Agoda Picks Colombo for Wesak Travel in 2026 Asia Guide

Sri Lanka’s commercial capital Colombo has been featured in Agoda’s month-by-month travel guide for 2026, with the global digital travel platform recommending the city as a top destination for May, coinciding with the Vesak festival.

Agoda said visitors travelling to Colombo during this period can experience vibrant lantern displays, temple observances and evening processions, offering meaningful insight into the Buddhist traditions that shape everyday life across Sri Lanka.

The recognition comes as Agoda released its annual guide titled “Where to Travel Each Month in 2026 Across Asia”, aimed at helping travellers plan their journeys based on seasonal weather, cultural events and unique local experiences across the region.

“As travellers plan ahead for their 2026 adventures, Asia presents a calendar filled with well-timed reasons to travel. From festivals rooted in local tradition to landscapes shaped by seasonal weather, choosing when to go becomes as meaningful as choosing where,” Agoda noted.

Commenting on the initiative, Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President – Supply at Agoda, said planning travel by month encourages deeper engagement with destinations.

“Instead of asking where to go, they ask when a place comes alive. With the right timing, travellers can enjoy immersive cultural festivals, better weather, and a deeper sense of place,” he said, adding that Agoda aims to support travellers with access to flights, accommodation and activities through a single platform.

Colombo was selected as the recommended destination for May, while the broader list features destinations across Asia for each month of the year, including Hampi in India for January, Takayama in Japan for February, Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam for March, and Koh Lanta in Thailand for December.

Agoda stated that the selected destinations reflect how travel planning can align experiences with the best times of the year, allowing travellers to enjoy cultural festivals, favourable climate conditions and authentic local engagement.

The platform currently offers access to over six million holiday properties worldwide, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 travel activities that can be combined within a single booking.

January – Hampi, India

January's cooler temperatures make walking between Hampi's ancient temples and boulder-strewn landscapes more comfortable. The dry season also reveals the scale of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where history and nature sit side by side.

February – Takayama, Japan

Takayama's winter setting gives the town a quiet, postcard look, with snow settling on traditional wooden houses. February travel also allows easy access to nearby Shirakawa-go, where traditional thatched roof gassho-style farmhouses stand against alpine scenery.

March – Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam

March aligns with the Ban Flower Festival, when blooms cover the surrounding hills and cultural performances fill public spaces. The timing offers a chance to experience local life during one of the area's most celebrated periods.

April – Taitung, Taiwan

Mild spring weather makes April a comfortable time to explore Taitung's coastline and rural landscapes. The start of the Taitung Balloon Festival adds color to the sky and draws visitors beyond the city center.

May – Colombo, Sri Lanka

Wesak Day brings communities together through lantern displays, temple visits, and evening processions. Traveling during this period offers insight into Buddhist traditions that shape daily life across the market.

June – Hangzhou, China

June marks the Dragon Boat Festival, when rivers become racecourses and spectators line the banks. The festival also centers on sharing zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), tying food traditions closely to the celebration.

July – Boryeong, South Korea

Held at Daecheon Beach, the Boryeong Mud Festival turns the coastline into a playground of mud-based activities. July's warm weather suits the event's outdoor focus, mixing humor and shared participation.

August – Ipoh, Malaysia

August offers conditions suited for exploring Ipoh's cave temples, heritage buildings, and street art lanes. The city's food scene also makes it easy to structure days around markets and local cafes.

September – Luang Prabang, Laos

As the rainy season eases, September reveals green hills and full waterfalls around Luang Prabang. The timing supports slower travel, with space to explore temples and riverbanks without peak-season crowds.

October – Chiang Mai, Thailand

October coincides with Yi Peng, when lanterns lift into the night sky across Chiang Mai. The festival creates a temporary transformation of the city, blending ritual with visual spectacle.

November – Jaipur, India

The November Diwali festival fills streets and homes with lamps, fireworks, and shared meals. Visiting during the Festival of Lights places travelers in the center of celebrations that emphasize renewal and connection.

December – Koh Lanta, Thailand

December brings steady weather and calm seas to Koh Lanta, making it suitable for beach days and boat trips. The island's quieter pace offers a relaxed way to close out the year with beautiful sunsets and serene nature.

Source: Adaderana