Sri Lanka FAQ's

• What is Sri Lanka known for? ›

  Sri Lanka is known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean known for producing tea, and cinnamon and is said to have been discovered in 2000 BC by the Egyptians. Sri Lanka is a stunning island nation and hidden gem brimming with historical ruins, gorgeous beaches, and teeming with wondrous wildlife. The teardrop-shaped island is blanketed in incredible natural beauty and extraordinary biodiversity. The island is outlined by gorgeous white sand beaches and lapped by striking blue waters. Thalpe is decorated by cozy guesthouse`s along its shores, Marakolliya Beach is simply breathtaking and Rekawa Beach stretches for miles where turtles come to nest. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean are filled with exciting activities like surfing, diving, and spotting marine life and plenty of fish over vibrant coral reefs. Walking around the scenic surroundings of Sri Lanka can be a dream with ancient monuments dotted across the lands. Or strolling the tree-lined streets of charming Colombo brimming with quaint cafes and shops. The path of Adam`s Peak walk travels across the footsteps where hundreds of pilgrims once walked.
  
  The tiny island nation is filled with over 2,000 years of religious heritage spread throughout temples found across the island. Vibrant and exciting festivals are held in the country and are an extraordinary experience such as the extravagant Vesak celebrations held among the Colombo temples at the Gangaramaya Temple. Wildlife enthusiasts will be in awe of Sri Lanka with nature all around including Asian elephants, leopards, and water buffaloes. The national parks are great places to visit to check out the many inhabitants, Uda Walawe National park is a great place to spot elephants. Head out on a safari to Pottuvil Lagoon where you can get up close and personal with crocodiles, lizards, and elephants.
  
  Shoppers will be delighted with the opportunities on the island where several items can be bought including the tea grown here and many vibrant sensational spices. Authentic handicrafts and designer items can be purchased along with plenty of souvenirs. Check out the charming town of Colombo for stylish boutiques and colorful markets and galleries. Experience Ayurveda when in Sri Lanka, the ancient form of medicine and therapies used at spas and clinics across the nation. Siddhalepa Ayurveda in Colombo offers a full range of spa treatments and Sanctuary Spa is another great option in Unawatuna.

• What are the best places to visit in Sri Lanka? ›

  Colombo is the capital city and largest city of Sri Lanka situated on the southwestern coast just south of Kelani River. There are breathtaking surrounding sceneries and beaches to soak up , it is a historical city with monuments and charming colonial architecture.Bentota is a stunning resort town on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka famous for its breathtaking views, especially on Bentota Beach. The place to find peace and calm and visit the Kande Viharaya Temple with its large pastel-colored Buddha Statue. Galle is a charming seaside town, a true hidden gem and UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Dutch. This historic city can be discovered by walking through the authentic streets boasting Dutch colonial era architecture, splendid mansions and ancient mosques and churches.

• When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka? ›

  The small island of Sri Lanka experiences two distinct monsoon seasons and due to its proximity to the Equator, the country boasts daily average temperatures of 80 degrees year-round on the coast and around 60 degrees in the highlands. Sri Lanka is a year-round holiday destination with the best months being December through March to visit the south and west coasts of the island and the hill country, while April, May, and September are the best time to visit the east coast. The driest months of the year are from December to March which is also the peak season when beaches, attractions, and accommodations are full. April through November is the time between the two monsoon seasons there can be mixed days of sunshine and some rain. High humidity is a factor during the months of April and May. The southwest monsoon seasons blow in May and June affecting the southwest quarter of the island including Colombo and Galle, the gentler monsoon with short bouts of heavy downpours that pass pretty quickly. The northeast monsoon season blows in around October and November, the heavier monsoon season affecting the whole country with unpredictable heavy downpours.

• How many days should I spend in Sri Lanka? ›

  We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.

• What is the best way to get around Sri Lanka? ›

  By Car and Driver: Hiring a car and a private driver is a popular and comfortable way to travel around Sri Lanka. These car and driver options can be hired for all or part of your trip giving the flexibility to travel around the country. Drivers have excellent knowledge of the area and act as a guide giving you information on the sights and attractions.
  
  By Train: The train system in Sri Lanka is excellent with a network of comfortable trains that travel to major towns and cities. Train travel is a great way to see the spectacular scenic surroundings with exceptionally beautiful routes such as Kandy - Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo - Kandy, and Colombo - Galle. Trains can often be delayed and travel slow, they are more of a scenic option than a speedy way to get anywhere. The Sri Lanka Railway is the primary company with three main rail lines South from Colombo, East from Colombo and North from Colombo.
  
  By Bus:The bus company in Sri Lanka covers most towns and is one of the main forms of transportation. The buses cover 80% of the nation's roads with two kinds of buses, Central Transport Board buses usually lacking air conditioning, they travel local routes and long-distance and private buses which travel both short and long distances with air conditioning, more comfort and usually faster.

• What is the currency of Sri Lanka? ›

  The units of currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR or Rs). US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for pounds upon arrival. Currency exchanged desks can be found at the airport and in many locations throughout the city.

