Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Ancient Buddhist temples, hill country tea estates, magnificent wildlife, and some of the best beaches in Asia – all within a single small island.

Sri Lanka is a teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean, separated from the southern tip of India by the Palk Strait. In a country of just 65,000 square kilometers, it manages to pack an extraordinary concentration of different experiences: ancient cities from Sri Lanka’s classical Buddhist civilization, colonial tea-growing highlands, an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, and coastlines that range from surf-battered southern shores to the tranquil lagoons of the north.

Sri Lanka ended a devastating civil war in 2009 that had lasted nearly 30 years. Since then it has developed rapidly as a tourism destination and has been consistently listed among the world’s top travel recommendations.

Why Visit Sri Lanka

The cultural triangle in the north-central interior contains three UNESCO World Heritage Sites within easy driving distance of each other. Sigiriya, an ancient palace complex built on top of a 200-meter granite rock that rises abruptly from the jungle, is one of the most dramatic archaeological sites in Asia.

Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka for over a thousand years, has stupa domes, palace ruins, and a sacred bodhi tree said to be grown from a cutting of the original tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Polonnaruwa, a later capital, has beautifully preserved temples and the monumental Gal Vihara rock sculptures of the Buddha.

The hill country around Kandy and Ella is where Sri Lanka’s famous tea comes from. The train journey from Kandy to Ella, passing through emerald-green tea estates and dropping over the hill country on the way down, is one of the most scenic train rides in Asia and regularly cited as one of the best in the world. Ella itself has good hiking, a pleasant cool climate, and excellent views of the surrounding hills from Adam’s Peak.

Wildlife in Sri Lanka is excellent. Yala National Park in the south has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world and large herds of elephants. Udawalawe National Park has almost guaranteed elephant viewing. The waters off Mirissa and Trincomalee are among the best places in the world to spot blue whales between December and April.

Top Places to Visit Sri Lanka

1. Sigiriya and the Cultural Triangle

The combination of Sigiriya, Dambulla Cave Temple (a cave complex with over 150 Buddha statues painted in vivid colors), Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwa forms the cultural heart of Sri Lanka and deserves at least three to four days.

2. Kandy

The hill capital has the Temple of the Tooth, which houses a relic of the Buddha and is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. The Kandy Lake, the botanical gardens at nearby Peradeniya, and the traditional Kandyan dance performances are all worthwhile.

3. The South Coast

Galle has a beautifully preserved Dutch colonial fort that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with ramparts, cobblestone streets, and excellent restaurants and guesthouses within the walls. Mirissa and Tangalle have beautiful beaches. Unawatuna has a good bay for snorkeling.

Sri Lankan Food and Culture

Sri Lankan food is built around rice and curry but has a distinct identity from Indian cuisine. Coconut milk, pandan leaf, and distinctive spice blends give it a characteristic flavor. Hoppers, a bowl-shaped fermented rice batter pancake, are eaten for breakfast with egg and sambal. String hoppers, thin rice noodle cakes, are another breakfast staple. Fish and prawn curries along the coast are excellent.

Travel Tip for Sri Lanka

Most nationalities need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before arrival, obtainable online. The Sri Lankan rupee is the currency. Sinhala and Tamil are official languages.

English is widely spoken. The best time to visit the west and south coasts is November to April. The east coast is best from May to September. The highlands are pleasant year-round.