Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka packs ancient royal capitals, misty tea country, leopard-filled national parks and palm-backed beaches into an island smaller than Ireland. Sigiriya's rock fortress and Kandy's Temple of the Tooth anchor the cultural heartland, and the train through the hill country is one of Asia's great rail journeys. The two coasts have opposite monsoons, so somewhere is always in season.
Overview
Sri Lanka's classic circuit runs as a loop from Colombo or the airport near Negombo: north to the Cultural Triangle of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and Sigiriya; south to Kandy; then by train through the tea estates around Nuwara Eliya and Ella; and down to Yala or Udawalawe for wildlife before ending on the south-west coast around Galle, Mirissa and Tangalle. Two weeks covers it comfortably. The Tamil north around Jaffna and the east-coast beaches of Trincomalee and Arugam Bay make a different, quieter trip, best between May and September.
Sri Lanka is excellent value for food, transport and guesthouses, but foreigner entrance fees at the big archaeological sites and national parks are high and add up quickly. Most visitors hire a car with a driver for at least part of the trip, which is affordable and saves time on slow, winding roads; distances look short on the map but take longer than expected. Families, couples and first-time Asia travellers all find it easy going. What surprises many people is the food: home-cooked rice and curry, with half a dozen small dishes, is often the highlight.
Map of Sri Lanka
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Sigiriya
King Kasyapa built his 5th-century palace on top of this sheer 180-metre rock; climb past the frescoed maidens and the giant lion's paws to the summit ruins. Go at opening time, or climb nearby Pidurangala for the view of Sigiriya itself.
- 2Sacred site
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Kandy's golden-roofed temple houses Sri Lanka's most revered relic, a tooth of the Buddha. Visit during an evening puja, when drums sound and pilgrims bring lotus flowers, and wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
- 3Nature
Hill-country railway to Ella
The train from Kandy to Ella climbs through tea estates, waterfalls and cloud forest, ending near the stone Nine Arch Bridge. Reserved seats sell out quickly, but unreserved carriages offer a fallback for the flexible.
- 4Architecture
Galle Fort
The Dutch-built ramparts of this UNESCO-listed fort enclose streets of colonial villas, churches, boutique hotels and cafés. Walk the walls at sunset, when locals gather and cricket games spill across the grass.
- 5Wildlife
Yala National Park
Sri Lanka's most visited park has one of the world's highest densities of leopards, plus elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles in its scrub and lagoons. Book a dawn jeep safari; Block 1 usually closes for several weeks around September.
Biggest cities
Colombo
A sprawling, fast-changing commercial capital best treated as a day or two: Galle Face Green at sunset, the Pettah markets, Gangaramaya Temple and excellent restaurants and cafés.
Negombo
A beach and fishing town close to the international airport, handy for first and last nights; its lagoon, fish market and Dutch-era canal are worth a wander.
Kandy
The last royal capital, set around a lake in the hills, with the Temple of the Tooth, the Peradeniya botanic gardens and a popular boarding point for the scenic train to Ella.
Colombo's figure covers its urban district, which takes in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Moratuwa and the administrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte; Kandy's includes its suburbs. Estimates vary.
When to go to Sri Lanka
Best time: Dec–Mar (west/south), May–Sep (east).
Average climate in Colombo
Festivals & events
- AprSinhala and Tamil New Year
On 13–14 April families mark the sun's move into Aries with auspicious rituals, milk rice, sweets and village games; many businesses close for several days.
- MayVesak
The May full moon marks the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death; towns hang glowing lanterns and illuminated pandals, and free food stalls called dansal serve passers-by.
- Jul–AugEsala Perahera, Kandy
For ten nights before the Esala full moon in July or August, whip-crackers, fire dancers, drummers and dozens of decorated elephants parade through Kandy escorting a casket representing the tooth relic.
How much does Sri Lanka cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Rice and curry
The everyday national meal: a mound of rice with several small curries of dhal, vegetables, fish or meat, plus coconut sambol and crisp papadums.
Hoppers
Bowl-shaped pancakes of fermented rice flour and coconut milk, crisp at the edges; order an egg hopper and eat it with curry and fiery lunu miris relish.
Kottu roti
Chopped flatbread stir-fried on a griddle with vegetables, egg and meat, the clatter of the cooks' blades announcing every street-food stall after dark.
Getting around
Trains are cheap and scenic, especially on the hill-country line, but slow; book reserved seats ahead. Government and private buses go everywhere for very little, though drivers are fast and seats scarce. Tuk-tuks handle short hops: use the PickMe or Uber apps in Colombo and Kandy, or agree the fare first. Many visitors hire a car with a driver for a week or more, which is good value and saves time.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- DGM230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Ambulance: 011 2691111 or 1990
- Fire and Rescue: 111
- Police: 118/119
- Emergency Police Mobile Squad: 011 5717171
- Tourist Police: 011 2421052
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +94
- Time zone
- UTC+5:30 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Restaurants often add a 10% service charge; leave a little extra for good service. Drivers and guides expect a daily tip, and temple shoe-minders a few rupees.
- Etiquette
- Remove shoes and hats at temples, cover shoulders and knees, and never pose for photos with your back to a Buddha statue. Buddha tattoos can cause serious offence.
- Main airports
- Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Colombo
Visas & entry for Sri Lanka
Shown for a British passport.
Apply online before you go (travel authorisation)
To enter Sri Lanka, you need to apply for an ‘Electronic Travel Authorization’ (ETA) which is a form of visa.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaCholeraDengueHepatitis BJapanese encephalitisMeaslesRabiesTuberculosisTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Sri Lanka
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 25 Oct 2026 | Vap Full Moon Poya Day |
| Sun 8 Nov 2026 | Diwali |
| Tue 24 Nov 2026 | Il Full Moon Poya Day |
| Wed 23 Dec 2026 | Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Sinhala
| English | Sinhala | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | ආයුබෝවන් | AH-yu-bo-wan |
| Thank you | ස්තූතියි | STOO-tee-yi |
| Please | කරුණාකර | ka-ru-NAA-ka-ra |
| Excuse me | සමාවෙන්න | sa-MAA-wen-na |
| How much is this? | මේක කීයද? | MAY-ka KEE-ya-da? |
Know before you go
- Plan your route around the monsoons: the south-west coast and hill country are driest from December to March, the east coast from May to September.
- Reserved seats on the Kandy–Ella train, especially observation cars, can sell out weeks ahead; book online or through your guesthouse as soon as bookings open.
- Budget for steep foreigner entry fees at Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and the national parks, which are priced in US dollars and can dominate a day's spending.
Sri Lanka travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
The best time to visit Sri Lanka is generally Dec–Mar (west/south), May–Sep (east). Peak months are January, February, March and December. Average highs in Colombo range from 30°C to 32°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Sri Lanka cost per day?
Roughly £30 a day on a tight budget, £70 mid-range and £160+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lankan rupee (LKR).
What plug type does Sri Lanka use?
Type D, G and M sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Sri Lanka?
Traffic drives on the left in Sri Lanka — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Sri Lanka?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: To enter Sri Lanka, you need to apply for an ‘Electronic Travel Authorization’ (ETA) which is a form of visa. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Sri Lanka before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Sri Lanka?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Cholera, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis and Measles sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
