Sri Lanka is a country of tea, jungle, Asian flavor and surfing. It is worth traveling to the island to walk through evergreen forests, swim in the warm Indian Ocean under the hot equatorial sun, admire large turtles and migrating whales.
Sri Lanka’s attractions are scattered throughout the island. To visit most of them, plan your vacation for two weeks and do not stay longer than two or three days in each settlement. Then the trip will be rich and will pass at an optimal pace. I will tell you whether you should go to Sri Lanka and how to plan a great trip, how to get around on your own and what to see during your trip there.
What to see in Sri Lanka: the best sights
The country was ruled by Indians, Portuguese, Dutch and British. In 1948, Sri Lanka became an independent state. The island was called Ceylon for a long time, and it was renamed Sri Lanka only in 1972. The colonial period greatly influenced the architecture of some towns – it transports the beholder to Europe. I will tell you more about specific places.
Otherwise, traditional values are strong here: the society is religious – most people practice Buddhism, people start families early and work the land. Very many Lankans live poorly, but when you talk to them, you realize that they are happy and grateful for what they have – even for the sake of this experience it is worth exploring all nine provinces of Sri Lanka. The most popular are Central, Uva, Southern and Western.
The central part of the island is home to UNESCO heritage sites, jungles, waterfalls, hills and architectural structures. The southern and western parts of Sri Lanka are visited for beach vacations. I built an itinerary that starts from the central part, then goes east, south and ends in the west. I have marked the major centers and small villages and towns, as well as attractions that I recommend to visit, not only to be as a tourist, but also to feel like a real islander.
Pinnawala
This is a city of one attraction – a large elephant nursery. Animals are brought here from the wild – for example, those that have become separated from the pack or for other reasons cannot live in the wild.
There are about 80 elephants in the nursery now. You can watch the animals eat, play, sprinkle themselves on the ground and even run, and very fast.
The excursion program includes bathing – a column of dozens of elephants is led through a small settlement to the river where they are washed. The bathing is best watched from the Hotel Elephant Bay.
The animals are cared for here – this is not a zoo. Some people have a different opinion, as the elephants are led to the river in chains for bathing. But the fact is that the path lies across the roadway, so the chains help to keep the elephants, drivers and pedestrians safe.
For a fee you can feed or wash the elephants. Entrance to the reserve costs 3000 LKR.
How to get there: At the Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal, take a bus to Kegalle – any bus heading towards Kandy city will do. Travel time is about two hours. Then take a cab from the station to the hotel.
Dambulla
In the city of Dambulla you should see Sigiriya, a rocky plateau 370 meters high, which is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The place is also called the Lion Rock. On the plateau are the ruins of a palace complex, which included buildings, gardens, terraces and pools. Before our era, there was a Buddhist monastery here, and then the structures were used as an outpost of the kingdom of Kandy.
There is a 490/1 bus to Sigiriya from Dambulla, which departs from the bus station every half an hour. The travel time will be about 40 minutes. The price of admission is $30. Take water, a snack, sunscreen with SPF 50 and a hat.
If you want to see Sigiriya from the outside, you can climb the Pidurangala mountain. Access to the hill is through a temple, and there is a $3 entrance fee, which you will pay as a donation. This hill is also surrounded by ruins of buildings and lush green parks.
On the left is a photo of Sigiriya ruins at the monument and on the right is a view of Sigiriya from Mount Pidurangala
The next day take a walk in the city of Dambulla: visit the cave temple carved into the rock in the 1st century B.C. Here you will find many statues of Buddhas – from the 30-meter high one at the main entrance to the very small ones inside. The monument is also protected by UNESCO.
How to get there: from Pinnawela town, take a cab to Kadurugas Junction Bus Stop in Kurunegala and catch a bus from Colombo. The journey will take about two hours. Suitable bus numbers are 15-1-1, 15-11, 48-1, 48-16, 48/128, 49.
Kandy
Kandy is a large bustling city in the center of the island and a convenient transportation hub for further travel around Sri Lanka.
What to see in Kandy?
The Temple of Buddha’s Tooth is a sacred place where Buddha’s tooth is kept. You can see the tooth only once a year, during the Esala Perahera festival, which is celebrated in July and August. The rest of the time you can only walk around the temple and the surrounding areas.
In front of the temple there is an artificial pond. Take a stroll along the embankment at sunset and feed the local ducks. When night falls, flocks of bats circle over the lake – they are harmless and do not attack people.
After overnighting in Kandy, drive out to the suburbs to see the panorama of nearby towns, valleys, rivers and forests. Ambuluwawa is a religious complex of four religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism) perched on a hill 3,567 meters high. At the top, a 48-meter spiral tower offers the view that people come here for.
The climb to the peak of the tower took about an hour because I got there on a public holiday
To get to the complex, take the train to Gampola station, the journey will take 30 minutes and then take a cab to the park. Entrance to the tower costs 2$.
