Sri Lanka Travel Guide 🇱🇰
Everything a traveler should know before visiting Sri Lanka — Colombo, Kandy, Ella, Sigiriya, beaches, tea hills & wildlife
🌤 Live Weather — Colombo
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📌 Quick Facts
🏙 Capital Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (Administrative) / Colombo (Commercial)
🌄 Landscape Beaches · tea hills · temples · wildlife parks
💱 Currency Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
🗣 Languages Sinhala · Tamil · English widely spoken
⏱ Time Zone GMT+5:30
🔌 Plug Type Type D · M · G — 230V
Famous for: Sigiriya · Ella train · Galle Fort · Mirissa · Yala Safari · tea plantations
🛂 Visa & Entry Rules
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) Passport validity 6+ months Return ticket may be required- ETA must be applied online before arrival (most travelers)
- Hotel booking may be checked
- Travel insurance recommended
Visa rules can vary by nationality & stay duration.
🗓 Best Time to Visit
🌤 Dec–Mar West & South coasts — best beach weather
🌤 Apr–Sep East coast season (Trincomalee / Arugam Bay)
🌧 May & Oct–Nov Inter-monsoon rains
⛰ Hill Country Pleasant year-round
Different regions have different monsoon seasons.
💰 Average Trip Budget
- 🎒 Budget — 6,000–9,000 LKR / ₹1,800–₹2,700 / $20–30 per day
- 🏨 Mid-Range — 12,000–22,000 LKR / ₹3,600–₹6,600 / $40–75 per day
- 👑 Luxury — 35,000+ LKR / ₹10,500+ / $120+ per day
Train travel is cheap — safaris & private taxis increase costs.
🗺 Top Places to Visit
Sigiriya Lion Rock Ella & Nine Arch Bridge Kandy Galle Fort Mirissa & Weligama Yala & Udawalawe Safari🚇 Transport & Getting Around
- Scenic trains (Kandy — Ella)
- Public buses & private taxis
- Tuk-tuks for local travel
- Domestic flights limited
Trains sell out in advance during peak season.
📶 Mobile SIM & Internet
- Main operators — Dialog · Mobitel · Hutch
- Tourist SIMs available at airport
- Good 4G in major towns
- Weak coverage in remote parks
💵 Money & Payments
- Cash preferred in small towns
- Cards accepted in hotels & big restaurants
- ATMs widely available
- Exchange money at banks / airport
🍽 Food & Local Cuisine
- Rice & curry
- Kottu roti
- Hoppers & string hoppers
- Seafood & coconut dishes
- Ceylon tea
Food is flavorful — some dishes can be spicy.
🎊 Festivals & Events
- Esala Perahera — Kandy
- Vesak Festival
- Deepavali
- National New Year (April)
🛡 Safety & Travel Awareness
- Generally safe for tourists
- Beware rough sea during monsoon
- Respect religious & temple dress rules
- Wild animals in safari zones — follow guide instructions
🎒 What to Pack
- Light tropical clothing
- Modest wear for temples
- Sunscreen & hat
- Comfortable walking shoes
🌡 Weather & Climate
- Tropical & humid
- Warm year-round
- Seasonal monsoon rains
- Cooler in hill country
🧳 Suggested 5-Day Itinerary
- Day 1 — Colombo / Negombo
- Day 2 — Kandy & Temple of the Tooth
- Day 3 — Train to Ella
- Day 4 — Nine Arch Bridge & Little Adam’s Peak
- Day 5 — Galle / South coast beaches
❓ FAQs
Is Sri Lanka good for family trips?
Yes — safe, scenic & easy to travel.
Is English widely spoken?
Yes — especially in tourist & city areas.
Do I need cash?
Yes — essential in rural & coastal towns.
🚨 Emergency Numbers
🚑 Ambulance 1990
👮 Police 119
🔥 Fire 110
🧳 Tourist Help Sri Lanka Tourism Hotline
🎟 Tours & Activities in Sri Lanka
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