It’s safe to say that Sri Lanka has easily become one of the top travel destinations in the world. With its heady mixture of British colonial heritage, endless coastlines, alluring tea plantations, and some of the world’s most welcoming locals – Sri Lanka should be on top of your list of places to go.
The mystic bright-eyed smiles are just the cherry on top for the myriad of things to do in Sri Lanka. Staggering mountain views blend effortlessly with diverse wildlife…Scenic train rides are part or your day-to-day plan…Insanely diverse landscapes are everywhere…It’s hard to not to fall in love.
What better way to spend your vacation? You’ll be amidst verdant landscapes, feasting on delicious food and venturing off on tuk-tuk adventures throughout gorgeous scenery in the country.
There is no doubt that it’s very hard to compete with Sri Lanka when it comes to travel destinations. No other country offers that amount of diversity in such a small area. Everything is just a train, bus or tuk-tuk ride away – from whale watching in Kalpitiya, to spotting wildlife at national parks, to hiking through scenic mountain trails.
Ancient legendary temples juxtapose prominent peaks, caves contrast colonial fortresses, and wildlife runs through ancient sites.
Whether you want to discover a favorite beach, kite-surf, meditate in temples, or trek through tea plantations – you can do it all.
I’ve created a detailed Sri Lanka Travel guide for you to help you plan one unforgettable trip!
Best Things To Do in Sri Lanka
Go on one of the world’s most scenic train rides.
Sri Lanka’s railway network offers some of the most scenic rides worldwide. The railway network is antiquated with a strong sense of nostalgia permeating through the trains….For example, the journey between Nuwara Eliya Ella to Ella is an incredibly atmospheric ride.
Think endless tea plantation hills, gorgeous valleys spanning for miles, and mountaintops soaring into the sky. The epic train journey costs around $1.50 and I really recommend not getting a seat.
Instead, stay by the open door, hang your leg over the edge like the locals and enjoy cruising through villages, old bridges, huge drop-offs and much more.
Drive a tuk-tuk.
This should naturally be on top of the things to do in Sri Lanka. Drive a tuk-tuk whenever you think you can. It’s an experience that is very hard to replicate elsewhere.
Get wild.
Sri Lanka boasts an incredible assortment of wildlife. Whether you want to spend your days diving with majestic blue whales, watching wild elephants sauntering around, or being uncomfortably close to sloth bears – you’ve got it!
There are plenty of national parks, but the most popular is Yala National Park. This leopard sanctuary has the highest density of those wild cats in the world, so if you’ve ever dreamt of stalking a leopard up close, then this is the place to be.
Go on a safari.
You can’t go to Sri Lanka without going on a safari. The incredibly diverse landscape of the country makes it a treasure trove for all wildlife enthusiasts out there. If you want to spot elephants ambling about, then Uda Walawe National Park should be your spot. If you’re visiting Sri Lanka in August or September, then Minneriya National Park will be a dream come true. This national park is home to “the gathering”, a wildlife spectacle like no other.
You can choose from hundreds of game drivers that will allow you to spot all sorts of wild elephants, deer, birds, monkeys and of course, leopards!
Explore Colombo.
Colombo effortlessly blends the wilderness of Sri Lanka with modernity. Jazz clubs, boutique stores, gorgeous streets and much more beautifully reflect the contrasts that make Sri Lanka what it is today. The city makes an excellent start (or finish) to your trip and will give you a straight look into the local life.
Visit the Tea Plantations.
Sri Lanka’s tea is famous throughout the world, and I’m letting you know from now: It would be a waste to visit Sri Lanka without exploring its tea plantations.
The fourth-largest tea-producing country has lush sprawling tea plantations that are a must-do. If you’ve heard about Lipton Tea, then you know what I am talking about.
The neatly-terraced tea estate will help you gain historical context, and will give you a charming throwback to colonial Sri Lanka.
You can take a tuk-tuk ride amongst Lipton’s Seat and get ready to take in the awe-inspiring view. (Don’t forget the samples!)
Hike Adam’s Peak.
This is one of the top attractions of Sri Lanka and one of the things you really have to do. The most sacred site is said to be the first place that Adam stepped foot on earth after being sent down from Heaven.
It’s no surprise that Adam’s Peak is actually the perfect trek and the top of the mountain offers insane 360-views of the epic scenery.
Feast on Sri Lanka’s delicious food.
The gastronomy of Sri Lanka is undeniably delicious. Make sure to spend time at local restaurants, try some street food and stray away from restaurants that cater to Western tourists.
Check out some historic sights and monuments.
Sri Lanka is an ideal place to go to if you’re looking for some history, ancient sites, and cultural attractions. With an impressive eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it’s no surprise that Sri Lanka is a tourist hub. The Cultural Triangle, the ruins of Sigiriya, and the Dambulla Cave Temple are only some of the things you can see there.
Hike to the top of Diyaluma Falls.
A 220-meter high waterfall? Sign me up, please! The 2nd biggest waterfall in Sri Lanka is the best spot for a full-day adventure. Once you hike up to the top, you’ll find different levels of natural pools cascading towards the edge of the cliff. You can swim there, enjoy the views, or peer over the edge if you’re brave enough.
Relax by the beach.
Unsurprisingly, the gorgeous beaches of Sri Lanka will be a highlight of your trip. There is every type of beach imaginable – from party beaches to isolated and secluded ones.
If you’re looking for a lively beach with a chance to learn scuba diving, then head over to Unawatuna Diving Center. If you’re looking for a more peaceful beach where you can snorkel and whale-watch, then Mirissa Beach is where to be.
