Sri Lanka has national parks, Buddhist and Hindu temples, tea plantations and pristine beaches. I flew into Colombo, Sri Lankas capital from Turkey. Then took the train to Kandy a beautiful town which was the last capital of Sri Lanka, from Kandy I headed to the south west coast of the country to enjoy the pristine beaches. I hope this short summary of Sri Lanka will help you plan your trip.
Best Time to Visit
Depending on where you are visiting and the time of year, the best time to visit changes from region to region. The western and southern areas have their monsoon season from May to September whereas the north and east of Sri Lanka experience their monsoon weather during October to January. Making Sri Lanka a year-round destination, because one region will always be sunny and ideal to travel.
Things to do and see
- Sigiriya is a giant ancient rock, which is also a UNESCO world heritage site, many tourists come each year to climb the rock.
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is believed to be the place where the tooth of Buddha is kept. It is in the forma royal palace in Kandy.
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a haven for wild Asian elephants and has the largest herd of elephants in the world. A great place to visit elephants and support the orphanage.
Food
You will find a huge variety of dishes across Sri Lanka. Rice and curry are often cooked mild or hot. Fish and Seafood is a staple food along with rice. Pancakes made from rice and coconut mike is often used as a side dish with most meals. Breakfast is often spicy and heavy, however western breakfasts are widely available. Sri Lanka has a variety of tropical fruit throughout the year, like Pineapples, papayas and bananas which are also great for breakfast. Street food is very popular and cheap but should be avoided if you have a weak stomach. They are a few fast food restaurants like McDonald’s and pizza hunt in big cities like the capital Colombo.
Transportation
Air: There are direct flights from London to Sri Lanka. Domestic flights are limited and most tourist travel by road or train.
Roads: Sri Lanka has a vast road network. The main coastal areas are well maintained and modern. However, the mountain roads are poorly maintained and has a lot of pot holes.
Rail: The railway connects to all the popular tourist towns. But first class only runs on a few of the services. Fast services operate on the popular routes. You can buy railway tickets in advance online.
Taxi: Taxis in Colombo are metered, but its best to agree a rate before starting your ride as drivers expect a 10% tip. A cheap option to get around is a Tuk-Tuk.
Ferry: There is no official river transport, but several tour operators offer cruises on the Bentota and Polwatta rivers.
Bus: The cheapest way to travel around Sri Lanka is by bus. The popular routes from Colombo are Kandy, Matara and Jaffna.
Visa
Visas are required by all EU, U.S, Canadian and Australian nationals, you can apply online though the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) http://www.eta.gov.lk)
Language
There are two official languages spoken Sinhala a language of Indo-Aryan origin and Tamil. English is widely spoken also, signboards are in English, Sinhala and Tamil.
Money
The official currency in Sri Lankan is rupees (Rs). The Currency can be changed at banks or authorised bureau de change, large hotels also have a bureau de change. ATMs are available in larger towns. There are also exchange booths in the airport where you can change your money immediately on arrival. Major cities have ATMs, however not all will accept international cards.
Tipping
Its common to tip 10% of the bill for good service, unless already included in the service charge.
Social etiquette
It is customary to use your right hand for giving, taking, eating or shaking hands as the left is considered unclean. In rural areas women do not shake hands with men. Nudity and topless sun bathing are prohibited, and you may be fined. If you are female, you will need to cover your head in Hindu temples but not in Buddhist temples.
Adaptor
There are two types of plugs associated with Sri Lanka, one of which is the same as in the U.K,
Wifi
There are internet cafes in most towns and resorts, however the speed is not always very fast.
Ruth’s Lonely Planet 