Srilanka Travel Guide

Overview

Sri Lanka is often called the pearl of the Indian Ocean, and that is true. It is a small country but it has all kinds of beauty hidden in it. There are long beaches with golden sand, and tea plantations are spread in other places. Old buildings, temples and ruins reflect its culture and history, and the people here win the heart of every traveler with their warmth and friendliness.

The biggest specialty of this country is its diversity. The scenery changes in just a few hours' drive—on one side you can enjoy the sun on the beach and on a short distance you can walk in the cool hills. Be it crowded cities or quiet temples, each place has its own charm.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites, amazing food and the hospitality of the local people, all together make Sri Lanka even more special. There is a lot to offer here for adventure seekers and if someone just wants to relax, then he will definitely find peace and tranquility here.

Best time to visit

The fun of visiting Sri Lanka doubles if you go at the right time, because there are two types of monsoon seasons here. Due to this, the weather of every part is slightly different.

The best time to visit the western and southern coast (Colombo, Galle, Bentota) and hilly areas (Nuwara Eliya etc.) is from December to March. During that time the weather remains clear and pleasant.

The best time to visit the eastern coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay, Batticaloa) is from April to September. There is less rain in this season and the fun of spending time on the beach increases even more.

If you want to cover the whole of Sri Lanka, then the time from December to April is considered the best. During this time the weather remains comfortable in most places and the experience of traveling is excellent.

How to reach

Reaching Sri Lanka is not that difficult, rather it is quite easy and comfortable.

• Air route: Most travelers enter here from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport. Direct flights are available from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore. Apart from this, connectivity is also good from major international cities like Dubai, Singapore and London.
• Sea route: There are not many options, but some cruise liners run from India and nearby countries to Sri Lanka. If you are fond of cruise travel, then this can be a different fun experience.
• Travel within the country: After reaching Sri Lanka, you can use domestic flights, train, bus or taxi to travel. Train journeys here are very famous - especially the route from Kandy to Ella, which people consider not just a journey but a beautiful memory.

Major attractions

Sri Lanka is full of beauty of all kinds—somewhere there are ancient temples, somewhere there are lush green mountains and golden beaches. Some places worth visiting here:

• Colombo – the capital city, where you can see Galle Face Green, Pettah Market and National Museum. This city is a good blend of modernity and history.
• Kandy – The Temple of the Tooth Relic here is a very sacred place of Buddhism. Perfect place for those who like a calm and spiritual atmosphere. 
• Sigiriya Rock Fortress – It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered to be the most famous landmark of Sri Lanka. You get spectacular views when you climb up.
• Nuwara Eliya – It is also called “Little England”. Tea plantations, lakes and old English-style buildings make it more special.
• Ella – A small hill town, where you will love the Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Falls and beautiful trekking trails.
• Galle – A fort city situated on the seashore, whose Dutch colonial architecture and small cafes make it very attractive.
• Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa – These cities full of ancient ruins and temples give you a glimpse of the ancient history of Sri Lanka.
• Yala National Park – An excellent place for wildlife lovers. Leopards, elephants and many types of animals can be seen here. 
• Bentota and Mirissa – If you want to enjoy beach life, then you can relax on the beach here or enjoy water sports.

Fun Things to Do

Sri Lanka is not just a place to travel, it offers so many different experiences to do:

• Experience the culture – Visit ancient temples, visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites and if you time it right, make sure to check out the Esala Perahera festival in Kandy.
• Wildlife Safari – Spotting elephant herds, leopards and colourful birds in Yala, Udawalawe or Minneriya National Park is a memorable experience.
• Train Journey – The train ride from Kandy to Ella is one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world. You will see tea plantations, waterfalls and lush green mountains all along the way.
• Beach Activities – Surfing at Arugam Bay, whale watching in Mirissa or simply relaxing on the golden beaches of Bentota – there is fun to be had here. 
• Adventure and Trekking – Climbing Adams Peak and watching the sunrise is a very special experience. At the same time, Horton Plains National Park is perfect for trekking and nature walks.
• Tea Plantation Tour – Visit the lush green tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya, learn the process of making tea and taste fresh tea there.

Local Food

Coconut food is full of coconut, coconut and fresh flavours. Here are some dishes that are definitely a wonder:

• Rice and Curry - Rice with a variety of vegetable and non-veg curries. This is one of the most common and favourite meals in Indonesia.
• Hoppers (Appam) - Pancake-like dough made from rice flour, sometimes with egg and sometimes with raisins.
• Kottu Roti - The king of street food! Sliced roti, vegetables, egg and meat sizzling on a big griddle.
• String Hoppers - A wonderful rice mixture, served with raisins.
• Seafood - Fresh fish, prawns and crabs are easily available along the coast and are very tasty. 
• Local Drinks - The famous Ceylon Tea and the sweet-cold King Coconut drink are the most refreshing drinks here.

The real deal is in the street farm markets and small local dhabas. If you want something stylish, there are also high-end restaurants that combine traditional classics with the rest.

Accommodation options

Sri Lanka has accommodation for every type of traveler.

For those on a low budget – cheap and good hostels, homestays and guesthouses are easily available in Colombo, Ella and around the beach.

For those on a medium budget – good 3-star hotels and small-cute boutique hotels are available, which have both comfort and basic amenities.

For those who want luxury – beach resorts of Bentota, old heritage hotels of Galle and tea plantation bungalows of Nuwara Eliya offer a very special experience.

If you want to try something different, then it would be good to stay in an eco-lodge or plantation bungalow. Here you will feel closer to both nature and local culture.

Budget range

Sri Lanka is not a very expensive country to visit. Your expenses will depend on how you want to travel.Low budget trip: If you stay in a guesthouse or

homestay, catch local buses and trains and eat mostly street food, the entire trip will easily cost ₹35,000 to ₹50,000.

Normal/Mid Range Trip: A good 3–4 star hotel, guided tour and sometimes a private taxi will cost around ₹60,000 to ₹90,000.

Luxury Trip: If you want to take things like 5-star hotels/beach resorts, private safaris and personal cabs, then your budget can go up to ₹1.2 lakh or even more.

That is, the cost depends entirely on your travel style — the simpler you keep it, the more you will save

Ideal travel duration

If you want to travel Sri Lanka comfortably, then 8–10 days are good enough. With this much time, you will be able to see every place properly and can also rest in between.

Spend the first 1–2 days in Colombo. There is a different fun in getting the vibe of the city here

Keep the next 2 days to visit Kandy and Sigiriya, both the temples and forts here are worth seeing.

Then on the 5th and 6th day, catch the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella. This train journey is a memorable experience in itself.

On the 7th and 8th day, go to Yala National Park and enjoy the safari.

Spend the last 2 days relaxing in a beach town like Bentota or Mirissa – with sun, sand and sea.This kind of trip will give you a complete mix of Sri Lanka – city, culture, nature, safari and beach vibes.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka is a place where every kind of traveler will find something special. If you like history, then the old ruins here will mesmerize you. If you are a beach lover, then you will like the calm and beautiful beaches very much. If you like mountains, then the lush green hills and tea gardens here will win your heart.The people here are very friendly. You will get to taste spicy and delicious dishes in food and drinks. Festivals, traditions and each city has its own unique color make your trip even more special.

The simple thing is that Sri Lanka is not just a place to visit, but an experience that settles in the heart. Once you come here, its memories and beauty will stay with you for a long time.