Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, the island in the shape of a teardrop is situated at the toe of India in the Indian Ocean only one hour from the Maldives and therefore perfect to visit as a twin center with the Maldives. The hospitality of the people of Sri Lanka is genuinely warm and welcoming to the visiting tourists.

In the southwest of the island the majority of the beach hotels are located offering basic accommodation up to Chic Boutique and luxury 5 star hotels on various board basis from room only to all-inclusive. A trip to the island is not complete without a visit to the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela where you can feed the baby elephants and watch them bathe in the river nearby.

If you love history and sightseeing then the many Buddhist shrines and architectural remains will keep you occupied for the duration of your stay. Sri Lanka also offers many wildlife safaris and scenic hiking trails as well as a choice of many water sports such as sailing, fishing, water skiing, and scuba diving. Some of the best beaches are in the southwest of the island including Tangalla, Beruwala, Mirissa, Bentota and Unawatuna.

Where to stay in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka The south west of the island is where the beach resorts are located with the first hotel just south of Colombo called the Mount Lavinia. This hotel is a great option for a one night stop before starting a tour of the island after a long flight. The fortress hotel is situated at the very south of the island an is a great spot to visit the national park of galle and is the furthest situated hotel in the south of the island.

If it’s luxury hotels you are looking for then consider the Jetwing beach hotel which offers rooms with your own butler or the Fortress which has two-floor ocean lofts with separate living rooms and indoor plunge pools or the Saman Villas which have Deluxe junior suites with private swimming pools and their Grand deluxe suite that is over 2 floors with your own private 23 foot swimming pool.
If you are looking for something different then a stay at the boutique hotel; Jetwing Vil Uyana in Sigiriya which has just 25 dwellings all over either paddy fields, water or in the forest all with private plunge pools. Vil Uyana meaning water garden really is a haven for those looking for wildlife and have a love of nature. This hotel is the perfect option to visit the wonderful site of Sigiriya rock and the surrounding area.

Another very different hotel in Sri Lanka is the Tea Factory in the Nuwara Eliya district which was original a tea plantation factory which has been restored into a 4 star hotel situated 16,000 feet above sea level. With only 57 rooms it offers a perfect base to discover the surrounding area and you can even pick your own tea.

What to do in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a destination offering you as much as you want to do or as little as possible, the beach resorts are idyllic for a beach holiday relaxing by the pool or for the energetic a host of sightseeing tours around the island. Most visitors to the island will include at least one or two nights at one of the hotels in the middle of the island to enjoy the many sights that Sri Lanka has to offer.

The Ceylon tour is the most popular offering you 7 days of touring the island including visits to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Polonnaruwa the 12th-century Sinhalese capital, The rock fortress of Sigiriya which you can climb to the top and wonder at the view of the perfectly preserved frescoes and the spectacular view, a visit to the Dambulla rock caves near Kandy and the Temple of the tooth.

If you love gardens then a trip to the Botanical Gardens is a must to see the colourful exotic plants.
Shopping in Sri Lanka also offers a wide choice of souvenirs such as embroidery, woodwork, batiks, gemstones, leather goods and of course Sri Lanka’s’ world-famous homegrown tea.

Getting married in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Wedding A wedding in Sri Lanka can be performed on at one of the many beach hotels in the southwest coast or in the hilltop area of Kandalama, or in the area of Sigiriya close to the ancient sites and the rock fortress of Sigiriya. Travel to or from the wedding ceremony on the back of an elephant for something totally different. Minimum stay required in Sri Lanka before the wedding can take place is 3 days and regular documents for weddings overseas are required.

Honeymoons in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka hotels offer a wide choice of options for a honeymoon couple and as it is so close to the Maldives it is an ideal choice for a twin-center honeymoon. If you would like something different there are hotels with private plunge pools, private swimming pools and all types of board basis from room only to all inclusive. Sri Lankan hotels offer honeymoon couples complimentary items such as candlelit dinner, couples massage, a bottle of champagne or wine, boat trips, fruit and flowers in the room and some offer a room upgrade to the next category room.

Best time to go to Sri Lanka

The best time of year to visit Sri Lanka is between November and end of March on the west coast of the island to get the driest sunniest days for the beach. However you can visit Sri Lanka any time of the year as the temperature rarely drops beyond 80 degrees (27/29), however April/May and September/October sees the heaviest rainfall in Sri Lanka. For a beach holiday on the southwest coast, it is best to go between November and April. If you plan to visit the east coast, it is best to visit during the months of March to September. However, the average temperature of between 27 and 29 degrees is year round.

Getting to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Deal Flights from London to Sri Lanka are daily with Sri Lankan airways direct and indirect with Emirates Airline. The flying time direct is approximately 11 hours and the time difference is +6 hours GMT. No visas are required for British passport holders but some vaccinations are recommended and it is advisable to check with you doctor before flying to Sri Lanka.

Essential Facts on Sri Lanka

Currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rupee.
For more information browse the official website for the Sri Lanka Tourist Board
Country Sri Lanka
Languages spoke Sinhala and Tamil. English is widely spoken
Currency Sri Lankan rupee
Visa requirements electronic travel aurthorisation needs to be completed before departure at a cost of 30USD Visit for more information or get in touch for our latest offers.