Sri Lanka - the Emerald Island

General Information

Sri Lanka, formerly, Ceylon, is a tear-drop shaped island. The narrow Palk Strait separates India’s Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka’s Jaffna. Sri Lanka is mentioned in India’s mythology as the prosperous golden land. During the proto-historic period, Sri Lanka was culturally united with South India, sharing similar traditions and techniques.   The modern-day Sri Lanka’s rich and varied cultural heritage has a distinct influence of South Indian dynasties; the Chinese and Arab traders; and various European rulers.

What to do in Sri Lanka

The main attraction of Sri Lanka is the cultural triangle of Anuradhapura; Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa; as well as Kandy which has several historic monuments; cave temples; Buddhist Stupas (or dagobas); and ancient ruins. The Central Highland is lush green with mountains; hills; and plantations of tea and spices. The rainforests of Sinharaja, Kanneliya, and the dense forests of Yala, Uda Walawe, Wilpattu are home to impressive wildlife including leopards; elephants; wild bears; and a rich birdlife. Sri Lanka also has some impressive stretches of pristine beaches all around its periphery. The beaches of Southwest are good in winters while those in the Northeast are good for summer, thus making Sri Lanka a great beach destination all year around.

When to travel to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a round-the-year destination. Most of the country – except the Northeast region – enjoys a good weather from October till April. The Northeast region, on the other hand, offers a good weather conditions from April till September.

Entry requirements of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the easiest countries to visit and offers eVisa or visa on arrival to travellers from most countries.|

Beaches of Sri Lanka

The island nation of Sri Lanka has gorgeous sandy beaches all around its periphery. The varied monsoon pattern across the nation makes Sri Lanka a year-round beach destination. These golden beaches are lined by a variety of resorts that come in all styles and price ranges. Some beaches are good for surfing, some offer an excellent diving experience while some are good for marine life including dolphins and whales.

Southwest Coast

The southwest coast of Sri Lanka has several popular beach destinations with a string of world-class beach resorts. The south coast gets monsoon from May till September, making it an excellent choice for a getaway from Europe’s freezing winter. Here are some popular beach destinations along the south coast. Galle A world heritage site, Galle is one of the best-preserved colonial cities in South Asia. Ruled by the British; the Dutch; and the Portuguese, the walled city of Galle has a magnificent 16th century fort; a brilliant lighthouse; spectacular churches; and cathedrals. This charming heritage city, dotted with colonial era buildings; grand mansions; museums; and stylish cafes is best explored on foot. Galle has one of the most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world. Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna beaches near Galle are considered the best places in Sri Lanka for scuba diving.

Bentota 

Bentota is a beautiful beach town with a laid-back vibe. Its long beachline runs parallel to the Bentota Lagoon and is lined with some excellent world-class resorts.

Mirissa

A small fishing town on the south coast, Mirissa is a relatively quiet beach town with limited accommodation options. However, it is one of the best places to spot blue whales and sperm whales in the winter months. Weligama Weligama, meaning sandy village, is arguably the best place for surfing in Sri Lanka. The flat sandy beaches ensure smaller, consistent waves that are perfect for brushing up your surfing skills. Once a quiet fishing village, Weligama now is a bustling beach town with a range of accommodation options.

Tangalle

Tangalle is one of the prettiest beach destinations along the south coast beautifully fringed with palm coves. It is a relatively quiet and peaceful beach town with a handful of resorts.

Kalpitiya

Kalpitiya is a popular beach town on the west coast, further north of Colombo. It is a collection of 14 islands with an extraordinary waterfront ambience. Kalpitiya Beach is excellent for water sports. It is also one of the best spots for diving, with excellent coral reefs, and one of the best places to spot dolphins and whales in the winter months.

The East Coast

A relatively less developed part of Sri Lanka, the east coast has some excellent stretches of sandy beaches with azure blue clear waters. The best time to visit the east coast is from May till September when it is dry and sunny. It is an excellent summer getaway during school holidays. The east coast is quieter, less touristy, with a handful of resorts. The warm waters and shallow bay are excellent for swimming and surfing, even for young children. The northeast coast has some of the best coral reefs that offer a superlative snorkelling experience.

Passikudah

The most popular beach destination on the east coast is Passikudah. It houses an amazing beach with powdery sand and clear waters. Passikudah has the biggest collection of first-class resorts on the east coast.

Trincomalee 

Trincomalee is an important beach destination in northeast Sri Lanka and one of the world’s finest natural harbours. Its ancient Hindu temples showcase the interesting history of Indo-Aryan settlements. Trincomalee was ruled by the Portuguese and then the Dutch in the 17th century before being taken over by the British. It was an important naval base during the second World War. Now the town exudes a more relaxed vibe and has a few international standard resorts.