Despite its small size, Sri Lanka has over a thousand miles of beach and amazing nature.
A teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean with its golden brown beaches is like paradise. Known as an excellent beach resort, the island offers the tourist a dose of history, culture and taste pleasures. An island colored by green nature at the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent is throbbing harder than ever. Sri Lanka’s colorful history, breathtaking scenery and relaxed atmosphere guarantee an adventurous journey.
The small island has plenty of activities for both the relaxed backpacker and the luxury luxury traveler.
Wildlife and waterfalls
According to countryaah, Sri Lanka is located in the Indian Ocean below the Indian subcontinent or southern Asia. The island is only about one-fifth the size of Finland, but people live there four times more than in Finland.
Short for SL by abbreviationfinder, Sri Lanka is divided into nine provinces, each with its own capital. Larger cities such as Colombo, Kandy and Anuradhapura guarantee the story-hungry numerous stories, colonial architecture and years-long treasures. Buddha temples adorn every village and city.
The history of Sri Lanka is colored by Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial conquerors. Sri Lanka was held by Britain for the longest time from 1769 to 1948. At that time, the country was known as Ceylon, and the name did not change to Sri Lanka until 1972.
The magnificent nature of the island with its wildlife, mountains and waterfalls also invites nature tourists to the island. Great beach resorts include Hikkaduwa, Negombo, Bentota, Unawatuna and Arugam Bay. The clear waters of the island are popular with surfers, snorkelers and divers.
Sri Lanka is worth heading towards winter
The location of the tropical island above the equator promises warm and humid readings almost throughout the island. The average weather in Sri Lanka is around 28-32 degrees.
Exceptions in terms of temperatures are mountainous areas such as Nuwara Eliya in the central parts of the island, where temperatures can drop to 16 degrees.
Sri Lanka’s climate is tropical and the weather is clearly different between the dry and rainy seasons. The rainy seasons cover the western and southern parts of the island from May to September and the northern and eastern parts from October to January.
The coolest months are December and January, while the warmest are April and August.
Beaches and rugged scenery
In Sri Lanka, the stunningly beautiful beaches and magnificent nature are especially worth experiencing. Clear water and golden sandy beaches are every beach holidaymaker’s dream. There are largely another thousand kilometers of beaches.
If you want to laze on the sunny beaches, you should head to the West Bank from November to March. The best beaches in the west are in Tanga, Beruwala, Mirissa, Bentota and Unawatuna, but there are also good beaches in the east and southeast, for example.
A land of traditions and taste experiences
Sri Lankans stick to their traditions and are proud of their own culture. These are evidenced by the annual celebrations, the most significant of which are the New Year in April and the Kandy Festivals in August. An important part of Sri Lankan culture are traditional dances, which include various masks, colorful outfits and rhythmic drum music.
The country can also admire numerous temples that attract locals and tourists alike. However, it is advisable for the tourist to cover their shoulders and knees as some of the temples on the island have strict dress codes. When going to the temple, shoes should usually be taken off.
Sri Lankan traditional food rice’n’curry is a fiery taste experience for foreigners, although foreigners are usually served a milder version of the food. The dish consists of vegetable, fish or meat-based coconut milk sauces, which are eaten together with rice and crispy papadam, local bread.
Sri Lanka gets along with English
Due to the spring 2019 bombings, the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs urges to avoid traveling to Sri Lanka for the time being. The tourist should always check the situation in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ travel bulletin before departure.
In the fall of 2018, the domestic political situation in Sri Lanka escalated when the president dismissed the country’s prime minister and government. Riots and demonstrations may occur, so large public events and crowds should be avoided.
The country’s biggest security risks include left-handed traffic. You need to be vigilant in traffic, and you should be prepared for traffic congestion. In urban traffic, it is recommended to use a taxi instead of a motorcycle.
The official language of the country is Sinhala, but the island is doing well in English. The language is spoken especially in major cities and popular resorts.
The majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhists, and it is desirable to treat religion with subtlety and respect. Public displays of affection should be avoided as they do not belong to the local culture.
FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN SRI LANKA
The rugged landscapes of Sri Lanka are delightful.
Direct flights to Sri Lanka
Package trips to Sri Lanka are organized by Apollomatkat, among others. Direct flights are also available from package tour operators.
However, there are no direct scheduled flights to Sri Lanka, but one change of plane makes it easy to travel to Colombo. Low-cost flights include Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Flyduba. Round-trip flights usually cost between € 500 and € 600.
The three-wheeler curves conveniently
Cheap trains and buses run around the island of Sri Lanka, but traveling on them is unmatched by an air-conditioned van that can be easily rented with a driver. However, you should always be prepared for delays, as congested traffic and partially poor roads slow down the journey.
The local tricycle three-wheeler is a convenient and inexpensive vehicle in hectic traffic, but not suitable for long journeys.
There is also a convenient taxi service from one place to another.
Overnight stays for every departure
Overnight stays on the island of Sri Lanka can be found from lavish hotels to idyllic villas and relaxed beach huts depending on the destination. The self-employed traveler will find affordable accommodation almost anywhere.
There are relatively fewer luxury hotels, but the finest hotels on the island are located in Colombo, Bentota and Gale. The price level of hotels in Sri Lanka is generally affordable compared to Finland.
SRI YARN TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
Some Sri Lankans are Hindus. The local religion is interesting to explore, as long as you respect local customs.
At the edge of nature in Yala National Park
Yala National Park in southeastern Sri Lanka actually consists of six national parks and three animal sanctuaries.
The park is home to elephants, monkeys, crocodiles, bears and hundreds of bird species. Leopard, too, may well see a glimpse. The vast jungle area represents the most beautiful nature in Sri Lanka and is one of the largest natural parks in the country.
The surfer dreams of Hikkaduwa and Arugam Bay
About one hundred kilometers south of Colombo lies Hikkaduwa, one of Sri Lanka’s most famous beach resorts. The small village is right on the beach and offers activities from a variety of water sports to timeless sun worship.
Hikkaduwa was also the first beach found by tourists on the island and has retained its popularity to this day. There are coral reefs and colorful fish in the sea, whose underwater life can be explored either by diving or renting a glass-based boat.
Arugam Bay, on the other hand, is located on the east coast of Sri Lanka in a curved cove amidst stunning nature. It is especially known as a favorite destination for surfers, as there are plenty of waves in Arugam Bay from May to early October. Surrounded by a jungle, Arugam Bay is also known for its beautiful nature and wildlife.
Wolf Colombo
In Colombo of contrasts, wealth and poverty, as well as history and the present, go hand in hand and merge into one big city with plenty to see. In the city you can visit museums, walk in parks and enjoy the seafront promenades.
Colombo is the island’s trading center, and despite the city’s chaos, the place is worth experiencing.
When visiting Colombo, you should visit the fortress built during the colonial period in Colombo, visit the markets and shopping malls, and of course the temples.
THE BEST OF SRI LANKA
Palm beaches in Sri Lanka are financial places for a pampering beach holiday.
The best experiences in Sri Lanka
- Yala National Park
- A relaxed beach holiday in Hikkaduwa
- Surfer’s favorite waves in Arugam Bay
- A lively cultural experience in Colombo
- Climbing to Adam’s Peak