Sri Lanka travel guide
Sri Lanka fits ancient royal cities, misty tea country, leopard-filled national parks and long palm-lined beaches onto an island smaller than Ireland. It suits travellers who like variety within short distances, from wildlife and culture to surfing, and its two monsoon seasons mean one side of the island is usually dry.
Places worth the trip
Sigiriya
A fifth-century fortress built on top of a sheer rock column, reached by stairs past painted frescoes and a pair of giant stone lion's paws. Climb early to avoid the heat; nearby Pidurangala rock gives a view of Sigiriya itself.
Kandy
The last capital of the Sinhalese kings, set around a lake. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is one of Buddhism's most important shrines, and the Esala Perahera procession, usually held in July or August, fills the streets with dancers and decorated elephants.
Hill country and the Kandy to Ella train
The railway climbs through tea estates, waterfalls and cloud forest to Nuwara Eliya and Ella. In Ella, walk to the Nine Arch Bridge and up Little Adam's Peak.
Galle Fort
A walled town on the south coast, built by the Portuguese and expanded by the Dutch, with ramparts, a lighthouse and lanes of colonial houses. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa
Two ancient capitals in the dry north-central plains, with huge brick stupas, monastery ruins, reservoirs and the Gal Vihara rock-cut Buddhas at Polonnaruwa. Cycling is a good way to get around the sites.
Yala and Udawalawe national parks
Yala has one of the world's highest densities of leopards, as well as elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles. Udawalawe is reliably good for seeing herds of wild elephants.
Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)
A sacred mountain with a footprint-shaped mark at the summit revered by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Pilgrims climb thousands of steps through the night to watch sunrise, mainly between December and May.
South and east coast beaches
Mirissa and Weligama in the south are known for whale watching and beginner surfing; Arugam Bay in the east is a surf town that is busiest in the middle of the year.
Interesting facts about Sri Lanka
- Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka, then called Ceylon, became the world's first female prime minister in 1960.
- The country changed its name from Ceylon to Sri Lanka in 1972, although Ceylon tea kept the old name.
- The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is a sacred fig tree said to have been grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, and is often cited as the oldest human-planted tree with a recorded planting date.
- Sri Lanka's official capital is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, where parliament sits, although neighbouring Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city.
- Shaking the head side to side can mean yes or agreement, which can confuse first-time visitors.
Best time to visit Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has two monsoons. From roughly December to April, the west and south coasts, Colombo and the hill country are at their driest, which is the main season for most visitors. From around May to September, the south-west monsoon brings rain there, while the east coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay) is dry and sunny. The cultural triangle in the north-central region is visitable most of the year. October and November can bring inter-monsoon rain across much of the island. The hill country is cool all year, and nights in Nuwara Eliya can be cold.
Getting around
Distances are short but roads are slow and winding, so journeys take longer than the map suggests. Many visitors hire a car with a driver, which is common and practical. Trains are cheap and scenic, especially the Kandy to Ella line, though reserved seats on popular services sell out early. Buses reach almost everywhere but can be crowded and fast-driven. Tuk-tuks are everywhere for short trips; use a ride-hailing app or agree the fare first. Self-driving is possible but challenging.
Practical details
- Capital
- Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (official); Colombo (commercial)
- Currency
- Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
- Languages
- Sinhala, Tamil, English (widely used link language)
- Plug types
- D, G, M
- Voltage
- 230 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 119 police, 1990 ambulance (Suwa Seriya), 110 fire
- Driving side
- left
- Tipping
- Appreciated. Many restaurants and hotels add a service charge; tip drivers, guides and safari trackers for good service.
Staying online in Sri Lanka
Mobile coverage is good in Colombo, Kandy, Galle and the main tourist towns, with 4G widely available along the coast and main roads. It becomes patchy in national parks, deep in the hill country and in rural parts of the north and east. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and guesthouses, although speeds vary. Power cuts are occasional. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so you have data for maps and ride-hailing from the airport.
Sri Lanka eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Sri Lanka, V2
Unbegrenzt
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Sri Lanka, V2
Unbegrenzt
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Sri Lanka, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Sri Lanka, V2
Useful apps
- PickMe: Sri Lanka's main ride-hailing app for tuk-tuks, cars and food delivery, with fares shown upfront.
- Uber: Ride-hailing in Colombo and some other cities, useful for tuk-tuks and cars at fixed fares.
- Google Maps: Navigation and journey times; download offline maps for the hill country and national parks.
- Google Translate: Sinhala and Tamil translation for signs and menus outside the tourist areas.
Sri Lanka travel FAQs
From December to April, the west, south and hill country are best. From May to September, head to the east coast. The cultural triangle in the centre works for most of the year.
Yes. Coverage is good in towns and along main routes, weaker in national parks and remote hills. A travel eSIM gives you local data for ride-hailing and maps without roaming charges.
Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and hats before entering, and do not pose with your back to a Buddha statue for photos. White or light-coloured clothing is respectful.
Reserved seats in the observation and first and second classes on popular departures sell out, so book ahead. Unreserved tickets are sold at the station on the day, but carriages can be very crowded.