Weather in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate and he best time to visit depends on the areas you want to explore.
South and West Area:
The best season to visit the west, south and Hill Country is during winter, from December to March. This is consequently the most touristic season in Sri Lanka.
The southwest monsoon goes from May to September in these areas. During this period, a lot of rain is expected and the sea is rough. You can still come in summer (July-August) to visit southwestern Sri Lanka, since the weather starts getting better, but the odds for rainy days will be higher than in winter and the sea a little rough.
There are two intermonsoon seasons when thunderstorms can occur in the afternoon or evening:
– March to April
– October to November
North and East Area:
The best season to visit the northern and eastern parts of the country is from May to September. If you want to relax at the beach in summer, choose the eastern beaches.
The northeast monsoon goes from November to January in these areas. During this period, it can get extremely rainy on the east coast. The ancient cities can still be visited, since the weather tends to be more mixed in this area
Go for the Esala Perahera in Kandy, or celebrate the Sri Lankan New Year! Find a list of Sri Lanka’s main events and plan your holiday accordingly.
Perahera = Procession
Poya/Poya Day= Full moon day. A Poya day is a religious holiday throughout the island. Poya days occur once every month.
Note: On Poya days all liquor stores and selling points are closed and it is almost impossible to buy alcohol. Nevertheless certain hotels may sell during this religious holiday.
Main events in Sri Lanka
January
Country-wide:
– Thai Pongal : this Tamil and Hindu festival is held mid-January.
– Milad-Un-Nabi (Holy Prophet’s Birthday): this Muslim festival is held at the end of January.
In Colombo:
– Kala Pola: an open-air art exhibition, during the last week of January.
– Duruthu Perahera in the Kelani Temple: held on Poya day, this Perahera celebrates Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka.
February
Country-wide:
– February 4th is the National Day, celebrating the independence of Sri Lanka.
– Maha Shivarathri Day: this Hindu festival honors Lord Shiva and is held at the end of February.
Colombo: Navam Perahera: this festival is organized by the Gangaramaya Temple, on Poya day. This is a spectacular Perahera and one of the most important in Sri Lanka.
Kandy: The Donald Steel Golf Tournament is held at the Victoria Golf Club.
March
Colombo: Hot Air Balloon Festival.
April
Country-wide: Sinhala and Tamil New Year, 13th-14th April.
May
Country-wide:
Vesak Poya Day: This Buddhist festival celebrates the life of the Buddha: his birth, enlightenment and death. It is held on Poya day, usually mid-May. During this festival of light the entire island celebrates with roadside Pandols and lanterns, and homes are festooned in lights, Chinese lanterns and creative homemade lanterns of all shapes and sizes.
June
Country-wide:
Poson Poya Day: this Poya day (usually mid-June) celebrates the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
July
Kataragama: Kataragama Perahera is a Hindu Festival.
Minneriya National Park: The Elephant Gathering takes place from July to September.
August
Esala Perahera (Kandy Perahera) in Kandy: Elephants, musicians and the famous Kandyan dancers parade with the tooth relic of Buddha. This is a 10 day celebration and the most famous Perahera in Sri Lanka.
Bellanwila: Bellanwila Perahera is a Buddhist procession organized by the Bellanwila Temple, Colombo.
Jaffna: Nallur Festival: It is a notable Hindu festival, held for almost one month between July and August.
December
Country-wide:
Christmas Day: You can find beautiful Christmas decorations, particularly in Colombo.
Adam’s Peak: Adam’s Peak pilgrimage season starts in December. Climb the Adam’s peak after midnight to see the sunrise when arriving on top!
Mirissa: The best time to see blue whales in Mirissa is from December to April.
Kalpitiya: The best time to see dolphins in Kalpitiya is from December to April.
Remember that Sri Lanka is a hot tropical country. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration when touring. Tap water in Sri Lanka is chlorinated and is generally safe to drink, but don’t unless it’s boiled and filtered. You should carry bottled water when touring sites. Wear sunscreen at beaches and don’t spend too much time out in the sun as you could get a heatstroke.
Food hygiene at restaurants is reasonable but varies depending on where you eat. It’s generally safe to try street food as long as it’s served hot.
Dengue and Malaria
Because Sri Lanka is a tropical country, dengue and malaria is an issue. Sri Lanka is at risk for these diseases and travelers must take precautions to avoid contracting. Dengue and malaria are mosquito borne diseases. Therefore, pack plenty of mosquito repellant, especially if you plan on doing outdoor activities. Don’t forget to wear mosquito repellant, especially when you are touring in early mornings and at dusk time. The best prevention method is to avoid mosquito bites.
