Planning to visit Sri Lanka - here’s a few things you need to know.
- Fred Depraetere
- May 19, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 26, 2024
Sri Lanka is an absolutely amazing destination, there is no doubt about it, but a few things have changed since it faced its recent internal political struggles and moved into a post-covid era. The country and its amazing history and culture and the general friendliness of its people are still very much intact, but our first visit also proved to be a bit disappointing. The main reason is the “money grab” culture that seems to have risen after many years of low tourist numbers. In short, everything has become expensive and they’ll take your money at any point for anything, which takes a lot of the charm out of it. Sri Lanka is also “over-touristy” and it’s almost impossible to go anywhere without running into other visitors.
But that aside, I do still believe that Sri Lanka is definitely worth visiting at least once! We spent nearly 2 weeks there and enjoyed our time there immensely. The hotel where we stayed was top notch and it comes highly recommended - so if you have the opportunity, stay at the Anantara Kalutara Resort (see hotel review here), you should do so.
Sri Lanka is an incredibly diverse country, with lush forests on one side, a very dry and arid center and a stunning ocean that is teeming with wildlife (but that you cannot always swim in due to strong tidal issues). What surprised me is that it varies a lot from India (which somehow in my ignorance I had not expected) both culturally and in terms of overall geography, language and so forth. It’s amazingly unique.
When you visit Sri Lanka you should plan to do a lot of excursions, there is an amazing wealth of things to see in this wonderful place, so plan them ahead of time but make sure you also keep a good number of days to relax as many excursions in the typical heat can take their toll.
One mistake we did make was to book a single hotel and organize our trips from that location, not realizing that Sri Lanka is, despite a pretty good road infrastructure, a pretty big country. In fact it's an impressive 65,600 square km (25,300 square miles) and that’s a lot of ground to cover. This meant that for some excursions we were required to leave at 5am while other tourists had more smartly booked several hotels around the island throughout their stay to ensure better proximity to those sites.
Some fun facts about Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka was first discovered by the Portuguese in 1505. It was taken over by the Dutch in 1658 and finally the British took over in 1796. It gained its independence in 1948.
The country used to be called Ceylon.
It is home to around 120 species of mammals, nearly 180 species of reptiles and 230 species of birds.
Sri Lanka is the fourth largest exporter of tea in the world and the largest exporter of cinnamon globally with an estimated 80% of it coming from there.
There are 26 national parks which jointly cover 5,734 km2 of space.
Sri Lanka had the first female prime minister globally when in 1960 Sirimavo Bandaranaike took the post.
There is no malaria in Sri Lanka.
Every day when there is a full moon is a national holiday in Sri Lanka, following Buddist tradition.
Today’s famous Lipton Tea was founded in Sri Lanka by Glasgow-born Sir Thomas Lipton in 1890.
Sri Lanka is one of the largest exporters of cinnamon.
There are 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka today.
Sri Lankans shake their head from side to side when they agree with you or want to answer yes. It’s a bit confusing to many visitors who are used to this meaning no.
What are the best places to visit in Sri Lanka?
We did not get a chance to visit all the sights but here’s our top picks from those that we did!
Sigiriya: An impressive ancient rock fortress that is very impressive! The fortress sits on a solid granite rock that juts 180 m (590 ft) out of the otherwise flat landscape around it. It was established by King Kashyapa between AD 477 and 495. The site als features water and terraced gardens. It’s quite a climb up some steep steps and the site can get a little crowded so arrive on time to avoid the midday heat.
Yala National Park: Yala, which became a national park in 1938, counts nearly 130,000 hectares of land consisting of a variety of natural environments including forests, scrub and grasslands and lagoons. The park adheres to a strict conservation vision which means that only two areas are open to the public. The park counts a total of 44 species of animals and over 200 bird species. These include the world’s largest concentration of leopards, jackals, a large number of elephants, sloth bears, sambars, spotted deer and crocodiles. Animals at the park can often be hard to spot so it’s recommended to visit it Between February and July when it’s hotter, but also water levels are lower and this attracts most animals to the many water pools.
