Sri Lanka Tourism

Enjoy the picturesque beauty of this wonderful land

Quick Information

See Map
Best time to visit
Feb - Apr
Ideal Duration
7 - 8 Days
Visa
On Arrival
Starting from
Rs. 1,980
  • Wildlife
  • Nature
  • Sightseeing

Sri Lanka Tourism: The Jewel of The Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka is a popular tourist destination, renowned for its diverse attractions, including wildlife reserves, beaches, ancient sites, and cultural cities and villages.

Golden beaches borders the coastline, while inland, lush hills rise gently, with cascading waterfalls and misty forests. Tourism in Sri Lanka has become a favourite destination for travellers seeking diversity without long distances. Whether it’s wildlife safaris, surfing on the coast, exploring UNESCO-listed ruins, or sipping tea in the hills, every journey here promises discovery. 

Tourism in Sri Lanka caters to all types of travellers. There’s something magical about watching the sunrise over the Sigiriya Rock Fortress or taking a slow train ride through the lush tea plantations of Ella. Spiritual seekers find peace in the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, where sacred Bodhi trees and stone stupas reflect centuries of devotion. Meanwhile, adventurers flock to places like Arugam Bay for surfing, Horton Plains for treks, and Yala National Park for leopard sightings. 

Sri Lanka Tourism: A Quick Overview

Capital

Colombo 

Currency

Sri Lankan Rupee

Official Language

Sinhala

Tourist Atrractions

Arugam Bay Beach, Unawatuna Beach, Hikkaduwa Beach, Yala National Park, Sigiriya

Things to do

Wildlife Safari, experience stunning scenery, relax on the beaches, Tuk Tuk rides, Snorkeling and diving

Ideal Trip Duration

10-14 days

Best time to visit

December to April

Key Tourist Attractions

Sigiriya: This ancient rock fortress, with its royal palace ruins and giant lion’s paws, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a bucket-list stop.

Kandy: Home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth, Kandy sits beside a peaceful lake and acts as a cultural and spiritual hub.

Nuwara Eliya: Nicknamed "Little England", this colonial-era town is surrounded by tea estates and misty hills—perfect for slow mornings and scenic views.

Ella: A popular tourist spot famous  for its easy hikes, relaxed vibe, and the iconic train ride from Kandy through rolling green tea fields.

Galle: A charming coastal town with Dutch-era architecture, cobbled streets, art cafés, and sea views from the Galle Fort walls.

Yala National Park: Sri Lanka’s most famous wildlife reserve—best known for its leopard population, elephants, and diverse birdlife.

Mirissa & Unawatuna: Laid-back beach towns ideal for whale watching, surfing, or just relaxing with a coconut in hand.

Captivating Activities in Sri Lanka

Top activities in Sri Lanka offer a blend of nature, culture, and adventure. Every region offers something unique, making each day in Sri Lanka a new experience. Here are the best activities to indulge in this place. 

Climb the majestic Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Ride the scenic train from Kandy to Ella, and go on a wildlife safari in Yala or Udawalawe. 

Surf at Arugam Bay.

Unwind on Mirissa's beaches, or go whale watching. 

Visit sacred sites like the Temple of the Tooth, explore colonial Galle Fort, or trek in the Horton Plains. 

Tea lovers can tour estates in Nuwara Eliya, while thrill-seekers enjoy white-water rafting in Kitulgala. 

How to Reach And Travel Within

Sri Lanka’s main international airport is Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), located near Colombo. Direct flights connect to major cities in India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. ?

Getting around is easy as multiple modes of transport are available: 

Trains: Scenic and affordable, especially the Kandy–Ella route.

Buses: Widely available, though sometimes crowded.

Private taxis or tuk-tuks: Ideal for comfort and flexibility.

Self-drive rentals are available, but road conditions and local driving style may be challenging for first-timers.

Sea: reach Sri lanka by sea from Mumbai and book in advance as there are less ships that runs between this route. Check the route before booking. 

Best time to visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a year-round destination, and the best time to visit depends on the type of experience tourists are looking for. December to April is ideal for the west and south coast with dry weather and pleasant temperatures. However, May to September is best for East Coast exploration. For more details, have a look at the table below. 

Month

Temperature

What to Expect

Highlights

December to April

25-27 °C

Dry season with pleasant temperature

Sightseeing and strolling on the beaches

May-July

29-30°C

Unpredictable rainfall with moderate weather

Shopping and Sightseeing

August-November

27°C to 30°C

Heavy rainfall and the Climate are warm due to the ocean winds

Huge discounts on hotels

Where to Stay in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka offers a diverse range of stays, from budget guesthouses and beachfront hostels to eco-resorts and boutique hotels.. Popular areas to stay include Colombo for city exploration, Kandy for its cultural sites and tea plantations, Negombo for beaches, and Ella for scenic mountain views. For beach lovers, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Mirissa, and Tangalle are great options. 

