Sri Lanka travel guide

 

Sri Lanka

 

Meet Sri LankaSri Lanka weather reportGetting into Sri LankaFrom the Sri Lankan kitchen From the Sri Lankan barCurrency in Sri Lanka Major airports in Sri LankaExamples of food and drink spendThings to have at hand in Sri LankaDid you know?

 

Meet Sri Lanka

 

Sri Lanka is the jewel of the Indian Ocean: an island of soaring mountains, lush forests, languorous lagoons, and miles of sugary white sands. But though natural beauty surrounds you here, Sri Lanka’s manmade attractions, such as the beautiful colonial buildings of Galle, and the modern architectural splendour of Wewurukannala Temple, are just as impressive.

 

To get a glimpse of what Sri Lanka looked like under British rule, head to Nuwara Eliya: the country’s tea capital. Here you’ll find rows of refined English-style bungalows with immaculate lawns. Be sure to pay a visit to the former British governor's mansion, which is now the ornate Grand Hotel. Enjoy a spot of afternoon tea on the hotel terrace, as you inhale the delicious aromas emanating from the tea factories.

 

Just a few miles away from Nuwara Eliya, you’ll find the rolling hills of the Horton Plains National Park, which is home to Leopards, Loris, Chevrotains, Fishing Cats, and an abundant array of local flora and fauna. Or, if you want to get really up close and personal with the native wildlife, head to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, where you can see the largest herd of elephants in captivity in the world, and even feed the calves their bottle!

 

To really experience Sri Lankan tradition, make sure you head to Kandy, home to the ancient Temple of the Tooth, which protects the sacred tooth of the Buddha. Come here in July for the festival of Esala Perahera, and you will see the relic paraded through the city accompanied by brightly clothed dancers, drummers, and ornately decorated elephants.

 

Then, when you feel like a break from sightseeing, soak up some Sri Lankan sun on one of the country’s many beautiful beaches. Discover the thriving coral reefs off Bentota beach, catch some surf off the shores of Hikkaduwa, or simply watch the world go by on the pristine shores of Beruwela.

 

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Sri Lanka weather report

 

Sri Lanka’s equatorial location means that it enjoys hot weather all year round, with an average daily temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. However, along the coastline, this heat it tempered by the gentle sea breeze, making it much more comfortable. The country also receives a high volume of rainfall: there are two monsoons, which occur between May and July, from October to January.

 

For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool.

 

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Getting into Sri Lanka

 

To enter Sri Lanka, you will need a passport which is valid for a minimum of two months beyond your intended stay. Citizens of the European Union who plan to stay in Sri Lanka for less than 30 days, do not require a visa to enter the country, but will need a landing endorsement: this is issued free of charge on arrival, provided you either hold a return ticket, or can demonstrate sufficient funds to purchase one. Tourists wishing to stay for over 30 days should apply to their local embassy for a 90 day visa.

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From the Sri Lankan kitchen

 

In Sri Lanka, curry is a staple food which comes in a vast array of forms, and is served throughout the day. Traditional Tamil curries incorporate the spicy flavours that you’d find in Southern India, Galle is famous for its delicious seafood curies and, in Kandy, fresh fruit is added to the national dish.

 

When you add this delicious variety to the influence that the Dutch, Portuguese, and British have had on the national diet, you get a spicy, and diverse cuisine, that is sure to make your mouth water — and maybe your eyes too! A few of the dishes that you can enjoy in Sri Lanka include:

  • Lamprais: this Dutch inspired, and Sri Lankan flavoured dish consists of rice mixed with a meatball curry, and baked in a banana leaf.

  • Kiribath: rice cooked in coconut milk. Commonly served for breakfast.

  • Hoppers: thin pancakes made from fermented rice flour, and served with a spicy condiment.

  • Mullung: shredded green leaves with spices, lightly stir fried.

  • Sambol: a mixture of grated coconut, chilly, and spice.

  • Wattalapan: a steamed pudding made with coconut milk, eggs, and a kind of treacle extracted from the kitul palm, called jaggery

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From the Sri Lankan bar

  • Tea: the national drink, which comes in an assortment of flavours.

  • Toddy: sap from the palm tree.

  • Arrack: fermented toddy which comes in a range of strengths. The purest is coconut arrack.

  • Lion Larger: the local beer, which has been brewed in Sri Lanka since 1881.

  • Thambli: refreshing coconut milk, sold at the side of streets throughout the island.

  • Ginger beer: this carbonated, ginger flavoured drink may have originated in the UK, but it is one of the most popular soft drinks in Sri Lanka

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Currency in Sri Lanka

 

The official unit of currency used in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (Rs) (LKR) which is divided into 100 cents. Notes are issued in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 rupees. Coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents and 1, 2, 5 and 10 rupees. For the latest info on your rates, please use the Pampo exchange rates calculator.

 

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Major airports in Sri Lanka

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Examples of food and drink spend

  • You can enjoy a good quality meal for two for as little as £10. However, a 10% service charge is usually added to this, and government taxes can add a further 17.5% onto your bill.

  • A pint of the local beer, Lion Larger will usually be priced at around Rs200-250, or £1.50.

  • A small glass of house wine, will cost usually about Rs500, or £2.80  

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Things to have at hand in Sri Lanka

  • An umbrella

  • Insect repellent

  • A valid photo ID

  • Bottled water

  • Travel insurance: leave one copy of your policy at home and take one copy with you

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Did you know?

  • Sri Lanka has a population of approximately 20 million people.

  • Sri Lanka was under British rule between 1815 and 1948.

  • In 1960 Sri Lanka elected the world’s first female Prime minister — Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

  • Sri Lanka is the world’s largest tea exporter.

  • Sri Lanka makes use of its 103 waterfalls, by using them for hydropower.

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