My favorite, however, is Arugam Bay. Think of every Bounty ad you’ve seen. There you go. That’s what this beach looks like. Gorgeous sandy shores lapped by azure waves, coconut palms and unparalleled solitude!
Go surfing.
Sri Lanka is actually a surfers paradise, specifically if you’re a beginner. Arugam Bay and Hikkaduwa are the perfect spots to try surfing.
Visit the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella.
Lush green tea fields and sprawling bamboo forests hide a little secret just outside of Ella. Surrounded by dense jungle, the Nine Arch Bridge is an architectural feat. Make sure to stand below the bridge and look up: this is where you’ll see the sky through the nine arches (hence the name).
Marvel over Sri Lanka’s Buddhist statues.
Sri Lanka boasts a religious heritage that goes back 2,000 years. With a continuous history of Buddhism, it’s no surprise that there are dozens of Buddhist statues to explore. For example, Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses a 14 meter long reclining Buddha statue that is a must-see.
The Dambulla cave is a temple complex that also has plenty of paintings, statues and a towering Buddha.
Watch the sunset at the famous rope swing in Dalawella.
Yes, if you thought that Sri Lanka could not get more dreamy then I am here to prove you wrong. You know those viral travel hotspots that you see everywhere on Instagram? This is one of them.
The palm tree rope swing is an amazing spot to just chill, watch the sunset or sip on a delicious cocktail as you watch the world go by.
Climb Sigiriya Rock.
It’s no surprise that The Sigiriya Rock is usually referred to as the 8th wonder of the world. It’s actually one of the most popular things to do in Sri Lanka. This astounding feat of architecture consists of abandoned palaces, gorgeous waterways snaking their way through the structure, canals, and much more.
Quick Information:
Currency
Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
Visa
You’ll need to get an electronic visa before arriving at Sri Lanka, and it’s usually processed right away. The visa gives you the chance to stay at Sri Lanka for 30+ days and costs anything from $30-35.
Safety.
Sri Lanka is generally a safe place to visit, despite its turmoil past. But like most countries in the world, it’s always advisable to take caution at night.
Language.
Sinhala is the main language spoken in Sri Lanka with over 70% of the population native in it. However, if you’re spending more time in the Northern and Eastern part of Sri Lanka, you’ll find that Tamil is more widely spoken. A huge percentage of the population speaks conversational English (unless you’re going to more remote parts.)
Festivals.
Sri Lanka has a staggering four major religions! That means that religious celebrations and festivals take place almost all throughout the year. Some of the top festivals include: The Sinhala-Tamil New Year Festival held in April, the Poya Day in May, and Esala festival in August.
Best Time to Go
Sri Lanka is generally a small country, but the weather patterns will need some planning around.
- Low season: The low season runs from May to August. This is when the Yala monsoon takes place in the South and West coast. This means, however, that it’s a great time to visit the North and the East.
- Shoulder Season: The shoulder season runs from April to September with mild temperatures and fair rates and prices.
- Peak Season – From December to March, the entire country (specifically the southern coast) is buzzing with life.
Packing
Packing will mainly depend on what sort of activities you want to be doing there. The climate, in general, is warm and humid. There are two more things you need to keep in mind: the first is that you will always need a rain jacket or an umbrella. The second is that you need to remember that Sri Lanka is a fairly conservative country, despite the fact that there are plenty of tourists.
Here’s what you need to have with you:
- Baby wipes!
- Spray bottle of rubbing alcohol.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Refillable water bottle.
- Sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
- Lightweight umbrella.
- Clothes that cover knees and shoulders.
- Wide brim hat.
- Sunglasses
- Travel insurance.
- Backpack.
- First aid kit.
- Adapter.
- Portable Charger.
Budget.
The best thing about Sri Lanka is the fact that it’s a fairly cheap country to visit. No matter how much you think you will splurge, your budget will still be quite reasonable. It’s very hard to break a budget of $30-$40 per day!
You can go way below that by sticking to local food as well – and trust me, the local food is delicious!
Here is a general list of prices to help give you an idea of what costs are like:
- Taxi from the airport – $13
- Western lunch – $6.75
- Local lunch – $2.74
- Street food: $1.5
- Gourmet meals: $10-$15
- Museum entry – $3.28 – $5
- Bottle of water – $0.33
- Beer – $2.74
- 7-hour train ride – $1.50
- Bus: $0.75-2
As for accommodation, there are plenty of options to choose from. Expect to pay an average of:
- Budget – $8-20
- Mid-range $25-40
- Luxury: $50+
Know Before You Go:
- Don’t drink the tap water. Make sure you do not drink tap water. (This should be best practice anywhere you venture in the world)
- Spend time eating local food.
- It isn’t a place to party. You probably won’t find plenty of chances to drink and go out outside of the coastal tourist towns.
- Understand the culture – Covering is always appreciated but isn’t necessary (unless you’re at a place of worship.)
- Travel by train – This is the cheapest way to get around but also the most scenic.
- Book the Kandy to Nuwara Eliya or Ella train in advance.
- Always bring flip-flops to temples.
- Prepare to go slow.
- If you want to get away from the crowd, then go North.
- If you’re planning on renting a car, you probably will need a special driver’s license.
- The locals are some of the friendliest in the world!
It’s pretty hard not to fall in love with Sri Lanka. There are so many things to do that cater to every type of traveler. From secluded beaches to interesting treks, to welcoming locals and scenic train rides – you won’t be able to get enough!
