Holidays to Sri Lanka (Updated 2025)

Holidays to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island nation in the Indian Ocean just south of India. The country is known for its stunning natural landscapes, scenic beaches all along the coastline, rich wildlife and biodiversity, tea plantations, orchards, Buddhist and Hindu temples, monuments, and plenty of cultural heritages that date to several millennia. Sri Lanka is a multicultural country with a Buddhist Sinhala majority living in harmony with Tamil Hindu ethnic groups along with Muslim and Christian communities.

Sri Lanka holidays are known for superb safari experiences, endless golden beaches, timeless ruins, tropical treks, and diving experiences. Sri Lanka is a country that can’t disappoint. Safari tours entice many travellers to Sri Lanka, excited to see the likes of leopards, elephants, water buffaloes, exotic birds, and magnificent primates. Ancient temples tempt travellers with their rich history. And landmarks like the colonial fortresses from Galle to Trincomalee are not to be missed.

Bask in the beaches then hike the highlands
With nearly 1600 km of coastline, you’re spoilt for choice by the beaches. The best of the Southern beaches includes Tangalla, Beruwala, Mirissa, Bentota and Unawatuna. After soaking up the sun, head to the highlands of Sri Lanka to explore its dense rainforests, sacred mountains, and unique tea plantations. With plenty of rare birds and other wildlife to spot, milder temperatures and welcoming villages you’re in for an unforgettable walking experience.

Whale watching & diving
From December to April, dolphins and whales visit various locations around Sri Lanka as it’s ideally located on their migrating route. Over 26 species of cetaceans including blue whales, sperm whales, pilot whales, fin whales and a large variety of dolphins pass by every year, so keep your eyes peeled. Deep within the Indian Ocean are colourful coral gardens, thousands of exotic fishes, and new and ancient shipwrecks, making Sri Lanka home to one of the world’s best diving experiences. Plus, sites on the eastern and western coasts offer rare chances of skin diving and diving with dolphins.

Shopping in Sri Lanka
Colombo’s high-end shopping centres are filled with the latest fashion but at bargain prices, while village handicraft shops are filled with traditional designs such as Makara – a mythical animal, lion, swan, elephant and lotus design on brass work boxes, trays, lanterns, vases, and silverware. Here you’ll also be able to pick up souvenirs such as ritual masks, batik, and wood carvings.

Places to visit in Sri Lanka

ColomboSri Lanka

Colombo is the capital, commercial and financial hub of Sri Lanka. The city’s administrative capital has been moved to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a suburb of Colombo which lies to the east. Colombo is a city with a rich culture that reflects the country’s progressive values, rich British-era colonial heritages and the modern-day culture of fine cuisine, shopping, and pulsating nightlife, a shipping port that is one of the most important ports in the Indian Ocean and plenty of friendly and helpful locals. The city of Colombo also has several amazing attractions like churches and cathedrals, Buddhist and Hindu temples, museums, art galleries, heritage, colonial-era mansions, and key landmarks like the Colombo Lighthouse.

KandySri Lanka

Kandy is the cultural capital of Sri Lanka and lies 125 km away from Colombo in the country’s centre. The city of Kandy is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kandy is the country’s second-largest city and is surrounded by mountains in the hinterland of the island. The city has a much cooler climate and remains pleasant throughout the year as compared to Colombo. It is surrounded by beautiful tropical rainforests full of exotic wildlife. Kandy used to be the last kingdom of the country before the British conquered the island in 1815. Today, Kandy has plenty of well-preserved historic and cultural heritages. Kandy is a great place to experience Sri Lankan culture, art, folklore, music, and delicious food.

Nuwara EliyaSri Lanka

Nuwara Eliya is a city that lies in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 metres. The city has a cool and temperate climate and has entirely different weather from the rest of the country. This pleasant cool weather has earned it the nickname of ‘Little England’, for its cold climate and plenty of British colonial architecture. Nuwara Eliya is famous in Sri Lanka for its Badulla train that plies between Colombo and Kandy and stops at Nanu Oya station. The train ride is known for its scenic beauty as it passes through hills and rolling mountains covered in forests and tea plantations.

When to visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is great to visit year-round, however, there are two monsoon seasons to consider. From January to April the whole country enjoys sunshine, dry days, and warm weather – perfect for spending time on the south’s beaches. In April, temperatures rise to mid-30°Cs.

The southwest monsoon in May and June brings short showers that pass quite quickly. July to September experiences the odd shower, but temperatures stay lovely and high at around 29°C, so is a popular time to holiday along the beaches.

The heavier monsoon season is during October and November and can affect the whole country. Following the monsoon, December is usually a great month to visit with nice, hot, and dry weather across the island.

