Sri Lanka is one of the top beautiful islands in the world. It is a relatively unexploited travel destination full of marvelous attractions and breathtaking natural wonders. It offers everything visitors are looking for including endless stunning golden beaches and surfing bays, lush green misty mountains adorned by lovely waterfalls, wildlife reserves where you can go on safari, and many more.
It is an epicenter of history with many world heritage sites including ancient temples, palaces, ruins of religious monuments with great archaeological value. Although it is small, there is so much diversity in nature and beauty in the country. Here we have summarized everything you need to know about Sri Lanka before visiting this marvelous paradise on earth.!
1. Where is Sri Lanka?
It seems many people still ask the question, where is Sri Lanka? It is a small island located in the Indian Ocean with a total surface area of 65,610 km2 and a coastline of 1,340 km. Due to its small size and beauty, it calls as Pearl of the Indian Ocean. It is only just 21 miles at its closest point from the southeastern tip of India. Adam’s Bridge is the previous land connection between Sri Lanka and India.
Lonely Planet named Sri Lanka as the best place to visit in 2019, while Sri Lanka was the top trending term in Google search in 2019. It is among the 20 best destinations to visit in 2020 by CNN Travel. There are many world-famous attractions are located in Sri Lanka, which has led to draw thousands of tourists for a long time.
2. What is the Capital of Sri Lanka?
The legislative capital is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, while Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is the largest and most extensive city with a tropical climate. The major airport is Bandaranaike International Airport located somewhat outside the capital, around 35 km from Colombo city. You need to travel around 30 mins to reach Colombo city center to start your Sri Lanka travel.
Colombo is the commercial hub and most of the government and private company head offices are located there. The ongoing project of Colombo Port City will enhance the commercial value of Colombo to be a more sophisticated city than other Asian Capital cities.
There are many beautiful places to visit in Colombo including Galle Face, Viharamaha Devi Park, the newly built Lotus Tower, and many more. Negombo Beach is the closest to Colombo, while Bentota Beach is also closer to the capital. Since the major touristic cities of Sri Lanka are well connected by highways and railways, you can access either the Colombo Fort railway station or Colombo Central Bus station to explore Sri Lanka.
3. What is Sri Lanka famous for?
You may be a fan of Ceylon Tea or even heard about it for sure. Ceylon is the old name of Sri Lanka until 1972, then changed the name to the democratic socialist republic of Sri Lanka. Since ancient times, it is a famous producer of tea, coffee, rubber, spices, and many varieties of gemstones.
Sri Lanka gained high popularity in the gem trade after producing the stunningly beautiful Ceylon blue sapphire of Princess Diana’s engagement ring and the world’s largest blue sapphire. Certainly, Sri Lanka has produced several world-famous large gemstones. Thus, remember to buy some gems and jewelry for a cheaper price than anywhere else in the world.
4. What is the currency of Sri Lanka?
The currency used here is Sri Lankan Rupees (Rs or LKR). Particularly, Sri Lanka is world-famous as a budget-friendly travel destination. As of April 2020, the exchange rate is around 180 Rupees to 1 USD. Handling money is one of the most crucial things during your travel. Nowadays credit cards can be used for many purposes, but it is still useful to have some cash on hand.
Sri Lankan Rupee bills are pretty colorful and come in 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 5000 bills. Rupee coins come in 1, 2, 5, and 10. You can find ATMs in all major touristic towns. They are in English and possible to withdraw Sri Lankan currency. Although the banks close at 3.00 pm, the ATMs are available 24/7. Remember to change the currency to Sri Lankan Rupees, before starting your Sri Lanka travel.
5. What people are living in Sri Lanka?
The population is just over 20 million and the majority of them are Sinhalese, while Tamils, Muslims, and some other minor ethnicities are also part of it. The main religions of Sri Lankan people are Buddhism, Hindu, Muslim, and Catholic. Religion plays a prominent role in many Sri Lankans life and most of them value religion as an important part of their daily life. Since the majority are Buddhists, the culture of the country is mostly influenced by Buddhism.
