Sri Lanka what to do there. What to do in Sri Lanka? Excursions in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is rich in first-class beaches, modern hotels and a host of ancient sights. Entertainment - entirely quiet-peaceful: picnics, fishing and diving. The capital of Colombo, waterfalls and national parks - everything about Sri Lanka: tours, reviews, weather, prices.

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The style of rest in Sri Lanka can be briefly defined as follows: away from the hustle and bustle, closer to the sea and nature. It is unlikely that there is a more “slow” country in the world than Sri Lanka: no one is in a hurry here, everyone enjoys life - including the service staff in hotels (though this does not apply to top establishments - everyone runs around in soap, to please guests). Most of the attractions in Sri Lanka are natural, just like most entertainment. Noisy discos and smoke yoke until the morning are not in favor here, but picnics in nature, fishing or barbecue on the beach - as much as you like. Well, diving, of course. What Sri Lanka cannot please is its proximity to our immense: the flight here is long.

In general, it is very simple to determine a person who will definitely like it here. Firstly, there are few blank pages left in his not the first passport. Secondly, he is either interested in world culture and history (and ancient Sri Lanka is very rich in interesting monuments), or he is a desperate sea daredevil who wants, in addition to palm trees, sand and the sea, to have a diving center nearby, and surfer headquarters. Thirdly, he will certainly look askance at your fragrant cup of tea. After all, Ceylon, aka Sri Lanka, supplies a quarter of the world with this drink.

Regions and resorts of Sri Lanka

Money

The monetary unit of the country is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR), in 1 rupee 100 cents. Current exchange rate: 1 LKR = 0.37 RUB (1 USD = 175.94 LKR, 1 EUR = 196.85 LKR).

It is better to exchange currency at Colombo airport. It makes sense to keep the check received at the same time until the end of the trip: in this case, upon departure, it will be possible to convert back unspent local money at the airport bank at the purchase rate. In addition, the currency is changed at any hotel and bank. The latter are open from 9:00 to 15:00 from Monday to Friday. For exchange, we recommend taking US dollars with you: they are accepted in all branches, and in tourist areas they can be paid directly at hotels and all kinds of retail outlets.

In large hotels and shops you can pay with credit cards, there are ATMs in almost all cities of the country. However, it is better to warn the staff of your bank in advance about the upcoming visit to Sri Lanka: due to the critical level of financial fraud on the island, a credit card can be blocked at the first attempt to use it.

Sri Lanka Hotels

Police: 133, ambulance: 144, fire department: 122.

The best photos of Sri Lanka

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Sri Lankans never take, pass or eat anything with their left hand. And shaking hands is not accepted at all.

2. Prevent theft

Monkeys in Sri Lanka, like professional thieves, deftly steal everything that is badly lying. If you, by an unfortunate accident, fell for their trick, you will no longer be able to take your precious thing back. Not only because the monkeys are small and nimble, but also because your attempts will greatly anger the locals.

3. Leave footprints behind

Under no circumstances should you enter the temples of Sri Lanka in shoes - only barefoot, in extreme cases, in socks.

4. Shout

It is considered the height of indecency in Sri Lanka to speak in a raised voice and behave noisily, attracting the excessive attention of others.

5. Get involved in charity

Begging has long been a profession in Sri Lanka, especially in tourist areas. Highly qualified beggars conduct their business according to a simple principle: as soon as they receive at least one penny, they follow a good-natured tourist for the rest of his vacation.

6. Touch the corals

When swimming in the ocean, do not try to get corals from the bottom and break off, for this you can be fined or even arrested.

7. Disrespect the Buddha

Sitting with your feet pointing towards the statue of a deity, imitating its pose or hugging it for a spectacular photo, you can inadvertently end up in prison.

8. Complex about the lack of sunburn

"White people" are rarely seen on the streets of Sri Lanka, so swarthy islanders believe that such a meeting brings good luck. And if the “white man” also takes part in one of the religious holidays, there will be no limit to the happiness of the Sri Lankans.

9. Show your feelings

Walking the streets of Sri Lanka in an embrace and publicly kissing with your soulmate, you risk embarrassing reserved locals. They regard such displays of tenderness as bad form.

10. Be afraid of speed

Schumacher lives in every Sri Lankan driver. If you plan to drive a car on your own, you will have to get used to driving on the left, and traveling by public transport will become a real adventure for you, because the doors of buses and trains in Sri Lanka are open even on the go.

11. Open windows at night

Remember the local monkey thieves? If you don’t want to wake up in the morning to find a complete pogrom in the room and the loss of your favorite things, it’s better to cover the windows at night with at least a mosquito net.

12. Hunt

Especially for elephants. The elephant in Sri Lanka is a sacred animal, and therefore it should be treated accordingly.

13. Rely on the taste of Sri Lankan hairdressers

Asking to trim your hair by a centimeter in a local beauty salon, you run the risk of being misunderstood and completely left without a chic head of hair.

14. Deny yourself luxury

Precious sapphires are mined in Sri Lanka on an industrial scale. You can buy them here relatively cheaply. They are sold in specialized places where you will be issued a certificate, which will need to be presented at the airport.

15. Topless sunbathing

Faith obliges Sri Lankan women to always cover their shoulders and knees, so they even bathe in the ocean in clothes. Of course, this rule does not apply to tourists, but you should not overdo it with nudity either.

16. Ride a motorcycle at night on roads that run through national parks and reserves

If you do not want to accidentally meet a wild elephant in the dark, it is safer to move around the island during the day and in the company of an experienced guide.

17. Smoking in public places

Even just on the streets of the city it is strictly forbidden to smoke, although sometimes there are violators.

18. Leave the moon unattended

During the full moon in Sri Lanka, all establishments and shops are closed, so if you want your plans for the evening to come true, you should take care of buying all the necessary things in the afternoon.

19. Take the front seats on buses

These places are reserved exclusively for monks and pregnant women.

20. And finally, be sad

A bad mood in Sri Lanka is not prohibited by law and is not subject to a fine, but you are unlikely to get bored in such a vibrant country with a unique culture and magnificent nature.

