Partner is already doomscrolling Unawatuna rain videos. Should we cancel and go to Thailand or is this one of those "two monsoons, pick a coast" things?
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5 Answers from travellers
Two monsoons. Southwest (May-Sep) soaks west/south - Colombo, Galle, Mirissa, Hikkaduwa - and can wet the southwest hills. Northeast (Oct-Jan) hits east and north. In August the smart beach plan is Trinco, Nilaveli, Pasikudah, Arugam Bay. Cultural triangle is usually fine. Kandy still gets showers, and Perahera is on this month so people go anyway. Do not cancel. Reroute.
We skipped the south beaches in July. Trinco was hot and sunny, one 20-minute storm. Friends on the south said Galle Fort was walkable, sea was ugly.
August is high season here in Arugam. Beds go. Book the east, stop watching Unawatuna rain reels.
South coast as a beach base is the weak choice this month, not impossible. Fort walking in the rain is still nice. Swimming is the bit I would not promise.
Scam Watch: galle
Someone befriends you and offers a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to buy gems at wholesale prices and resell them abroad for huge profit. They may show you fake export certificates. The gems are worthless glass or low-quality stones.
Restaurants without visible prices. Bill arrives with inflated charges (500 LKR coconut becomes 1500 LKR). "Service charges" added without disclosure.
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