The Sri Lankan people cherish their traditional values and take pride in their rich culture, an aspect that helps to harmonize the nations. Sri Lankan people are world-famous for their hospitality and welcoming attitude toward visitors. Sri Lankans are amazingly friendly, easy-going, and educated people who are genuinely interested in helping tourists. You will experience that Sri Lankans make you feel safe providing you with a second home while respecting a lot to the visitors who come to enjoy this beautiful country.
6. What is the Language in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic country, with the majority being Sinhalese who use Sinhala as their language. Although Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages, English is a popular language throughout the country. Generally, Sri Lankan people have a literacy rate of over 90%, which is above the average by regional standards.
Sri Lankan youth show a high interest in learning English and IT. The English medium education and exposure to computer literacy will empower them with the advancements of globalization. Sri Lanka is well on the road to modernization. With the recent widespread digital facilities, Sri Lanka is becoming one of the best destinations in the world for digital nomads.
Most Sri Lankans are friendly and welcoming people who are trying their best to mix up with foreign people and communicate with them. Both the urban and rural youths have an increasing desire to exchange a few words with foreign visitors and help them as much as possible.
7. Is it a Peaceful country?
The Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims have been living together since ancient times. The rich cultural traditions shared by all Sri Lankans are the basis of the prevailing peace and harmony in Sri Lankan society. The 30-year-long civil war ended in 2009 and it converted the country to a totally peaceful situation without any conflicts between the nations. It is assured that Sri Lanka travel is completely safe for visitors.
These days the war-ridden north and eastern provinces are rapidly developing, leading to enjoy many hidden attractions and wonderful beaches in these areas. Lots of tourists and local visitors are traveling to beautiful east coast beaches in Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Passikudah, and Arugam Bay since these areas are available for tourism now.
Although there was an incident of an Easter attack in 2019 April, any violent incidents haven’t been reported recently. These days Sri Lanka is making it cheaper to fly here and highly recommend visiting here without any fear to enjoy meaningful peace and stability.
8. What is the weather in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is a warm tropical country with year-round sunshine. Temperature is fairly constant throughout the year; with coastal regions having an average temperature of 25-30°C and the central highlands 15-18°C on average. Remember to plan your Sri Lanka travel according to the climate of Sri Lanka. Here you can find all the essential items you should pack for a Sri Lankan holiday.
The humidity is over 70%, but the winds from the Indian Ocean reduce the heat providing a comfortable condition. You’ll find the climate in scenic central highlands is more pleasant and feasible than in the coastal areas. The rainy season in the southern and western parts of the country is between May and September, bringing heavy rains to these areas. Monsoon rains hit the northern and eastern regions of the country is from December to March.
The period from December to April is the best time to visit Sri Lanka with the best weather conditions to enjoy most of the attractions in the country. The peak season of Sri Lanka travel runs through this period.
9. Is Sri Lanka beautiful?
Sri Lanka is a stunning beach paradise with a deep blue ocean and endless golden beaches around the island. The prime attraction of most travelers heading here is the incredible soft sandy beaches and warm, turquoise Ocean. Beaches rich in spectacular scenic beauty with palm-fringed coasts and shallow waters with light waves are ideal for beach lovers.
But those who limit their trip to the country’s coastline will miss out on the countryside’s natural beauty. There are many beautiful places in the country and most of them concentrate in the hill country. The hilly and lush interior of the central highlands is where true beauty and peace can be found. When you are planning Sri Lanka travel, remember to include the hill country in your bucket list.
Sri Lanka is one of the best destinations with several breathtaking hiking trails. Beyond all the beautiful sights, breathing mountains covered in lush green jungles in the hill country wait to be explored. Nature lovers can enjoy a lot in the calm and quiet hill country surrounded by misty mountains. Hill Country is ideal for hiking, trekking, and waterfall hunting while enjoying beautiful sceneries and unique Sri Lankan flora and fauna. You’ll see several spectacular hidden waterfalls in hill country while hiking and trekking through the mountains.
The most important thing is you do not need to dedicate a lot of time to travel through Sri Lanka to access these attractions. Since the distances are short, you might be enjoying the warm sunny southern beach in the morning and exploring the chilly green terrains in the hill country by the evening.