Health
Safety
Remember that Sri Lanka is a hot tropical country. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration when touring. Tap water in Sri Lanka is chlorinated and is generally safe to drink, but don’t unless it’s boiled and filtered. You should carry bottled water when touring sites. Wear sunscreen at beaches and don’t spend too much time out in the sun as you could get a heatstroke.
Food hygiene at restaurants is reasonable but varies depending on where you eat. It’s generally safe to try street food as long as it’s served hot.
Dengue and Malaria
Because Sri Lanka is a tropical country, dengue and malaria is an issue. Sri Lanka is at risk for these diseases and travelers must take precautions to avoid contracting. Dengue and malaria are mosquito borne diseases. Therefore, pack plenty of mosquito repellant, especially if you plan on doing outdoor activities. Don’t forget to wear mosquito repellant, especially when you are touring in early mornings and at dusk time. The best prevention method is to avoid mosquito bites.
You have to apply online for a tourist Visa in Sri Lanka. It is issued for 30 days.
1) Go on: www.eta.gov.lk at least one week before your departure.
2) Pay about 35 USD online (Visa fees can change at any time)
3) Receive your online confirmation and print it out. Make sure to take your print out with the receipt with you on your trip!
You can also get a visa on arrival at the Bandaranaike international airport. It will cost 5 USD more.
Special rates apply for the residents of SAARC countries.
Please note that the above information may not be updated. Please contact the nearest Sri Lankan embassy or go on the website to get accurate and the latest information on obtaining a visa to Sri Lanka.
Visa
Food in Sri Lanka
The most famous dish in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rice and curry, made with rice, meat and various vegetables cooked with spices. Kottu is also very famous (served only for dinner) and consist of chopped roti cooked on a hot plate with spices, vegetables and meat (or eggs).
• The most famous dish in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rice and curry, made with rice, meat and various vegetables cooked with spices.
• Kottu is also very famous (served only for dinner) and consist of chopped roti cooked on a hot plate with spices, vegetables and meat (or eggs).
• You can also try Lamprais: a delicious (mildly spicy) Dutch influenced mixed meat curry, with meatballs and caramelized onions, wrapped in a banana leaf.
• There is also a tradition of eating short-eats, which are delicious snacks like stuffed rolls or little chicken pies.
• The food in Sri Lanka is spicy and even the locals are known to find it so. If you don’t want spicy food, just ask for “non-spicy” when you order.
• It is hard to find either pork or beef in traditional restaurants due to the religious reasons. However, you can find a lot of vegetarian restaurants and chicken and seafood is freely available.
• A traditional Sri Lankan meal in a small local restaurant will cost between 200 and 300 Rupees.
Languages Sri Lanka
Mobiles and Calling
It is really easy to buy a SIM card and use it with an unlocked phone. You may need to show your passport, so don’t forget it. Dialog, Mobitel and Etisalat are the most popular service providers in Sri Lanka.
A SIM card will cost about 200 Rupees while a top-up card of 500 rupees should be enough for you to communicate with your travel partners and check information on the internet from time to time.
Sri Lanka telephone country code: 94
The currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). It’s issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and has dealt with various fluctuating interest rates throughout history. One rupee is divided into 100 cents. The rupee is available in coins (1, 2, 5 and 10) as well as in bank notes (10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1000, 2000 and 5000). Cent coins are available but are rarely used due to their negligible value. When you are in Sri Lanka, you will have to make all transactions within the country in the Sri Lankan Rupee. Local shops and eateries outside of the international airport do usually not accept foreign currencies.
Cash is still the mainly used form of currency in the country. You will need cash in bills 1,000 rupees or less to pay tuk tuk drivers, shop keepers and roadside vendors. Many sellers do not usually give out change for large 2,000 rupee or 5,000 rupee bills. Keep smaller rupee bills in hand to pay for train rides, entrance fees and king coconut drinks on the way.
Credit and debit cards are widely used in Sri Lanka. Many larger shops and supermarkets accept credit or debit cards. However, many small businesses and retailers only accept cash. Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted types of credit cards. American Express and Diners Club are not as commonly used. Credit card fraud is not particularly widespread in Sri Lanka compared to other countries in the region, but it is best not to use your card at small, hole in the wall shops if they offer the service. Take the usually precautions against credit card fraud while in Sri Lanka.
ATMs are common in all major cities like Colombo and Kandy, tourist areas and some small towns. ATM machines are available 24/7. Be aware that when you withdraw money from an ATM machine using a card not issued by the bank the ATM belongs to, hefty charges may incur. Therefore, it’s best to withdraw all the cash you need in one go instead of making many minor cash withdrawals multiple times. Many ATMs only distribute bills that are 500 rupees or higher. You will not have trouble changing a small bill to even smaller bills at a local store.
