Sri Lanka, often called “The Teardrop of India” and “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” is a remarkable travel destination. This small island nation offers diverse landscapes, from lush tea plantations and majestic mountains to pristine beaches and dense rainforests. Home to 15 National Parks brimming with unique wildlife, Sri Lanka’s natural beauty is complemented by a rich cultural heritage that dates back 2,500 years. The island features temples that showcase a blend of Chinese, Indian, and Thai influences, which is also reflected in its distinctive and authentic cuisine, making it a must-visit for travelers seeking variety and culture.
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Sri Lanka, known as “The Teardrop of India” and “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” is an extraordinary travel destination. This small island boasts diverse landscapes, including lush tea plantations, towering mountains, pristine beaches, and vibrant rainforests. With 15 National Parks teeming with unique wildlife, Sri Lanka offers an abundance of natural beauty alongside a rich cultural heritage that spans over 2,500 years. The island is dotted with temples that reflect a fusion of Chinese, Indian, and Thai influences, also evident in its distinctive and authentic cuisine, making it an essential stop for travelers seeking cultural richness and natural wonders.
Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon lies at the southern tip of India in the Indian Ocean. Being close to the Indian subcontinent Sri Lanka has been connected with the former through communication and economics for centuries, a trend that is showcased in much of the country’s cultural influence. As the country acted as a stopover for trade routes in the olden times for travellers visiting India, it also saw a large amount of influence from visitors from Greece, Europe and Arabia. The Greeks named it Taprobane whereas the Arabs alluded to it as Serendib. Later European mapmakers called it Ceylon, a name that got adopted over the years for exchange purposes. It formally became Sri Lanka in 1972.
Sri Lanka is an all-year-round destination dominated by two key monsoon seasons. For travellers visiting different parts of the country, it is vital to keep in mind that the peak season and off-seasons vary based on the areas they are planning to visit. Due to its proximity to the Equator, temperatures usually hover around 28 degrees Celcius with considerably high humidity so it is advised to pack light clothes.
December to April, and this is the best time to visit Sri Lanka. Though there could be some rainfall during the months of December and January, the southern and western parts of the country stay dry. This season is also the holiday season for most of the world with Christmas and New Years just around the corner so bookings are high along with property costs so travellers should plan and book beforehand to avoid any last minute hassles.
September to November is the time of spring in Sri Lanka. These months are considered the inter-monsoon months as they fall in between the two monsoons. The weather is fantastic during these months, the south and the west being the most dry. Visiting the beaches are not a good idea as the waters can be a bit rash due to the monsoons.
May to August is the off season for Sri Lanka. As these are the months of the southwest monsoon. The country experiences a wet weather all over, especially in the south-western parts, and all the tourist locations are drenched in rain. By July, the rains begin to slow down leaving behind some occasional showers.
The quickest way to travel to the country is by flight where travellers can catch one from Chennai or Delhi to reach the capital of Colombo. Colombo International Airport (CMB) is the main airport for international tourists in Sri Lanka. Usually travelling around in such cases is best done by bus or train. Non-stop flights from Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai are available through airlines like Air India, Jet Airways, and SriLankan Airlines. The flight durations may fluctuate from an hour and a half to 3 hours 30 minutes relying upon the air terminal. International flights that take travellers to Sri Lanka are Jet Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Spice Fly.
Applying for a Sri Lankan Visa is a quick and easy process. Travellers planning their trip to Sri Lanka should ensure they apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) Visa beforehand via an online form. An ETA Visa is allowed only for business, Transit and Tourism visits to the country with varying number of days and conditions for each purpose. Applying for a Tourist Visa for Sri Lanka ensures travellers can tour the country for up to 30 days. The Visa cost for Indian travellers visiting Sri Lanka is 1,438 INR, and the Visa is processed within a period of 24 to 48 hours.
The official currency used in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee, and it is denoted by LKR. The banknotes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 rupees, and coins come in divisions of 1, 2, 5, and 10 rupees. Hotels, hostels resorts, restaurants, shops etc. usually accept Visa or MasterCard, however the Amex card is not frequently used. Traveler’s cheques are not accepted anywhere in Sri Lanka and most hotels prefer transactions in cash.
The easiest way to use the local currency is by withdrawing money from an ATM. However, withdrawing from international ATM’s incurs an extra charge, in addition with the bank charges. It is always better to check with your local bank about the charges that might be levied.
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