10. What are the main attractions in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has a high reputation as the best tourist destination in Asia, packed with many marvelous attractions and epic photogenic spots. The easiest way to explore the true beauty of the Sri Lankan countryside is by riding the Kandy- Ella scenic train. This train ride is one of the most scenic train rides in the world. It needs to reserve the tickets at least one month before since the tickets are sold soon after the booking opens.
There are many national parks in the hill country including Horton Plains and the Knuckles Mountain Range. They are favorite tourist destinations to enjoy the ultimate beauty of Sri Lankan nature. These parks are highly rich in biodiversity and home to a lot of endemic birds and indigenous flora and fauna species.
Several wonderful waterfalls enhance the charming beauty of the terrains in the hill country. Some of them are hidden in the lush green jungles, but it is completely worth visiting these spectacular hidden waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Unarguably, Sri Lanka is called Paradise on Earth, as it is a blessed country with exquisite natural beauty and incredible resources.
11. What are the best places to see wildlife?
Sri Lanka is the best place to see wildlife in Asia, and it is considered one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world. There are 24 wildlife reserves and national parks to see the amazing wildlife of Sri Lanka. Yala and Kumana National Parks have the highest population density of leopards in the world.
Udawalawa, Minneriya, and Kaudulla national parks have a high population of wild elephants. The Elephant Gathering of Minneriya National Park has been named by Lonely Planet as the sixth greatest wildlife spectacle in the world.
The warm ocean around the country is the feeding and breeding ground of mighty blue whales. Every year, whales migrate from cold waters to the ocean around Sri Lanka. It is possible to spot whales during a whale watching trip at Mirissa or Galle.
It is a paradise for migrating birds like flamingos and many bird species seen in Kumana or Bundala Birds’ parks. If you like to see Elephants beside the jungle, the Pinnawala elephant sanctuary is the best choice to see herds of elephants.
12. How many world heritage sites in Sri Lanka?
There are 8 UNESCO world heritage sites in Sri Lanka; Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Galle, Sinharaja rain forest, and Central highlands.
Among them, the Sigiriya rock fortress is considered the world’s eighth wonder and it is the major destination of many Sri Lankan visitors. The great ancient religious monuments on the sacred grounds of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are well preserved until now. Kandy is the last ancient capital of Sri Lanka, where the sacred Temple of Tooth is located.
Dambulla Golden Temple is an ancient cave temple that gives visitors the proud feeling of the long history of Sri Lanka. Galle is famous for the Dutch fort and ancient Dutch buildings which were built in the 18th century. Sinharaja rainforest and Central highlands were declared as world heritage sites due to their high biodiversity and ecological importance.
13. What are the Best Cultural Events?
Sri Lankan culture is greatly influenced by Buddhism and there are several old and grand Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans love to celebrate festivals and all visitors and foreigners are welcome to enjoy these events.
The most famous Buddhist festival in Sri Lanka is the Vesak festival. Called as “Festival of Light”, this is a grand celebration performed to pay respect to Lord Buddha. Especially, the Vesak festival in Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is a must-visit Vesak zone in Sri Lanka.
Another big annual festival is the Kandy Esala Perahera which lasts for 10 days in August. It contains marvelous traditional dances and beautifully decorated elephant parades. All kinds of authentic performances, including Kandyan dances, can be enjoyed in Esala Perahera.
Another major festival is Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which is celebrated each year April 13 – 14, by preparing lots of sweets and Milk Rice to enjoy the New Year.
14. What should you avoid in Sri Lanka
Finally, this is one of the most important things to consider when visiting Sri Lanka. Same as many other Asian countries, there is a much more conservative side in Sri Lankan culture. Most visitors are not aware of these rules & regulations.
We have seen some tourists getting into serious trouble, simply because they aren’t aware of these rules in Sri Lanka. Thus, you can refer to our post about what should you avoid in Sri Lanka and find out more details to enjoy the Sri Lankan travel safely.
To sum up, Sri Lanka is a lovely paradise with many wonderful attractions to entertain visitors. It is a world-famous destination as one of the best holiday getaways. We hope this guide will help you to arrange your Sri Lanka travel conveniently. Visit this beautiful island and enjoy the best places with top scenic beauty. Welcome guys, Visit Magnificent Sri Lanka!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Pixabay, and Unsplash. Original authors reserve all copyrights.