Gale fort and town: Gale was founded in the 16th century by Portuguese settlers and continued to expand as a key trading post. It was taken over by the British in the 18th century and is considered one of the best surviving examples of a fortified city built by Europeans. Taking a stroll in this city and visiting the fortifications and ramparts is a great way to relax and take in the sights as you walk along the seafront. Don't forget to have a cup of tea on the many terraces there.
Whale watching: This is an absolute must do in Sri Lanka if you have the opportunity. The best time to visit is between December and March when blue whales migrate via the coastline. We saw at least ten different whales during our four hour trip. However, be warned, the ocean is very choppy and the boats used are not very big in comparison so if you are prone to motion sickness, it can prove tough. Most operators therefore hand out plastic bags and water upfront.
Nuwara Eliya: Nuwara Eliya is unique, with an atmosphere that is very different from the rest of the country. The area is dotted with British colonial period buildings and is located in the country’s highlands. The region is famous for its tea, and the endless rolling hills with green tea plantations and waterfalls will not disappoint.
Precious stones mines: Sri Lanka is also known for its precious stones, so if you get a chance to visit some of the very basic mines that dot the landscape, it’s worth a visit. You can also buy stones in the little shops often attached to these privately owned mines.
How to get around Sri Lanka?
If it’s within your budget then I recommend you travel with an organized trip, whether private or in group. The benefit here is that you have an experienced driver who can take you around the often chaotic streets as well as provide you with interesting information about the areas you are driving through. But there are of course other modes of transportation!
Buses are very much the mode of transport of choice in Sri Lanka. You will find that they take you to every corner of the island, although some trips may take some time - so plan ahead. There are quite a few websites offering bus tickets, so shop around. There are also both government run buses and private companies operating routes, so take the time to inform yourself well. Yes, quite a few buses are rust buckets, but they are efficient.
Trains are increasingly in use across Sri Lanka. Although often antiquated, they have become more reliable than in the past and are a good form of transport to bridge larger distances. You will find some additional information here, but do your research well in advance to avoid issues.
Air travel is also an option if you want to hop to another part of the island. The main operator in Sri Lanka for domestic flights is Cinnamon Air.
Tuk-Tuk: If you want to cover shorter distances - for example to get to a restaurant from your hotel - then a Tuk Tuk is a good option. It can be a bit of a scary ride at times but overall we always got there.
Cycling and walking: I would simply avoid this. Roads and driving styles in the country are not designed to offer you a safe trip.
Which hotels do I recommend in Sri Lanka?
We stayed at the Anantara Kalutara Resort on the West of the island, about 2 hours from Colombo. This is very much a high end resort but the island has a massive choice of hotels of good quality. Most visitors to Sri Lanka often stay at different hotels as they travel around the country and this is also recommended to keep travel times to attractions low.
What currency is used in Sri Lanka?
The Sri Lankan Rupee is the currency of Sri Lanka. One Euro/Dollar is around 300 to 321 LKR. Few countries trade this currency so you may need to exchange it on arrival.
Is Sri Lanka safe?
Overall, yes, Sri Lanka is a safe country to visit overall. One of its main incomes is tourism and you will find that most people on the island are friendly (you will often be asked if it’s your first time in Sri Lanka). It does have petty crime (as anywhere in the world), so keep your valuables close by and use officially registered organizations to book trips.
Can I eat anywhere in Sri Lanka?
No, you cannot. Although the country has good hygiene standards, as a foreign visitor you are susceptible to bacterial infections. When you go on day-trips, the organizer will normally foresee a restaurant that is government accredited for tourists and abides by strict hygiene standards. Hotels also follow this protocol.
Do you need a Visa to get into Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has an electronic travel authorization document which is known as an eTA and is in effect your visa application. Filling it out takes about 15 minutes. The country does require your passport to be valid for another 6 months on entry. Visas are provided to you via email on approval and are valid for 30 days after arrival. You can also fill out the eTA on arrival, but it’s recommended to do so in advance to avoid issues. Prices have recently doubled to apply, from US$50 to US$100 per person.
Is Sri Lanka family friendly?
Yes, overall Sri Lanka is family friendly. However, remember that it is very much a destination of exploration and travel around the country. So if you are looking for a pure beach holiday with kids, then I would not recommend it.
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