What Are The Things To Do And Where To Stay In Sri Lanka


Have you always wanted an exotic holiday vacation full of beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine, diversity and welcoming hosts but also want it to be budget-friendly? Well, we have the exact destination for you in mind! SRI LANKA, the island lying just below the Indian subcontinent is the best place for you to go this year.

You might be thinking is Sri Lanka worth visiting? Want to know the reasons why? Well, just read this Sri Lanka travel blog and you’ll know why this island should be on your list of destinations!

Sri Lanka: The Pearl of Indian Ocean

Overshadowed by its communal history, this beautiful island nation was away from the tourism circle till last decade. But within the last ten years, this gem like country nestled in the Bay of Bengal of Indian Ocean is now considered as a budding tourist hot spot. And why not??? It has everything in store for a traveler in search of adventure and relaxation.

The spectacular beaches lying in the Indian Ocean, abundant rivers and waterfalls, extraordinary train journeys, fringing coral reefs, cultural and historical monuments, diverse flora and fauna, hilly terrains, swaying palm trees, curry and spice filled delicious aroma and most of all the welcoming community of this country!!! Aren’t these reasons enough to plan your next excursion in this tropical wonderland.

Not much travel info is available today regarding Sri Lanka but we are here for you to make sure that your trip to the country will be an enjoyable one. So, do not wait and read this travel guide to Sri Lanka that’s been especially written only for you!

Flying to Sri Lanka

You can easily get into Sri Lanka by numerous flights and that too in less budget compared to other countries. If you are in Southern Asia the flights are much cheaper and you can also reach here via sea route as well. A number of airlines fly to Sri Lanka notably Sri Lankan Airlines, Air India, Etihad Airways, Cinnamon Air, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, Air China, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, China Southern Airlines, Gulf Air, etc.

Sri Lanka has 22 airports in total with the major one being Bandaranaike or Columbo International Airport in Katunayake which is located around 30 kilometres away from the capital, Columbo. Other major airports are Ratmalana Airport, Mattala Rajapaksha International Airport, Anuradhapura Airport, Sigiriya Airport and Koggala Airport.

VISA and Currency

Travelling to Sri Lanka requires a valid passport up to at least 6 months and an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) must be obtained beforehand to get VISA on arrival. Fees is charged for Tourist Visa, Business Visa and Transit Visa. The Sri Lankan Government has put up a trial period for visa fee waiver for some countries (in image) till January 2020 end.

The currency followed is Sri Lankan rupee and you can exchange your currency after reaching the airport at exchange bureaus, banks and local ATMs. Do keep in mind that there is a limit on how much you can take in and out from the country so take care before visiting to Sri Lanka.

Is Sri Lanka safe to visit?

Till last decade Sri Lanka was out of tourism limelight on account of its past, mainly because of the continued civil war till 2009. But, in the current decade it has rejuvenated itself and has become a sought after tourism spot especially by budget friendly travelers.

It is definitely safe as a traveller but you do need to keep some things in mind while you visit this country with such heart-warming citizens.

Do check the current scenario of the country wherever you visit before planning your trip. Also while your stay, do keep in mind to stay away from secluded and risk prone areas.

It is also important to check the weather forecasts before traveling especially when you are coming here in the monsoon. Keeping these smaller tips on your fingertips is more than enough to have a comfy and warm stay in this beautiful country.

Also it is recommended to have vaccination against water borne diseases like Hepatitis before visiting here and try to have bottled water and food from hygienic places while your stay in here.

Where to stay in Sri Lanka?

Staying at Sri Lanka is nothing to worry about! After arriving at the airport, there are lots of good hotels to stay in Colombo and you can plan your travel itinerary from thereon if you like.

You can find budget friendly resorts and hotels in the major cities and beach side with delicious local cuisine as well. Book your accommodation in advance to save money and time. It’s better to book your Sri Lanka trip after analyzing the best options, and all-inclusive holiday packages are usually a great idea for planning a foreign trip anywhere.

We can provide you the best Sri Lanka holiday packages for your need i.e. a romantic holiday or a family holiday. Book Sri Lanka tour with Travel Lanka connection and get the best deals!!! We have the best offers for the traveller in you, notably 6 days Sri Lanka Heritage Private tour, 4 days package on Discover Columbo on Tuk-Tuk, 5 days Sri Lanka Culture Adventure Tour and many more exciting deals waiting just for you!!! Where you have to stay totally depends on what you want to explore.

If you are interested in surfing and beaches, stay at a city near to the shores; you can get a beach side luxury resort amidst the palm trees in the popular beaches like Unawatuna or Mirissa. If you are more into visiting the ancient architecture and the hilly side, stay at Kandy and can plan your visits from there. Make the best of your trip while exploring all around the country!!!

Tourist attractions in Sri Lanka

From the beaches to national parks, rivers to waterfalls, hiking to train journeys, modern markets to ancient sites; Sri Lanka has a lot on its plate for you! Talking about the major places to visit on a Sri Lanka trip we’ll fill you up on the major tourist attractions you must visit on a trip to Sri Lanka.

