Sri Lanka Flag
Why visit Sri Lanka?
Ideal for the adventurous tropical traveler seeking to enjoy beaches, birdwatching, colonial architecture, culture, festivals, hiking, historical sites, monuments, mountains, national parks, palaces, safaris, scuba diving, temples, waterfalls, water sports, and wildlife reserves.
Sigiriya, Dambulla, Sri Lanka. Photo Credit: Poswiecie/Pixabay
At a Glance
- Souvenirs to Buy: Buddha figurines, cane boxes, cats-eye gem, cloth woven patterns, elephant goods, masks, moonstone gem, paintings, porcelain, sapphires gem, spices, and tea.
- Local Cuisine to Try: Aluwa (dessert). Bibikkan (coconut cake). Ekor (delicacy soup). Godamba Roti (flatbread). Kalu Dodol (dessert). Kiri Aluwa (toffee). Kiribath (rice cake). Kokis (fried pastry). Kottu (stir-fry). Kool (seafood broth) Pittu (rice). String Hoppers (noodle dish). Thala Guli (sweet snack). Wattalapam (rice pudding).
- Local Drink to Try: Arrack (spirit). Toddy (tree sap).
Colombo, Sri Lanka. Photo Credit: bestbauch/Pixabay
Fun Facts
- A South Asia pear-shaped Island nation.
- Where the late Diana (1961 - 1997), Princess of Wales blue sapphire was mined (Ratnapura).
- Home to the oldest democracy in Asia.
- Highest point, Pidurutalagala (8,281 ft).
- Has 103 rivers.
- Home to 51 natural waterfalls.
- Highest waterfall, Bambarakanda Falls (863 ft).
- Volleyball is the national sport.
- Wilpattu National Park (northwest) is the largest national park.
- Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (formerly Radio Ceylon) is the oldest operating Asian radio station.
- Most popular sport is cricket.
Nine Arches Bridge (Bridge in the Sky), Sri Lanka. Photo Credit: Shivaaz RGL/Pixabay
Special Holidays/Occasions
- Annual Events: (January) Aluth Sahal Mangallaya, Duruthu Perahera, Nallur Festival, Thai Pongal, (February) Colombo Fashion Week, Galle Literary Festival, Maha Sivarathri Festival, Nawam Maha Perahera, (March) Galle Literary Festival, (April) Easter Festival, Sri Lankan New Year Festival, (May) Vesak, (June) Abhimani Film Festival, Poson Festival, (July) Esla Festival, Kataragama Festival, (August) Bellanwila Perehera, Kandy Perahera, Madhu Festival, Nallur Festival, Sri Lankan Chess Championship, The St Anne's, Vel Festival (September) Colombo International Book Fair, Facets Exhibition, Star Party Sri Lanka, (October) Navarathri Festival, Sri Lankan Airlines Golf Classic, World Spice Festival, (November) Deepavali Festival, (December) Adam’s Peak, and Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year.
- Holidays: Tamil Thai Pongal Day, Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day, National Day, Navam Full Moon Poya Day, Mahasivarathri Day, Madin Full Moon Poya Day, Sinhala & Tamil, Sinhala & Tamil New Year's Eve, Sinhala & Tamil New Year's Day, Good Friday, Bak Full Moon Poya Day, May Day, Eid al-Fitr, Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, Eid al-Adha, Esala Full Moon Poya Day, Raksha Bandhan, Nikini Full Moon Poya Day, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra, Vap Full Moon Poya Day, Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day, and Christmas Day.
Devils Stair Case, Sri Lanka. Photo Credit: Samantha Weerasinghe/Pixabay
Good to Know
- Considered a developing country.
- Official languages are Sinhala and Tamil. English is widely spoken in commercial, education, and scientific environments.
- Sri Lankan Gem & Jewelry Exchange (Colombo) has a gem testing laboratory.
- Weligama offers gentle surfing.
- Military maintains a significant presence in the northern region.
- Most tourist friendly beaches are in the south and west area.
- If a Guide takes you into a shop, shop owners may charge you more to cover the Guides commission.
- Armed gangs are known to exists.
- Northern peninsula is only restricted to journalists.
- Avoid Colombo Pettah neighborhood at night.
- Women should avoid traveling alone.
- Credit card fraud is frequent.
- Bentota Beach is sandwiched between a lagoon and ocean.
- Unawatuna offers a tranquil bay.
- January - April is considered the best time for visiting cultural sites without large local crowds.
- Train from Colombo to Kandy offers a scenic ride (Bible Rock).
- Hospitals tend to be poorly supplied.
- Avoid demonstrations.
- Tourism industry is unevenly regulated, safety inspections do not commonly occur.
- Rainy Season (southwest) is May - July.
- Buses tend to be crowded.
- Knuckles Range (6,112 feet) offers lovely views of the Dumbara Valley below.
- Posing for a photograph with your back to a Buddha statue is a serious offense, punishable by arrest and/or fine.
- Western Kalpitiya peninsula is popular for kitesurfing.
- Prevalent Diseases: Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, & Japanese Encephalitis.
- Bar Reef is known for scuba diving and snorkeling.
- Medical facilities outside the capital (Colombo) are limited.
- Monsoon Season (northeast) is December - January.
- Mosquito protection is strongly advised.
- Traffic moves on the left.
- Fooding causes roads to be inaccessible for several days.
Photo Credit: Mohamed Nuzrath/Pixabay
This international destination requires:
- A valid passport with six months of validity and one blank page for entry stamp.
- Tourist VISA required.
- Yellow Fever Vaccination required from select countries.
- Currency Restrictions for Entry $15,000USD/Exit: $5,000USD.
Subject to heavy rainfall, high temperatures, humidity, landslides, and monsoons.
- Best Time to Visit: December - April & May - October
- Coolest Month: January
- Hottest Months: May - June
- Peak Season: November - April
Dambulla Royal Cave Temple & Golden Temple, Dambulla, Sri Lanka, Photo Credit: Lapping/Pixabay
Your Must-See & Do
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Dambulla Cave Temple, Galle, Kandy, Poḷonnaruwa, Sigiriya, and Sinharaja Forest Reserve.
Walapane Peace Pagoda, Walapane, Sri Lanka. Photo Credit: Vined Mind/Pixabay
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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.
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