How to get there: Kandy can be reached from Dambulla, which takes about 3.5 hours. First take a bus to Kurunegala station, routes 15-1, 15-7, 48-5, 48-13, 48-17 – departing every quarter of an hour. Then at the Bus Stand Kurunegala stop, change to bus 602-A/C. Getting out of Dambulla is long and inconvenient, so I only visited the city on my second trip to the island, when I took a month to travel.
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is a town that is steeped in British colonial spirit. There is little to remind you of typical Asia – green manicured parks, picnics on lawns, clean streets.
People travel here to visit tea plantations and factories. I chose Damro. At the factory they give a tour: they tell you about the varieties of tea, familiarize you with the stages of production and show you the equipment. Then visitors are invited to a tasting and offered to buy tea for themselves and loved ones. Entrance and the tour are free of charge.
How to get there: Take a non-stop train from Kandy railway station. The journey takes six hours, during which time passengers can see tea plantations, mountain rivers and lakes, jungle and even pass through the clouds. This is a high mountainous part of the island, so be sure to bring warm clothing such as a sweatshirt, pants, hat and scarf.
Ella
Ella has two important attractions in Sri Lanka.
Little Adam’s Peak is a peak with a height of 1,141 meters. However, you will not have to climb it more than 100 meters, as the town of Ella is already located on the hill. The place is suitable for easy hiking, exploring the natural beauty of Sri Lanka and meditation.
The Nine Arch Bridge was built during the colonial period of brick and cement without the use of metal. It is a favorite spot for tourists to take photos – study the train schedule and take a picture as a train passes over the bridge.
How to get there: by train, starting at Nanu Oya in Nuwara Eliya and ending at Ella; the journey takes three hours. On this route, tourists often take photos in the open doors of the train, which has become a trademark of this railroad section.
Nallathanniya (Nallathanniya)
How to get there: four hours by train to Hatton station. Take a cab from the station – it can be shared with other fellow tourists getting off the train at the station.
Tourists travel to this high mountain village to do one of the most symbolic things on the island – climbing Adam’s Peak. The place is considered sacred by representatives of several religions. According to legend, the top of this mountain was the first place Adam set foot after being expelled from heaven.
Start climbing no later than two o’clock in the morning, otherwise you won’t be able to see the dawn on the mountain. Climbing to a height of more than two kilometers – the tracker showed a climb of 266 floors – takes about three hours. Wear several layers of warm clothes, thermal underwear, a hat, take a snack and a liter of drinking water per person. Climbing the mountain and meeting the dawn at the top left one of the most vivid impressions of the trip.
Tissaharama (Tissamaharama)
People go to Tissa to go on safari in the Yala National Reserve. It is an area of 97 hectares and is home to dozens of animal species. The reserve is home to 25 leopards, elephants, buffalo, deer and reptiles. Tourists usually rent a jeep for about $40 per person to drive through part of the area – the leopards are the most interesting.
The safari takes about four hours and can be booked at whatever hotel you are staying at.
How to get there: by cab from the town of Hutton. Travel time: three hours.
Weligama
Sri Lanka is not only a mecca for experienced surfers, but also a place where anyone can learn to ride the waves on a board. Surfing season on the coast lasts from October to April. The place is very popular now, there are always a lot of people here.
Sandy bottoms and small waves are safe for beginners. Find a surf school in advance and book lessons – it will be cheaper than looking for a teacher on the beach. Read reviews on the Internet and contact on social networks or messengers to agree on terms. If you speak English, you can learn from locals, if you want to learn the basics of surfing in Russian – choose Russian-speaking teachers, but it will cost more.
It’s common to get to the surf early, put some protective zinc on your face to prevent sunburn, and go surf the waves
Mirissa
It is a neighboring town to Veligama, which is suitable for a beach vacation. It has clean white sand and blue water, surfing and swimming with turtles. If you want to ride a board, but you are not ready for surfing, choose bodyboarding – you will conquer the waves lying with your chest on a short board made of foamy material. Mirissa has many inexpensive cafes with delicious food, fresh seafood, and shops selling local fruit.
Beaches of Mirissa
If you find yourself on the southwest coast between November and April, take an excursion to see blue whales during their migration.
How to get there: by cab from Tissa town in 1.5 hours.
Galle
The town was made famous by a fort built by the Dutch in the 12th century. It served as the island’s main port and was a stopover for ships traveling from Europe to Asia. The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is a complex of attractions, for example you can walk around the perimeter of the fort, climb the walls, visit the lighthouse, church and mosque, stores and antique stores.
Entrance to the fort is free. Do not fall for the tricks of scammers who will try to convince you otherwise.
How to get there: it takes about an hour from Weligama train station to Galle Station.
When to go to Sri Lanka
The season in Sri Lanka lasts all year round, but in different parts of the island. From October to April, the southwestern part of the island is more suitable for vacationing; from May to September, the northeastern part of the island will have good weather. At other times, different parts of the island are cooler with heavy tropical rains.
In the season, the air temperature on the coasts reaches 32 degrees Celsius and the water temperature reaches 29 degrees Celsius. At the same time, the central part of the island is cooler: the daytime temperature will be around 20 degrees Celsius.
