| Check out our free interactive Sri Lanka holiday guide and discover Sri Lanka's biggest attractions, best restaurants and much more. If you've visited Sri Lanka before why not tell us your holiday tips and help everyone have a great holiday in Sri Lanka. |
| Sri Lanka Holidays - Destinations |
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| Temperature: |
Live Forecast |
Population: |
18.5 million |
| Time Zone: |
GMT +6 |
Driving side: |
Drivers drive on the left hand side of the road. |
| Languages: |
Sinhalese
Tamil
English |
| Religion: |
69% Buddhist
15% Hindu
8% Christian
8% Muslim |
| Emergency #: |
Tourist Police, Colobbo: 433342
Police Station, Bentota: 03475022 |
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Colombo - the colourful, fast paced capital city of Sri Lanka is usually the first stop for most visitors. Here you will find the most shops, restaurants and banks. Sights in the city include the Presidents residance, National Museum and Art Gallery, various Mosques and Temples and the Clock Tower.
Buy some good value for money souvenirs in the Pettah Bazaar district and stroll through Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo's most fashionable suburb and view the mansions of Colombo's rich and famous.
Sigiriya - about 200km from Colombo is Sigiriya a magnifincent rock fortress built in the 5th century AD. Besides the fortress itself you will find a monastic retreat, water gardens and 5th century rock pantings of curvaceous women, as well as graffiti of visitors opinions of the pictures. As the fort is on a 200m high rock the views are breathtaking.
Anuradhapura - this city was ruled by Sinhalese Kings in 380 BC and the remains of the old city can be seen to the west and north of modern Anuradhapura. Other attractions include the cities oldest Temple Thuparama Dagoba which is believed to contain Buddha's right collar-bone, museums, twin ponds which are used for ritual baths by monks and the sacred Bo-Tree.
Kandy - this picturesque city with its distinct architecture and built around the lake has a wonderful peacful atmosphere. Things to see in Kandy include tha National Museum, Mahaweli where you can see elephants being bathed, Peradeniya Botanic Gardens and Undawattakelle Bird Sanctuary. Not to be missed is a visit to Dalada Maligawa Temple which houses the sacred tooth of Buddha which is Sri Lanka's most important religious relic.
Galle - this port city has a Dutch Fort built in 1663 and houses within it museums, churches and Dutch houses. You can go for a swim at the little beach or enjoy a drink at the bar at the New Oriental Hotel with its fantastic, historic atmosphere. |
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December to March is when Sri Lanka is at its busiest with European tourists fleeing the cold of their countries. December to March is also the best and driest season to visit the west and south coast as well as the inland hill country.
Monsoon season is May to July but out of season travel can still be pleasurable if you want to avoid the crowds, pay lower rates for accommodation and meals and don't mind a bit of rain. If you are travelling to the east coast then the best time to visit is from May to September. |
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Adam's Peak - about 200km from colombo this 2224m peak takes about 5 hours to climb and offers breathtaking views from the peak at dawn.
Yala west - a beautiful national park in the south-east with rocky outcrops and lagoons. Here you can see bears, crocodiles, buffalo and leopard's. The park is also one of the best places to see elephants.
Bundala National Park - the place to go in Sri Lanka if you love birdwatching. The park is near Yala West. |
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| If you value comfort over speed, then train travel is the option for you. Busses in various different states of disrepair are crowded but cheap and run almost anywhere in the country. Hiring a car with or without a driver is quite reasonable as is hiring a motorbike but be warned, driving yourself can be extremly hazardous!
There are also taxis and auto-rickshaws, agree in prices before traveling. Domestic flights do not exist in Sri Lanka |
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Deepavali or Diwali - 11 November. Known as the festival of lights, this is the Hindu New Year and is marked by elaborate firework displays.
Vesak - on the full moon in May. This is a sacred festval that comemorates the birth, death and inlightenment of Buddha.
Thai Pongal - 14 January. A Hindu festival that celebrates and honours the Sun God. |
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