Holiday Guide to Sri Lanka

The island-nation of Sri Lanka has been gaining popularity among residents and expatriates in the Middle East as a favoured tourist destination in recent years. Sri Lanka tourism has something for traveller – whether you are planning a solo excursion or a family trip, looking for a relaxed resort stay or an active adventure outing, you will find exciting options in Sri Lanka.

What To See, Where To Go

Galle

Galle is a UNESCO World’s Heritage Site and is famous for its 16th-century Portuguese-built fort and the lighthouse. The city is beautiful, with Dutch-style houses, shopping areas, and heritage museums. Kanneliya and Hiyare rainforests are famous for their nature walks. You can choose any to visit the Sinharaja forest reserve or experience the thrill of surfing in Weligama or go cliff jumping at Flag Rock, and even go for a safari.

Colombo

Colombo, the capital city, attracts tourists all year round to its many museums. Art lovers enjoy visiting the Nelum Pokuna Theatre for operas and orchestras. The beautiful red-tiled buildings from the colonial era enrich the style of Colombo. You can spend a wonderful time by visiting iconic sites including Fort Station, Pettah Bazaar, and Khan Clock Tower. The seaside offers water and adventure sports for thrillseekers.

Sigiriya

Lush green forests surround Sigiriya in the Matale district. Built on top of a rock, it is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Like the rest of the heritage sites in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is one of the crowning jewels of Sri Lanka. Cave Temple, Lion Rock, Minneriya National Park, Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs, and Sigiriya Museum are the most attractive tourist attractions in the city.

Kandy

Sri Lanka is famous for its picturesque mountains and dense forests. They surround Kandy, and it is the best spot to enjoy nature walks and trekking. Kandy Lake is also called the Sea of Milk and is a must-visit place. Its popular attractions include a UNESCO World Heritage Site of a relic of Buddha’s tooth and Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. If you visit Kandy in July or August, you must go to the Esala Perahera Festival.

Some other places that might are worth a visit are:

Ella
Nuwara Eliya
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Adams Peak
Mirissa
Yala National Park
Colombo
Jaffna
Kandalama
Tissamaharama
Horton Plains National Park
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Udawalawe National Park
Tawalantenne
Arugam Bay
Commonwealth War Cemetery
Unawatuna Beach

Sigiriya Museum
Perandeniya Botanical Gardens
Dondra Lighthouse
Dambulla Cave Temple
Old Dutch Fort At Galle
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Beira Lake
Temple Of The Tooth Relic
Bentota Beach
Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue
Nine Arch Bridge
Ravana Falls
Spice Garden
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
Mahiyanganaya Sorabora Lake, Uva Province
Dehiwala Zoo
Bambarakanda Falls, Ohiya

Best Time To Visit Sri Lanka

The best time for Sri Lanka tourism depends on where you plan to visit. If you plan on visiting the west and south coasts and hill country, December to March is ideal. If you want to see the east coast, plan your holidays between May and September. Sri Lanka tourism observes the most number of tourists during these months. Choose one of the many Sri Lanka tour packages to plan your holidays.

Where to Stay in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a wide range of accommodationoptions. You can choose either a basic stay on the beachside or an elegant mansion. You can also check into luxury hotels and rustic lodges and chalets. Here is a list of some luxury hotels, resorts and lodges in Sri Lanka worth considering:

Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort
Ceylon Tea Trails
Jetwing Vil Uyana
Camellia Hills
Camellia Hills
Santani
Rosyth Estate House
Amanwella
Thotalagala Plantation House
Wild Coast Tented Lodge
Galle Fort Hotel

Soul & Surf
Ulagalla
Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort and Spa
Amangalla
Kandy House
Saman Villas
Anantara Kalutara Resort
Nine Skies
Tri
Chena Huts
Why House

How To Get There

There are flights from almost all countries to Sri Lanka’s airport in Colombo. A new airport has also opened in Mattala town of the country.

Visa Requirements

You can either get a tourist visit visa or a business purpose visa. A Tourist Visa is issued if you are a bonafide tourist and wish to visit relatives or take yoga training for a short period of time. A Business Purpose Visa is issued when you visit Sri Lanka for business purposes. This visa can be processed for both single and double journeys. You can opt for a residence visa if you wish to obtain residence facilities for special purposes.

Getting Around

The most cost-effective and convenient way to get around Sri Lanka is by hiring a private car and driver, or for shorter distances to take a taxi or tuk-tuk. Sri Lanka is a rather small island and with the new modern expressways, travel times are shrinking.

Itinerary: Editor’s Suggestions

Sri Lanka has so much to offer that preparing an itinerary can get confusing. I, therefore, prefer to concentrate on my areas and places of interest when preparing for a trip to Sri lanka. Here is one such itinerary I share with you:

Day 1: Land in Colombo and discover nearby areas
Day 2: Dambulla and safari in Habarana
Day 3: Sigiriya rock
Day 4: Discover Kandy
Day 5: Train trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Day 6: Neuwara Elliya
Day 7: Negombo beach