Some of the famous stay options include Galle Face Hotel, Theva Residency, Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya, Araliya Beach Resort & Spa, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, Nine Arch View Guesthouse, Hotel Sigiriya, etc. The average cost of the stay ranges between INR 500 to INR 10,000 onwards, depending on the type of accommodation. 

Food and Cuisine

Sri Lankan cuisine is a flavourful mix of spices, coconut, and rice. Highlights include:

Rice and curry

Hoppers (fermented rice crepes)

Kottu roti (chopped flatbread stir-fried with vegetables and meat)

Seafood curries on the coast

Vegetarian options are widely available. Street food is popular and delicious.

Culture and Festivals

Sri Lanka’s culture offers a vibrant blend of Buddhist, Hindu, and colonial influences. Festivals enlighten the street with colour, dance, and rituals.

Key festivals include:

Esala Perahera (Kandy): A grand procession with dancers, drummers, and decorated elephants.

Vesak: Celebrated in May, marking Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death with lanterns and religious activities.

Tamil Thai Pongal: A harvest festival in January, celebrated with traditional sweets and family gatherings.

Visitors are warmly welcomed, and wearing modest dress is appreciated in religious sites.

Shopping in Sri Lanka

For those who enjoy collecting local treasures, Sri Lanka offers a wide variety of items to shop. Some of the must-buy items are as below:

Handwoven batik fabrics

Ceylon tea

Ayurvedic products

Gems and moonstones

Wood carvings and brassware

The Top Markets, including Colombo, Galle, and Kandy, are best for souvenirs like textiles, handicrafts, jewelry wooden carvings, batik, and Sri Lankan antiques.

Essential Points to Know Before Travelling to Sri Lanka

Most shops are open from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, so plan your visit accordingly.

Many museums are closed on Friday, while temples are open between 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

On the Buddhist full moon, which comes every month, most shops and businesses are closed, and the sale of alcohol and meat is prohibited.

Photography is restricted inside the museums and temples.

Check the weather before visiting Sri Lanka. 

Respect local customs, especially in temples, like taking off shoes, and wearing modest clothing. 

ATMs and UPI-style payments are widely available in urban areas; carry cash for use in remote towns.

English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

Why Sri Lanka Stays with Every Traveller

Sri Lanka tourism offers more than just a tropical escape. It's a soulful mix of history, hospitality, and natural wonder. With short distances and deep experiences, tourism in Sri Lanka ensures that every sunrise by the beach, every mountain trail, and every temple bell lingers long after the journey ends.

Whether it's a spiritual retreat, a romantic getaway, a cultural deep-dive, or a family holiday, Sri Lanka welcomes each journey with open arms and endless stories.

Cities in Sri Lanka

Places To Visit In Sri Lanka

Let the experts guide you to the best of this mesmerizing destination

View All

Things To Do In Sri Lanka

Your list of the best things to do, compiled on the basis of actual traveler experiences

View All

How to Reach Sri Lanka

Read about the best & quickest routes to save time & money, as suggested by our travelers

By Air

By Train

By Road

Popular Packages

Unlimited choices. Trusted agents. Best prices. Happy memories.

View All

Fastest Growing Holiday Marketplace

650+

Verified Agents

22 Lac+

Happy Travellers

65+

Destinations

Easy, Secure & Reliable

Traveltriangle

Verified

Stringent

Quality Control

24/7

Support

Sri Lanka Packages Reviews

Read on to find out why our customers love us!

Deepak's 5 days trip to Sri Lanka

Very good experience with booking and Tour operator. Guide DJ was also very Good.

Deepak Khandelwal New delhi

Bhavana's 6 days trip to Sri Lanka

Travco was good, but there was no point of paying 25k to travel triangle because neither ayush nor any of their teams helped us understand the visa process. We did it on our own. Travel triangle is a simple gateway, we understood but response and connection with customers has reduced and it is a point of concern. Cinnamon bey beruwala waves

Bhavana Chandramani Dhoudiyal Delhi

Aggarwal's 6 days trip to Sri Lanka

It was a wonderfully managed trip, although tiring, but we had our moments, which will be with us for long...thanks

Aggarwal Ankit New delhi

Rishika's 7 days trip to Sri Lanka

Great job done by Steeple Tours for our Sri Lanka itinerary. The trip was completely customized and as per our convenience. The guide was great and kept us informed. We had a lovely vacation.

