Sri Lanka Travel Guide

planning a trip to

Sri Lanka

Here is what you need to know: Sri Lanka Travel Guide

Sri Lanka is an amazing destination and one of the best places to visit in Asia. People are friendly, the weather is hot, you can discover beaches and jungles as well as historical sites.

In 2024 we spent more than 2 weeks travelling around Sri Lanka and we loved it. Plus, it is super affordable making it even easier to travel around.

So, here is our Sri Lanka Travel Guide.

About

Sri Lanka, historically known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian peninsula by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. It shares a maritime border with the Maldives in the southwest and India in the northwest.

Sri Lanka has a population of approximately 22 million and is home to many cultures, languages and ethnicities. The Sinhalese people form the majority of the population, followed by the Sri Lankan Tamils, who are the largest minority group and are concentrated in northern Sri Lanka; both groups have played an influential role in the island’s history. Other long-established groups include the Moors, Indian Tamils, Burghers, Malays, Chinese, and Vedda.

The lion and the maroon background represent the Sinhalese, while the saffron border and four bo leaves represent the concepts of meththa, karuṇā, muditā and upecka respectively. The stripes represent the country’s two largest ethnicities, with the orange representing the Tamils inhabitants—namely the Sri Lankan Tamils and the Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka—and the teal stripe representing the Sri Lankan Moors (Muslims of Sri Lanka). The golden yellow border is a catch-all representing the various minority communities of the country.

Tea is a major business. Brought from China in 1824 by the British, an Sri Lanka is now a leading tea producer and exporter, with over 1 million of its 22 million people working in the tea industry. The country produces tea throughout the year and the total tea production is about 340 million kilograms per annum. Sri Lanka’s tea-growing areas are mainly concentrated in the central highlands and southern inland areas of the island.

Perched in the picturesque area of the southern Hill Country, this holy peak has been a mecca for people of various beliefs in Sri Lanka for over a thousand years. In Buddhism, the peak is known as Sri Pada, meaning sacred footprint, and is believed to have been left by the Buddha when he was going to paradise. For Hindus, it is Lord Shiva’s footprint. When asking Christians and Muslims, they would say it is the footprint of Adam as he was banished from the Garden of Eden.

It is the first country in the world to have a female prime minister. In July 1960, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, won the victory in the general election and became the first woman prime minister in the world. She served the country for three terms before she resigned in August 2000 because of failing health. At the age of 84, Sirimavo Bandaranaike died of a heart attack in the same year after her vote in the parliamentary elections.

What to expect?

Language: The main languages spoken in Sri Lanka are Tamil and Sinhala.. Everyone there spoke great English, so English is enough to get you around and even have real conversation there.

Food: Sri Lankan cuisine is known for its particular combinations of herbs, spices, fish, vegetables, rices, and fruits. The cuisine is highly centered around many varieties of rice, as well as coconut which is a ubiquitous plant throughout the country. There are great vegetarian options there. But be careful as it can be spicy

Transportation: The best way to move around Sri Lanka is by hiring a driver or if you have time, there are lots of buses.

Money: The currency in Sri Lana is the Sri Lankan Rupee. Rates changes, but at the time we were there 1€ was worth 309 Rupees. Not lots of place accept credit card. There are ATMs but only the main bank offers acceptable rates.

Plugs: The plugs in Sri Lanka are type D. The standard voltage is 220V with a frequency of 50hz. So, you will need an power adaptater.

Safety: Sri Lanka is a pretty safe country for all type of travelers. he worst-case scenario that could occur in these resorts is petty theft from hotel rooms or the beach—but that’s the kind of thing that may happen anywhere you go.