This article will be useful to everyone who is going to visit Sri Lanka.

My hit parade of things to do in Sri Lanka👍.
If you have been to the island before, what would you add to my list?

So, 🔥must to do🔥:

😃- Ride the train from Kandy to Nuwara Elya🚂, and better to Ella. Why by train? Because during the trip, stunning views of mountains🗻, tea plantations🍃 and waterfalls😍 open up. I have traveled a lot and seen a lot. But I have never seen such beautiful landscapes from the train. The beauty is breathtaking. Get second class train tickets. Then you can sit at the open door during the trip and hang your legs down, enjoy the views and the breeze💨 (but still be careful).

😃 - climb Ella rock or another peak in Sri Lanka (not Adam's Peak). I liked Ella Rock and Little Adam's Peak the most. Beautiful views, tea plantations, romance…

😃 — try todi and bulat. Todi is the fermented juice of a palm flower. Tastes like kvass. Where to get it: if you're lucky, you can see that a local walks along a stretched rope between the palm trees and does something in the thick of the palm crown. He collects todies. Urgently slow him down from the palm tree and ask him to sell. Tody is not expensive. We bought a liter bottle for one hundred rupees. I love this drink. For a Russian person, this is exotic. Bulat is a set of various inedible things. Bulat - chewing mixture. It is believed that this is a replacement for smoking🚭. Locals get some kind of pleasure from it. But I never felt it. Bulat stains teeth red. You can not swallow this mixture, you have to spit it out. Since this is still exotic, you can try it once for show. And suddenly you like it!

😃 — eat rice with curry 🍚🍴 (and other national dishes). Locals eat curry rice every day. This is really a very tasty dish👅 and you can eat it every day. In addition, there is a wide variety of types of curry. Be sure to mix rice well with all types of curries. So much tastier. Also try cotta, hoppers, springhoppers, coconut roti with coconut sambola and dal, kiribat👍

😃 - seal rest on the beach🌴🌊☀. The bulk of tourists usually go for this. So I advise you to set aside at least 5 days for this in one place. Relax and unwind in sleep-eat-beach-eat-sleep mode.

😃 - go to visit the locals👪. If you talk at least a little with the locals, I'm sure you will be invited to visit. This is an interesting experience, because you will see the life of the Sri Lankans from the inside and try real homemade rice with curry. Glutamate free. Be prepared: yes, it’s heartfelt and free, but if you are later offered to go on an excursion with their son, who works as a guide, for example, or some other service or buy something, don’t refuse as a token of gratitude. If the price is reasonable and adequate, then why not?! You still wanted to go to that park (suppose). If you are not ready to give a penny and do not want to buy anything from this family, it is better not to go to a dinner party🙅.

😃 - eat exotic fruits🍌🍍🍉. We have a lot of fruits. And most importantly, they are much tastier than those brought to Russia. Mangoes, pineapples, bananas, papaya, avocados are available almost all year round. I especially recommend trying Saursab or Noyna, or in Russian “sour cream”. This fruit is also found in other Asian countries. But on Sri it is the most delicious.

😃 — to meet the sunrise and sunset in a beautiful place on the top of a mountain or on a rock by the sea🌅. Sri Lanka is famous for its beautiful and romantic sunsets. So you have to put the photo of the sunset on the network)))

😃 - rock out at the beach party💃. During the season we have a party every day in Mirissa👯. Parties, of course, do not pretend to be of a high level, but still fun (especially after a couple of cocktails and puffs). Often tourists lose all control and run around in a drunken stupor in what their mother gave birth to)). Just be careful. If you come to a party and you see that 90% of the guys are local, it’s better not to stay at such a party.

😃 - see whales 🐋. There are many blue whales swimming around Sri Lanka during the season. They sail from the north. The locals arrange "wavewatching" - whale watching. You can go on a boat trip with other tourists and see the blue whale with your own eyes. I am often asked if they will be able to see the whale in full ... No, guys, the whale is not a dolphin. He doesn't jump out of the water. You can see how he takes in air and plunges into the abyss again. That is, at the same time you can see either the back or the tail of the whale.

😃 - go diving or at least snorkeling🐟🐠🐡🐙. In Sri Lanka, of course, there is no Red Sea, but still the underwater world is quite interesting and in any case, you will enjoy diving into the ocean of exotic fish and corals🐚.

😃 - swim/feed the turtle🐢. There are many turtles in the ocean on Sri. This island is famous for turtles as well as elephants. Here, turtles are respected and protected in every possible way. So contact with a turtle should be in the mandatory program of visiting Sri Lanka. By chance, turtles can be found on many beaches. In Hikkaduwa, turtles have been fed and they constantly hang out on the coast, waiting for the next portion of algae from tourists. There are also turtle farms.

😃 - see how a turtle lays eggs or see how turtles hatch🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢. In the full moon season at night, you can become a happy observer of this action. Usually turtles come ashore in those places where the coast is not fenced by reefs (that is, the turtle can swim freely). And not necessarily the turtle will choose a deserted place. Last year, the turtle did not interfere with the coastal party, noise and many people. She crawled out and calmly laid her eggs in front of the astonished tourists, who specially cleared the space for her from tables and chairs. Unfortunately, I still have not seen how a turtle lays eggs, or how turtles are born. Bad luck. I'm content with just pictures on Instagram.

😃 - see a wild elephant 🐘. In Sri Lanka, wild elephants really walk. To see them, it is probably better to go to some reserve (national park). There are many such places in Sri.

😃 - see a peacock. But to see a peacock in the national park is not necessary to go. It is enough to drive a little deeper into the village from the ocean. These birds are everywhere. Pigeons here are more exotic for the locals. Especially these birds love to walk in the rice fields. And they even walk along the highway. You may see warning signs "beware of peacocks on the road". Even if you do not see a peacock, you will most likely hear it. Their cry is here in the morning instead of a cock. For an amateur ... Remember the cartoon "Baron Munchausen".

😃 - go surfing🏄. There are many places in Sri Lanka where it is convenient to ride for beginners. The best places are considered to be the east and Arugam Bay in summer, and the south and Weligama in winter.

😃 — ride on localbus🚌. This can be attributed to extreme activities. The fact is that local buses are the kings of the roads here. They are always the first to rush without stopping and sweeping away everything in their path. Just monsters. Bass rides are cheap. But there will be a lot of emotions! Buses are a lot of fun to ride. Also because each driver decorates everything inside with Buddha figurines, lanterns and flowers. And be sure to have a TV in every decent bus and play Sri Lankan music🎶🎶🎶 (specific, for an amateur, that is, for a Sri Lankan). Ride with the breeze💨 and at the same time get acquainted with local creativity. Put it all together in your imagination and you can imagine what is going on in this bus. But it's better to feel it for yourself once.

😃 - see the festival procession🎉🎈👯 (at least watch Kandyan dances). If you are lucky and you get on the dates for the local full moon holiday (or another), be sure to find out from the locals where the festive procession will take place. This is a grand spectacle. Usually starts from a large temple. A procession with many people in different costumes moves along the road. Various dances. Show all the diversity and beauty of the culture of Sri Lanka. And even elephants are taken out for this occasion in festive attire. If you did not get to the procession, be sure to visit the Kantian dances. You can see them, as you might guess, in Kandy. In many places they are arranged every day.

😃 - go through vipassana😶. Vipassana is a Buddhist meditation that lasts for several days. You can't talk all this time. A very useful practice. Clears the mind. But I myself did not go through it before giving birth. And now I don't know when it will be possible.

😃 - massage👐. Sri Lanka is famous for its Ayurveda and Ayurvedic massage👌. I haven't tried what it is yet. So I can't say how it is. But I think it's worth a try. If you are in Mirissa, please contact us. I know great places, everyone is very praised.

😃 — drive a bike🚵 and go deeper into the villages, away from the tourist spots. A moped is a very useful thing during independent travel. Because you are free to choose your own route. If you rent a scooter, be sure to go exploring a little deeper into the village. It's beautiful, there are many animals and the locals are kind. There will be no less impressions than an expensive excursion to the national park.

😃 - Feed and pet the city deer in Trincomalle. I liked Trincomalle first of all for its deer. It's very unexpected, but the deer are walking all over the city like cows in India. I saw six at the bus stop. They eat from the dump. For a cookie, they give themselves a stroke. That alone is worth a trip to the East Coast.

😃 - admire Peradeniya Park (royal botanical garden). This is a Sri attraction that you simply must visit. 700₽ is absolutely not a pity to give for such beauty. I advise you to set aside a whole day for this park so that there is no blow from an overabundance of emotions in a short period of time. It's nice to take a walk there. The park is very well maintained and beautiful. Everything blooms there. A huge number and variety of flowers and trees. The trees and palms are impressive. In general, without enthusiastic exclamations, you will not leave there.

😃 - walk around the tea plantations and taste the fresh tea leaf. Sri Lanka (or the island of Ceylon) is famous for tea. In the center of the island we have many mountains and tea is grown on a string. This is a beautiful and colorful sight.

Sri Lanka is a small island nation located in South Asia near the Indian subcontinent. The country received its modern official name - the Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in 1972. Previously, the state was known as Ceylon. The official capital of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. In fact, the capital functions are performed by the largest city in the country - Colombo.

The population of Sri Lanka is 21.6 million inhabitants. Sinhalese and Tamils ​​dominate among nationalities. The most common religion is Buddhism, which is followed by most Sinhalese. In addition, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam are widespread in the country. The form of government in Sri Lanka is a semi-presidential republic. Administratively, the country is divided into 9 provinces - Central, North-Central, North, North-West, West, South, East, as well as the provinces of Sabaragamuwa and Uva.

The main sectors of the economy are agriculture, textile production and mining of precious stones. Recently, the tourism industry has been gaining momentum. The most popular holiday destinations in Sri Lanka are the resorts of Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Wadduwa, Beruwala and Kalutara.

Flight time:
Flights to Bandaranaike Airport, Colombo
from Moscow - from 8 hours 30 minutes.
from St. Petersburg - from 11 hours 25 minutes. (1-3 transplants)
from Kazan - from 12 hours 30 minutes. (1-4 transplants)
from Yekaterinburg - from 11 hours 55 minutes. (1-4 transplants)
from Novosibirsk - from 11 hours 50 minutes. (1-4 transplants)

Current time in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte:
(UTC +5:30)

The most developed sport is cricket, which is exotic for Russians. The state conducts an active foreign policy, Sri Lanka is a member of well-known international organizations - the UN (United Nations), the IMF (International Monetary Fund), ADB (Asian Development Bank) and others.

How to get there

At present, the issue of direct regular flights between Moscow and Colombo remains open, but it is known that Aeroflot operates flights on this route during the season. Excluding this option, the best way to get to Sri Lanka at the moment is flights by Emirates Moscow - Dubai - Colombo, Qatar Airways Moscow - Doha - Colombo and Etihad Moscow - Abu Dhabi - Colombo. All aircraft arrive at Colombo International Airport.

Many people are interested in an important question when buying a ticket from Moscow to Sri Lanka: how long is the flight? If you choose a non-stop flight on the route Moscow - Sri Lanka, the flight will take 8 hours 45 minutes (flight to the country's capital - Colombo). With connections, it will be about 14 hours, but it depends on the time of connections, it is different for airlines.

Climate and weather in Sri Lanka

The climate in Sri Lanka is warm and humid. The temperature is very even, without sharp fluctuations throughout the year. The difference between the warmest and coldest months is only 2-3 degrees Celsius. The average monthly temperature usually does not exceed 30 degrees. The seasons here differ in the amount of precipitation. Most of the rain falls in summer. The coastal regions of Sri Lanka are the most comfortable for living. In large cities located inland, there is hot weather and high humidity. The average water temperature in the Indian Ocean near the country is 27 ° C, it differs from the air temperature by only a couple of degrees.

Cooler temperatures can be found in the highlands of Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is located at 1884 meters above sea level. The local average annual temperature is 18 °C. In cold weather at night, the thermometer can drop to an unprecedented mark of 10 ° C in Sri Lanka. Such a “frost” forces the owners of local hotels and inns to use heating devices that turn on in the evening and at night. It will be useful and pleasant for tourists to know that it usually rains at night in Sri Lanka. Therefore, rest in the resort should not be overshadowed by precipitation. The even and favorable climate throughout the year allows vacationers not to think about choosing a month for a holiday in Ceylon. Here, at any time of the year, locals and tourists feel comfortable.

Rainy season in Sri Lanka

It is quite difficult to understand how famously the climate in Sri Lanka is changing from the first time, so you need to be more careful with its features. The island is dominated by an equatorial climate, a distinctive feature of which is the division into two seasons: dry and rainy seasons.

In addition, the Central Mountain Range rises in the middle of the island, creating a “rain shadow” for the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. This is the so-called "wet zone" of the island, where the southwest monsoons go from May to September. They form in the Arabian Sea and move towards the island as a large wall of warm, moist air. At the same time, due to the mountain range in the rest of the country (and this is three-quarters of the island), it is more or less dry at this time. These three quarters are the eastern and northern parts of the country, where the average annual rainfall is 1200-1800 mm. For comparison, in the southwest this figure is much higher - from 2540 to 5080 mm per year.

The north and east of the country are under the influence of the northeast monsoons, operating here from November to February. Most of the cyclones that form in the Bay of Bengal hit Bangladesh and the coast of India, but Sri Lanka also sometimes gets it, even despite some remoteness.

The rainy season in Sri Lanka is characterized by heavy and short (about 15 minutes) downpours, most often occurring at night. The main disadvantage for vacationers in such a situation is a strong wind that forms large waves in the ocean, so it is better to part with dreams of a calm and safe swimming at this time.

The winter and autumn months on the island are characterized as inter-monsoon periods, when there are no heavy monsoon rains, but sometimes the so-called "zenithal rains" occur, often found in equatorial regions. Thus, the best time to relax in the attractive southwest for tourists is winter, and, accordingly, in the north and east - summer.

Cities and regions

Provinces of Sri Lanka

• Central
• North Central
• North Eastern
• Northern
• Sabaragamuwa
• South
• Western

Cities of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has many large and small cities. Below is information about the cities most interesting for tourists.

Colombo - the largest city of Sri Lanka, which is actually the capital of the country, is located in the Western Province of the state. Colombo is the center of business, trade and culture. The population of the city is 740 thousand inhabitants, and the agglomeration (together with the suburbs, including the formal capital of Sri Jayawardenepura Kote) - 2 million 250 thousand inhabitants. Industry and high-tech production are booming in Colombo. The local port is one of the largest in the Asian region.

Interestingly, many districts have a certain professional orientation. This division has been around for a long time. In Colombo there is an area of ​​artisans, the poor, merchants, etc. Of course, today such a classification is gradually becoming obsolete, but is still largely relevant. A major international airport is located 30 kilometers from Colombo. The city is developed culturally and religiously - it has its own university, observatory, spiritual institutions for various faiths.

The tourist center is located in the northern district of the city - Fort. Hotels, hotels, shops, restaurants and other entertainment facilities are concentrated here. The main attractions of the city are the Galle Face Green Park, the National Museum, the Museum of Local Lore, the Presidential Palace and Independence Square. In the suburbs of Komlombo, you can visit one of the largest zoos on the continent - Dehiwala Zoo.

Anuradhapura is the district capital of the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The city is named after its founder, the Indian prince Anuradha. The population is 50,000 inhabitants. The most developed economic sectors are agriculture and handicrafts. The air temperature is warm and favorable throughout the year, the climate is characterized by high humidity. The city is known for its sights: the remains of ancient temples, monasteries and other cultural monuments have been preserved in Anuradhapura. Among the most famous sites are the Ruanvelli and Thuparama stupas, the Abhayagiri and Isurumuniya monasteries, as well as the famous statue of Aukan Buddha, located near the city.

Kandy is one of the oldest Sri Lankan cities. It is located in the central part of the country. The city was previously known as Senkadagalapura. The population of Kandy is over 150 thousand people. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once the capital of ancient Ceylon. The most significant cultural monument is the Dalada Maligawa Temple. The Sacred Tooth of Buddha is located here, and this famous artifact has become an object of pilgrimage for Buddhists. Every year, Kandy becomes the venue for the popular Esala Peraher festival, at which time the famous relic is brought to the public. For ten nights in a row, a procession with the participation of elephants takes place in the streets, which is accompanied by ethnic music, fakirs and other local attributes. In the suburbs of Kandy is the largest botanical garden on the continent. It contains many rare species of tropical plants. In the vicinity of Kandy, there is a unique Spice Garden.

Negombo is a small town located 40 kilometers from Colombo. The resort has the nickname "Little Rome". The fact is that Negombo is the unofficial center of Christianity in Sri Lanka. The city is quite developed, shops, restaurants, rental offices and other services are literally on every corner. The local beaches are deserted, so they are popular with lovers of a quiet and relaxing holiday. True, most tourists use Negombo only as a transit point for a day or two, and then go to other resorts. Nevertheless, the city has much to offer and show to vacationers. The most popular pastime is fishing. Local villages have long been famous for fishing. The most significant sights are the remains of a Dutch fort and a Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, which is located 10 kilometers from Negombo.

Resorts of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island where people go to relax all year round. Beach holidays, swimming in the Indian Ocean, trips to exotic places, complete relaxation, meetings that will be remembered forever, authentic village life, centuries-old traditions - one way or another, this is what is expected from the island.

The main question that tourists who are going on vacation to Sri Lanka ask themselves is which resort to choose? Indeed, there are many good places here, each with its own character and color. So, Hikkaduwa gathers surfers, divers and young people on its beaches. Bentota is focused on demanding tourists, Kogalla - on independent and those who arrived for the "wintering", etc.

Below are the best resorts in Sri Lanka. Additionally, you can read about Sri Lankan beaches.

