Sri Lanka Tourism

Sri Lanka is a beautiful island country in South Asia. Its romantic landscapes, inspiring mountains, emerald tea gardens, oodles of elephants and glittering beaches are enough to lure travelers to this paradise of peace. The country has everything a nature devotee can ask for. This tear-dropped island flaunts a colonial architecture which belongs to the time of Portuguese, Dutch and English rule. Its 2000-plus years of culture inspires the world and adds to its popularity on the world map. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the administrative capital of Sri Lanka whereas Colombo is its commercial center.

History & Culture Sri Lanka was established as early as 10,000 B.C.E. Since then the island has flourished in terms of technology, innovation and settlement. The culture of Sri Lanka is influenced by the heritage of Theravada Buddhism. The country has a flourishing artistic tradition which can be seen in its music, dance, and the visual arts. One must also cherish the architecture of the island which is greatly influenced by Buddhism.

Places to Visit

Ella Get floored by amazing views through Ella Gap overlooking a brilliant gap in the southern mountain wall. This hill station looks like a paradise with gorgeous countryside, tiny vegetable plots, sprawling tea plantations and verdant forests. It is a perfect escape for nature devotees where they can get lost for a lifetime.

Nuwara Eliya Belonging to 19th century, Nuwara Eliya enjoys a colonial ambiance. Take a scenic rail ride here and relish amazing vistas of nature all around. You will spot pristine tea plantations, cascading waterfalls and striking mountains during your journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage This is a very popular orphanage, nursery as well as captive breeding place of wild Asian elephants. It is located at Pinnawala village and houses the largest herd of elephants in the world. Here you get a chance to see these giant animals playing happily, eating and enjoying bath.

Polonnaruwa Polonnaruwa is all about a perfect mix of beauty and ruins. This is the second oldest kingdom in Sri Lanka housing 12th century ruins. Travel here to explore the Archaeological Museum followed by a huge Royal Palace and gorgeously decorated Sacred Quadrangle.

Adams Peak Adams Peak remains one of the most beautiful places to visit in the island country. Take a climb to the top to capture most heart soothing sunrise. It houses a bag full of biodiversity and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Views from this peak are jaw dropping and make you realize what makes the Mother Nature most powerful of all.

Galle Fort Galle Fort remains a must visit place here due to its historical importance. Galle Fort belongs to 17th century and was raised by Dutch colonists. Today it has courts and businesses inside it and remains a place for spotting Sri Lanka’s oldest lighthouse, a maritime museum and a popular Shiva temple.

Yala National Park Visit this National Park and be amazed by the leopards residing here. Yala National Park houses one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. The Park is rich in flora with thick grassy plains, verdant forest, lagoons and a coastline.

Beaches No holiday to Sri Lanka can ever end without visiting its pristine beaches which seem to be come out of a painting. Visit Unawatuna to spot a whale shark or Bentota to experience luxury medicine centers and relaxing spa, visit Dickwella to stay in plush resorts or Galle for a mix of architectural and tropical beauty.

Shopping in Sri Lanka Shopping in Sri Lanka is a great delight. From locally made products to high end brands, here you can find everything. Ceylon Tea makes a great Sri Lanka Souvenir as the region has extensive tea gardens. Locally crafted Olanda Furniture is also loved by travelers due to their colonial charm. Also, you will be surprised to know that the world famous Japanese porcelain products are crafted in Sri Lanka. They make perfect kitchen items and can be bought from any showroom here. Wood carvings like wood carved masks are quintessential souvenirs of the island nation. Apart from these, travelers can also buy Antiques, Sri Lankan Stone Art, Carved & Painted Wooden Furniture, Sri Lankan Paintings and Cinnamon Tree Bowls from here.

Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka is a year-round destination which surprises visitors with its two monsoons. Months from January to April and mid-July to September are ideal to visit any part of the country. This is a dry season here perfect for enjoying beach outings and sightseeing.

How to Reach Bandaranaike Internal Airport is an international airport receiving flights from India, Europe, Asia, Middle-East and Australia. Another major airport is Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport which was inaugurated to handle the increasing influx of travelers. Being an island nation, Sri Lanka is completely inaccessible by train and road. Ferry services were available from Chennai to Colombo but were discontinued due to various reasons. Now only 7-day luxury cruise-liner is available between Mumbai and Colombo.