Defined by the finest islands, Sri Lanka never fails to entice the visitors.
It is one place on the Earth that has a lot to offer and hence it makes visiting this place a must for all who love traveling. A picturesque city in itself that is home to amazing ancient ruins, diverse wildlife, beautiful temples, and peaceful seashores, Sri Lanka has the capacity to transform your vacation into the one filled with life-changing experiences.
Why visit Sri Lanka?
This small island country also called the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean', has in recent years become a famous visitor goal for holidaymakers. Many people come to explore this lovely paradise for the sandy seashores. Sri Lanka is honored with a particular food seasoned with extraordinary flavors that never neglects to enchant any food lover. Being a mix of Buddhist and Indian culture, this place boasts of a lot of tourist attractions too.
How to reach
Via Air: The least demanding approach to reach Sri Lanka from India or any other country is by air. Sri Lanka has a bustling global airport named as the Bandaranaike Internal Airport. Situated in Colombo, Sri Lankan flights from all the major cities in the world, land here. The to and fro flight frequency from this airport is pretty decent.
By Road and Train: Being a separated island, Sri Lanka cannot be reached via road or train. If you are short on your budget, you can reach any nearby city in India that lies near to Sri Lanka and take a flight from there.
Via Sea: There used to be ship service from Chennai to Colombo that helped the travelers reach Sri Lanka at comparatively cheaper rates than via air. The company suspended its services in 2011 for different reasons. Presently, there are only a couple of cruises that start from Mumbai port and take you to Colombo on a luxury ship.
Best time to visit
In Sri Lanka, you can definitely find someplace that remains dry throughout the year. It’s best to plan your visit to this paradise in a season that doesn’t have any rain. The best time to visit the west and south plains and hill stations in Sri Lanka is from December to March, while the best climate on the east coast is in the months of April/May till September.
October to March: Though temperatures are genuinely steady which means around 27°–29°C all year, this place encounters the Yala Monsoon Season from April to September. During this period, the wettest months are June, April, and May. This is definitely the best time to plan your vacation as you will be able to get the best of everything.
March: The Central Hills are a rocky zone situated in the southern region of Sri Lanka. The triangular-shaped hills lie at a height of almost 300 m and cover around 20 percent of the complete area of the Island. On account of its height, the Central Hills have a generally cooler climate consistently. The temperature here averages about 15°C.
April to September: The 'Maha' rainstorm season hits the Eastern and Northern zones in the months of November and goes on till March with the wettest months being November and December. So as to maintain a strategic distance from being locked in persistent rains, you should make a visit to Sri Lanka between April and September. August and September are commonly dry and generally best for a family vacation. However, it can get extremely hot during the day.
October and November: The monsoon period is exceptionally unpredictable and serious flooding and rainstorms can happen in any area in Sri Lanka. On a positive note, this is the offseason here. Hence, you will get better deals everywhere.
Places to visit
Sri Lanka was broadly depicted by Marco Polo as perhaps the best island on the planet. It has a history that goes back to multiple years. In spite of the fact that it's little, there is such a lot of history, nature, and magnificence to find here. Given below are the most wonderful spots in Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya: Otherwise called Lion's Rock, Sigiriya is a stone castle that lies in the Matale area. Visitors can walk up to the old remnants, which are covered on all sides by nurseries, lakes, and glorious frescoes. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a standout amongst other old places to see in the nation. You can make a beeline for the highest point of Sigiriya to see the brilliant and sensational views of clouds on the moving hills.
Adam's Peak: Situated in a differing natural site, Adam's Peak is a tall, pointed mountain in central Sri Lanka. The 2,243-meter rising peak is a typical journey course in the Buddhist religion, as it is said that there is Buddha's very own impression close to the summit. Plan to land at the highest point of the mountain around daybreak to see remarkable dawn.
Galle: Visit the well-safeguarded city named Galle for a loosening up city break. The town is brimming with beguiling Dutch-time manors and brilliant ocean side perspectives. Visit the Galle Fort, a Dutch-assembled fortification that is currently a World Heritage Site and the biggest residual ocean port in Asia worked by European dwellers.
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka: Yala National Park is the spot to go to see large cats in Sri Lanka. The recreation center is home to the most noteworthy grouping of panthers on the planet, and it is likewise a significant haven for Sri Lankan elephants and fowls. Crocodiles, Monkeys, and different critters go around the recreation center's lush fields and backwoods. This park is situated on the southeast shoreline of the island.
Food and culture of Sri Lanka
The main element of Sri Lankan food is steamed or boiled rice, presented with a curry of fish, chicken or lamb. The vegetarian option includes curries made with vegetables, lentils, or some fruits. Dishes are served with sambols and chutneys. Almost each family unit in Sri Lanka accepts rice and curry to be their principal dish. The way of life or the rich culture of Sri Lanka blends present-day components with traditional perspectives and is known for its provincial decent diversity. Sri Lankan culture has for some time been affected by the heritage of Theravada Buddhism.
Travel Tips
Here are a few tips that will make your Sri Lanka get-away a memory to cherish.
In contrast to numerous other Asian nations, Sri Lanka doesn't offer a visa on arrival. So, you must apply for an electronic visa or eVisa much ahead of time.
Sri Lanka has zero resilience for vacationers with Buddha tattoos.
Sri Lankans are decent, friendly and trustworthy but many auto-rickshaw drivers are definitely not trustworthy.
Taking the local currency with you here will definitely be helpful as the exchange rates at most of the places are high.
If asked to represent Sri Lankan beauty in a single word, it would definitely be "green". It doesn't make a difference where you go in this country; you will without a doubt be able to find the greenery. The whole nation feels like one monstrous national park and you're ensured to see a wild elephant or two if you spend around a month here. It is definitely a beauty that can’t be expressed in words.