Sri Lanka Places, Attractions, Hotels, Tours, Things to Do
Sri Lanka is a tear-drop shaped island off the southernmost tip of India. Fast becoming the must visit destination; this little island is packed with culture, eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, beaches, wildlife reserves, rainforests, roaring waterfalls, delicious food, ancient ruined cities and so much more.
Beaches
With nearly 1600 km of beaches its not hard to find a secluded one for yourself. But not all beaches are swim-safe.
Safari
See fascinating animals including leopards, elephants and birds in their natural habitats. The best times for seeing leopards and elephants is July - September.
Explore
With a history going back over 2500 years there are many ancient ruins to explore in Sri Lanka. The most magnificent of these, Anuradhapura, was from 450 BC the capital of the country for nearly 1400 years. It was one of the most sophisticated cities of the ancient world. Sigiriya, with its breathtaking climb to a sky palace on top of a huge rock and exquisite works of art was built in 479 AC. It is an experience not to be missed. Other ancient sites include Polonnaruwa and Yapahuwa.
Kandy
Once the capital of local kings and then the quaint hill-capital of the British Raj, Kandy with its characteristic centerpiece lake is, today, a bustling city nested between mountains. The Temple of the Tooth (Dalada Maligawa), believed to house the left canine tooth of the Buddha dominates one corner of the city. The Esala Perahera, a festival with brightly decorated elephants and exuberant dancers, held in July/August, starts from this temple. Close by are the lush Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
Shopping
Shop for curios, woodwork, textiles, jewelery, quirky knick-knacks and your supply of genuine Ceylon tea.
Sri Lanka Hotels
Sri Lanka has thousands of accommodations. These range from some of the most exclusive hotels, to wonderful Eco-resorts, beautifully restored old colonial building, rentals and basic Homestays.
Pinnawala Elephants
Come face to face with elephants. Watch elephants enjoying themselves during their daily bathe in the river.
Sigiriya Frescoes
Painted over 1600 years ago, the Sigiriya Frescoes are protected in a small sheltered depression 100 meters above ground and still appear to float effortlessly among the clouds. These shapely ladies of king Kasyapa's harem are richly adorned with lavish jewelery and dressed in fine garments which barely concealed their graceful bodies.
Colombo
Colombo, after years of neglect, is once again becoming a vibrant cosmopolitan city. It is a busy and chaotic place with the old and new juxtaposed with gay abandon. Beautifully restored colonial building vie with modern skyscrapers and decrepit overloaded buses lumber alongside luxurious limousines. The sights, sounds and smell of Pettah with is bustling shops, market, mosques, temples and church is an experience for the adventurous. It's a busy place with restaurants, shops, museums and lots of charm. Stroll along Galle Face Green in the evening and watch the locals gather to fly kites, play cricket, relax and watch the sunset.
Sigiriya
Build 1600 years ago, Sigiriya is an exquisite example of ancient Sri Lankan art and architecture. Wander around its ruins. Climb to the Sky Palace, stopping on the way to admire the paintings of the ladies of the king's harem, then continue to the on summit and be astounded by the panoramic view that awaits you.
Galle
Galle Fort, with its Rip Van Winkle town nuzzled within, is far from the hassle and bustle of modern life. Life moves at a slow pace here, along quiet cobblestoned streets with their quaint colonial buildings. It is a great place to shop for the jewelry or curios. A stroll alone the rampart wall at sunset is spectacular. Lovely beaches Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa are within easy reach.
Anuradhapura
Spend the day exploring the ancient capital of Sri Lanka and marvel at its massive white dagobas, almost as large as the pyramids, and extensive monastery complexes that once was home to 20,000 monks. Founded in 450 BC, Anuradhapura was the capital Sri Lanka for nearly 1400 years. In its heyday it was one of the most resplendent cities of the world. Sophisticated irrigation projects and man-made lakes, still in use today, made the land plentiful.
Polonnaruwa
The capital of the island from 1017AD to 1214AD, Polonnaruwa is relatively compact and has a varied collection of ancient monuments such as the beautifully carved Buddha statues of the Gal Vihara, the massive lake knows as Parakrama Samudra and the statue of the king who built it, palaces, temples, fountains, baths and more.
Explore a
Tea Plantation
A trip "Up Country" is an interesting experience. Walk through a tea plantation (known as an estate) and watch tea-pluckers picking the finest tea leaves, and then visit the factory where it is produced and even taste the various types of teas available.
Catch a Wave Go
Surfing
The best surfing in Sri Lanka is at Arugum Bay. This is a small seaside town to the south-east of the island still retains its bohemian charm and life-style from when it was a haven for hippies of the 70's.
Galle, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and offer Intermediate level surfing. The best seasons for surfing are between November and March.
