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Galle Fort lighthouse beside the sea wall

Practical guide for visitors

The Sri Lanka travel guide

Everything a first-time visitor needs: when to go, how to get around, where to stay, what to eat, and how to travel with respect.

Overview

A teardrop-shaped island off the southern tip of India, small enough to cross in a day yet packed with ancient cities, rainforest, tea country, wildlife parks and long beaches. Eight places are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Currency
Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
Languages
Sinhala and Tamil; English is widely used in tourism
Time zone
UTC+5:30, no daylight saving
Electricity
230 V, 50 Hz; plug types D, M and G
Driving
On the left
Size
About 65,610 km², roughly 440 km from north to south
Calling code
+94
Climate
Tropical, with two monsoons (see “When to go”)

The eight World Heritage Sites are the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, the Ancient City of Sigiriya, the Golden Temple of Dambulla, the Sacred City of Kandy, the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, and the Central Highlands.

Before you go

Entry and documents
  • Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or visa before arriving. Apply only on the official government site, and check eligibility and fees there because they change.
  • Your passport should usually be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date.
  • Carry a printed copy of your ETA, return or onward ticket and your first night's booking.
  • Buy travel insurance that covers medical care, cancellations and any activities you plan (diving, trekking, safari).
Booking and connectivity
  • December to March is peak season on the coasts and in the hills. Book rooms, safaris and reserved train seats weeks ahead.
  • Tourist SIM cards from the main mobile operators are sold at the airport arrivals hall; bring your passport.
  • Download offline maps and a ride app (PickMe and Uber work in Colombo and other cities).
  • Visit a travel clinic well before departure to review vaccinations and malaria and dengue advice.

When to go

Sri Lanka has two monsoons: the south-west monsoon (about May to September) soaks the west, south and hills, and the north-east monsoon (about October to January) soaks the north and east. So there is almost always a dry coast somewhere.

RegionBest monthsWetter months
West and south-west coastColombo, Negombo, Bentota, Galle, MirissaDecember to MarchMay to September (south-west monsoon)
Hill countryKandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Horton PlainsJanuary to AprilShowers can come any month; heaviest around October to December
Cultural TriangleSigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, PolonnaruwaFebruary to SeptemberOctober to January (north-east monsoon)
East coastTrincomalee, Nilaveli, Arugam BayApril to SeptemberOctober to January
South-east safari parksYala, Udawalawe, LunugamveheraFebruary to JulyNovember to January
NorthJaffna and the Jaffna peninsulaFebruary to SeptemberOctober to December

Getting there and around

Distances look short on a map, but roads are winding and busy: plan on an average of 30–40 km/h and about four hours of driving a day at most.

Arriving
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

The main airport is near Negombo, about 35 km north of Colombo. The expressway link to Colombo takes roughly 45–60 minutes by taxi. Many visitors sleep in Negombo on arrival night and start travelling the next morning. Mattala Rajapaksa Airport in the south has very few flights.

Self-drive
Usually not worth it

Visitors need a temporary Sri Lankan driving permit, traffic drives on the left, and buses and tuk-tuks overtake aggressively. Most travellers hire a car with a driver instead, which also gives you local knowledge.

  • Trains

    Slow, cheap and scenic. The Kandy to Ella line is the highlight. Reserved seats and observation-car tickets sell out, so book early through the railway or a trusted agent. Unreserved carriages are crowded.

  • Buses

    Frequent and very cheap, from basic to air-conditioned intercity express. Good for short hops, tiring for long trips with luggage.

  • Tuk-tuks

    Ideal for short rides. Agree the fare first, or use a ride app in cities. Expect to bargain at tourist spots.

  • Car with driver

    The easiest way to cover several regions. Agree the route, daily hours and who pays the driver's lodging before you start.

Where to go

Pick two or three regions for a short trip rather than trying to see everything.

  • Sigiriya rock fortress rising above green gardens

    Cultural Triangle

    Heritage3–4 nights

    Sigiriya rock fortress and neighbouring Pidurangala, the Dambulla cave temples, and the ancient capitals of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. Between June and October wild elephants gather at Minneriya and Kaudulla.

  • The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy

    Kandy

    Heritage2 nights

    The hill capital: the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and cultural dance shows. The Esala Perahera pageant fills the streets in July or August.

  • Nine Arches Bridge curving through tea country near Ella

    Ella and the hill country

    Adventure3–4 nights

    Nine Arches Bridge, Little Adam's Peak and Ella Rock, tea estates around Nuwara Eliya, and Horton Plains with World's End. The Kandy to Ella train is one of the world's best-known rail journeys.

  • A young elephant feeding in Yala National Park

    Wildlife

    Wildlife2 nights

    Yala is famous for leopards; Udawalawe is the surest place to see elephants; Wilpattu in the north-west is quieter; Sinharaja is a UNESCO rainforest for birds and endemic species.

  • Aerial view of Mirissa bay with turquoise water

    South coast

    Beach & water3–4 nights

    Mirissa for whale watching and a crescent beach, Weligama for learning to surf, Unawatuna and Tangalle for calm swimming and slow days.

  • Galle Fort lighthouse beside the sea wall

    Galle

    Heritage1–2 nights

    A walkable Dutch-era fort and UNESCO World Heritage site on the sea: ramparts at sunset, boutique cafés, the lighthouse and old churches.

Also worth considering: Trincomalee and Nilaveli on the east coast for beaches and Pigeon Island snorkelling, Arugam Bay for surf, and Jaffna in the north for a distinct Tamil culture, temples and food.