Reasons to visit Sri Lanka

Beautiful BeachesSri Lanka

Sri Lanka has no shortage of beautiful beaches and ample sunshine all year round. Sri Lanka’s beaches are perfect for seeking solitude, enjoying a beach party or trying water sports like snorkelling. The west and south coasts have some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka with golden sands, coral reefs and palm trees. Some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka are Unawatuna, Dalawella, Mirissa, Bentota, Kabalana, and Weligama.

Delicious Sri Lankan cuisineSri Lanka

Sri Lankan cuisine is famous in the world for its rich culinary techniques, flavour profile, colours, and texture. The country’s food has been influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonists along with influences from South India, Arab, Chinese, and Malay cuisine, creating a fusion cuisine that is rich in aroma and flavours. Sri Lankan food is hot and favoured with plenty of spices, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, curry leaves and herbs. Fresh seafood is plenty available and cooked to perfection.

Plenty of rich cultural heritagesSri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s long history has resulted in an island strewn with historic sites from antiquity to the colonial era. The country has ancient sites like the Sigiriya Rock, built as a fortress by an ancient king and is considered the eighth world winder. The Dambulla Cave Temples and Polonnaruwa are remnants of ancient civilizations. The ancient city of Anuradhapura has beautiful palaces, ponds, and statues of Lord Buddha. The city of Kandy houses the Temple of the Tooth which houses a tooth relic of Lord Buddha.

Rich and diverse wildlifeSri Lanka

Sri Lanka is home to some of the best wildlife viewing experiences in Asia. This small island nation is known for plenty of elephants, leopards, whales, and birds. The Yala National Park is best known for its leopards. Uda Walawe National Park allows the guests to see the majestic elephants in a natural setting. Whale spotting is also available in the country at Mirissa or Trincomalee to see the various species of whales. Visit Sinharaja Forest Reserve to spot some exotic birds, reptiles, and amphibians and for a nature hike and wildlife photography.

Relaxed atmosphere and friendly localsSri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a much more laid-back and calmer vibe than its northern neighbour India. The country is small and is easy to get around the locals are relaxed, friendly, polite, helpful and always smiling. The country has a typical island culture with a slow pace of life in the hinterland and the coastline areas. The country’s landscape of scenic beaches, forested hinterlands, mist-covered mountains, and manicured rolling hills of tea gardens also helps the guests to relax in peace.

Nature resorts & Boutique hotelsSri Lanka

Ecotourism and sustainable tourism are the two main core focuses of Sri Lanka that intend to balance tourism and preserve the fragile ecology of the country. The country is full of nature resorts and boutique hotels in the middle of the rainforests, lush green hills, and beachside resorts that offer plenty of nature-friendly activities like wildlife safari, delicious food, and traditional Ayurveda therapies. These boutique hotels and nature resorts come in different budget ranges with varied facilities for travellers. However one thing is common, all of them are nature-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions on Sri Lanka Holidays

How do I travel to Sri Lanka?
Colombo-Bandaranayake International Airport (IATA Code – CMB) is the country’s primary international airport. Sri Lankan Airlines is the official flagship carrier flying from Colombo to several international destinations in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

What are the travel requirements for Sri Lanka?
The nationals of Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, and the European Union have to obtain Electronic Travel Authorization either online or from a passport control officer in the country. The ETA is free of cost for the citizens of the above-mentioned countries.

What is the currency used in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) is the official currency used in Sri Lanka. The current exchange rate is hovering around 1 USD for 324.24 LKR, 1 EUR for 351 LKR, and 1 GBP for 400 LKR. Visa and Master Card credit cards are widely accepted. Sri Lankan Rupee is in a volatile state due to the country’s recent economic issues.

Do I need travel insurance in Sri Lanka?
No, travel insurance is not mandatory for a Sri Lanka visit. However, it is recommended to opt for a travel insurance plan that must cover accidental coverage, travel delay, baggage loss and emergency medical treatments and hospitalisations.

What is the language spoken in Sri Lanka?
Sinhala and Tamil are the two official languages of Sri Lanka. English is widely spoken and understood in the country, especially in tourism.

How do I travel within Sri Lanka?
The country’s domestic airline Cinnamon Air is a partner of Sri Lankan Airlines and operates a small seaplane service to destinations of Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Galle and more. The country also has an extensive railway network that connects most of the major towns and cities on the island. The Sri Lanka railways offer 1st and 2nd class which are only available on intercity and Express trains. The country also has ample bus services and comes in four categories – normal, semi-luxury, luxury AC buses and Super Luxury buses.

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