Travel guide to Sri Lanka, the special island of Asia + attractions

Sri Lanka is an island in the south of India and a tropical paradise that Marco Polo declared as the most beautiful island in the world. Of course, this issue is not far from expected with special and spectacular beaches, rare animal species, pristine and beautiful nature, good weather and warm-hearted people. Although the name of this beautiful country is unfamiliar to many travelers, it is enough to travel to this island once by buying a Sri Lanka tour to become your favorite Asian travel destination. In order to experience a memorable trip to this spectacular island and enjoy its beauty to the fullest, you need a travel guide to Sri Lanka to provide you with the necessary information for the trip. Therefore, if you are planning to travel to Sri Lanka, we recommend that you read this article Flytoday tourism magazine Read to the end.

Getting to know Sri Lanka Where is Sri Lanka?

where is sri lanka This is the first question that triggers inquisitive minds, you might think that Sri Lanka is a European country, especially if you have seen its pictures. But it is not like this! This country is an island with a tropical climate located in South Asia and South India in the Indian Ocean, and of course it is considered a part of the Indian subcontinent.

To know the geographical location of this country, Open the Google map and look for an island in the shape of a teardrop in the Indian Ocean! Yes, Sri Lanka is here. Where the artistic combination of nature with the special architecture of temples have made unique subjects for photography.

But the work does not end only with photography, watching the sunrise and sunset on the unique beaches of Sri Lanka or experiencing jet skiing, boating and surfing in the clear waters of this island will be a unique experience for you. In addition, the culture and hospitality of the people of this country will surprise you. You might think that hospitality is the only characteristic of Iranians, but it is not so! Hospitality, warmth, friendly and warm smiles, are inseparable members of Sri Lankan people. Sri Lanka is undoubtedly one of the The best foreign destinations for winter travel Is.

Geographical location of Sri Lanka on Google map:

Essential information in travel guide to Sri Lanka

The items presented below are the most essential information that you should familiarize yourself with in the travel guide to Sri Lanka:

History of Sri Lanka The shining island of Asia

Sri Lanka means shining island in Sanskrit. But when Iranian merchants reached this island for the first time, and named it Sarandip! You must be familiar with the word Serendipity, yes, this word is taken from the Persian word Serendip, which means blessing and good luck. A land that welcomes lucky people due to nature, culture and history, beauty and good weather.

It is interesting to know that the history of this island goes back to about 3 thousand years ago, the time of the birth of Buddhism. This is the reason why many Buddhist temples have been built on this island. Of course, at present, the religion of more than 70% of the people of this country is Buddhism.

Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon until 1972, but was later renamed as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Due to its special location and resources, this country was under the rule of the Netherlands, Portugal and England for many years and finally gained independence in 1948.

Sri Lanka tourist visa guide

If you are planning to travel to this beautiful tropical island, the first question you will probably have is whether you need a visa to travel to Sri Lanka. Fortunately, you do not need to go to the embassy of this country to get a Sri Lankan visa, because it is possible to issue a visa online or even at the airport. With a Sri Lanka tourist visa, you will be allowed to stay in this country for up to 30 days. Of course, the airport visa has a long delay and it is suggested to use an electronic visa. To get this visa, you must bring the following documents:

• Identification documents
• Form completed online
• Passport valid for at least six months
• Return ticket from Sri Lanka and hotel reservation documents
• At least two photos

How to go to Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka has 2 international airports, one of which is located in Colombo. But currently there are no direct flights between Iran and this country. Each flight will have at least one stop and the flights are connecting.

The duration of the flight from Iran to Sri Lanka depends on the amount of stops and the air route, but on average it takes about 6-7 hours. Flight price from Tehran to Sri Lanka And in general, the flights of this country vary in different time periods.

Climate of Sri Lanka

The most important thing about traveling to Sri Lanka is its different weather. Every part of this island experiences different weather during a month. The reason is the effect of 2 different weather seasons; In addition to that, altitude changes are another reason for the difference in climate in Sri Lanka. That’s why talking about the best time to travel to this island completely depends on which city and region of Sri Lanka you have chosen to travel!

The best time to travel to Sri Lanka

If you travel to Galle in the south, Chilaw in the west and Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka in the southwest, you need to keep in mind that these areas have a lot of rain in the months of April to September (April to September), but from October to Later (October) the weather will be more favorable for tourists. If you plan to travel to this part of the island, October to March is the best time. In March, the sea is calm and everything is ready for sea fun, swimming and watching sea creatures.

