Sri Lanka is an island Nation in the south of India also known for its diverse landscapes. The sandy beaches of the rainforest and parched plains are welcoming sites for tourists.
The combination of landscapes with beaches and plains gives you an experience worth cherishing. The ancient Buddhist ruins are the wealthiest sight to gaze at and the UNESCO World Heritage sites add beauty to the country. The ruins dating back to 2000 years signify the country’s culture and tradition that flourishes in Sri Lanka.
Official Name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Location: Latitude 5° 55. To 9° 50. North, Longitude 79° 42. To 81° 52., 650km north of the equator
Dimensions: 430km North to South, 225km East to West
Area: 65,525km
Currency (code): Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
Commercial Capital: Colombo
National Flower: The Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata).
National Parks and Nature Reserves Area: 8,000 sq. km.
Population: 21,128,773
Literacy Rate: Female 87.9 Male 92.5
Ethnic Groups: Sinhalese 73.8%, Sri Lankan Moors 7.2%, Indian Tamil 4.6%, Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9%, other 0.5%, unspecified 10% (2001 census)
Languages: Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8%
Religion: Buddhist 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census)
Time Zone: Sri Lanka Standard Time is five and a half hours ahead of GMT. (Allowance should be made for summertime changes in Europe.)
International Dialing: +94
Electricity: 230. 240 volts, 50 cycles AC. Please bring a stabilizer if you wish to travel with a laptop.
When to go and Weather:
Low season (May – Aug)
The Yala Monsoon season lasts from May to August. Heavy rainfall and uncomfortable weather are experienced in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka while the Northeastern part of the country remains drier.
Shoulder (Apr & Sep–Nov)
April and September are the best time for you to visit Sri Lanka. The celebration of New Year in mid-April is the busiest time for transport. You can travel around without any set schedule during this season.
High season (December –March)
The west and south beaches including the hill country are the busiest. The prices are high during this month as the number of visitors is high. The East, North, and ancient cities are wet because of the Maha Monsoon season from October to January.
Best Time
January – April (Entire Country)
Mid-July – September (Entire Country)
February – September North and East
MONSOON SEASON: May – July (South-West Monsoon) October – January (North-East Monsoon)
BEACH SEASON: January – April (South), May – July (East)
ATMs:
Credit cards are accepted in most big hotels and ATMs are available in cities and major towns.
Health:
The travelers in Sri Lanka do not experience any serious health conditions apart from an upset stomach at times. The standards of hygiene are fine at the best hotels and worst in some low-level hotels in many kitchens around the country.
Getting around Sri Lanka:
Bus: Buses cover most of the towns in Sri Lanka and are the main mode of transport. Buses are inexpensive and most crowded, and air-con buses have limited routes. Compared to government buses private buses are comfortable to travel in Sri Lanka.
Car: You can also hire a car and are quite comfortable and flexible in terms of route. The drivers are courteous and have a good knowledge of the tradition and culture.
Train: Trains can be comfortable in contrast to buses (except third-class carriage). The view while traveling to Galle from Colombo and Ella from Haputale are famous for their scenery.
Hotels and other accommodations:
Varieties of choices are available in terms of accommodation in Sri Lanka. Heritage bungalows, homestays, rented apartments, boutique hotels, and many-star hotels are the options available for your stay. The staff in this accommodation are friendly in any range of stay that you choose.
Foods and Beverages:
The cuisine in Sri Lanka holds a unique and delicious taste. The food in Sri Lanka is quite healthy and aromatic. The flavors are also influenced by Indian Colonists and Arabic tastes.
The best experience about food in Sri Lanka is that the same type of food is prepared with different flavors. The food style varies from region to region and variation can be seen in the same dish in the different regions. If you are a food lover then you will love the mouth-watering food that you will taste in Sri Lanka.