Sample itineraries

Starting points you can adapt. Lankora builds a personalised version around your interests, the weather and your budget.

  1. 1

    Arrive and rest near the airport (Negombo) or Colombo

  2. 2

    Sigiriya and Dambulla

  3. 3

    Polonnaruwa, then Kandy

  4. 4

    Kandy sights; Peradeniya Botanical Gardens

  5. 5

    Train to Ella through the tea hills

  6. 6

    Ella walks, then south to Yala for an afternoon safari

  7. 7

    South coast: Mirissa beach, then Galle Fort at sunset

Culture and etiquette

Sri Lankans are famously hospitable. A little care goes a long way, especially around religious sites.

At temples and holy places
  • Dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees, for men and women.
  • Remove shoes and hats before entering. Bring socks for hot stone floors.
  • Never pose with your back to a Buddha statue or take selfies with one, and avoid clothing or tattoos that show the Buddha.
  • Do not point your feet at Buddha images or monks. Women should not touch monks.
  • Ask before photographing people, and never at rituals without permission.
Everyday manners
  • Greet with a smile, or “ayubowan” (Sinhala) or “vanakkam” (Tamil) with palms together.
  • Use your right hand to give, receive and eat. Many locals eat rice and curry by hand.
  • Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and nude or topless sunbathing is not accepted.
  • On Poya (full-moon) days alcohol is not sold and many people visit temples.
  • Do not buy or export Buddha images or antiques without the proper permits.

Food and drink

Sri Lankan food is built on coconut, spices and fresh seafood. Heat levels vary: ask for “less spicy” if you need to.

Rice and curry
The everyday meal: rice with several curries (dhal, jackfruit, fish or chicken) and sambols. Easy to order vegetarian.
Hoppers (appa)
Crisp bowl-shaped pancakes, often with an egg in the middle. A breakfast and dinner favourite.
String hoppers
Steamed rice-noodle nests served with dhal, sambol and curry.
Kottu roti
Chopped flatbread stir-fried loudly with vegetables, egg or meat. The street-food classic.
Lamprais
A Dutch Burgher dish: rice and curry baked in a banana leaf parcel.
Pol sambol
Fresh grated coconut with chilli and lime; it goes with almost everything.
Fish ambul thiyal
A dry, sour curry of tuna with goraka, popular on the south coast.
Watalappan
A rich coconut, jaggery and spice custard served at celebrations.

To drink: fresh king coconut (thambili) is sold everywhere, and Ceylon tea is the national pride. Drink bottled or filtered water, and skip ice in basic eateries.

Money and costs

Cash and cards
  • ATMs are common in towns; cards work in hotels and larger restaurants, but small places and tuk-tuks want cash.
  • Exchange modest amounts at the airport and the rest at banks or licensed exchange counters.
  • A service charge of around 10% is often already added in restaurants; extra tips are appreciated, not expected.
  • Foreign visitors pay much higher entry fees than residents at major sites. Ticket prices and payment methods change, so carry spare cash.
How Lankora counts money
Study assumptions, not price quotes

The planner caps entry fees plus transport at LKR 5,000 (Budget), LKR 15,000 (Comfort) or LKR 40,000 (Premium) per person per day, using a tuk-tuk, a car with driver or a van with driver respectively. Rooms and meals are shown separately and are not counted.

Health and safety

Sri Lanka is generally welcoming and safe for visitors. Most problems are avoidable.

Staying healthy
  • Drink bottled or filtered water. Wash hands and choose busy, freshly cooked food.
  • Use insect repellent day and night: dengue mosquitoes bite in daylight.
  • Sun is strong near the equator: wear high-SPF sunscreen, a hat and drink plenty of water.
  • Keep your distance from stray dogs and monkeys, and seek medical advice after any bite or scratch.
  • In rainforest and after rain, long socks help against leeches.
Staying safe
  • Heed the flags on beaches: strong currents and rip tides are real, especially during the monsoon.
  • Never approach wild elephants, even from a vehicle, and use responsible safari operators.
  • Agree tuk-tuk fares first, be wary of “the temple is closed” stories and of gem or tailor shops that offer a “special price”.
  • Solo and women travellers should take usual precautions at night and choose well-reviewed accommodation.
  • Do not fly drones or photograph military sites or airports without permission.

Festivals and public holidays

Dates of lunar festivals change every year. The planner treats fixed-date holidays as closures but cannot know Poya days in advance.

FestivalWhen
Thai Pongal14–15 January
Independence Day4 February
Sinhala and Tamil New Year13–14 April
VesakMay (full moon)
PosonJune (full moon)
Esala Perahera (Kandy)July or August
DeepavaliOctober or November
Christmas25 December

What to pack

Essentials
  • Light, breathable clothing, plus one modest outfit for temples
  • A light rain jacket or poncho, whatever the month
  • Sandals and comfortable walking shoes; a warm layer for the hills
  • Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and insect repellent
  • Plug adapter (types D, M or G), power bank and a dry bag
Documents and extras
  • Passport, ETA, insurance details and printed bookings
  • Some cash in small notes for tuk-tuks, tips and entrance fees
  • Basic first-aid kit and any regular medication in its original packaging
  • Reusable water bottle with a filter, and a small torch for dark paths
  • Binoculars if you plan safaris or birdwatching

Turn this guide into your own plan

Tell Lankora what you enjoy and it builds a day-by-day itinerary around the weather, opening hours and your budget.

Start planning