Bentota is a popular beach resort in Sri Lanka. This romantic spot is popular with young families and adventure seekers. It offers tourists a full range of services designed for any budget. The resort will appeal to lovers of outdoor activities: the most popular Ceylon water entertainment center "Confifi Marina" is located here. Vacationers will be able to ride a boat, water skiing, scooter or scuba diving. The club also organizes excursions and boat trips.

Beruwala is a resort located in the southwest of the country, not far from Colombo. This place will appeal to tourists who prefer a beach holiday. However, lovers of a more active lifestyle will also find something to entertain themselves with. Large hotels have sports facilities - golf courses, tennis courts, and traditional water activities are offered to tourists on the beaches. Along the coastline of the resort there are several hotels of different classes for people with different income levels. The main attraction of Beruweli is the ancient mosque of Kechimalai, to which thousands of Muslims from all over the world make pilgrimages every year.

Wadduwa is another Ceylon resort located near Colombo. The visiting card of this place is chic coconut palms and amazing sandy beaches. The resort has a developed infrastructure. A large number of hotels, shops, restaurants and cafes are concentrated here. There is a popular diving center on Wadduwa. Diving enthusiasts will be able to fully appreciate the beauty of the local ocean depths. Just a few kilometers away is another resort town - Kalutara, famous for the Buddhist temple of Gangatilaka Vihara.

Kalutara is a resort town on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. From time immemorial, the resort has been known for its spices and spices. Little Kalutara in its history had a chance to be under the yoke of the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonialists. However, today the place has become one of the most modern and dynamically developing resorts in Sri Lanka. The local trademark is amazing and juicy tropical fruits, which are put into baskets created by local craftsmen using their own method. However, the famous Kalutarian spices are still respected all over the world. The main attractions of the resort are the Gangatilaka Vihara Stupa and the February Navam parade.

Kogalla is a small but well-known resort in Ceylon. The relative remoteness from civilization (more than 100 kilometers to Colombo) attracts tourists here who dream of taking a break from the hustle and bustle of large cities. On the other hand, Kogalla has all the necessary infrastructure, including golf courses, diving centers, tennis courts and other entertainment. Not far from the resort is the town of Polonnaruwa. It is known for the fact that the remains of the legendary palace of the state of the ancient Sinhalese have been preserved on its territory. Other historical monuments include Watadage temple and giant statues of Buddha carved into the rocks.

Nuwara Eliya is a famous resort in the mountains of Sri Lanka. The place is known as one of the few islands of coolness in sultry South Asia. Numerous local waterfalls are popular with tourists. Among other attractions, it is worth noting the unusual architecture of local buildings in the British style. The main places for recreation are a magnificent modern golf complex, Victoria Park, the picturesque Gregory Lake and the racetrack, which hosts horse races every spring.

Mount Lavinia is a popular Sri Lankan resort, located just a few kilometers from the country's capital. The place is a fairly large commercial, industrial and economic center. The population of the city is 155 thousand inhabitants. Tourists especially note the local wide sandy beaches. The resort has several modern hotels. The main attractions are the Dehively Zoo, which is home to more than 300 species of animals and the giant lake Bolgoda with a rich flora and fauna.

Hikkaduwa is a resort town located in the south of Sri Lanka. This city is considered the Mecca of diving. Extraordinarily beautiful local coral reefs and other inhabitants of the underwater world attract tourists from all over the world. The coral has become the unofficial emblem of the city. In addition, there is a coral reserve in the city. Other attractions include a Buddhist temple and a large, beautiful lake.

What to see

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and recreation areas

Leisure

Transport

Private guides in Sri Lanka

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Sri Lanka in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

Water sports

Comfortable weather throughout the year, amazingly clear water and the beauty of the underwater depths of Sri Lanka attract many outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world.

Diving - scuba diving, mask, fins and other equipment. The Indian Ocean, in addition to the most beautiful marine life and underwater reefs, holds many secrets and mysteries. Diving near wrecks and underwater caves heightens the senses and makes diving in Sri Lanka simply unforgettable. Sri Lankan diving centers have modern gear and equipment, and are scattered around the entire perimeter of the island. When planning a diving holiday, consider the travel time. The fact is that diving centers located in the southwest of Sri Lanka work from mid-autumn to mid-spring, and in the northeast - from early spring to mid-autumn.

Snorkeling also allows you to contemplate the splendor of the underwater world, but only at shallow depths: snorkeling requires only a mask, fins and a snorkel. The purity and transparency of the Sri Lankan waters easily allow you to engage in this exciting activity, because underwater delights are visible at a depth of several meters.

Surfing is riding the waves using special boards. Surfers have chosen many parts of Sri Lanka. The picturesque landscape, the relaxed atmosphere of the resort and, of course, good high waves make the island ideal for practicing this sport.

Windsurfing is riding the waves with a board equipped with a sail. This sport can be practiced in Negombo, Trincomalee, Bentota. Equipment is rented at specialized rental points. Some hotels specialize in windsurfing and offer tourists all the necessary equipment. The gathering place for experienced athletes was the bay - Arugam Bay.

Ayurveda

Traditional treatment in Sri Lanka is very developed. Especially popular is Ayurveda, which means the science of life. This is a whole complex of folk methods of treatment, including aromatherapy, relaxation, meditation, massage, healthy eating. Ayurveda implies a comprehensive improvement of the body, and not the treatment of only diseased organs. The most important thing is that this direction has no side effects and contraindications. All medicinal products of the medical direction are completely made from natural ingredients. Several hotels in Sri Lanka at once offer to combine relaxation with Ayurveda treatment.

Ecotourism

Ecotourism has long been a popular holiday destination all over the world. Recently, this type of recreation has begun to gain popularity among our compatriots. Tours to Sri Lanka are distinguished by a wide variety of ecotourism offers. The choice of vacationers is rafting on mountain rivers, a trip on off-road vehicles over rough terrain, a ride on elephants, mountain climbing and other original excursions.

