Facts about Sri Lanka
General information about Sri Lanka
Language: Sinhala and Tamil
Capital: Sri Jayawardenapura (part of Colombo)
Population: 22.2 million
Religion: Buddhism and Hinduism
Currency: Rupee
Climate in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has a typical tropical climate with dry and rainy seasons.
The southwest monsoon brings rain to the south and mountains from May to August. The northeast monsoon is in the northern areas from October to January.
We recommend bringing a small bag umbrella with you on your Asia tour.
The temperature on the coasts never drops below 20 degrees Celsius around the clock. In the highlands, it gets cooler and the temperature can drop to 10 degrees in the evening in some areas.
Time difference
Sri Lanka is in the timezone GMT+5.30
Yes, you read that right! Eg. if it is 1pm in London, it is 6:30pm in Sri Lanka.
Visa regulations
Passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of return from Sri Lanka and have at least two blank pages for the visa. Tourist visas are required and must be applied for and paid for from home via this link. The visa costs 35 USD.
Vaccinations
Documentation of yellow fever vaccination is required for stays of more than 12 hours in a country with yellow fever. In addition, malaria pills are recommended as malaria is present on the island.
For stays of less than 1 week: Tetanus/diphtheria and hepatitis A.
For stays of less than 4 weeks: Tetanus/diphtheria, hepatitis A and typhoid.
For stays of 4 weeks or longer: Tetanus/diphtheria, hepatitis A, typhoid and hepatitis B.
Sights & Attractions
Colombo
The capital city combines Portuguese, English and Dutch colonial culture. This combination can be seen in the architecture, art and food. The city is also full of museums that offer a glimpse into its history. Colombo is located on the coast and has created a green area that has become the city’s ‘playground’, which is worth a visit on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Udawalawe National Park
The park is located on the border between the dry and wet areas of Sri Lanka, which can be seen in the wildlife park. Here you can see elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, snakes and much more. The park is rated as one of the best places to see elephants in the wild. The park also features leopards and monkeys, but they can be difficult to spot.
Galle
The city is an old trading town and here you can experience the old fort from the 17th century. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is car-free and easy to explore on your own. The town is surrounded by some stunning beaches with white sand and crystal clear water.
Hikkaduwa Beach
The city is known for its focus on all water sports activities. There are plenty of opportunities for surfing, bodyboarding, snorkeling and diving. The beach is very long, so you will never feel surrounded by many people. Along the beach there are many street food stalls so you can sample the local cuisine, which is an experience you won’t want to miss on your trip to Asia.
Anuradhapura
The city is an ancient capital and rewards visitors with a look back into the past. The area is quite unique as you’ll find a modern city bordering the ancient one. The core of the ancient temple is a tree, and the Sri Maha Bodhi tribe believes that the tree is the oldest human-planted tree in the world.
Ella
The town is a small mountain town located among the tea plantations. Here you get the opportunity to spend a few days away from the big city and experience the tea plantations. The train ride here is said to be one of the most beautiful in the world as it stretches through the beautiful landscape. The journey takes 6 hours from Kandy and 9 hours from Colombo.
Adam’s Rock
The hike to the top takes about 3 hours and along the way there are food stalls and rest stops. At the top you will see a footprint where some believe Adam took his first step. Others believe it to be Buddha or Shiva.
Sigiriya
This is a palace built on a 220 meter high cliff. A palace is built on top of the cliff and the walls of the cliff are decorated with paintings and engravings. At the foot of one of the rock walls, a staircase has been carved with the entrance resembling a lion.
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The island state with great beaches and wild nature
Water sports, beautiful landscapes, wild nature, stunning beaches, impressive monuments and shrines. Sri Lanka has it all and can definitely make your trip a memorable experience you’ll never forget on your Asia tour.