Rishika Sood Pune

Padhu's 7 days trip to Sri Lanka

Hi, We sincerely appreciate the wonderful arrangements your team made for our recent trip to Sri Lanka. Overall, it was a memorable experience, and we’re grateful for your efforts in showcasing this beautiful country—clean, green, and filled with warm, responsible people. The emphasis on road safety and the peaceful atmosphere added to our enjoyment. Highlights: The itinerary was well-curated, and most accommodations/transfers were seamless. Your team’s hospitality and attention to detail in key locations were exceptional. Constructive Feedback for Improvement: Hotel Concerns (3rd Stay): The remote location and lack of basic amenities at the third hotel made our family uncomfortable, especially as we were the only guests. A refund for this stay would be greatly appreciated. Transparency in Costs: Entry fees at temples/private attractions were unexpected. Clarifying these in advance or including them in the package would help future travelers. Similarly, sharing day-wise programs with detailed cost breakdowns (e.g., train tickets) would improve planning. Itinerary Communication: Providing a more detailed schedule (e.g., attraction entry times, fee lists) would enhance the experience. Request: Given the issues with the third hotel and unused train tickets, we kindly ask for a refund or credit for these. This would reflect your commitment to customer satisfaction. Also as agreed by your team return off $80 towards train arrangement which was cancelled due to local strike. Please note we lost $200 during the trip which was unexpected. Thank you again for the beautiful moments and your responsiveness throughout. We’d love to recommend your services with these refinements in place. Special thanks to Madhu who supported us through the tour Thanks to Aruna for safe driving Best regards, Padmanabhan

Padhu Amar Chennai

Ashish's 8 days trip to Sri Lanka

Had a great experience touring Sri Lanka thanks to Madhu for managing this well. And Roshan for driving us around. There were some confusion about the final payment in cash vs. online hope they would have communicated well on this. Roshan managed our expectations well and ensured our needs are taken care.

Ashish Kumar Surat

Suresh's 7 days trip to Sri Lanka

I am from India tour to Srilanka CNB is the Superb Travel agent, they provided excellent hotels in beautiful locations, very good food and good Driver. Excellent cooperation. Thanks to Travel Triangle. Srilanka trip was Ramayana Circuit and Honeymoon trip.

Suresh Alicatta Hyderabad

Nayanamallesh's 7 days trip to Sri Lanka

Our itinerary was perfectly customized to our preferences, thanks to Mr. Suna who was always prompt, polite, and helpful in addressing all our queries. The hotels were clean and spacious, except for one in Bentota, which was a bit dirty and noisy. The highlight of our trip was our chauffeur, Mr. Sumith. As a group of three girls, we felt completely safe and comfortable throughout the 7-day journey. He wasn’t just a driver—he became a friend and guide, always ready to solve any problem and suggest the best places to visit (or skip). His kindness and friendly nature truly made our trip special. We left Sri Lanka with beautiful memories and heavy hearts—the hardest goodbye was definitely to Mr. Sumith. This trip was an unforgettable experience, and we’re so grateful for the amazing hospitality.

Nayanamallesh Bangalore

Holsrio's 4 days trip to Sri Lanka

Suna was very good and he answered all our questions with patience and even went out of the way to customize the package as per our requirements. Alika was also a very good driver and the vehicle was also very clean. The Ocean hotel in cmb was very good. Disappointed with the villa in Mirissa .Not upto the mark.. only pool and breakfast was good . Overall a very good trip made memorable by Suna and Akila. Best place was secret beach in Mirissa

Holsrio Mumbai

Vanitha's 8 days trip to Sri Lanka

I recommend Travel Triangle for planning your trips. We recently travelled to Srilanka as family of 3 with a 2 years old toddler. TT assigned various local travel agents and I picked CNB Travel agency as they are good in listening my needs and customisation as per my need. Overall it was a comfortable and relaxing trip.

Vanitha Kb Bengaluru

Tourist cities in Sri Lanka

Best Time to Visit Cities of Sri Lanka

Top Honeymoon Destinations In India

Top International Honeymoon Destinations

Want best packages handpicked just for you?

Fill the form and get a callback from our holiday experts

FAQ's of Sri Lanka

Read on to find out why our customers love us!

SriLanka is visa-free for Indians, but they need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. It’s easy to apply online and is usually approved within 24–48 hours. Short-term tourist visas are typically valid for 30 days.

The currency used in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). However, currency exchange is available at the airport, hotels, and authorised money changers. ATMs and card payments are widely accessible in cities and tourist towns.

Yes, internet and mobile coverage is good in most areas, including tourist destinations. Affordable SIM cards with data plans are available at the airport and local shops from providers like Dialog Axiata and Mobitel. Coverage may be weak in remote areas or national parks.

Yes, Sri Lanka is considered to be a budget-friendly destination for every traveller. With affordable accommodation, transportation, and food options, it's possible to enjoy a memorable trip to Sri Lanka without breaking the bank.

 

Yes, Sri Lanka is generally safe for solo travel. Locals are friendly and helpful. It’s advised to dress modestly, especially in rural or religious areas, and avoid isolated beaches or streets late at night.

Tourism in Sri Lanka

Rated 4.33/5 ( based on 3265 reviews )

  • Popular Travel Searches