Camping and safaris

For tourists who are tired of the comfort of modern hotels and want to join the natural world, Sri Lanka offers a special excursion program with accommodation in tent camps at national parks. The tour program is compiled taking into account the individual wishes of vacationers. Tourists independently choose parks to visit and other criteria for recreation. Among the latter - the comfort of tent rooms, the number of days on the tour, the purchase of additional excursions. The standard program is designed for 9 days, during which all the main national parks of the country are visited. The camps provide all the necessary living conditions and three meals a day.

Agritourism

Agritourism is the best holiday destination for those who want to get to know the peculiarities of Sri Lankan life from the inside. Tourists can not only live in the usual conditions of a Ceylon village, but also take part in agricultural work, as well as take care of pets. As part of the agro-tourism packages, vacationers get acquainted with the local culture, customs, learn how to cook national dishes.

Fishing

The coastal waters of Sri Lanka abound in the number of fish and other representatives of the underwater world living there. Saturation with plankton attracts a large variety of individuals - from tuna to sharks. Excursion fishing usually starts early in the morning. Tourist groups take out fishing for several tens of kilometers from the coast. Vacationers are accompanied by experienced local fishermen, and all the necessary equipment is included in the price of the tour.

River safari

The so-called boat safari enjoys great success on the island. This is a three-hour river boat trip. During the tour you will be able to meet many exotic birds and animals. Moving away from civilization on a boat, you can meet more and more interesting and unusual things - small islands of land, aboriginal settlements and unique vegetation. The services of a local guide will cost only $20.

Helicopter tour

The opportunity to take a walk in a helicopter appeared recently. This is a very expensive entertainment, but those who wish are still there. The helicopter base is located 15 kilometers from the capital of Sri Lanka. From here you can fly to almost anywhere in the country. The maximum allowable number of tourists in the cabin of one helicopter is four people. The most popular excursion to Sigiriya will cost $2,000 for a helicopter, in addition, you will have to fork out another $112 for each hour of waiting for a helicopter.

Hot air balloon flight

Another excursion that allows tourists to admire the amazing Sri Lankan landscapes from a bird's eye view. Air walks are made only in low wind, safe weather for flights. The standard duration of the tour is one and a half hours, and the cost is approximately $1000 for the entire group, the number of which cannot exceed four people.

Golf

This game began to develop in Sri Lanka in the 19th century. To date, several high-class golf complexes have been created in the country that meet world standards. Novice athletes will also be able to enjoy the game: special individual and group lessons are held for beginners in golf clubs.

Sri Lankan wedding

Newlyweds from all over the world are increasingly choosing Sri Lanka as their wedding venue. The ceremony takes place according to local traditions - the bride and groom dress in bright national costumes, the procession is accompanied by elephants and drumming, young men and girls in colorful dresses dance nearby. After exchanging rings, the newlyweds give each other a taste of rice boiled in coconut milk and drink it with water. This ritual symbolizes the future mutual care of husband and wife. There are a number of other traditional wedding ceremonies - tying the little fingers of the bride and groom with gold thread, breaking a coconut to sprinkle milk on the clothes of the newlyweds, and lighting an oil lamp together. The cost of the ceremony should be discussed in advance with the organizer. The amount will vary depending on the number of selected services. But on average, you can meet $1000.

Sri Lanka beaches

Sri Lanka boasts magnificent sandy beaches that stretch for 1000 km along the entire coast of the island. When swimming in the ocean, you should be careful: the deep currents are quite dangerous, besides, you can cut yourself with coral fragments. Sunbathing topless in Sri Lanka is not accepted.

The resorts offer all kinds of water sports: diving, surfing, yachting, snorkeling, sailing.
There are 2 beach seasons on the island: north winds blow on the west and south coasts from November to March, the sea is calm, and the weather is comfortable. From April to October, the west monsoon blows, so beach weather sets in on the east coast.

Movement around the country

Bus

Buses are often crowded with passengers and very uncomfortable, but they can travel the entire island for next to nothing, for a few dollars. There are AC class buses with air conditioning and guaranteed seats, they will cost twice as much.

Bus stops are busy, especially the big ones, but just about everyone will be happy to practice their English and help out.

Private and municipal buses run in major cities of the country. The fares are about the same. Public transport in Sri Lanka is one of the cheapest in the world.

Train

It is convenient to travel between Sri Lankan cities by train. From the capital, you can get to any end point for no more than 300 rupees. Passengers have the opportunity to choose a class of carriage with a suitable level of comfort. Sri Lanka has an extensive rail system serving all the major cities of the island except the north and east.

Trains are more comfortable and colorful than buses, and thanks to the winding railway in the mountains, the railway network in the mountainous part of Sri Lanka is very scenic, especially on the Badullu-Nanu Oya line. If possible, sit on the right side of the train for the best views. For tourists who want to see the local views, there are special sightseeing cars with large windows.

Knock Knock

The most popular form of transport in Sri Lanka is a small cabin scooter called a tuk-tuk. For us, they are unusual, but the Sri Lankans regularly use them for everyday trips. Tuk-tuk is much cheaper than a regular taxi, the average price per kilometer is 15-20 rupees. Tipping is not customary in Sri Lanka.

Taxi

A more traditional mode of transport will cost about 50% more. For a kilometer of the way you will have to pay about 30 rupees. If the taxi is not equipped with a meter, then the cost of the trip should be negotiated in advance. You can “catch” a taxi driver right on the street or call by phone.

Car rental

The country has a well-organized transport system, but Russians will be very surprised by two things - left-hand traffic and the possibility of neighbors on the road of animals driven by farmers and cars.

With a driver

The car itself is often provided free of charge, and money is paid to the driver for his services. Some of the drivers/guides have a state license to carry out their activities, some of them are extremely knowledgeable and multilingual, specializing in the history and culture of the country. Those who go to see historical sites and nature reserves will be told about the environment.

Without a driver

Those who are not embarrassed by the oddities of traffic in Sri Lanka can rent a car for independent trips. The standard fee is 2400 rupees per day. This amount includes a run of 80 kilometers, and for each additional kilometer you will have to pay an extra 8 rupees.