Cultural triangle of Sri Lanka

The cultural triangle of Sri Lanka lies in the North Central region of Sri Lanka and is the centre of attraction for ancient architecture and temples. It is called so because of the existence of three major regions that form a triangle i.e. Anuradhapura to the north, Polonaruwa to the east and Kandy to the south west. This traingle has many interesting places to explore the major ones include:

  1. UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonaruwa
  2. Dagobas or Stupas in Anuradhapura that are gigantic constructions almost 3000 years old
  3. Amazing sculptures of elephants, different poses of Lord Buddha and moonstones in the temples
  4. The Sacred Bodhi Tree under which Lord Buddha is said to found enlightenment is located in Anuradhapura
  5. Dambolla Cave temple with intricate architecture and a Giant Buddha statue
  6. Sigiriya Lion crop where you can reach at the top of the rocky outcrops and get a vast view of the city
  7. Temple of the Tooth with the sacred tooth relic that’s a large temple complex in the city of Kandy

Sun kissed beaches

Sri Lanka is home to some of the best and calm beaches around Asia. Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the idyllic beaches with swaying palm trees have no end. Popular beaches in Sri Lanka include Hiriketiya beach in the southern coast with some of the unspoiled regions to explore.

Other notable beaches are Bentota lagoon perfect for boating, kayaking and jet skiing; Arugam Bay with the best waves popular for surfing; Mirissa beach where you can spot the largest mammal on earth, blue whale; Uppuveli beach with the sandy stretches, Unawatan beach with soft sands is ideal for families and children and this list of beaches can continue but we have listed few of the popular ones here.

If you want to spend a peaceful time with your loved one, the shores of Passekudah bay would also be a good choice.

Architecture at its best

Sri Lanka boasts of a lots of ancient sites and is home to many historical and cultural monuments, the architecture of some of which will make you leave in awe. Places worth seeing would include the famous historical Galle Fort, Temple of the Tooth and other historical sites in Kandy, ancient rock fortress and Citadel in Sigiriya, Golden temple of Dambulla, ancient city of Polonarruwa to explore the architectural sites and also UNESCO world heritage sites on the way with the notable one in Anuradhapura as mentioned before!!

Wildlife and lush greens

You can enjoy the eye soothing tea plantations in the hilly towns of Ella and Nuwara Eliya and tingle your taste buds with the amazing tea tasting. The best way to bask in the green bliss would be to take train rides while travelling to get a glimpse of the scenic natural beauty.

Major highlight of a trip to Sri Lanka is the opportunity to witness the diverse wildlife this country is home to. You can easily get an eyeful of the giant Asian elephants, monkeys and leopards through a trip to Minneriya elephant migration, Yalle national park and UNESCO site of Sinharaja Forest in Galle.

One of the most exhilarating thing to witness in the island is to go for whale watching in Marissa beach. This is what you call an experience for a lifetime!!! Isn’t it?

Waterfalls and rivers

Sri Lanka has some of the stunning waterfalls to witness all surrounded by greenery and rocky terrains and is also home to more than a hundred rivers!!! Some of the most spectacular waterfalls that you must go to are Bambarakanda falls (highest waterfall in Sri Lanka), Ramboda falls, Devon falls, St. Claire’s falls, Dunhinda falls and many more.

Hike on the hills

Being a tropical island country Sri Lanka observes a hot climate throughout the year except for the hilly terrains in the south. The best way to imbibe the experiences is to take a train journey with open windows from Kandy to Ella and explore the hilly town by hiking to Ella rock. You can also enjoy the beauty of the vast tea plantations as well.

Best time to visit Sri Lanka

Visiting Sri Lanka depends on what you want to experience in the country. Peak season for the tourists stays from December to March as it is the driest time and one can trek around the hilly regions of the country. Off season comes during May to August as the monsoon arrives on the beaches of South coast but the northern and eastern regions remain comparatively dry.

Being a tropical country, Sri Lanka observes a hot and sunny climate throughout the year but you must pack some winter essentials if travelling to the hilly terrains or during heavy monsoon showers.



Things to do in Sri Lanka

There are so many things that you can experience from this country that the space might as well be less to write it all. We have mentioned here the things you must experience while you come to Sri Lanka: enjoying a stroll in the vast stretched beaches in the Indian Ocean, watching the dolphins & whale, hiking to the hill tops for that amazing view, surfing and water sports in the sea waves, taking home the rich aroma of tea and spices, a token of love for the amazing handicrafts and handloom fabrics, purchasing some precious jewellery, Buddha figurines and Ayurveda products and enjoying the art & culture of ancient architecture and temples. Most of all, a feeling of warmth, contentment and coming back to this welcoming heaven again sometime!!!

No point in waiting anymore right!!! So plan your trip now and book a Sri Lanka tour with Travel Lanka Connection and enjoy the best holiday ever!!! Go Go!!!


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