“We were divided for many years. Our country’s not perfect. But we are uniting, and tourism can help with this” our guide Dhanoushka told us as we drove to Sri Lanka’s once war-torn north.
The South Asian island nation, often known as the “teardrop of Asia” is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most welcoming and friendly countries I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. From Colombo to Jaffna, we were overwhelmed by the hospitality we received throughout the island on our ten day visit.
The country had a hellish 40 years from 1983 – a 26 year civil war, the Indian Ocean tsunami, COVID, a financial crisis, terror attacks – but nowadays, the country is united, the economy is rebuilding – and the nation’s keener than ever to attract tourists.
It doesn’t have to work hard to attract them. Beaches, national parks with elephants and leopards, jungle, mountains, temples, one of the world’s best cuisines – Sri Lanka’s all encompassing. If you’re planning a trip, here’s everything you need to know.
Know before you go
Most nationalities need an ETA for Sri Lanka. I applied for mine two days before travelling. Click here for the official website. (Please be aware that visa restrictions are subject to change).
The currency is Sri Lankan rupees. One USD is around 300 rupees. Larger businesses will accept card (if you’re UK based I recommend Monzo – click here for a free fiver when you sign up) but smaller businesses need cash. Commercial Bank and Hatton National Bank are the best ATMs for foreign card withdrawals.
The best time to visit for the south (the main tourist area) is December to March, which is the dry season. The monsoon season in the south is May to August.
The dry season for the north is May to September, however – and the monsoon is October to January!
So, there will be somewhere dry wherever you go – but if you have a particular destination in mind, check the weather conditions of your destinations.
The local languages are Sinhala and Tamil, although English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas.
WiFi works well in big hotels, and local SIMs and eSIMs all work well.
See Airalo SIM cards here.
Getting there
International flights land in Colombo (CMB). We flew with Sri Lanka airlines from London Heathrow, but many flying from Europe change in Qatar or the UAE.
From the airport, it’s easy to reach Negombo and Colombo – both are around 30 minutes away. You can book a transfer here.
Alternatively, you could head to Galle, Sigiriya or the south coast straight from the airport.
Getting around
Once you’re in the country, trains are cheap and generally quite reliable. The Kandy-Ella route is by far the most famous, but the railways crisscross the entire nation.
Buses are affordable, but can be less reliable. Local buses are decked out with illustrations and music and are great fun!
In the cities, there are TukTuks – you can hail one off the street or use the PickMe app. Uber is also operational in some cities.
Another option is to hire a car and driver. If your budget allows, this a win, win, win: you’ll have private transport, hire a local and likely be able to learn about the country’s culture in a more dynamic way! Contact Blue Lanta, Sri Lanka’s number one tour operator, to discuss this.