Airplane

Air carrier Aero Lanka operates domestic flights to Colombo-Ratmalata, Colombo-Jaffna and Colombo-Trincomalee destinations.

Communication

The main language of Sri Lanka is Sinhala, the second language is Tamil. English is used in government and tourism. Don't expect the entire population everywhere to be fluent in English. It is much more common in beach and tourist areas. Most people in rural areas do not know English at all, except for a few simple words.

• Sinhalese: the greeting in Sinhala is "aayuBowan", which literally means "stay a little longer"; thank you in Sinhalese it will be "stuti";
• Tamil: the greeting in Tamil is "vanakkam"; thank you - "nanri";
• Arabic(Sri Lankan Moors): when meeting with a Muslim, it will be polite to say "Assalamu alaikum"; thank you sounds like "jazz-ka alla."

culture

The culture of Sri Lanka has managed to preserve many of its own ancient traditions, despite the fact that European colonizers had a great influence on it. The country has managed to preserve traditional customs in many areas. Most of the ancient national works of art, one way or another, are associated with the dominant religion in the country - Buddhism. Painting, sculpture and architecture developed under his influence. Original dances and songs are also an important object of Sri Lankan culture. From modern art in Sri Lanka, cinema, radio and television are actively developing.

One of the main holidays for the Sri Lankans is the New Year. True, unlike our country, in Sri Lanka it is celebrated in April. Many rituals are associated with this event on the island, and of course, the traditional chic fireworks are not complete.

The number one sport in Sri Lanka is cricket. The national team in 1996 even became the world champion in this sport. In addition, American football, rugby and various martial arts are very popular. Among the latter are the Sri Lankan martial arts Cheena di, which was taught by Chinese monks, and Angampora, a fighting style using swords, daggers and other weapons.

Kitchen

The national Sri Lankan cuisine has much in common with Indian cuisine, due to the geographical proximity of the two countries. Spices, spices, juicy fruits, seafood - all these elements are traditional in both countries. The basis of the daily diet in Sri Lanka is dishes made from rice and curry. The latter, by the way, is seasoned not only with meat. Side dishes, fish, vegetables and other dishes are served on the curry island.

Since the dishes of Sri Lanka and South India are very similar, in many local restaurants the menu indicates where the cuisine is from Sri Lanka and where it is from South India. In addition, different regions have their own cooking options. As a rule, food is very cheap, an inexpensive lunch will cost about a dollar. Rarely, a meal can cost more than ten dollars, except in the most expensive tourist-oriented places. Colombo has a large selection of high quality restaurants.

Coconut ingredients are often used in Ceylonese cuisine - coconut juice, oil and shavings. There are many other dishes with other ingredients that are unusual for us.

String hoppers are rice vermicelli rolled up and steamed.

Umbalakada is a fine powdered fish.

Hoppers are local rice flour pancakes cooked in coconut milk.

Bittara arra is a pancake combined with scrambled eggs. For cooking, a chicken egg is placed in the middle of the pancake.

Hakuru arra is a treat similar to Bittara arra but sweetened with coconut flakes.

Kiribath is a traditional white rice cooked in coconut milk.

Rotti is a flatbread flavored with curry sauce.

Pittu is made from water, rice flour and coconut. Also served with curry sauce.

Kottu Rotti is a mix of chopped unleavened rice cakes, vegetables and meat of your choice. This dish is found only in Sri Lanka, the most delicious Kottu Roti from street vendors, freshly prepared.

Beverages

In Sri Lanka, you should not drink tap water, it can be fraught with intestinal disorders. Buy plain bottled water from stores. But it is better to refuse to buy local milk altogether. Thanks to the Sri Lankan climate, it spoils very quickly, although it is quite expensive.

The traditional non-alcoholic drink among the Sri Lankans is Tambili, juice from the royal coconut. Fresh can be cooked in front of you right on the street, and it will cost less than bottled.

Other local drinks include ginger oil and cream soda. If you prefer the classic Coca or Pepsi, then you can buy them in almost any grocery supermarket on the island.

The most popular beers are Three Coins (brewed according to a Belgian recipe), Lion Stout (oily with a chocolate flavor) and Lion Lager.

For those who prefer strong alcohol, we can recommend a local drink - Arrack. It usually costs about $4 a bottle and is often drunk with ginger beer. The quality depends on the price, but the Old Reserve brand is generally recommended at a price of $ 7.5.

Purchases

Shopping in Sri Lanka is represented by both fairly modern shopping centers and traditional markets with all kinds of folk goods - from spices to clothing made from natural fabrics. The prices for local products are very democratic. The most shopping opportunities, of course, are in Colombo, but the Sri Lankan outback, and even more so the tourist centers, also have something to offer tourists in terms of shopping.

You can read more about the opening hours of stores, what to buy, where to buy, and how to bargain in the article “Shopping in Sri Lanka”.

Connection

Telephone communications

Telephone communication is available in almost any hotel, but usually a call from the room is very expensive. It is more economical to use special phone cards and call from automatic machines or make calls from the nearest post offices. Cards in denominations of 100, 500 and 1000 rupees can be bought in supermarkets, kiosks and post offices. To call Russia, dial 007, area code and phone number.

Sri Lanka phone code: +94.

Useful phone numbers

Internet

Cellular communication on the island is poorly developed and unstable. You can use a mobile phone only in the capital, as well as in large cities and popular resorts.

You can access the global network through Internet cafes located on the territory of large cities. In the outback of the country to get access to the "world wide web" is very problematic.

Safety

Tourists traveling to Sri Lanka should follow a number of simple safety measures. You should be careful while walking in parks and reserves - look under your feet, do not turn off the tourist path and use mosquito repellents. If you go on an excursion to the jungle, then before the trip, just in case, you need to drink antimalarial pills. You need to be more careful with animals. Often there are cases when monkeys steal various things from unlucky tourists.

As in many other tourist areas, pickpockets should be avoided in Sri Lanka and valuables should not be left unattended. It is better for women not to be alone at night on the streets or on the beach. Over the past few years, there has been a slight increase in crimes against tourists, but these cases are rare.

