Location

Southern India meets Buddhist Asia; Sri Lanka is a land of ancient ruins and religious relics, palm-fringed beaches and colourful reefs, balmy rainforests and local legends.

Sri Lanka is a pearl-shaped Island nation in South Asia, lying on the Indian Plate, a major tectonic plate that was formerly part of the Indo-Australian Plate. It is in the Indian Ocean southwest of the Bay of Bengal,Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, island country lying in the Indian Ocean and separated from peninsular India by the Palk Strait. Proximity to the Indian subcontinent has facilitated close cultural interaction between Sri Lanka and India from ancient times. It is situated on the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, and southeast of the Arabian Sea, while being separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait.

Sri Lanka is known for its main exports being precious gemstones and most known for, is considered by the cleanest tea in the world by the ISO (with the least pesticide residue quantities). Sri Lanka has long been renowned for its spices. The best known is cinnamon which is native to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural society, a reflection of the island’s encounter with successive foreign immigrants. The main ethnic groups are the Sinhalese and Tamils, both originally from the Indian subcontinent. Then there are Muslims, who settled in the island from the time it became an ancient trading centre. Similarly, Malays and Chinese were also attracted to the island. Whatever their situation in society, the people of Sri Lanka possess a warm and friendly nature reflected in persistent smiling faces and eagerness to help those unfamiliar with aspects of local life. You’ll find that Sri Lankans are very hospitable and take pride in inviting people to their homes, however modest they may be.

Sri Lanka is a small but diverse country with plenty of charm; from pristine beaches and incredible wildlife to famous tea and ancient ruins, there is something for everyone on this island.

Immigration

Sri Lanka requires a visa to travel to. This means that only those travellers that possess a valid Sri Lanka visa will make it past the passport check on arrival. There are different types of visa, but almost all tourists use the so-called ETA, the Electronic Travel Authorization.

Climate/Weather

The climate is tropical and warm, because of moderating effects of ocean winds. Sri Lanka's climate is tropical and consists of distinct wet and dry seasons.

Currency/Money

The rupee is the legal tender of Sri Lanka. A rupee is divided into 100 cents and its ISO code is LKR. The institution responsible for issuing the rupee is the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Its abbreviation is Rs.

Accommodation

Hotels
It used to be that Sri Lanka’s accommodations, while wide-ranging. Didn’t offer much in the way of sophistication. However the country’s accommodation offering has rocketed since the dnd of the war in 2009, as more and more tourists began to visit the island, and options now range from five-star retreats such as Geoffrey Bawa’s Heritance kandalama hotel and the shabby chic allure of Talalla Retreat, to the low-budget backpacker shacks which. Other than being cheap. Have little to recommend them. Of the international-class 5-star hotels that exist. These are mostly located in the area around Negombo and along the southern coast near Galle. There are also many park bungalows run by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, which are furnished and equipped for comfort.

Bed and Breakfast
Inns and guesthouses offer comfortable but informal accommodation. Don’t be surprised to find a distinct lack of amenities (or these being tacked on as paid-for-extras) - hot water, towels, toilet paper and breakfast aren’t always included. If staying in rural areas, these are more likely to be your best bet for accommodation as hotels are fewer and further between.

Camping
Sri Lanka does not currently have any campsites. Technically there’s no law against wild camping so long as you’re on public land; however in practice this is difficult to prove. Additional considerations such as the possible hassle from strangers, lack of security and the odd creepy crawly getting into the tent, should also be considered.

Other accommodation
Home stays: For visitors who’d like to get to know the locals and see how they live, arrangements can be made to stay in private homes within cities, or on a tea or rubber plantation, For a list of accredited homestays contact the Sri Lanka tourist board (www.srilanka.travel).

Language

The major languages spoken are Sinhala and Tamil. English is spoken by around 10% of the population, and a further small minority speak Portuguese Creole, a hangover from colonial times.While the mother tongue of the Sinhalese is Sinhala—an Indo-Aryan language—the Tamils speak the Dravidian language of Tamil.

