The small island of Sri Lanka is house to golden seashores, misty mountains and heat smiles. If that wasn’t sufficient to persuade you try this listing of the perfect causes to go to Sri Lanka this 12 months.
Disclaimer: My journey to Sri Lanka was supported by the Nationwide vacationer board. As at all times, all phrases and opinions are my very own. This text could include affiliate hyperlinks. If you buy by means of these hyperlinks, I’ll earn a small fee at no extra value to your self. This helps in direction of the maintenance of this web site for which I’m grateful.
Is Sri Lanka Open To Tourism?
Sure it’s open to completely vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.
I visited from the UK in February 2022, and spent 12 days travelling across the nation. Nothing was closed or restricted, however we did put on masks in crowded areas. Apart from that if felt as very similar to a pre-pandemic vacation as doable, making it an awesome concept for 2022.
Absolutely Vaccinated Passengers – What Will You Want?
—Appropriate as of April 2022—
From February 27 2022, you not want a pre-departure PCR or antigen check to enter the nation.
Nevertheless all guests want to use for an Digital Journey Authorisation (ETA) on-line.
Additionally, you will have to buy COVID-19 journey insurance coverage and fill in a well being declaration type.
Unvaccinated Passengers – What Will You Want?
–Appropriate as of April 2022—
You could keep in a Tourism Bio Bubble for a period of seven nights/8 days. You should have all services of the resorts made out there to you and may have the power to go to permitted vacationer websites.
11 Greatest Causes to Go to Sri Lanka
1. You Can Go to All 12 months Spherical
The ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ has a mean 12 months spherical temperature of 25-30°C within the coastal areas and 15-18°C within the highlands.
Regardless of the small dimension of the island, Sri Lanka experiences two monsoon seasons.
Nevertheless they have an effect on totally different sides of the nation at totally different instances, so it’s doable to go to all 12 months and nonetheless expertise good climate.
The southwest monsoon is often between Might and July, and the dry season for this area of the nation is December to March.
The northeast monsoon is between October and January, and the dry season is between Might and September.
This implies the peak season for Sri Lanka runs from December to mid-April, however do contemplate the shoulder seasons for those who choose to journey when it’s much less crowded and higher worth for cash.
2. Unimaginable Meals
It doesn’t matter what your meals preferences are, you’ll be capable of discover one thing to swimsuit you.
From aromatic healthful curries, contemporary seafood and distinctive road meals, they’re loads of choices in Sri Lanka to suit any palette and funds.
A few of my favourites embrace kottu (a diced roti dish served with greens, eggs, lamb or hen) and the well-known egg hoppers that are excellent for breakfast (or dinner to be sincere).
3. Plentiful Wildlife
Sri Lanka is taken into account one of many high biodiversity hotspots on this planet.
There are 26 Nationwide Parks and two marine parks, that are house to leopards, elephants, bears, deer, monkeys, mongoose, wild boar, water buffalo, peacocks and plenty of different lovely species.
Asian Elephants
Sri Lanka is likely one of the finest locations to see Asian elephants within the wild, go to Hurulu Eco Park (December to March), Minneriya Nationwide Park (Might to September) or Kaudulla Nationwide Park (October to November).
Leopard
There are nonetheless 800 leopards present in Sri Lanka, your finest guess is Yala Nationwide Park between March and October.
Whales and Dolphins
Between November and April, you possibly can spot the world’s largest mammal, the blue whale off the coast of Mirissa (we had been fortunate to see a child one and dozens of spinner dolphins on our half day whale watching tour in February).
Turtles
5 totally different species of turtles (inexperienced, hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback and olive ridley) stay within the waters round Sri Lanka, they usually come ashore to put their eggs.
From January to March you possibly can go to Kosgoda to see tons of of newly-hatched sea turtles scurrying throughout the white sand seashores in direction of their new lives within the Indian Ocean.
Monkeys
You don’t want to go to a Nationwide Park to see wildlife, there are numerous monkeys that reside on the well-known UNESCO World Heritage website of Sigiriya also referred to as The Lion Rock.
4. Golden Seashores
Sri Lanka has a few of the most pristine shoreline in Asia.
Whether or not you’re looking for solitude, nightlife, browsing or snorkelling, Sri Lanka has all of it.
The west and south coasts are the place the perfect seashores in Sri Lanka are situated.
Head to Mirissa for those who’d like to take in the solar in peace, go to Weligama if you wish to go online, or for the extra adventurous, Bentota has loads of journey actions comparable to paramotoring, kitesurfing and even a river boat safari.
5. Lots Of Issues To Do
Whether or not you simply wish to chill or would love an journey in Sri Lanka, there are loads of issues to do to swimsuit any kind of traveler, together with browsing, scorching air ballooning, mountaineering, wildlife watching, snorkeling, temples, scuba-diving, epic prepare rides, and seashores.
6. Tea Plantations
Sri Lanka is the world’s fourth largest producer of tea, so you possibly can’t discover the nation with out visiting a tea plantation!
Head to the scenic mountains of Nuwara Eliya, and go to one of many tea factories for a tea plucking tour.
7. Tradition
Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle is a trove of historic cities, relics and non secular monuments showcasing early Sri Lankan civilisation.
The triangle consists of the realm between three cities – Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
Probably the most visited attraction within the Golden Triangle is Sigiriya, an historic rock fortress and important historic website.
Guests can discover the ruins of the King’s palace, they’ll wander by means of the encircling gardens and climb the 1,200 steps to the summit of the rock.
Different common cultural spots within the Golden Triangle embrace:
- The cave temples of Dambulla, which is the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka
- The historic metropolis of Anuradhapura
- The Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy
8. Wonderful Vary of Lodging
Sri Lanka has one thing to suit each funds, from hostels to five star resort resorts and the whole lot in between, from glamping tents to distinctive treehouses.
On our tour of the island we stayed at a number of totally different resorts, however my favourites need to be:
9. Straightforward To Escape The Crowds
Sri Lanka has been an up and coming journey vacation spot for awhile and was even named Lonely Planets #1 Nation to Go to in 2019.
As reputation grows the crowds additionally comply with, however in todays local weather increasingly travellers choose heading off the overwhelmed observe to much less visited locations or elements of the nation which might be thought of hidden gems.
Sri Lanka has a number of undiscovered spots, together with the beautiful Knuckles Mountains that are excellent for mountaineering and glamping and had been the spotlight of my latest journey!
10. Small However Numerous
Sri Lanka is simply over 1 / 4 of the dimensions of the UK, that means you possibly can go to many of the island in solely 10 days.
The cultural triangle is only some hours away from the luxurious tropical rainforests, the mountainous highlands and miles of pristine seashores, that means you possibly can see and do quite a bit in a comparatively quick journey to this island.
11. Proximity to the Maldives
For some cause (I clearly want to enhance my map abilities), I didn’t realise till I used to be already in Sri Lanka, that the Maldives are solely a 2 hour flight away!
I met a number of travellers who had mixed the cultural highlights of Sri Lanka with the barefoot luxurious of the Maldives.
Planning a Journey to Sri Lanka?
Listed below are some associated posts that may allow you to plan your journey: