Holidays in Sri Lanka

Places of Interest

Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital is a must-see. Set around a tranquil lake in the mountains Kandy is home to one of the country’s most visited temples – Dalada Maligawa also known as the Temple of the Tooth. The temples houses Sri Lanka’s most hallowed relic the Buddha’s tooth. To the north of Kandy lies the ancient city of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the holy Bo Tree. It is believed that Buddha achieved enlightenment while sitting beneath this sacred tree.

Colombo is Sri Lanka’s capital and largest city and is an attractive blend of old and new. Take a trip to the National Museum of Colombo, which houses the royal throne and jewels of the last king of the country, or take a stroll along the coastal promenade of Galle Face Green which was one used for horse-racing. The Pettah bazaar street stalls sell a range of goods including fabrics, footwear, jewellery and electrical goods. Or try the shopping arcades in some of the city’s 5-star hotels for handicrafts, tea and traditional masks.

Activities

Sri Lanka has several fantastic national parks where you will see a wide range of wildlife in their national habitat. On a wildlife safari in Uda Walawe you’ll see elephant herds, leopards, buffalo and deer. At the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage you can feed the baby elephants and take a ride on the larger ones. If it’s birdwatching you’re interested in then don’t miss a trip to the Bundala National Park which is the country’s best area for bird-life.

For an adventurous day out why not try whitewater rafting on the Kelani River. Alternatively try your hand at surfing, scuba-diving or snorkelling at the beach resorts of Hikkaduwa and Bentota.

A visit to a tea plantation is a must whilst in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is one of the most popular plantations where you will see the tea factories, roam the lush estates and taste the finest tea.

Local Customs

Buddhism is the main religion of Sri Lanka, followed by Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.

When entering a temple or shrine, shoes and hats must be removed. Both men and women should have their legs and upper arms covered.

Most hotels include a 10% service charge and extra tipping is optional. Taxi drivers will expect around 10%.

Nudity and topless sun-bathing is strictly forbidden so don’t forget your swim-suit!

Food & Drink

Food in Sri Lanka is colourful and spicy and the main staples are rice and curries made with meat, fish or vegetables. Hoppers are a traditional Sri Lankan snack and are similar to a pancake or crumpet and usually served with a soft-boiled egg or yoghurt and honey. Most of the larger hotels serve international cuisine such as Chinese, Italian and Japanese and the coastal restaurants serve excellent fresh seafood. Tea is the national drink of Sri Lanka and is considered to be amongst the best in the world.

Nightlife

One of the best ways to spend your evening in Sri Lanka is to head to a beach bar, grab a cocktail and watch the sun go down. Try the open-air theatres if you want to watch some traditional dancing or head to the cinema where English-language films are shown. A few of the larger hotels have discos and many have night-time entertainment.

Shopping

If you’re heading to Colombo then don’t miss the Pettah bazaar and the malls at Galle Road. Kandy and Kalutara are the ideal places to pick up holiday souvenirs such as traditional baskets, tea and jewellery. Ratnapura is the best place to buy gems such as sapphires and rubies. Ambalangoda on the south-west coast has the best fierce-looking carved masks.

Currency

The currency is the Sri Lanka Rupee. Major credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops and the larger resorts have ATM machines, although not all international cards are accepted.

Language

Sinhala, Tamil & English are the main languages.

Flight Time

Approximately 11 hours

Time Difference

GMT +6 hours

Transfer Times

30 minutes to 2 ½ hours dependant on resort.

Health Information

For current vaccination information and general travel advice from NHS Direct please click here.