Sigiriya, Sri Lanka: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]

Traveling to Sigiriya, Sri Lanka? If you're planning to go to Sigiriya, this article contains some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.

Contents

About your travel guide

Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.


When to go to Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Based on the climate and weather in Sigiriya, the best time to go is January. See below for details.

Important essentials for Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Here are some general tips on what to wear in Sigiriya, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.

COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022


  • Travel insurance

    If you or a companion get COVID-19, your amazing trip can be ruined. Good travel insurance can help. See plans


  • Travel disinfecting wipes

    Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.


  • A vaccine card protector

    Vaccine cards may get worn. An unreadable vaccination card can cause severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps avoid that.


  • Hand sanitizer

    This hand sanitizer is a good plane-friendly choice.


  • N95 masks to use in crowded airports

    These N95 masks provide the best level of COVID protection you can have.


  • Kids' KN95 masks

    N95 masks are not available for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).

General health necessities

Don't forget these

What to wear/what to pack for Sigiriya, Sri Lanka by month

Already know when you're traveling?

January

January in Sigiriya can be sweltering. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the 80s F (low 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

If you plan go to a monastery, like Pidurangala Ancient Forest Monastery, take the following:

If you go to Water Gardens, you'll probably do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

Going to Cobra Hood Cave? You'll need:

February

If you vacation in Sigiriya during February, you are likely to notice that it is consistently hot. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C). In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain sometimes.

What to wear/what to pack:

If you plan go to a monastery, like Pidurangala Ancient Forest Monastery, take the following:

If you go to Water Gardens, you'll probably do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

Going to Cobra Hood Cave? You'll need:

March

Traveling to Sigiriya in March, you will notice that it is sweltering. Expect it to rain sometimes. Daytime temperatures are in the low 90s F (mid 30s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

If you plan go to a monastery, like Pidurangala Ancient Forest Monastery, take the following:

If you go to Water Gardens, you'll probably do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

Going to Cobra Hood Cave? You'll need:

April

April in this region is sweltering and somewhat rainy. Temperatures average in the 90s F (mid 30s C) during the day. It rains regularly.

What to wear/what to pack:

If you plan go to a monastery, like Pidurangala Ancient Forest Monastery, take the following:

If you go to Water Gardens, you'll probably do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

Going to Cobra Hood Cave? You'll need:

May

May in Sigiriya is really hot. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the low 90s F (low 30s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

If you plan go to a monastery, like Pidurangala Ancient Forest Monastery, take the following:

If you go to Water Gardens, you'll probably do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

Going to Cobra Hood Cave? You'll need:

June

If you are traveling to Sigiriya in June, you will notice that it can be very hot and dry with little rain. Daytime temperatures are in the low 90s F (low 30s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

If you plan go to a monastery, like Pidurangala Ancient Forest Monastery, take the following:

If you go to Water Gardens, you'll probably do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

Going to Cobra Hood Cave? You'll need:

July

If you are traveling to Sigiriya in July, you will notice that it can be very hot and dry with little rain. Daytime temperatures are in the low 90s F (low 30s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

If you plan go to a monastery, like Pidurangala Ancient Forest Monastery, take the following:

If you go to Water Gardens, you'll probably do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

Going to Cobra Hood Cave? You'll need:

August

If you visit Sigiriya during August, you are likely to find that it is consistently hot. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 90s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 70s F (mid 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

If you plan go to a monastery, like Pidurangala Ancient Forest Monastery, take the following:

If you go to Water Gardens, you'll probably do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

Going to Cobra Hood Cave? You'll need:

September

September for Sigiriya can be sweltering. Temperatures average in the low 90s F (low 30s C) during the day. It rains once in a while.

What to wear/what to pack:

If you plan go to a monastery, like Pidurangala Ancient Forest Monastery, take the following:

If you go to Water Gardens, you'll probably do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

Going to Cobra Hood Cave? You'll need:

October

In October, Sigiriya is extremely hot and somewhat rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the low 80s F (low 30s C) range. At night, lows are in the 70s F (low 20s C). This is also a rainy time for Sigiriya, with several of the days of the month having rain.

What to wear/what to pack:

If you plan go to a monastery, like Pidurangala Ancient Forest Monastery, take the following:

If you go to Water Gardens, you'll probably do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

Going to Cobra Hood Cave? You'll need:

November

In November, Sigiriya is constantly hot and somewhat rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the high 80s F (low 30s C) range. At night, lows are in the low 70s F (low 20s C). This is also a rainy time for Sigiriya, with more than half of the days of the month having rain.

What to wear/what to pack:

If you plan go to a monastery, like Pidurangala Ancient Forest Monastery, take the following:

If you go to Water Gardens, you'll probably do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

Going to Cobra Hood Cave? You'll need:

December

If you go to Sigiriya in December, you will notice that it is hot and somewhat rainy. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the 80s F (high 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

If you plan go to a monastery, like Pidurangala Ancient Forest Monastery, take the following:

If you go to Water Gardens, you'll probably do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

Going to Cobra Hood Cave? You'll need:

Activities for Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for Sigiriya.

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