Money
Daily budget
All rates are approximate. This budget will give you a general idea about costs in Sri Lanka. Do not take it as an exact budget. Your costs will depend on your accommodation, activities, where you eat and what you buy.
Need Approximate cost in LKR
• Rice and curry meal at a local eatery 250
• Street food snack 50
• Lunch at a decent restaurant per person 1,000
• Dinner at a good restaurant per person 2,000
• Average entrance ticket to a national park for an adult 3, 700
• Tips for chauffeur-guide per day 2,000
It’s common in Sri Lanka to leave a small tip if you are satisfied with the service. Hotel and restaurant staff will expect a small tip (depending on the service and the size of the bill).
At hotels, baggage holders expect a tip of around Rs. 100-200. Jeep drivers and other guides will expect around Rs. 1000. You can calculate your guide’s tip depending on your satisfaction at the end of the tour (around Rs. 2000 per day).
Your chauffeur will expect a tip at the end of the tour. Consider around Rs.1000/day. It can vary depending on your satisfaction.
Don’t forget to tip guides in case you use any. The amount depends on your satisfaction.
Tipping in Sri Lanka
Place to discover
Western Sri Lanka
You just landed in Sri Lanka: welcome to the west coast! Discover its beaches as well as city life of Colombo.
Southern Sri Lanka
Lie on the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka and enjoy the coast’s marine treasures! Also visit the Galle fort, an architectural jewel of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO world heritage site.
The hill country
The hill country offers breathtaking landscapes and wonderful walking and trekking opportunities. You can get lost in the middle of tea plantations or nature reserves.
The cultural triangle
The cultural triangle is not to be missed! There are so many places to visit: get immersed in the age old culture of Sri Lanka! Go back in time in Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa or Mihintale.
The east coast
Discover an untouched coast, with its beautiful beaches and its adventurous spirit! Discover Nilaveli or Passekudah, and go diving in Pigeon island.
Northern Sri Lanka: Jaffna
Visit the Jaffna peninsula and get immersed in the Tamil culture. Visit many Hindu temples and learn about the history of this area. Let the adventure begin!
Sri Lanka is a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean perfect for tropical escapes in the winter months. The island has a vibrant tourism industry so you can find plenty of accommodation options for your budget. The locals are extremely friendly towards foreigners and you will always feel welcomed in the “pearl of the Indian Ocean.”
1. It's always sunny: Sri Lanka is a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean perfect for tropical escapes all year round.
2. Your budget suits anyway: The island has a vibrant tourism industry so you can find plenty of accommodation options for your budget.
3. The smiling locals: The locals are extremely friendly towards foreigners and you will always feel welcomed in the “pearl of the Indian Ocean.”
4. Easy to get around: Due to the small size of the island, you can reach just about anywhere in the country in a matter of hours. Almost all regions are accessible by public transport, but this should not be a concern as you would be provided a driver and a suitable vehicle.
5. A variety of landscapes: Sri Lanka may be tiny, but the island has a number of diverse landscapes to enjoy. The coastal regions of Sri Lanka are famous for palm-fringed golden beaches. The most famous beaches, like Bentota, Unawatuna and Tangalle are in the southwestern coastal belt. Southwestern beaches are developed well enough with many hotels, restaurants and other facilities. If you prefer a more low-key vibe, you can visit the northeastern beaches of Sri Lanka. Due to a protracted Civil War that ended in 2009, this part of the island was closed off for decades. Therefore, most beaches you find in the north and the east are refreshingly underdeveloped and less crowded.
6. Mountains & tea estates: There’s a mountainous region in the middle of Sri Lanka generally referred to as the Hill Country. This area is cooler than other parts of the country, and is very popular thanks to beautiful views of panoramic mountain ranges and tea plantations. The Hill Country of Sri Lanka is the best for adventure activities like trekking. Also, some of the most lauded cultural attractions of Sri Lanka, like the Temple of the Tooth Relic, are located in this region.
7. Amazing UNESCO heritage sites: The main cultural attractions of Sri Lanka are located in the north-central region, a dry area that was once the cradle of the island’s ancient hydraulic civilization. Here you will find the Cultural Triangle that connects the ancient kingdoms of Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. You can tour UNESCO heritage sites like Sigiriya, explore ancient ruins and visit temples in the Cultural Triangle.
8. Wildlife encounters awaiting: Sri Lanka also has a number of national parks that are particularly famous for wild elephant watching. You can also go whale or dolphin watching in Sri Lanka.
9. A mouthwatering cuisine: You can enjoy observing the vibrant local life and sample delicious local cuisine that is famous for their spices.
10. Well-rounded: Sri Lanka is a well-rounded destination perfect for travelers who seek beach, culture, wildlife or adventure holidays.