1. What are the must-see places in Sri Lanka?
2. What are the must-do things in Sri Lanka?
3. What are some cool things to do in Sri Lanka?
4. What are the uncool things to do in Sri Lanka?
5. How much does it cost to travel to Sri Lanka?
6. How do I get around in Sri Lanka?
7. Who are the Sri Lankan people?
8. What languages are spoken in Sri Lanka?
9. Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
10. What are the entry requirements for Sri Lanka?
11. Are there any health problems when traveling to Sri Lanka?
12. What is the telephone and Internet coverage like in Sri Lanka?
13. When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
14. Is it safe to visit Sri Lanka?
15. What should I pack?
1. Must-see places in Sri Lanka:
The beaches of the south coast: Unawatuna , Mirissa and Tangalla . These are among the most beautiful beaches. They’re so beautiful, you’ll never imagine them to be so beautiful! Of these three beaches, we prefer Tangall beach.
The town of Galle is the most charming and ancient, with an atmosphere all its own.
Yala Park is the ideal place for a Safari in Sri Lanka, where you can see wild elephants, leopards, crocodiles and splendid colorful birds.
Visit the small mountain village of Ella, surrounded by lush tea plantations as far as the eye can see.
The town of Polonnaruwa, where you can cycle along the ancient ruins of the ancient capital Polonnaruwa.
We recommend trekking in the magnificent mountains around the town of Ella, you can even climb above 2000 meters, it’s an absolute must!
You can also climb to the top of Sigiriya rock, home to the royal palace.
Surfing is a very fashionable sport in Sri Lanka! On both the south and west coasts, the waves are fantastic for surfing.
Kitesurfing: We went kitesurfing in Kalpitiya (on the north-west coast), and it was incredible!
Dolphin safari: Once you’re in Sri Lanka, you can go on a dolphin safari and swim with them.
Whale Safari: Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to spot huge whales.
Scuba diving/snorkelling: Diving is great in Sri Lanka. We went snorkeling outside Kalpitiya. The coral reefs are some of the largest in the world, with lots of colorful fish.
Eating rice and curry: The national dish rice and curry is something you’re served everywhere, and it’s super good! Tasty and full of flavor! Sri Lanka really knows how to use its spices.
Tea plantations: Walking through tea plantations and visiting a tea factory is a must. It makes you really appreciate your next cup of tea.
Off the beaten track, it’s easy to avoid the tourist crowds. If you head north (to Jaffna, for example) or to the east coast, you won’t find many tourists.
The people of Sri Lanka are super adorable! They’re so pleasant, kind and welcoming.
The food is delicious and incredible! Their rice and curries are tasty and full of flavor.
The climate in Sri Lanka is perfect, warm and pleasant.
You’ll find the most beautiful beaches in the world in Sri Lanka! And many of them you’ll find yourself alone on the beach!
Even though Sri Lanka is a small island, it has great wildlife. You can see animals like wild elephants, crocodiles, leopards, sea turtles, whales, dolphins and lots of birds.
Sri Lanka is a small island, which makes it easy to get around and see a lot in a short time. This country really does have it all!
We don’t have much to say about Sri Lanka on the list of cons.
Rising prices are a not-so-good thing when it comes to travelers’ budgets. A few years ago, accommodation, transport and entrance fees to sites and temples were much cheaper than they are today.
Foreigners have to pay much more than locals for entry to sites and temples in Sri Lanka. It can sometimes be frustrating to have to pay triple or more than the locals. We hate the mistreatment of elephants.
Prices are rising in Sri Lanka, although it is still one of the most affordable countries to travel to.
Entry fees: Entry fees (for tourists) will be one of your biggest expenses, averaging €30 per person.
Temple visits: Locals will pay 0.35€ for many sites, while tourists may have to pay 40€uros!!!
Accommodation: As far as rooms are concerned, you can find accommodation at all price levels, from charming luxury hotels to homestays. Prices are generally reasonable.
Food: The food is always delicious! You’ll find food at all price levels. The cheapest is, of course, street food (1€/2€s).
Alcohol: Alcohol is very cheap in Sri Lanka. You can get local Lion beer for around 1€ in restaurants, while imported beers are a little more expensive. Cocktails and hard liquor are 5€.
Tips: Service charges of 10% are automatically added to your food and hotel bills. This usually goes into the hotel owner’s pocket, so an extra 10% is expected for waiters, pilots and tour guides.
Sri Lanka is a small island, where travel is fairly easy. It is very well served by buses and trains, which make for a fun and authentic way to get around the country. Buses and trains are really cheap, even in first class.
Tuk-tuks and cabs are easy to find and are a quick and comfortable way to get around, although much more expensive than buses and trains. For example, a cab is between 10 and 15 times more expensive than a bus or train.
Most people living in Sri Lanka are Buddhist (70%), while 8% are Islamic, 7% Hindu and 6% Christian.
Sri Lankans are genuine, warm, kind and polite. It’s easy to make contact with the local population. Even if the children don’t speak English very well, they know the big phrases like “What’s your name? Where are you from? How old are you? ”
The 22 million people living in Sri Lanka speak many different languages:
Sinhala 74% (official and national)
Tamil 18% (national)
Other 8% (national)
English is spoken fluently by around 10%. There is no problem for English-only travelers.
As of January 1, 2012, anyone wishing to visit Sri Lanka MUST apply for a visa, but don’t worry, it’s easy to get one(Sri Lanka visa).
Sri Lanka is a very easy country to visit, and there are not many entry requirements, only a visa for Sri-Lanka. There are no vaccination requirements.
There are no health problems or major risks when traveling to Sri Lanka. The biggest risk is probably diarrhea, as in most Asian countries. There is a very small risk of contracting dengue fever and malaria, so wear mosquito repellent and sleep under a mosquito net (most guesthouses have nets on beds where mosquitoes are present).
However, remember to bring a small medical kit. Finally, we strongly advise you to take out health insurance. Ps: Visa Premier card insurance is sufficient.
Discover our tips against mosquitoes in Sri Lanka.
Most hotels, guesthouses and restaurants in Sri Lanka offer a Wi-fi connection. In some places, the Internet can be painfully slow, but it’s great for checking e-mail and Facebook.
SIM cards are easy to buy, for less than 4€s. Having a local SIM card with a local number is cheap. Please note: your phone must be “unlocked”.
Sri Lanka is a tropical country that can be visited all year round. After that, it all depends on your expectations of Sri Lanka (beaches, trekking, temples, etc.).
We advise you to visit the dedicated page ( When to go to Sri Lanka).
Yes, it is absolutely safe to visit Sri Lanka.
The traffic in Sri Lanka is a bit crazy! Buses and cars are especially fast-moving. Be careful when crossing crosswalks.
A dedicated page has been set up to help you remember what to pack 🙂 What to pack?