Trincomalee
Trincomalee's natural deep-water harbor made it a prized possession during colonial times. The old fort there is a testament to this. The intricately decorated and brightly painted Hindu Temple and Lover's Leap within this fort are not to be missed. The beach resorts of Nalaveli and Uppuveli are a short drive away. It is well worth a visit.
Whale Watching
Get on board a small boat and head off to sea. The sight of these awesome beasts gliding gracefully past and playfully breaching the surface of the water close to you is exhilarating. Whales can be seen at Mirissa near Galle, Trincomalee and Kalpitiya. The best time for whale watching is December - April.
Museums
Sri Lanka has a number of museums showcasing its culture and history. The best of these is the Colombo Museum.
Hiking
For more adventurous travelers there are numerous climbing, hiking and trekking experiences. These include and early morning climb up Adam's Peak the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Or a walk through the Sinharaja rain forest, a trek up the Knuckles Ranges and more.
Tours
Many companies overseas and in Sri Lanka offer an extensive range of packaged tours.
Travel
Many international airlines fly to Sri Lanka. The airport is approximately 32 kms from Colombo and 10km from the beach resort of Negambo.
Visas
Visas are best obtained online and cost between $15-30 depending on your country of citizenship. The online process is very simple.
Vaccinations
Make sure you are up-to-date with your routine vaccinations before your trip. These include measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox) and polio. It may also be a good idea to get Hepatitis A and Typhoid shots.
Duty Free
Adults may bring the following duty free items; 2 bottles of wine and 1.5L of spirits; small quantity of perfume and souvenirs up to the value of US$250. The import of non-prescription drugs and pornography is banned. It is illegal to export wild animal products, coral, shells and antiques over 50 years old.
Currency
It is best to obtain your Sri Lankan currency once you arrive in the country. The airport money changers are open 24/7 and offer bank rates.
Airport Transfers
Most hotels will arrange airport pick-up and drop-off. There are also local hire car operators who will provide transfer services.
Weather
The weather in Sri Lanka is usually hot and humid. The best times to visit the country are January- April and Mid-July - September. The weather in the north and east of the country is also excellent between February - September.
What to Wear
Dress in loose cotton, linen or breathable fabrics. Sunglasses are a good idea to protect your eyes. Any footwear suitable for the tropics is fine. Don't forget a broad brimmed hat and sunscreen. Also remember you need to wear "proper" clothing when visiting religious sites such as temples and Anuradhapura. This means your clothes must cover your shoulders and be below your knees.
Your Safety
Sri Lanka is a very safe place to visit. You would need to be extremely unlucky, reckless or foolish to experience any physical harm. Always exercise due care and caution with your belonging . Theft is common. A female traveling alone will draw attention from young men. Never talk to them as this will only encourage them. Don't accept any offers from strangers.
Mobile & Internet
Mobile phone services are good in the cities and patchy in regional areas but there is coverage island-wide. Internet/WI-FI are available at most accommodations. The speeds, however, aren't as fast as you may be used to.
Manners
Sri Lankan people are naturally happy, friendly and courteous. It is in their culture. They are always willing to help. Unfortunately modern commercialism and tourism has corrupted this lovely natural characteristic of the people and some may take advantage of you. Good manners are always appreciated. Never be rude. They may not be as well-off as you but they are cheerful, helpful and courteous people.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but is not compulsory. In Sri Lanka tipping serves two purposes. Firstly is a token of your appreciation of the service someone has provided you. Not tipping can be hurtful to them because it will be interpreted that you were not happy with their service. Secondly, a more obvious reason is that, it is a financial reward. Remember that a couple of Dollars or Euros on a tip is less than the cost of a candy bar in your home country. Be nice. Make someone happy.
A tip of 10% or more is the accepted standard, rounded up in to rupees. For example don't give a tip of 50 cents.
Clothing
Sri Lankans are pretty relaxed about what you wear. Shorts, tee-shirts etc. are fine. Nudity is frowned upon. Also note that women wearing revealing clothing are more likely to be accosted by local males. You need to wear "proper" clothing when visiting religious sites such as temples and Anuradhapura. This means your clothes must cover your shoulders and be below your knees. Wrapping a sarong around you is an easy solution. You also need to remove your footwear and hats when entering these places.
Photographs
There are no restrictions in taking photographs, except of military installations. Most people don't mind you photographing them. If you are visiting any temples, remember it is very rude to take photographs posing next to religious statues and objects. It is especially rude to do so with your back towards them or leaning on them. This is the only time you are likely to get a comment from a local.
Some museums charge extra fees to take photographs of their exhibits.
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking and the consumption of alcohol in public places is not permitted. Alcohol is also not served during Poya Days which are holy days for the nation's Buddhists.