Sri Lanka Travel Guide - Travel Insights and Tips

Traveling to Sri Lanka? Our detailed Sri Lanka insights, blogs and travel tips will help you plan the best trip.

The pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, has rightfully gained a reputation for being one of Asia's most beautiful places to visit. Its untamed nature, vibrant culture, and picturesque beaches make it an ideal holiday destination.

Our Sri Lanka travel guide is your go-to manual for planning your holiday in this beautiful country. Click the highlighted links to find out how many days to spend in Sri Lanka and the best time to visit Sri Lanka. Discover how you can swap a dreary European Christmas for a tropical holiday when you visit Sri Lanka in December or celebrate a second New year in Sri Lanka in April.

This tiny island nation offers coast-to-coast adventure, and you can spend weeks exploring all its treasures. In only ten days in Sri Lanka, you can go on a jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park, go rafting and hiking in Kitulgala, and cycle through the countryside to Polonnaruwa. If you extend your trip to two weeks in Sri Lanka, you will get to explore more in-depth, visit the beautiful tea plantations, take cooking classes, and enjoy more free time.

This one-stop guide will make planning your tour to Sri Lanka a breeze.

Top Destinations in Sri Lanka

Read all about the top things to do in Sri Lanka.

Visit the Famous Landmarks in Colombo

Colombo offers an intriguing mix of old and new landmarks, celebrating Sri Lanka’s development and honoring the Colonial roots. See icons like the Lotus Tower and the Red Mosque up close, learn about the world around you at the Zoological Gardens and National Museum, and shop till you drop at the Pettah Floating Market. View Tours

Go on a Safari in Yala National Park

Yala National Park is located on the southeastern corner of Sri Lanka. It is home to the world’s highest concentration of leopards. Here, you can also see 44 different mammals like Asian elephants and sloth bears. Thanks to its unique inhabitants and ecological diversity, Yala is one of the best safari destinations outside of Africa. View Tours

Explore the Spiritual Importance of Kandy

In the heart of Sri Lanka is one of the most important spiritual locations in the country. Kandy is a mountainous city that has several important Buddhist temples, including the most sacred one, the Temple of the Tooth. Explore the captivating spirituality of this stunning city by visiting these sacred sights and observing Buddhism in practice. View Tours

Sri Lanka at a Glance

Quick facts about Sri Lanka.

CAPITAL CITY

Sri Lanka has two capitals: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte and Colombo. The first serves as the country's legislative capital, while the latter is the economic, executive, and judicial capital.

SIZE

The island nation of Sri Lanka covers an area of 65,610 square kilometers. It only takes a couple of hours to drive across the country.

COUNTRY CODE

+94. If you want to call Ambalangoda, just add 97 after the country code.

CURRENCY

Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan rupee. The currency code is LKR. You can only get LKR in Sri Lanka and you must exchange USD, GBP, or EUR at the airport or exchange counters in cities. Take cash with you when traveling to remote regions of the country.

MAIN AIRPORT

Bandaranaike International Airport is the main airport in Sri Lanka. It is roughly 30 kilometers north of Columbo. CODE: CMB CLOSEST CITY: Katunayake

VISAS

Most passport holders must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arriving in Sri Lanka. This allows you to get a visa on arrival. This tourist visa allows you to stay in the country for 30 days. We advise all visitors to contact their nearest travel authority to learn about the visa conditions.

LANGUAGE

Sri Lanka has two official languages, Sinhala and Tamil. Almost a quarter of the country speaks fluent English, but it is widely understood in urban areas.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

Phone 118 for the police and 110 for an ambulance.

WHAT'S UNIQUE

Sri Lanka is a deeply spiritual country, and the image of Buddha is sacred. You are forbidden to take photos of his likeness or to take pictures of monks without permission.

When to visit Sri Lanka

Read the below travel guides to find the best time to visit Sri Lanka.