People

Sri Lanka is a multinational state, home to diverse cultures, languages, and ethnicities. The Sinhalese form the majority of the nation's population; and the large minority of Tamils have also played an influential role in the island's history, while Moors, Burghers, Malays, Chinese, and the indigenous Vedda are also established groups.

Sri Lankans are a close knit community. The strength of the family unit reflects the spirit of their communities. They are inquisitive and fun-loving people, smiling defiantly in the face of hardship and raucously celebrating times of prosperity.

Religion

The majority of the Sinhalese population practises Buddhism (70%). Minority religions include Hinduism (almost exclusively practised by the Tamil population), Christianity, with the majority denomination being Roman Catholic and Islam.

Sri Lankan traditions revolve around two dominant religions, Hinduism and Buddhism. Catholicism and Islam are also present. The Sri Lankans favour tolerance and it is not unusual to see these four religions gathered together on the same pilgrimage site. In this country in the heart of Asia, it is customary to visit temples, whatever they are, with bare feet. Even visitors must comply. The tradition is to buy flowers at the entrance of the temples to make offerings. For the Sri Lankans, the image of Buddha is sacred. It is therefore forbidden to take a picture of a Buddha representation. The same is true of Buddhist monks.

Important Dates

There are quite a number of important days and special events in the calendar of Sri Lanka. Most of them are public holidays. Sometimes you might find them the best days to travel since the roads might be less crowded. Still, if you are planning on visiting an office or a department, you might be a little considerate of this fact. Generally, some of the important authorities of tourism in Sri Lanka might not be functioning on these special days.

Holidays and Observances in Sri Lanka

1 Jan - Dawn of the New Year
14 Jan - Tamil Thai Pongal Day
28 Jan - Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
4 Feb - National Day
14 Feb - Valentine’s Day
26 Feb - Navam Full Moon Poya Day
11 Mar - Maha Shivaratri Day
20 Mar - March Equinox
28 Mar - Madin Full Moon Poya Day
29 Mar - Holi
2 Apr - Good Friday
4 Apr - Easter Sunday
13 Apr - Sinhala and Tamil New Year’s Eve
14 Apr - Sinhala and Tamil New Year’s Day
26 Apr - Bak Full Moon Poya Day
1 May - May Day
9 May - Mother’s Day
14 May - Eid-al-Fitr
26 May - Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
27 May - Day after Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
20 Jun - Father’s Day
21 Jun - June Solstice
24 Jun - Poson Full Moon Poya Day
20 Jul - Eid-al-Adha
23 Jul - Esala Full Moon Poya Day
22 Aug - Raksha Bandhan
22 Aug - Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
30 Aug - Janmashtami
10 Sep - Ganesh Chaturthi
20 Sep - Binara Full Moon Poya Day
23 Sep - September Equinox
15 Oct - Dussehra
19 Oct - Milad-Un-Nabi (Holy Prophet’s Birthday)
20 Oct - Vap Full Moon Poya Day
4 Nov - Deepavali
18 Nov - II Full Moon Poya Day
18 Dec - Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day
21 Dec - December Solstice
24 Dec - Christmas Eve
25 Dec - Christmas Day

Activities

Whales
Sri Lanka is one of the top countries in the world for whale watching! In its expansive waters, several whale species — including the Blue Whale, the Sperm Whale, the Humpback Whale, and the Bryde’s Whale — find their home. The seas that surround Sri Lanka are abundant in krill, which explains the frequent migration of these gentle giants to its coasts.

Watch Whales off Mirissa
This southern port town would be just another tropical beach resort - were it not for the pod of blue whales recently discovered living just offshore. Now Mirissa is rightly famous as one of the best places in the world to sport the biggest mammal of them all. Whale watchers often see sperm whales. Dolphins. Flying fish and even orcas too.

Surfing
Surrounded by stunning beaches, Sri Lanka is a famous surfing destination in Asia. As it observes different seasons on each side, Sri Lanka presents several options for surfing destinations all year round. In Southern Sri Lanka, the surf season runs from November to May. Meanwhile, April to October is the peak surf season on the east coast.