What to eat in Sri Lanka
The local cuisine is peculiar – very spicy, fried and not exactly healthy. But this is compensated for by a lot of fresh seafood and plenty of fruit. My favorite is mangosteen, which outwardly resembles a purple apple with garlic cloves inside. It tastes like a mix of juicy sweet strawberries, pineapple and grapes.
You can also try jackfruit, saursap (or sausep, aka sour cream apple), rambutan, durian, mango, guava.
Here you will find any kind of seafood: oysters, tuna, octopus, squid, parrot fish, lobster, shrimp, crab. Try the fish even if you don’t know its name – most often it will be very tasty.
I choose cafes on social networks or on review sites: this way I can quickly assess the menu, the atmosphere and the prices. In very small settlements, you have to act on circumstances and either enter a cafe at random or peek at where other tourists are going. Among local dishes, I recommend trying curry – it is based on rice and served with five to seven additional bowls with various combinations of stewed and fried vegetables and meat.
How to get around Sri Lanka
The plane lands in Colombo, the unspoken capital of the country on the west coast of the island. From here it is more convenient to start your journey around the island by train, bus or cab, depending on your travel distance and budget.
The island has a well-developed railroad network, so you can get to almost any place by train. This method of transportation is suitable if you are ready to feel the flavor of Asian life and save money. Tickets are sold in first, second and third class, but the last one is not safe for tourists.
Be prepared that being 30-60 minutes late equates to incredible luck, and you will get there almost on time. Lankans use the trains so there are often no empty seats. Once in the car, take a seat immediately, otherwise you will have to share the aisle with other passengers, musicians and hawkers selling local specialties (I definitely do not recommend trying them on the road).
Buses are cheap and also common. They run on a schedule, and the route and departure time are always advised by locals who may know English. The manner of driving here is peculiar: buses drive at a speed of about 80 kilometers per hour, even on mountain serpentines, loudly signal and turn sharply. The interior decoration is no less extravagant than the type of driving: the saloons are decorated with artificial flowers, images of Buddha and other deities.
Autotaxis are the most expensive form of transportation on the island, but they can save you significant travel time. Choose this option when you have heavy or bulky luggage, small children, little time or just want to be comfortable on the road. Look for cab driver contacts in expat groups on social media and Telegram – just search for Sri-Lanka. Sometimes these groups are used to find fellow travelers – you can do the same.
Tuk-tuk is the most common and affordable mode of transportation in Sri Lanka. It is a three-wheeled cab with no doors and two rows of seats. One driver sits on the first row and two or three people can sit on the second row.
Moped or motorcycle – suitable if you have a category A international license, sometimes you can convince the local police that category B is also suitable for driving bikes. The traffic on the island is very active, so I recommend driving only if you are confident in your skills.
Renting a car is a convenient way if you want to explore the island on your own at your own pace. You can rent a car from the landlord of the accommodation you’re staying in, a hotel, or just search online. Or check out the listings on social media.
At the airport, remember that cab drivers are very pushy and ready to cheat you almost always. Don’t hesitate to bargain – tell them it’s not your first time in Sri Lanka and you know that the trip is half the price.
Where to stay in Sri Lanka
Book hotels in advance online. A day or two before arrival, write to the host and remind them of your arrival: this is Asia, people can be less obliging than we are used to. When you check in, compare the room you are offered with the one you expected to get when you booked – it happens that in high season the hotel is sneaky and tries to put you in a cheaper room.
There are many guesthouses on the island that offer a room for rent or a separate house.In Kandy you can stay at The Golden Crown Hotel 5*. The place is oriented to tourists accustomed to comfort: there are spacious bright rooms with panoramic windows, lobby and restaurant with views of mountains and jungle, infinity pool and modern gym. The hotel is located away from the bustling center, but can be reached in 5 minutes by cab.
Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & SPA 5 Weligamais the perfect choice for a vacation in . Choose rooms with an ocean view to wake up with the rays of the dawn sun, watch surfers from your terrace and sometimes dolphins swimming into the bay.
Currency in Sri Lanka
Payments are made in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR), and some places accept cards. If you arrive with cash dollars or euros, change a small amount at the airport, which you will spend on travel and food on the first day, and exchange the rest in the city. The exchange rates at airport exchangers are not favorable, so it is better to convert the main amount in the exchange offices of the city – they are on the main streets, in hotels and stores. To quickly navigate the cost of goods and services, install a currency converter, such as Currency.
Tips for tourists in Sri Lanka
1. People living in the Western, Central and Southern Provinces know English quite well. I communicated only in English, the local languages – Tamil and Sinhalese – may be needed only in remote villages. In that case, use online translators.
2. When traveling abroad, get insurance so that you can seek professional help at hospitals in case of any health problems. Make sure you have coverage for dengue fever, which is an insidious infection carried by mosquitoes; severe cases without medical attention can be fatal.
3. You can buy a local SIM card at the airport. The internet is excellent all over the island and is often useful when traveling.
