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Travel to Sri Lanka

Shaped like a tear drop hanging off the southern tip of India, few countries can boast ancient cities, wildlife encounters, colourful festivals and some of the best beaches in the world. These are just some of the many reasons to travel to Sri Lanka.

Wildlife viewing is extraordinary. Make sure you visit Yala National Park which has one of the highest leopard densities in the world, a great opportunity to spot these elusive felines. In Sri Lanka you can also see elephants, sloth bears, a host of deer, wild pigs, jackals, marsh crocodiles and a plethora of birdlife.

Sri Lanka has a bit of everything from the sacred cities of Anuradhapura and Sigiriya, to the Golden Temple of Dambulla and the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress, it is filled with culture. Peppered with panoramic views over mountains, tea plantations and waterfalls, wonderful beaches, Sri Lanka is the destination for adventure.

5 Highlights of Sri Lanka

Pristine beaches

When touring Sri Lanka, you are never far from one of its many golden beaches. Just a 15-minute drive from the international airport and you can be on the beach at Negombo and even the capital, Colombo, has a wonderful beachfront promenade. Explore the many coves and beaches between Galle and Tangalle and watch the stilt fishermen balance in the waves at Weligama. The east coast offers surfing at Arugum Bay and the wide sandy beach at Passikudah is perfect for family holidays.

Land and Sea Safaris

Nowhere on earth can you look for elephant in the morning, dolphins and whales in the afternoon and leopards as the sun goes down. Wilpattu and Yala national parks offer a chance to see leopard, sloth bears and elephants whilst on a boat trip from Mirissa, you may encounter dolphins, sperm and blue whales. Bird lovers should include a visit to the UNESCO biosphere reserve at Bundala and the rainforests of Sinharaja to get a glimpse of Sri Lanka’s endemic species.

Explore Hill Country

Explore Sri Lanka’s lush interior, where waterfalls cascade into the deep mountain valleys of the cloud forests. Scattered throughout the region you’ll find the manicured estates of the tea plantations where the colourful saris of the tea pickers add pops of colour to the verdant green landscape. Step onboard one of the world’s most scenic train journeys that weaves its way to Ella or visit Nuwara Eliya, often described as ‘Little England’ due to its colonial buildings.

Ancient Cities

The ancient cities of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle are a must see on any visit to Sri Lanka and many are UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to their cultural significance. Admire the intricately carved statues at Polonnaruwa, ascend the 5th-century rock fortress of Sigiriya and gaze at the Buddhas at the UNESCO World Heritage site at Dambulla. You can join the Buddhist pilgrims visiting The Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic at Kandy and explore the narrow streets within 16th-century Galle Fort.

Island of Adventure

Sri Lanka is a perfect destination for thrill seekers. Mountain bike, white-water raft or trek through Hill Country or make a pre-dawn ascent of Adam’s Peak to witness the rising sun. Climb the narrow and steep steps to the top of Sigiriya rock fortress or cycle through the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa. Water lovers can surf the waves at Arugum Bay or Hikkaduwa or snorkel and dive the coral reefs at Pigeon Island off the coast of Trincomalee.

Travelling in Sri Lanka

  • Capital: Colombo
  • Area: 65,268km²
  • Languages: Sinhala and Tamil, and English as a link language
  • Where to visit: UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Cultural Triangle, tea plantations of the Hill Country, the national parks brimming with wildlife and its golden beaches.
  • Wildlife to spot: leopard, Asian elephant, sloth bears, birds, whales and dolphins.

Sri Lanka offers something for everyone, whether you are exploring its many ancient cities, seeking to be pampered in a wellbeing sanctuary, going in search of wildlife in one of its national parks or simply looking to relax on a golden beach.

Due to its multi-cultural heritage, there are many colourful festivals throughout the year with the Esala Perahera Festival in Kandy one of the biggest. Foodies will love the chance to try hoppers – a deliciously curry-filled pancake whilst a visit to Hill Country opens up the art of making the perfect cuppa during a tea plantation tour.

Whether you are travelling as a couple or a family, there are plenty of types of accommodation from quaint former plantation bungalows nestled in the heart of Hill Country to modern beach resorts. Getting around is easy and most people opt for a local driver/guide with the option to take scenic train journeys through the Hill Country or air taxis if time is short.

 

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When to go to Sri Lanka

The weather in Sri Lanka is rather complicated for such a small country, due to the fact that the island is affected by two separate monsoons. On the bright side, this means that there is usually good weather somewhere on the island at most times of the year.

The main southwest (“Yala”) monsoon brings rain to the west and southwest coasts and the hill country from April or May to September and is wettest from April to June. The less severe northeast (“Maha”) monsoon hits the east coast from November to March and is wettest from November to December.

January

This is a great time for whale and dolphin watching off the southern coast. Temperatures will be lovely and warm, and it is a good time to climb the sacred mountain Adam’s Peak. It is Sri Lanka’s peak season.

February

Independence Day is celebrated with parades, fireworks, and sporting events. This month is a lovely time to visit the atmospheric colonial fort town of Galle, which is particularly lively during their Literary Festival.

March

A great time to spot elephants, leopards and buffalo. It’s a great time to head to the lesser visited north Sri Lanka, such as the vibrant city of Jaffna, the eastern coast or the historical harbour of Trincomalee.

April

Warm and dry across the country, and outside the prime tourist period, April is a great month to visit Sri Lanka. Temperatures in the Cultural Triangle regions reach over 30°Cs – best visit the ancient sites early in the morning.

May

The start of the monsoon season. It is also Vesak Poya, an important Buddhist festival where towns are adorned with lights and colour. With humidity in the south the cooler temperatures are in the Hill Country.

June

Monsoons continue chasing tourists away. This is a good time to explore the north and the Tamil culture of the Jaffna Peninsula. Buddhism into Sri Lanka is celebrated in June during the Posan Poya celebrations.

July

July is cultural festival season and despite some monsoon rains it is a good time to visit. Hill Country is pleasant and the beaches of the east coast are at their best so ideal for a family holiday during school holidays.

August

The rains of the Yala monsoon slowly begin to ease. It is a good time to visit Jaffna where the Nallur Festival takes place. Watch spectacular floats and chariot processions pass by in honour of the war god Skanda.

September

The northern and eastern sides of the island have good weather conditions. September sees 200 or more elephants gathering in Minneriya National Park, considered one of Asia’s great wildlife spectacles.

October

The weather can be unpredictable as the north-east monsoon arrives and with it the ‘Green Season’. Travel at this time offers great value for money and the main sites are less busy. Try a spot of surfing on the east coast.

November

Weather is sunnier on the south and western coasts although there are showers across the island as the strongest monsoon arrives. In Oct /  Nov, the Hindu festival of light, Divali, is celebrated in the Tamil areas.

December

Catch some waves at Weligama on the south coast and chill out on sunny beaches at Unawatuna Bay and Mirissa. Avoid the north and the eastern coast which are wet. Be sure to book ahead over Christmas.

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