Sri Lanka offers a variety of wildlife, cuisine, history and culture that few other destinations on earth can match. What the pearl-shaped island lacks in size it more than makes up for in adventure, and our Asia travel experts have put together their top Sri Lanka travel advice to give you all the information you need for your trip. The island is a destination of incredible natural beauty, where every region offers something unique to discover. From lush tea plantations to ancient cities and wildlife-rich national parks, there’s always something to explore. Follow our guide below to find the perfect Sri Lanka tours for you.
Where the Journey Begins: Sri Lanka’s Location, Flight Time and Time Zone
Let’s go over some basics. Sri Lanka is an island just off India’s southeast coast and is famous for producing a few things in particular: tea, cinnamon, spicy curries, overachieving cricketers, and tropical weather. The varied climate and shifting monsoon seasons differ across the island; so coastal sunshine, golden beaches, misty hills and lush greenery each have their moment, as do humid rainstorms and sun-soaked afternoons.
In terms of getting there, the flight time to Sri Lanka from the UK is usually around 12-13 hours. Once you’re there, keeping track of time is pretty simple in Sri Lanka (though of course you’ll wish it was going slower). Sri Lanka Standard Time is five and a half hours ahead of UK time, and there's no daylight saving to factor in.
When is the Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka?
When deciding the best time of year to visit Sri Lanka, it’s important to consider the island’s dual monsoon seasons. The Maha monsoon (October to January) brings rain to the north and east, while the Yala monsoon (May to August) affects the south and west. At Distant Journeys, our tours are carefully timed to make the most of Sri Lanka’s weather patterns. Each stop and excursion is handpicked by our experts to showcase this captivating country at its finest. While Sri Lanka can be visited year-round, the months from January to April offer the most consistently pleasant weather across much of the island – making this the ideal time to experience its lush landscapes and cultural treasures at their very best.
Central, South & West Coast – Ideal Between December and March
From December to April, Sri Lanka’s southwest region (including Colombo, Galle, Kandy, and the Hill Country) bask in their dry season. The days are usually warm and bright, with lower humidity and not much rain, making it a great time for sightseeing and basking on the southern coast’s famous beaches. If you’re visiting during this time, you’ll probably find temperatures in the high 20s° along the coast, with the atmospheric Hill Country offering a cooler, refreshing 20–24°C.
At the heart of Sri Lanka is the ‘Cultural Triangle’, incorporating popular heritage sites such as Sigiriya and Dambulla. Here it is dry for most of the year, with rainfall only usually between October and December, so visitors travelling through to April may have warmer temperatures up to 31°C.
When to Avoid Visiting – Monsoon Season in Sri Lanka
While Sri Lanka can be viewed as a year-round destination, October and November bring the overlap of the island’s two monsoon systems in the southwest and northeast. This is usually referred to as the Sri Lanka monsoon season (or simply the rainy season), bringing sometimes unpredictable downpours that can occasionally affect travel and outdoor sightseeing.
Some consider this the worst time to visit Sri Lanka for certain types of holidays, simply because travel and outdoor excursions can sometimes be disrupted. That’s why Distant Journeys carefully avoids this period for our escorted Sri Lanka holidays, so you’ll enjoy the best of each region in the best possible weather conditions.
What to Expect When Visiting Sri Lanka
Almost every traveller notices one thing first when visiting Sri Lanka: the warmth (of the locals, as well as the tropical sun). You won't be able to pass down a street here without catching a friendly eye, exchanging a warm smile, or swapping an amiable "ayubowan" (the standard greeting here).
As well as welcoming locals, Sri Lankan culture is all about deep-rooted tradition, faith and heritage. Travelling to Sri Lanka often means stepping inside sacred, spiritual temples and shrines, removing your shoes first and covering your shoulders and knees. Dressing modestly to visit rural villages and towns will also go a long way to showing respect to the locals.
For those wondering how to get around Sri Lanka, that's an entire experience in its own right. Train journeys in Sri Lanka are famous for a reason, offering views of rolling rice paddies and tea plantations as far as the eye can see. Then there are the winding, scenic roads heading into the heart of the island, and the iconic tuk-tuks bobbing and zipping through virtually every locale you'll visit.
