Sri Lanka

Travel Guide

Start your tuk tuk and explore the island paradise known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”. Fall in love with its warm hospitality, pristine beaches, fantastic wildlife, lush tea plantations, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural landscapes.

Cover of Sri Lanka travel blog, featuring an aerial view of the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella, Sri Lanka.
Illustration of sun and cloud, designed to enhance the travel blog storytelling.

When to visit?

South and Central:
December to March
East Coast:
April to September.

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Currency

Rupee is the currency of Sri Lanka.

Cover of Sri Lanka travel blog, featuring an aerial view of the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella, Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka

Travel Guide

Start your tuk tuk and explore the island paradise known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”. Fall in love with its warm hospitality, pristine beaches, fantastic wildlife, lush tea plantations, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural landscapes.

Illustration of sun and cloud, designed to enhance the travel blog storytelling.

When to visit?

South and Central:
December to March
East coast:
April to September.

Illustration of a bag of coins, designed to enhance the travel blog storytelling.

Currency

Rupee is the currency of Sri Lanka.

Your Trip to Sri Lanka Starts Here

Man swinging from a palm tree at Dalawella Beach, in the South of Sri Lanka, at sunset. A must visit during a 3 week Sri Lanka itinerary.

Three Week Sri Lanka Itinerary

Couple sitting on a red tuk tuk rental in Sri Lanka. Sigiriya Rock in the background.

Renting a Tuk Tuk in Sri Lanka

Couple kissing on the train from Kandy to Ella, Sri Lanka.

Kandy to Ella Train: All You Need To Know

Aerial view of the Sigiriya Rock climb, Sri Lanka.

Hiking Sigiriya Rock

Man enjoying the view of Sigiriya Rock, after completing the Pidurangala Rock climb, in Sri Lanka.

Hiking Pidurangala Rock

Train kissing on the train from Kandy to Ella, Sri Lanka.

Kandy to Ella Train All You Need To Know

Aerial view of the Sigiriya Rock climb, Sri Lanka.

Hiking Sigiriya Rock

Man enjoying the view of Sigiriya Rock, after completing the Pidurangala Rock climb, in Sri Lanka.

Hiking Pidurangala Rock

Sri Lanka is a truly underrated paradise. No country ever caught us so much by surprise and made it so hard to leave.

Explore the vibrant chaos of Colombo and Kandy, where your tuk tuk will be one among hundreds. But soon head out of the big cities, oh there is so much to see out there! The mesmerizing landscapes of the north, roaming wild horses, and old dramatic stories surrounding Sigiriya.

Tea plantations as far as your eyes can see will welcome you to the most scenic train ride of your life. If you stay on board long enough you will cross the Nine Arch Bridge.

Stop your tuk tuk along for a quick Kottu Roti, and talk to the locals. You will find in Sri Lanka the most welcoming people you have ever seen. But don’t get distracted now that you have a full belly, you never know when you will encounter an elephant or leopard crossing the road on your way to Yala.

Relax and enter the idyllic golden beaches of the south, practice your surf skills, and try to hear the blue whales singing in the far azure waters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sri Lanka is worth visiting for the way it will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. The humble and kind hospitality of a people that even in hard times share what they have with you, the endless deserted beaches, the waves that will make the joy of any surfer, the elephants that roam free in the many natural parks, beautiful temples and ancient ruins and a delicious and flavorful cuisine.

Yes, it is safe to travel in Sri Lanka. Occasional risks exist, as the country has recently had some very hard times, but we were in the country during the fuel shortage and we didn’t feel unsafe, not even for a second. They are the warmest and kindest people so if you approach traveling with a mindful mindset, you can explore this fantastic country worry-free. If you are driving in Sri Lanka like we did, be aware of the road hierarchy, as not only buses are king, but you might encounter wildlife crossing the road (like BIG wildlife, elephants for example), so always drive carefully.

Sri Lanka is an affordable destination to explore. While restaurant prices in most cases doubled in the last few years due to the huge economic crises they faced, they are still affordable, with a meal at a local restaurant easily averaging €5. Accommodation you can find beautiful luxury options, but also fantastic rooms with breakfast included under €20 the night for two people. Of course some activities, such as safaris are more expensive, but with some proper planning you can have a fantastic value for money travel experience.

Let us help you plan your trip!

While Sri Lanka might not be the first country that comes to mind when thinking of a family-friendly destination, the reality is that this country has it all to create a memorable family experience. The proximity with nature, being able to play along sandy beaches, see wild elephants, and spend quality time driving a tuk tuk in the family, are experiences out of a dream. While it might be more in the adventure family vacation category, there are plenty of hotels with family friendly facilities, and you can easily hire a private driver to explore the country without worries.

Sri Lanka has two official languages: Sinhala and Tamil. Sinhala is spoken by around 75% of the population, but a great chunk of the population is also fluent in English, specially in more tourist oriented regions. It is extremely easy to start a conversation with locals in Sri Lanka, and we strongly recommend it, break the ice with a kind “Ayubowan” (hello).

Whether you are planning a surf trip down the coast of Sri Lanka, a tuk tuk adventure with friends, or simply a relaxed getaway with the family, travel insurance is always a great idea. It works as a “peace of mind” tool for you to enjoy your Sri Lanka vacation without worrying about any unexpected situations, from medical emergencies to luggage going to Timbuktu by mistake.

Get a Discount on your Heymondo Travel Insurance Here!*

Yes, everyone needs a visa to visit Sri Lanka, but the process to get it is super easy. You can apply online, prior to your trip, for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This is valid for 30 days and has a cost of $50, there is also a 90 day visa alternative. Always double check in the official government website no requirements have changed prior to packing your bags.

Sri Lanka has two plug types: D and G. Type D has three round pins in a triangular pattern and G has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. If your country is not as into triangular patterns as Sri Lanka and doesn’t use these plug types, make sure to carry an adapter with you, or get one at the airport to keep your devices charged at all times.

We strongly suggest you don’t consume tap water in Sri Lanka. Despite being generally chlorinated and potentially safe, it carries microorganisms that might be unfamiliar to your immune system and cause some tummy issues. So carry around your reusable water bottle with fresh water, for whenever you get tired of sipping on delicious king coconuts.

Planning Time

Ready to plan your next Sri Lanka adventure?
Here’s a handy collection of links to help you make it happen! By using them, you’ll be supporting our work, as we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. In fact, you might even snag a discount! It’s a win-win for everyone.

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Find Your Hotel

Via Booking.com

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Save on Insurance

Via Heymondo

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Get Your eSIM

Via Saily

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Pay Smarter Abroad

Via Wise

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Book Tours & Tickets

Via Get Your Guide

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Get Around Easily

Via 12Go

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Find Your Flight

Via Booking.com

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Rent a Tuk Tuk

Via Tuktuk Rental

This applies to all links on this website that are marked with an (*).