°C °F

Jan Avg Daily: 31 ° C Avg Nightly: 22 ° C
Feb Avg Daily: 31 ° C Avg Nightly: 23 ° C
Mar Avg Daily: 32 ° C Avg Nightly: 24 ° C
Apr Avg Daily: 32 ° C Avg Nightly: 25 ° C
May Avg Daily: 31 ° C Avg Nightly: 26 ° C
Jun Avg Daily: 30 ° C Avg Nightly: 26 ° C
Jul Avg Daily: 30 ° C Avg Nightly: 25 ° C
Aug Avg Daily: 30 ° C Avg Nightly: 25 ° C
Sep Avg Daily: 30 ° C Avg Nightly: 25 ° C
Oct Avg Daily: 30 ° C Avg Nightly: 24 ° C
Nov Avg Daily: 30 ° C Avg Nightly: 23 ° C
Dec Avg Daily: 30 ° C Avg Nightly: 23 ° C

Best Time to Visit:

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Sri Lanka in January: Weather and Wildlife

Wrapped in emerald green forests and rolling hills, bordered by a turquoise ocean and dotted with charming colonial coastal towns, Sri Lanka surely is an idyllic holiday destination. And what better time to experience this island country, nicknamed the &l ...Read more

Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka

After suffering from years of civil war and unrest, the situation in Sri Lanka has finally become stable. For all the travel enthusiasts around the world, this is definitely good news. Sri Lanka is a tropical paradise with culture and history that spans c ...Read more

Sri Lanka in September: Weather and Travel Tips

Sri Lanka gets a brief break from its two battering monsoon cycles—Yala and Maha—in September. Barring a few odd showers, the month offers a spectacular tropical treat, a perfect time to take advantage of sparse tourist crowds and shoulder sea ...Read more

See all when to visit Sri Lanka guides

How long to stay in Sri Lanka

Read about the ideal duration to stay in Sri Lanka.

Great Sri Lanka Itineraries: How Many Days to Spend?

Although far less popular than neighboring India, Sri Lanka has an array of attractions that should be on the bucket list of every traveler. The country offers an incredible range of unspoiled beaches, fascinating colonial history, tongue-tingling cuisine ...Read more

7 Days in Sri Lanka: Our Recommendations

Sri Lanka has become South Asia’s tourist magnet for all the right reasons: the country has a rich history coupled with alluring cultural heritages set in a landscape that is lush green and tropical. Given its size, spending around 7 days in Sri Lan ...Read more

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka: Our Recommendations

Slightly smaller than Ireland, Sri Lanka is an island nation in the Indian Ocean that packs a remarkable variety of destinations ranging from beautiful Buddhist temples and monasteries to lush rainforests. Kick back on sun-soaked beaches during 2 weeks in ...Read more

See all how long to stay in Sri Lanka guides

Sri Lanka Tour and Holiday Packages

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FAQs for Sri Lanka

Read the most frequently asked questions and answers about traveling to Sri Lanka below.

How much does a Sri Lanka tour cost?
Is Sri Lanka a safe destination for tourists?
How many days do I need to travel in Sri Lanka?
Where is a good place to stay in Sri Lanka?
How much money should I carry for a 2-week Sri Lanka trip?

Sustainable travel — How to travel through Sri Lanka responsibly

In line with Bookmundi’s vision, we wish to provide our travelers with a sustainable travel experience through Sri Lanka. As part of this effort, we carbon offset any Sri Lanka tour that you purchase through us. You can read more details about our carbon offsetting efforts.

Here’s what you can do to travel Sri Lanka more responsibly:

Carbon-offset your trip to Sri Lanka via Emirates. The moment your tour starts in Sri Lanka, and provided that you have purchased your tour through Bookmundi, we will carbon-offset your tour from its starting point to its ending point.
Sri Lanka has more than 1,300 kilometers of coastline, and the Pearl Protectors work tirelessly to keep the coastal environment pristine and plastic free.

Sri Lanka travel tips and insights

Avoid political chat as the country is still recovering from a civil war.
Prepare for little English, unpaved roads, and fewer convenience stores outside the tourist hotspots.
Hygiene standards are much laxer so avoid street food and tap water.
Hoppers, fermented rice/sourdough batter, are the go-to snack in Sri Lanka. It is served with curry, relish or egg.

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