• Do people speak English in Sri Lanka? ›

  The official language spoken in Sri Lanka is Sinhalese. English is spoken and understood by most individuals in the service industry. We suggest you get a good English-Sri Lankan Guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you and numbers 1-10.

• What are the best vacation packages to Sri Lanka?›

  Colombo - Seychelles - Mauritius by Air (9 nights)

  Sri Lanka Vacations, customize multi-city vacations to Sri Lanka, flexible trips to Sri Lanka. Review past Sri Lanka itineraries, book Sri Lanka vacation packages online. Travel to Sri Lanka your way

  Includes: Hotel for 3 nights in Colombo, Flight from Colombo to Seychelles - Mahe Island, Hotel for 3 nights in Seychelles - Mahe Island, Flight from Seychelles to Mauritius Island, Hotel for nights in Mauritius Island

• What are the best deals to travel to Sri Lanka?›

  Colombo - Bangkok - Phuket by Air (6 nights)

  Sri Lanka and Thailand!. Combine Colombo (the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population), Bangkok (Thailand’s capital, is a large city known for ornate shrines and vibrant street life) and Phuket (a rain forested, mountainous island in the Andaman Sea, has some of Thailand’s most popular beaches, mainly situated along the clear waters of the western shore) with flights between cities.

  Includes: Hotel for 3 nights in Colombo, Flight from Colombo to Seychelles - Mahe Island, Hotel for 3 nights in Seychelles - Mahe Island, Flight from Seychelles to Mauritius Island, Hotel for nights in Mauritius Island

  
  

  Bangkok - Colombo - Dubai by Air (9 nights)

  Hot List of Cosmopolitan Cities in Thailand, Sri Lanka and The UAE!. First arrive in Bangkok, known as `the city of angels`, packed with fascinating temples and palaces, vibrant nightlife, delicious food and a wide range of shopping options. Up next is Colombo, a melting pot of old and new. You cannot miss visiting its amazing temples and buildings as well as the beautiful Galle Face Green Promenade. Finally fly into Dubai to bring this amazing trip to its end, this exciting city provides a host of attractions and activities from desert safaris to shopping options. This is a truly unique experience you won't want to miss.

  Includes: Hotel for 3 nights in Colombo, Flight from Colombo to Seychelles - Mahe Island, Hotel for 3 nights in Seychelles - Mahe Island, Flight from Seychelles to Mauritius Island, Hotel for nights in Mauritius Island

  
  

  India (Delhi - Mumbai) with Sri Lanka (Colombo) and Bangkok by Air (8 nights)

  Indian Core Hubs, dynamic Sri Lanka and dazzling India. Begin this incredible trip in Delhi (is of great historical significance as an important commercial, transport, architecture, and cultural hub, as well as the political centre of India). Combine this fantastic experience with a stay in Mumbai (known as Bombay, the city of dreams, is one of the most populous and biggest cities, popular as the entertainment and financial capital). Up next is Colombo (a principal port of the Indian Ocean and gateway to the wonder of Sri Lanka; boasting a rich colonial heritage, featuring a melting pot of races, religions and cultures). Last but not least is Bangkok (the capital and most populous city of Thailand, is known for its street life, cultural landmarks, spicy food and Buddhist temples). These destinations are connected by flights.

  Includes: Hotel for 3 nights in Colombo, Flight from Colombo to Seychelles - Mahe Island, Hotel for 3 nights in Seychelles - Mahe Island, Flight from Seychelles to Mauritius Island, Hotel for nights in Mauritius Island

  
  

  Colombo - Kuala Lumpur - Penang by Air (6 nights)

  City of contrasts, World class city and Fusion of East and West. Fly into Colombo and discover such an enigmatic and colorful assortment of races, religions and cultures, marvel at this authentic city of "old and new" and sightsee The Gangarama Vihara that is one of the most eminent temples in the country, then stop at Seema Malaka which is a floating temple that inspires mediation; do not miss visiting the National Museum or Ape Gama Cultural Village, and many more tourist attractions this unique city has to offer. Combine this exciting adventure flying into Kuala Lumpur and get impressed by many of its interesting attractions such as the stunning PETRONAS Twin Towers and Menara Tower, Merdeka Square, well-preserved mosques such as Jamek Mosque and Kota Kinabalu and stunning temples including Khoo Kongsi and Sri Mahamariamman, another place you cannot miss is Chinatown which offers a vast array of incredible shopping opportunities. Finally fly into Penang, known as the pearl of the orient, sightsee this exotic destination, famous for its soft sandy beaches of Tanjung Bungah, enjoy wonderful local dishes, marvel at The Streets of George Town which offers magnificent architecture and sights from colonial past, then move onto Penang Hill to see some of the splendid colonial mansions; Tropical Spice Garden, the Snake Temple, KOMTAR and modern shopping malls also merit a visit.

  Includes: Hotel for 3 nights in Colombo, Flight from Colombo to Seychelles - Mahe Island, Hotel for 3 nights in Seychelles - Mahe Island, Flight from Seychelles to Mauritius Island, Hotel for nights in Mauritius Island

  
  
• Can I combine a vacation package for Sri Lanka with other countries?›

  Yes, you can combine with: Thailand | Singapore | Malaysia | India