Tourists are discouraged from traveling to areas controlled by the Tamil Tigers (LTTE). Some areas are mined, and armed clashes are taking place in cities. In addition, military action by the government is also possible. However, due to the large number of state checkpoints, it is extremely unlikely to enter the territory of hostilities through negligence. These areas are far removed from places that are usually visited by tourists. Nevertheless, it is not uncommon to see well-armed soldiers on the streets, major highways, and at the airport.

Before traveling to this country, it is recommended to get vaccinated against hepatitis, A and B, polio, and tetanus. If you plan to travel outside the tourist areas, especially during the rainy season, you need to be vaccinated against typhus. Malaria-free areas are Gampaha (eg Negombo), Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, and Nuwara Eliya, as well as the city of Kandy (but not the district). In other parts of the country, there is malaria and the most likely to get sick exists in Anuradhapura. In the dry season during the day on the road, or traveling by train to Kandy (including trips to the gardens of Peradeniya) or Nuwara Eliya, you need to use a DEET-containing repellent, this should be enough. The risk of infection increases after sunset. Anti-malarial prophylaxis protects against infection when traveling to the north (especially to Anuradhapura), the east, and the southeast (however, some types of drugs are not available there).

Try to be respectful of local cultural values. It is forbidden to appear in temples in shorts, short skirts or in other clothes that are too revealing, and before entering the sanctuary, you must take off your shoes. When buying jewelry and jewelry, do not forget to ask for a license to export goods from the country, otherwise there may be problems at customs. On full moon days, drinking alcohol in public places is prohibited on the island.

Some traditions take some getting used to, especially for Europeans.

Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka:

Address: Embassy of the Russian Federation, 62 Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, Colombo-7, Sri-Lanka.

Phone: (8-10-941) 57-4959, 57-3555.

Where to stay

Standard hotels

Classic hotels with 50 to 500 rooms. A suitable hotel of this class can be found for any budget. Because of their convenience, standard hotels are loved by families or large groups. The all-inclusive system (all inclusive) is often used.

boutique hotels

Recently, hotels of this type are becoming more and more popular. Boutique hotels are small hotels with 3-15 rooms. The guests of such hotels prefer silence, comfort and tranquility, which are so lacking in large hotels. Boutique hotels are on average more expensive than usual, but they have their own unique look. Customers get much more attentive service and maintenance. The standard cost of renting a double room is $100-$250 per day.

Bungalow

Usually bungalows are small private houses, renovated and converted to the needs of tourists. Sometimes there is a private kitchen, a maid or a cook. Renting a bungalow is not cheap, but if you are going on vacation with a large company, then there is an opportunity to save money. Rental price $100-$200 per day.

Villas

A villa is a luxurious home with a large number of rooms, all possible amenities and maximum comfort. They are usually rented in their entirety and are suitable for wealthy people. A villa, like a bungalow, is beneficial for renting a large group of people, for example, several families. The average rental price is $300-$1000 per day. It varies depending on the level of the villa and the distance from the sea.

Sri Lanka is an exotic, spicy, green country. With an incredible number of temples, the warm Indian Ocean and good-natured people.
Traveling along it is discovering a new world, marvelous traditions, the virgin beauty of nature and a new self.
For everything to be smooth and sweet, it is important not only to plan the route. You also need to know the rules of local life.

Rest in Sri Lanka is 10 impossible:

1. Disrespectful to the Buddha

Sri Lanka is a religiously free country. However, the majority of the population here are Buddhists (70%). Hindus (Tamils) -15%, 8% Christians, 7% Muslims.

Therefore, of course, Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka are literally at every step.

Visiting at least the main ones (Dambulla Golden Temple, Temple of the Tooth Relic) is a must.
In order not to sit in prison after such excursions, you first need to know some rules:
- when entering the Temple, you must take off your shoes
- in no case should you sit on the floor with your feet pointing towards the Buddha
- do not imitate, photographing the statue of Buddha, His posture. It's fraught with jail
- Do not hug, kiss Buddha statues. For this, a fine and conditional imprisonment.
— visit the Temples in appropriate clothing for the occasion. No tops, short shorts, little to hide skirts and open shoulders.
2. Import tobacco products and cigarettes
Yes, those are the rules. So long live healthy life!

3. Try everything in a row sauces

Most of them are terribly sharp. That's just tears from the eyes!!
Before you arrange a tasting of local cuisine, you should consult with the waiter and be sure to say "No Chilli". Spicy food will be in any case.

4. Eat with your left hand

This is if you suddenly decide to master the local traditions and try to eat with your hands.
You can only take food, pass food and objects to others with your right hand.
The Sri Lankans consider actions with the left hand as an insult.

5. Leave windows open at night

Many hotels have a lot of monkeys. And so they can easily drop by for a visit. And arrange a real pogrom in the room. So it is better to close the windows and sleep with air conditioning.
From mosquitoes the best remedy - spray Off

6. Buy gems from dubious shops

Yes, it may look attractive due to the price, but how many clever fakes are now!
Sri Lanka is known worldwide for its precious stones: star sapphires, rubies, amethysts, garnets, topazes and especially the famous "moonstone" (a kind of adularia), which is mined only here. It is recommended to purchase jewelry in specialized stores, requiring the issuance of an appropriate certificate.

7. Engage in charitable distribution of alms
The beggars here are professionals. And as soon as they see gentleness and good nature, it is impossible to get rid of them.
From that, if you want to please someone, stock up on small bills and make gifts only when you are ready to say goodbye to a place / attraction / cafe. Otherwise, they won't leave.

and important. if you want to personally take a photo of the “sitting” fishermen, get ready to pay a considerable amount to the models.

8. Sit if the monk is sitting

If you travel around the country, take an interest in its life, religion, traditions, you will certainly meet monks more than once.
Please note: you cannot sit in their presence. In the same way as standing one step higher. Or take specially designated places in public transport.

9. Kissing in public
Just like hugging in public in Sri Lanka is considered bad manners.

10. Smoking in public places
In restaurants, in transport, at bus stops, in hotel lobbies. The fine is about 5000 rupees.