Ride the waves in Talalla
This glorious hidden beach on Sri Lanka’s choppy south coast is a mecca for surfers. Other top spots with an international reputation include Hikkaduwa, Midigama and Arugam Bay (near Potuvil) on the east coast. Across the best time to go surfing is from April through to October, although on the south west coast the months between November and April can be equally as good.

Ayurveda
Sri Lanka is famous for its natural medicine, Ayurveda. It involves aromatherapy, herbal remedies, massages, and essential oils. If you’re interested in getting an Ayurvedic experience, head to Santani. This Sri Lankan paradise sprawls 19 hectares of pristine jungles, with luxe spa retreats and traditional Sri Lankan pilgrim-inspired aesthetics.

Train rides
What better way is there to explore the vastness of Sri Lanka than hopping on a train? Ride the spectacular train ride to Nuwara Eliya to witness the scenic hill countries of this Asian gem. This train ride goes through tunnels and across mountains — definitely an experience you shouldn’t miss!

Hiking Popular hiking destinations include Adam’s Peak, the Horton Plains with the World’s End, and Little Adam’s Peak. Sri Lanka also has an incredibly diverse wildlife. You can spot wild leopards in Yala National Park.

Take a hike in Knuckles Range. Shaped like a giant fist, this rugged mountain range in the central south of Sri Lanka experiences much cooler temperatures than the rest of the country, making it perfect for hiking. Don your all-terrain boots and head for the hidden village of Meemure, where the villagers will happily lend beds to visitors for a modest fee.

Rainforests and beaches
When you’re ready to escape the tropical climate of the coast and lowlands, head for the hills, with their temperate, achingly green charms. Verdant tea plantations and rainforested peaks beckon walkers, trekkers and those who just want to see them from a spectacular train ride. And then there are the beaches. Dazzlingly white and often untrodden, they ring the island so that no matter where you go, you’ll be near a sandy gem. Should you beat the inevitable languor, you can surf and dive world-class sites without world-class crowds. And you're always just a short hop from something utterly new.

Discover the reefs of Bentota The beaches of Bentota might have seen better days, but this is still one of the top places in the country to enjoy diving and snorkelling. Glimpse the country’s thriving coral reefs and their myriad multi-hued inhabitants, explore underwater caves and lose yourself among barnacled shipwrecks. Kite-surfing, water-skiing and a host of other water sports are also available here.

Go diving around Pigeon Island
Off the northeastern shore of Sri Lanka, this island is surrounded by a limestone reef which harbours 100 species of coral and more than 300 different types of fish. Declared a marine sanctuary in 1963, it’s a prime destination for divers… and pigeons.

Go on safari in Yala National Park
Explore Sri Lanka’s most popular wildlife-viewing destination, Yala National Park, on the southeastern coast. It is home to the world's highest density of leopards, as well as a wealth of other species - from elephants to birds. Another great place to do a bit of leopard spotting is the Wilpattu National Park.

Entertainment

In April, Sri Lankans celebrate the Buddhist and Hindu new year festivals. Esala Perahera is a symbolic Buddhist festival consisting of dances and decorated elephants held in Kandy in July and August. Fire dances, whip dances, Kandian dances and various other cultural dances are integral parts of the festival.

You can watch cricket
When in Sri Lanka, don’t be surprised to catch some locals playing cricket. Cricket is actually the national sport of Sri Lanka; it is also the most popular sport among its residents. In fact, Sri Lanka is one of the few countries that have won a Cricket World Cup! You can certainly watch exciting cricket matches, whether official or not, while you’re in the country.

You can enjoy Sri Lanka’s nightlife scene which is still in its infancy, but the country is slowly learning how to party with style. The most diverse array of bars, clubs and music venues can be found in Colombo, where seedy cattle market-style clubs are slowly being replaced by upmarket cocktail lounges, tapas bars and hip discos. For visitors looking for a more relaxed after-dinner experience, there are theatres in Colombo, cinemas showing films from the USA, ballet, concerts and theatre productions. All the hotels and resorts have bars and sometimes entertainment. Outside Colombo, the main nightlife hubs can be found along the west and south coast of the country.

Health and Safety

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from an infected area.

Vaccination from Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Hepatitis A are recommended. Rabies, Malaria Diphtheria are sometimes recommended.

