Sri Lanka: A Quick and Handy Travel Guide

Often overlooked, India’s neighbour to the south, the small island nation of Sri Lanka is an amazing holiday destination that has plenty to offer visitors. From the inviting beaches of Bentota to the rolling green hills of Nuwara Eliya; from the Buddhist stupas in Kandy to the historical monuments in Colombo, Sri Lanka is truly resplendent in every way.

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Don’t leave Sri Lanka before you:                                    

See:

Colombo: The city of Colombo is an eclectic mix of a glorious past and spectacular present. Malls and restaurants coexist alongside temples and colonial monuments in perfect harmony. Like any big city, Colombo has plenty to see and do. Pay a visit to the National Museum, the Gangaramaya Temple and the Viharamahadevi Park. For some retail therapy, swing by the departmental store Odel for clothes, food and home accessories.

Sigiriya: Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, the Citadel of Sigiriya near Dambulla is a rock plateau formed out of volcanic magma. Built by King Kasyapa, Sigiriya houses ruins of the ancient palace, the Lion Gate and a mirror wall adorned with frescos. The complex is surrounded by elaborate gardens with waterways and moats and is a brilliant example of urban planning.

Galle: Every sun worshipper’s delight, the port city of Galle is home to glistening sands and turquoise waters. Galle’s Dutch-style architecture reflects the town’s cultural and heritage roots. Most notable is the Galle Fort, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nuwara Eliya: The ‘city of light’, Nuwara Eliya is in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country. At an elevation of over 1,800 metres, this was once the British colonial playground because of its cool climate and scenic vistas. Smatterings of its colonial heritage can still be seen in Nuwara Eliya’s charming, old-world buildings including the Hill Club, General’s House, Town Post Office and the bungalow-style private residences. 

Kandy: Once the capital of the Sinhalese kingdom, Kandy is nestled amidst lush green hills and forests of the Knuckles Range. Founded in the 14th century, Kandy remains a revered city for Buddhists with its many sacred temples, namely the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic that houses the tooth of Buddha. As if protecting the city, the imposing Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue atop a mountain peak overlooks Kandy.

Read More: 5 Kid-friendly Resorts in Sri Lanka Your Little Ones Are Sure to Enjoy

Do:

Elephant watching at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (Kegalle): One of Sri Lanka’s most popular attractions, the 24-acre Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a safe and protected environment for the largest herd of elephants in captivity in the world. Visitors can watch these gentle creatures being fed and bathed and also partake in the activities. 

 Wildlife safari at Yala National Park (Hambantota): Spanning 130,000 hectares, Yala National Park has the highest concentration of leopards in the world. Along with these jungle cats, you are likely to spot elephants, water buffaloes and the Sri Lankan sloth bear.  There is also a 200-hectare swamp here that abounds in reptiles and birdlife.

Scuba diving in Hikkaduwa: Fast becoming a popular destination for scuba diving, the coastal town of Hikkaduwa boasts of great opportunities to explore underwater marine life. With schools of tropical fish in myriad colours and splendid coral reefs, one doesn’t need to dive too deep to spot these marvels. If you’re not quite ready to scuba dive, give snorkelling a try.

Eat:

Egg Hoppers: Similar to the South Indian appam, egg hoppers are made out of rice flour and coconut milk and are usually enjoyed best with a curry.

Seafood: Seafood lovers will love the variety available on restaurant menus in Sri Lanka. A famous preparation is ‘devilled’, which, as the name may suggest, is fish smothered in spices, especially chillies.

Pol Sambola: Coconuts find a place in most Sri Lankan dishes. Pol Sambola is a punchy garnish  of grated coconut, red onions, dried whole chilies, lime juice and salt.

Read More: One Week in Sri Lanka: Your Best Itinerary Decoded

When to Go:

Sri Lanka is a year-round destination. However, some months are more favourable than others depending on where you plan to go.

December to April: This is the best time to visit the hill country and the beaches in south Sri Lanka as they are the driest months. Christmas and New Year celebrations are a huge tourist draw as well.

May to August: Most of Sri Lanka experiences the monsoons during these months. However, the showers are intermittent and many of the days are sunny.

September to November: Though humidity is high during the months following the monsoons, the weather isn’t all that bad to travel to Sri Lanka. Some of the best airfare and hotel deals are to be had during this period!

Getting There:­­

By Air: Sri Lanka’s only airport, Bandaranaike International Airport, is located in its capital city, Colombo. It’s about 35 kilometres north of the main city centre and usually takes an hour by road. Flights to and from Sri Lanka connect it to most countries in Asia, Australia and the Middle East. While Sri Lankan Airlines is the country’s national carrier, the budget airline Mihin Lanka operates flights from Central Asia and India. 

By Road: Private and radio taxis and three-wheeler tuk tuks (the Indian equivalent of auto rickshaws) are common modes of transport found in Colombo and other tourist cities. There’s also a network of public buses run by the Sri Lanka Transport Board. Both public and deluxe private buses are available for intercity travel and the Central Bus Stand in Colombo serves as the hub for connectivity. 

By Train: All rail services in Sri Lanka are operated by Sri Lanka Railways. There are three main railway lines that connect to the north, east and south of the country from Colombo. Though a relatively inexpensive mode of travel and a great way to see the country’s diverse landscape, trains are usually crowded and are delayed frequently.

Read More: Floating over Sri Lanka in a Balloon: A Precious Sight!

Getting Around:

Bus: Most cities in Sri Lanka are well-connected via buses. Besides government-owned buses, you can also travel in luxury buses owned by private operators. It’s the most affordable way of travelling in Sri Lanka. 

Taxi and Auto-rickshaw: Taxis are easily available in Sri Lanka, and connect different cities together. They are a convenient way to travel from one place to another. For intra-city travel, auto-rickshaws will be your best choice.

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What to Pack:

• Lightweight cotton clothing is recommended. When travelling to hill country, carry a sweatshirt or jacket for the evenings when temperatures dip. When visiting a temple or religious centre, make sure your shoulders and legs are covered. If visiting in the monsoons, a raincoat is a must-have.
• Essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhat and mosquito repellent.
• Travel adapters compatible with 220V voltage.

Take a break from the humdrum of everyday life and explore everything that Sri Lanka has to offer. From culture and cuisine to temples and tea country…whatever your holiday needs, Sri Lanka has the perfect ingredients to make it a memorable one.

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