Best Time to Visit South Asia
Also known as: Indian Subcontinent
South Asia includes low-lying Indian Ocean destinations like the Maldives alongside the larger island of Sri Lanka, each governed by monsoon cycles that dictate when you should and should not go. The northeast monsoon (December to March) brings dry weather to the Maldives, while Sri Lanka's weather splits between its west and east coasts at different times of year. Getting the timing right is especially important here, because a month's difference can mean the gap between clear skies and heavy daily rain.
Each destination shows its highest-rated month overall. Select a destination to find the best month for you. Choose your preferences across budget, weather, and activities to see how each month scores.

Maldives
The Maldives exists as 1,192 coral islands scattered across 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, where house reefs drop vertically into channels that pulse…
Best overall month: April

Sri Lanka
The island operates on a split schedule that divides travelers into two camps: those chasing the southwest beaches from November to March, and those…
Best overall month: February