Due to its geographical location and altitude, the central hills of Sri Lanka are cooler than other parts of the island throughout the year. So that when the average temperature of the island reaches 28 degrees, this part experiences a climate with 15 degrees Celsius. This part of the island spends the least rainfall and the sunniest days of the year from December to March, so it will be more suitable for travel.

to travel to the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka in the months of August and September (August and September) have a favorable weather for travel, although it is still possible that heavy but short rains will surprise you during these days.

The state of public transportation Getting around in Sri Lanka

Planes, trains, buses, rickshaws, cars and bicycles are common methods for Shipping in Sri Lanka are, but it depends on where your final destination is and how far you have! To move between different cities in Sri Lanka, you can use a plane, watching the endless beauty of the island from that height is more spectacular than you can imagine, although this way will cost you a little expensive and it is recommended for those who are looking for budget travel. are, we do not suggest.

Traveling by train is the best suggestion for moving between cities in Sri Lanka. Especially if your route is between Colombo and Kandy, you will look at the windows of the train all the way. Sri Lankan trains have large windows that give you a 360-degree view of the forests and green tea fields.

Rickshaws, the popular Indian tricycles that can be found on the streets of Sri Lanka, are another option for transportation that will make your trip cheaper. If you want to use a car, there are many intercity taxis, but keep in mind that taxi fares are calculated per kilometer and are not very affordable. You can also use a bicycle for short distances, so that you can reach your destination and enjoy cycling on the beautiful route.

Travel expenses to Sri Lanka

The cost of traveling to Sri Lanka It includes various items and depends largely on your travel style. If you are into budget travel or backpacking, you have less expenses, but you definitely have a lot of expenses to book a luxury hotel. But in general, the costs of traveling to Sri Lanka include the following:

• Cost Buying plane tickets Round trip to Sri Lanka
• Cost of hotel reservation in Sri Lanka
• City transfer fee (bus fare, taxi, rickshaw, etc.).
• The cost of buying food and drinks
• The cost of visiting Sri Lankan tourist attractions
• The cost of buying souvenirs or personal purchases, etc.

Know the touristic and important cities of Sri Lanka

Definitely, if you have the opportunity to travel and visit this island only once, you would prefer to visit its best cities and attractions. Sri Lanka has many cities, but some of them are more touristy and because of having the largest number of tourist attractions, they welcome many travelers at different times of the year. Next, get to know the tourist cities of this island.

Colombo | The capital of Sri Lanka

Colombo It is the largest city and of course the capital of Sri Lanka. The variety of tourist attractions in this city is high, from museums and historical monuments to nature and green spaces. If you are interested in turtles, Colombo is your dream city. In addition to all this, the city of Colombo also hosts many concerts and theaters that are attractive to tourists.

Gall | The city of temples in Sri Lanka

Galle is known as the city of temples, a city that is also the fifth largest city in this country. In addition to historical attractions, the city of Gall has very beautiful nature and pristine beaches. Sinigama Temple is one of the most famous attractions in Galle, Sri Lanka, where locals believe that praying there will bring good luck.

Sigiriya | The famous ancient rock of Sri Lanka

Sigiriya is not a city, but it is considered one of the most important tourist areas of Sri Lanka, which is also registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sigiriya is actually an ancient fortress that is located on top of a large rock and is surrounded by lush forests. There are many recreational and comfort facilities in this area and you can choose one of the wooden huts for your stay.

slow | From the tourist cities of Sri Lanka

Spectacular museums, beautiful waterfalls, beautiful urban landscapes, royal gardens, wildlife, hiking in good weather are all the attractions of Kandy in Sri Lanka. The most important attraction in this city is It is a temple where Buddha’s tooth is kept!

Sights of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has many attractions and you will need more than 10 days to see them all. But some of these attractions have a higher reputation or the fact that some of them are close to each other has added to its charms. The wildlife of Sri Lanka and the life of different animal species are among the most important attractions of this island, for this reason, we suggest that you visit the Kusgoda Turtle Breeding Center during your trip to Sri Lanka. This center is one of the most important centers for maintaining special turtle species and preventing their extinction.

Cinnamon Island One of the largest cinnamon production farms

Cinnamon Island, also known as Cinnamon Island, is one of the most important tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. This island has one of the most important and largest cinnamon plantations and orchards. This island is a good place to buy souvenirs, especially for cooks.

Kalanya Raja Maha Vihara Temple | One of the important Buddhist temples of Sri Lanka

This temple is one of the most sacred Buddhist temples located seven kilometers from Colombo. This temple is more than 2 thousand years old and there are many statues and paintings of Buddha in this temple.

Bagh Brief | A nature walker’s paradise

If you are into nature tourism, visiting Brief Garden will definitely be attractive to you during your trip to Sri Lanka. This 20-hectare garden was opened in 1970 and contains more than 106 different types of trees.

