Sri Lanka, former known as Ceylon, is a beautiful and green island in the Indian Ocean.
Poetically called tear of India for its teardrop shape, the country is a mix of colonial cities, Buddhism and nature seasoned with spicy and delicious local foods that will not fail to charm you!
Some of the activities I suggest you plan during a trip to Sri Lanka:
- First of all, being passionate about curries, I suggest you try some delicious dishes based on the tasty spice, one of the best I’ve ever tried!
- In different areas you can surf, for example Mirissa or Hikkaduwa!
- Climb the Sigyriya rock and the Adam’s Peak.
- Visit the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya.
- Explore the ruins of one of Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals such as Anuradhapura or Polonnaruwa.
- Relax on one of the beautiful beaches of the Island.
- Take a ride on the train passing through the beautiful landscapes from Kandy to Ella.
- Explore some of Sri Lanka’s beautiful Buddhist temples.
- Experience a cricket match, one of the most popular sports here!
Some info about Sri Lanka:
Capital of Sri Lanka: Colombo (commercial capital) + Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte (administrative capital)
Population: 21,6 millions ab.
Official language: Sinhala, Tamil and English
Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
Calling code of Sri Lanka: +94
Sri Lanka Visa: You can request it online from the ETA website at this address: www.eta.gov.lk You can also apply to the Sri Lankan Embassy in your country or use an agency. You can also get it when you arrive in Colombo at the airport, you take a little more time … Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country.
N.B. Always check before leaving that the visa rules have not changed recently!
Phone and Internet: It is easy to buy a sim card, you can buy it upon arrival in the country at Colombo airport, remember to present your passport. You can use the wifi service in many hotels and some restaurants. The line is essentially good in tourist locations.
The main tourist destinations of Sri Lanka:
You will almost certainly arrive by plane in Colombo, a city that if you do not have too much time to spend on the island you can safely skip, concentrating on the riches of the rest of the country.
The historical capitals of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya. The latter is particularly interesting as it was built on a massive rock/mountain, called the “lion’s rock”, placed in the middle of green vegetation.
The tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya or Ella.
The southern beaches of Mirissa and Tangalla close to Galle, the city built by Dutch settlers.
The beautiful Kandy, with its important temple that houses Buddha’s tooth, destination of pilgrimages by the devotees.
Danbulla and his stupendous Buddhist temple built in a cave.
Sri Lanka, when to go?
The island lends itself to be visited practically all year, as it has two monsoons that hit different areas of Sri Lanka at different times, when one area is rainy the other will be fine! Even if you can expect downpours at any time and in any area.
Temperatures are fairly constant all year round: hot and humid on the coasts while the hill areas are much cooler.
The best time to visit the South, West and hill areas is from December to April / March.
The best period for the East coast is from May to September.
N.B. Lately the weather conditions are changing a lot, so sometimes the seasons are not always as expected!
