Sri Lanka has grown into being one of the most popular destinations to visit in Asia. So here is my Sri Lanka travel guide. The country is a treat for all types of travelers – Backpackers, Honeymooners, Solo Travellers, and Luxury Travellers, etc. If you ever want to have a relaxing vacation then you should definitely favor some of these best places to visit in Sri Lanka.
The country offers several options of adventures such as Scuba diving to whale watching, tea plantation & estates to jungle safaris, serene beaches to national parks, treks, and more.
Here’s an overview of traveling in Sri Lanka, hope this guide helps in planning your itinerary.
- Language – Sinhalese, English, Tamil.
- Currency – LKR (Sri Lankan Rupees)
- Internet Reliability – Great
Table of Contents
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Best time to visit Sri Lanka
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Top Destinations in Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka Travel tips & Costs
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Safety in Sri Lanka
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Visa in Sri Lanka
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Steps to prepare your trip to Sri Lanka
Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka
The country can be visited year-round depending on your choice of vacation. The country has two monsoon seasons, so based on the monsoon season you need to plan your travels. Ella, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, South-west regions are the best places to visit in Sri Lanka.
- North-east monsoons
- South-west monsoons
| Area | Season | Months |
| North-East | Dry Season | May to September |
| Wet Season | December to February | |
| South-West | Dry Season | December to March |
| Wet Season | May to September |
Top Destinations in Sri Lanka
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Kandy
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Ella
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Nuwara Eliya
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Colombo
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Dambulla
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Galle
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Bentota
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Polonnaruwa
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Mirissa
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Unawatuna
Sri Lanka Travel tips & Costs
Accommodation
In Sri Lanka, you’ll discover many alternatives for your accommodations such as Places to Stay in Kandy. Regardless of whether you’re on a budget or not, you won’t experience issues to discover choices. You can find dorms that charge $3 per night.
I wrote a complete blog on places to stay in Sri Lanka for every type of traveler.
Read Full Blog – Best Places to Stay in Sri Lanka
Food
When it comes to food, there are many different types of restaurants as per your need. If you eat local food, you can eat for less than LKR 400. Obviously, you may discover exquisite eateries around the nation and you can pay more on the off chance that you wish to. The least expensive alternatives are normally in small local restaurants.
Activities
The activities such as beach visits and treks are free. In spite of the fact, you need to visit national parks or sanctuaries, safari, or scuba diving you may need to pay the expense. Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. You should also try the Kandy to Ella Train ride, the journey has absolutely scenic views and is quite a popular train journey around the world.
Read Full Blog – 18 Amazing Things to do in Sri Lanka
Transportation
It is pretty easy to get around in Sri Lanka, some modes of transport may be time-consuming. You can either take local bus transport, the train, or hire a private driver to arrive at your goals. The railroad framework is continuously upgrading and the ravishing train rides through Sri Lanka are quite picturesque.
| Travel Cost | Budget travel | Mid-range | Luxury |
| Accommodation | $3-5 per night | $25-70 per night | $70+ |
| Meal | $3-5 per meal | $5-15 per meal | $15+ |
| Activities | Focus on free activities | Mixing free activities & mid-range | $30+ per day |
| Transport | By bus/train | By bus, train, flight, driver | Private driver |
Safety in Sri Lanka
Traveling in Sri Lanka is pretty safe. It goes without saying that you should lock your valuables. Sri Lanka has grown tourist-friendly destinations over the past decade. Always remember to use common sense to ensure safety on your travels.
Women are advised to take particular care, especially when traveling alone. An expanded number of western ladies have announced verbal or physical ambush and beverages being spiked with drugs. Continuously watch out for your beverage and walk with somebody when it’s late at night.
Visa in Sri Lanka
Many countries have visas on arrival for Sri Lanka. If you do not want to stand in a queue, you can apply for the E-visa for your visit to Sri Lanka.
You can find out how to get your E-visa here.
Steps to prepare your trip to Sri Lanka
- Book Flights months prior to your visit for cheaper airfare
- Book accommodations
- Get a travel Insurance
- Book transport (If required)
- Book Activities