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa The commercial and religious center of Sri Lanka

Until about 800 years ago, this city was considered the commercial and religious center of Sri Lanka and it was the capital of this country for about 3 centuries. For this reason, it contains many temples and historical monuments and has been registered as one of the world heritage sites in the UNESCO list.

Mount Lavinia Beach Watch the sunrise and sunset in Sri Lanka

When you are on an island like Sri Lanka, like it or not, some of the most important attractions are located near the beaches. Watching the sun rise and set on the shores of the Indian Ocean has a different vibe, with warm winds caressing your soul. But the places to visit in Sri Lanka are not limited to these and you should include the following in your list.

• Sigiriya Castle
• Pradenya Royal Botanical Garden
• Dehiwala Zoo (National Zoological Park of Sri Lanka)
• Temple of the Holy Tooth
• Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple
• Tangale beach
• Bentona market
• Adam’s Peak (Sripada) and…

Sri Lanka shopping centers and souvenir shopping

Shopping is an integral part of travel. Whether shopping for yourself or buying souvenirs for your loved ones, you cannot return from a trip empty-handed! In any case, it is impossible to go to a foreign destination and not look for its shopping centers. While traveling to this beautiful island, you may ask yourself that What are the souvenirs of Sri Lanka? The answer to this question is long-headed, go to any shopping center in Sri Lanka, you will find an attractive souvenir that is specific to this country.

Traditional clothes, colorful sarees, jewels and precious stones, handwoven fabrics, wooden handicrafts, raksha masks, tea and spices are among the most important souvenirs of Sri Lanka.. We suggest that you bring the good taste of Indian and Sri Lankan food to your homes by buying all kinds of spices during your trip to Sri Lanka.

The most important shopping centers in Sri Lanka are:

• Majestic City Mall
• Independence Square Arcade Shopping Center
• Bentona market etc.

What are Sri Lanka’s attractions?

The beaches of Sri Lanka are an important part of the recreation of this beautiful island. Beach sports, walking along the beach and watching pristine nature, water sports such as jet skiing, boating, and surfing are among the most important entertainments of this island. Mountaineering and cycling in the very different nature of Sri Lanka will leave you with a different trip.

What food should we eat in Sri Lanka?

choose from Sri Lankan cuisine It’s a hard job, especially if you’re a glutton! The variety of food on this island is very high, and without exaggeration, you will always miss one of the dishes you have not tasted. There are 15 different types of rice in Sri Lanka, and that’s why one of the famous dishes of this country is rice and spices!

But other than that, you can try all kinds of delicious seafood on this island, dishes with fresh ingredients and special spices and of course spicy! Sri Lankan food is even spicier than Indian food. Therefore, if you are not good with medium spiciness, be sure to go for low-pepper dishes. Another point is that many people on this island are Muslim, so you will not have a problem finding halal food.

It is interesting to know that restaurants and cafes in different cities of Sri Lanka (except the capital) are known with the Hotel sign and tourists may mistake it for a hotel. But in general, there are more special centers and restaurants in the capital, and in other cities, you either have to buy food from cheap street centers or cook yourself. Of course, hotels and accommodation centers also provide high-quality food to travelers.

When traveling to Sri Lanka, be sure to try the popular drinks of this island. Don’t forget to drink coconut water and of course tea (there are different types). The drinking water of this island is prepared from high springs and is sold as mineral water in stores, don’t forget that the municipal water pipes in this island are not drinking.

Hotel reservation in Sri Lanka

To stay in Sri Lanka, the cheapest option is to book an inn. Finding these economic inns is not a difficult task, as soon as you arrive at the airport, people who rent inns will come to you, just like in the tourist cities of Iran! The quality of services of these inns are different, and in the same way, they have different prices.

But if the price is not important to you and you prefer high quality, go for it hotel reservation Go in Sri Lanka. There are many luxury and modern hotels or old hotels on this island, beach hotels provide many recreational facilities to travelers that you can choose according to your preferences. It is interesting to know that on this island, it is also possible to camp in national parks, of course, if you plan to camp, don’t forget the mosquito net.

Sri Lanka is a lucky land!

In Sri Lanka, a complete and unrepeatable collection of beauties awaits you, and the memory of traveling to it will remain in your mind for a long time. Sri Lanka is known as a land called Serendip, which means auspiciousness, and it is a place where nature, people and history have joined hands to make this island a unique tourist destination with unrepeatable beauty. In this article, we have provided you with a complete travel guide to Sri Lanka and told you how you can experience a perfect trip to this country.

In your opinion, which is the most beautiful and attractive tourist destination in Asia? If you are going to travel to Sri Lanka, which of its attractions would you prefer to visit?

Frequently asked questions about traveling to Sri Lanka