Sri Lanka is a lush tropical island with fragrant tea plantations and white sandy beaches. Among other things, you can challenge your mind with meditation and your body with diving and mountain biking.
On this page you will find practical information and facts about Sri Lanka.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT TRAVEL TO SRI LANKA
Climate and best travel time
The driest and best period to travel to Sri Lanka’s west coast, south coast and mountain range is from December to March. To the east coast and the historic villages it is advisable to go from April to September.
The best season to see wildlife is from November to April.
Sri Lanka is a great destination for sun travel that can be done all year round. When it rains in the eastern parts of the country, it is usually sunny in the western and vice versa. Therefore, you can always find an area in Sri Lanka that is perfect for your sunbathing and swimming trip. As a bonus, you can also end your stay in Sri Lanka with a trip to the Maldives, so a tropical dream experience awaits.
Our recommendations on when it is best to travel are based on how the climate has been during the previous year. The weather in Sri Lanka can be very variable and unpredictable and therefore our recommendations should only be seen as an indication.
Money
The currency of Sri Lanka is called Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). On www.XE.com you can convert currency and check the current exchange rate. There are ATMs in most major cities.
Visa
conditions NOTE! The visa rules can be changed at short notice, so We recommend that you check the current conditions at the country’s embassy. The following information may change.
You must have a visa to enter Sri Lanka. (A tourist visa of up to 30 days can be issued upon entry into Sri Lanka, but this requires that you are already a holder of an entry permit.)
Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the length of stay.
Transport
Car rental incl. driver:
If you have limited time, it may be a good idea to hire a driver for 7-10 days who can drive you from city to city and around to all the different activities and attractions that you want to experience.
Bus
You can reach most places by local buses. Buses also tend to run to the smaller villages outside the larger cities.
Three-wheeler
A three-wheeler is Sri Lanka’s answer to a Thai tuk tuk and they are everywhere. It is easy, cheap and you can get around quickly with a three-wheeler, but it is recommended to use them only for shorter distances because they are not so comfortable. Three-wheelers waiting outside the hotels expect higher prices than normal.
Taxi
It is cheap and easy to get around by taxi. You can take a taxi in most places also often in the villages. Only a few taxis use taximeters (usually in Colombo), so it is a good idea to negotiate the price before the taxi journey starts. Over longer distances, the price is comparable to the price of a three-wheeler and since it is safer and more comfortable to take a taxi, then a taxi is preferable. Taxis waiting outside the hotels expect higher prices than normal.
Train
Traveling by train in Sri Lanka is a great way to cross the country. Although the trains are somewhat slow and often do not arrive on time, you can easily get around to many places by train. When traveling by train, you can sit back and enjoy the view in peace and quiet. Trains are usually a more convenient way to travel than a bus.
Tips
In most countries, tips are part of the salaries of employees in the service industry. Therefore, it is good practice (and sometimes directly necessary) to give tips to, for example, cleaning staff, waiters, guides, drivers, etc. depending on the country you are visiting. Therefore, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with how much is normally given in tips and to whom before you embark on your journey. Find information on tips in Lonely Planet’s guidebooks.
FACTS
CAPITAL: SRI JAYAWARDENAPURA
BIGGEST CITY: COLUMBO
LANGUAGE: SINHALESE AND TAMIL
CLIMATE: TROPICAL
CURRENCY: LANKESISK RUPEE
RELIGION: BUDDHISTS, HINDUS, CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS
INFORMATION SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka is a colorful island
Sri Lanka has a lot to offer but is unfortunately perhaps best known for its years of conflicts between the majority Sinhalese and the minority Tamils. Sri Lanka is a lush, mountainous island, covered with fragrant tea plantations, rice fields and rainforest, as well as beautiful chalk-white beaches. Here it abounds in different animal species, from peacocks and elephants to lip bears and leopards. The country’s culture and history stretches back more than 2,500 years, but is still very much alive. Dance, music and theater are closely linked and many ancient dances and rituals are still practiced by cheerful lankes.
Restore balance in body and soul
Buddhism and Hinduism are the most widespread religions in Sri Lanka. Impressive temples and monasteries are happy to open their doors to visitors and it is also possible to take a course in Buddhism. Sri Lankans also practice the Hindu natural medicine of Ayurveda. It is based on the notion that body and soul are one entity and treats diseases as symptoms of a fundamental imbalance that must be cured with herbal baths, massage and aromatherapy. As a visitor, you can even participate in shorter or longer courses at the ayurveda center.
Activities
If you want to be physically active, Sri Lanka offers lots of cool activities such as hiking (including hardcore), rafting, cycling, snorkeling and diving. You can, among other things, explore the island by mountain bike. It gives the advantage to see areas that usually do not have as many visitors. You can also hike or raft and of course swim or dive. If you would rather see others make an effort, a match in Sri Lanka’s national sport can also be recommended: Cricket.
Sri Lanka for all ages
Here on the website you can see a number of activities that you can book through us in Sri Lanka for families, young people and couples and you can be inspired by the travel report below. You are of course also more than welcome to contact one of our travel agents who specialize in Sri Lanka. Nice trip.