Treatment is free at government hospitals and dispensaries whilst 24-hour treatment is available at Colombo National Hospital. Some hotels also have doctors. However the quality of healthcare varies widely across the country, and in the more rural areas, can be rather rudimentary compared to Western standards. Visitors are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance before travelling. To call an ambulance in an emergency, dial 110.

Food and Drink All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. While it is generally safe to gargle with tap water after brushing your teeth, those with a sensitive stomach may consider using bottled water for that. Bottled water and a variety of mineral waters are available at most hotels. Pasteurised milk is available in some hotels and shops; powdered or tinned milk is also widely available.

Street food in Sri Lanka is ubiquitous but use your judgement wisely and only eat well-cooked meat and fish, and avoid those that have been left sitting out. Beware of eating salads - vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other Risks
Vaccinations against Japanese B encephalitis, tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended.

Cases of dengue fever have been reported, so visitors should avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Anti-malarial tablets are generally not needed as there is low incidence malaria throughout Sri Lanka, with the most northern parts being slightly more at risk from outbreaks.

As of 2019, no cases of the Zika virus have been reported in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is definitely safe for a traveler. In fact, violent crime against foreigners is virtually non-existent. The main safety concerns you should worry about are tourist scams and pick-pocketers, which is true of every country in Asia. Being an island nation, Sri Lanka can also be affected by severe weather like hurricanes and monsoon rains.

Sri Lanka is a safe country for tourists that are well prepared. The country generally has good hygiene and proper healthcare. Regardless, it can be wise to closely read the travel advisory before departure.

Services and Utilities

The country code to dial into Sri Lanka is +94. Sri Lanka operates on a 230V/50Hz (British BS 1363 type plug is most common with fewer (older) installations of BS 546, the circular plug used in India, being present).

All power sockets in Sri Lanka provide a standard voltage of 230V with a standard frequency of 50Hz. You can use all your equipment in Sri Lanka if the outlet voltage in your own country is between 220V-240V.

Shopping

Gemstones
Lavished with precious stones, Sri Lanka is often called “the Island of Gems”. Some of its most popular gemstones are sapphires, cat’s eye, alexandrite, and moonstone. Across the country, you will find numerous alluring jewelry shops; but, most notable for gems and jewels are Ratnapura, Colombo, and Galle. Here, you can either snag collector’s stones or buy wearable jewelry as souvenirs.

Bustling markets, designer boutiques, modern shopping malls and gloriously kitsch souvenir stalls - whatever your holiday shopping style, Sri Lanka has it covered. Colombo boasts the most westernised shopping environment, with several elite arcades housed in five-star hotels as well as large stores around Galle Road, Paradise Road and Alexandra Place. Ambalangoda and Galle Fort are particularly famous for antiques, while the narrow streets of Pettah Bazaar make for colourful exploring. Most towns outside Colombo have daily markets, which sell everything from succulent fresh fruit to hand-woven fabrics and traditional dress. Special purchases include handicrafts and curios of silver, brass, bone, ceramics, wood and terracotta. Also cane baskets, straw hats, reed and coir mats, spices and the island’s excellent tea. Batik fabric, lace and lacquerware are also popular. Masks used in dance-dramas, processions and festivals can also be bought: they can depict kings, queens, demonic birds and snake spirits amongst other things. Sri Lanka is also rich in gems. Fabrics include batiks, cottons, rayons, silks and fine lace. Haggling is common practice here, particularly when shopping in a bazaar or buying from one of the local handicraft sellers who roam the tourist beaches. If you’re prepared to negotiate, it’s possible to pick up some incredible bargains on antiques, gems and garments - but you’ll need to have an eye for a genuine piece. Always check before buying gemstones to ensure the dealer has a licence from the government National Gem & Jewellery Authority.

Shopping Note
It’s normal for vendors to seriously inflate prices when selling to tourists. Be sure to research prices before buying, or ask a local tour guide to shop with you. Aggressive bargaining can sometimes be deemed offensive, so try to keep it on a friendly footing. Items that won’t fit in your suitcase can be sent via international courier companies based in Colombo.