Sri Lankan Foods You’ll Want to Try
Even the most casual foodie will be blown away by the culinary experience on your holiday to ‘the Pearl of the Indian Ocean’: there’s truly nothing like Sri Lankan food. Sampling the local cuisine is an undoubted highlight of any Sri Lanka holiday.
Sri Lankan cuisine is built on centuries of tradition, culture, heritage, colonisation and more, melding flavours from multiple corners of the globe (including Portuguese and Dutch influences) to create a gastronomic tradition that converts first-timers into fans from the first bite. You’ll taste heat from peppers and chilli, let sweetness from ubiquitous coconut linger on your tongue, and experience the new flavours of jackfruit (polos), Sri Lankan mangoes, and the iconic Ceylon tea. And of course, don’t forget cinnamon, of which the island is the world’s leading producer.
Each of our curated itineraries includes the sensations of Sri Lankan cuisine at every step, so food becomes part of the adventure itself; from unbeatable hotel buffets with astonishing levels of quality to crisp hoppers, fragrant kottu and sumptuous curries based on generations-old recipes.
Popular Local Dishes to Look Out For
So, what are the dishes you can’t miss while you’re travelling Sri Lanka? Naturally, rice and curry feature on many a wishlist, and while you really can’t go wrong there, there’s so much more to dig into.
Maybe you’ll start with a proper Sri Lankan plate, loaded with multiple different curries, luxurious dhal and a kaleidoscope of sambols (relishes and chutneys). Lots of Sri Lankans eat curry with their hands (the best way to get all the flavours and textures), and meals here are ideal for family-style dining, with lots of dishes to share and sample. For something sweet afterwards, try buffalo curd served with palm treacle – a rich, creamy local favourite that perfectly rounds off a traditional meal. Or, head out to find a street vendor making fresh kottu roti, a famous dish made from chopped bread, curry and an array of vegetables; if you can catch it being made, listening to the clanging as the roti gets chopped is a quintessential soundtrack to Sri Lankan life.
An unmissable staple of Sri Lankan food is the mighty hopper. There are two main types: regular hoppers are cup-shaped crispy pancakes, sometimes filled with a freshly fried egg and always the perfect accompaniment to a spicy chutney or coconut sambol. Then there are string hoppers (idiyappam), soft nests of tangled rice noodles that are just as good at breakfast as with an evening curry. Every meal (or snack) in Sri Lanka feels like a celebration, and each dish and recipe represents Sri Lanka’s fiery soul, warmth and captivating rhythm.
From Market Stalls to Cooking Classes
The best way to connect with Sri Lanka is to experience the island’s food. With Distant Journeys curated itineraries you'll have the opportunity to wander through markets, smell the fresh spices and chat with vendors. You'll also be able to head out and curate your own culinary adventure with Freedom Days on itineraries like The Very Best of Sri Lanka Tour. Choose to explore colourful markets, head to cooking classes with locals in Galle, or tours to sample the very best of Sri Lankan street food.
Sri Lanka Travel Advice: Essential Planning Tips
Here are some of the basics you need to know before you plan a Sri Lanka holiday.
Do I need a Sri Lankan visa?
Yes, you need a visa when travelling from the UK to Sri Lanka. You must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before you travel. The ETA visa is required for all forms of visits to Sri Lanka and is valid for 30 days.
What language is spoken in Sri Lanka?
The official languages of the island are Sinhala and Tamil, though English is widely spoken. You'll find Sri Lankan locals always keen to help with communication wherever you go, with friendly smiles acting as a useful universal language to keep on hand.
What is Sri Lanka’s currency?
Currency-wise, you'll be spending in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR). Sri Lanka’s currency is a closed currency, which means that it’s not freely traded on international markets and cannot be sold or bought outside of the country so you can exchange cash once you arrive at the airport, at local banks or certified ATMs. Most hotels, restaurants and larger shops accept card payments. It's a good idea to have cash on hand for tips, markets and any smaller establishments or towns.
Bursting with natural beauty, cultural depth and genuine warmth, Sri Lanka is a dream destination that captivates every kind of traveller. And when you travel with us, we makes sure every detail is taken care of: think expertly planned Sri Lanka tours complete with curated excursions, knowledgeable local guides and hand-picked hotels.
