There are few countries with as much variety for a trip as Sri Lanka. Known as the Teardrop of India, this island offers travelers a historical, cultural, and natural escape: ancient ruins, temples, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, national parks, wildlife, beaches, and mountains—all within a relatively compact area that allows for short trips without spending too many hours on the road.
It’s an ideal destination for those who don’t have much time but want to see a lot.
Sri Lanka is nothing like the giant that is India, which unintentionally overshadows it. It offers a completely different travel experience—cleaner, less chaotic, and with much safer traffic. While it is slightly more expensive, the improved safety allowed us to explore the country with our own tuk-tuk, our trusted companion, Motoret.
This guide is designed for independent travelers planning their trip to Sri Lanka, packed with information based on our personal experience. If that’s you, we hope you find it helpful. Welcome, and have a great trip!
Obtaining a visa for Sri Lanka is incredibly easy. It takes no more than five minutes to complete online from the comfort of your home. You don’t need to send your passport, nor do you have to wait. The cost is around $40 for a 30-day stay.
If you’re looking for affordable flights to Sri Lanka, we have a couple of recommendations.
Search directly for cheap flights to Sri Lanka from Europe or America.
Fly from India. Many travelers exploring India decide to make the leap to Sri Lanka, as we did. Based on our experience, there are numerous budget-friendly flights available from airports like Chennai, Mumbai, or Bangalore.
You can check for flight deals from India to Sri Lanka, such as from Chennai (Madras), via the link above.
It’s essential to travel to India with comprehensive insurance. We were among the first to offer the popular IATI discount, and you can now get it with Heymondo Travel Insurance as well.
You can find more information about both companies through the links provided above, or you can access the discount directly using the buttons below (in both cases, you’ll see the reduced final price on their website):
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate, so the best time to visit depends on the region you’re planning to explore. In general, the weather can be divided into two main seasons:
While many hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants in Sri Lanka offer free Wi-Fi, some travelers prefer or need a constant connection.
We’ve included details on obtaining a Sri Lanka eSIM card with unlimited data. If you want to get one directly, use the following link (with a discount):
Sri Lanka’s currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (Rs), abbreviated as LKR. We must say, it features some of the most beautiful banknotes we’ve ever come across (though Madagascar’s, with their little animals, come in a close second).
We only provide information and will never induce you to get vaccinated, but for those who wish to do so, there is a list of recommended vaccines (coming soon) for Sri Lanka. As we always say, it’s important to visit a doctor so that a professional can inform you about vaccines and provide 100% accurate advice.
In the heart of Sri Lanka stands Sigiriya Lion’s Rock, a massive 200-meter-high formation that has been, and continues to be, a significant symbol in the country’s history.
According to ancient chronicles, King Kashyapa (477–495 AD) chose this site as his new capital, building his fortress atop the enormous rock and adorning its walls with vibrant frescoes.
Halfway up the rock’s slope, a plateau features a walkway shaped like a giant lion. This structure inspired the name Sīhāgiri, or Lion Rock.
Today, the Sigiriya complex is recognized as one of the earliest preserved examples of ancient urban planning. You can find more photos and read about our experience in the travel diary (coming soon).
The Avukana Buddha is an impressive 12-meter-tall statue of Buddha carved from a single granite rock. Built in the 5th century near the town of Avukana, it is best reached by private vehicle (we arrived in our own tuk-tuk; you can read more about it in our travel diary).
There isn’t much else to explore around the statue itself, but you’re likely to encounter groups of white-clad pilgrims and the occasional monk keeping watch. It was under renovation and surrounded by scaffolding a few months ago. To avoid surprises, it’s a good idea to check beforehand if the work has been completed.
Galle is a coastal city in the southwest of Sri Lanka, famous for its Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located on a small walled peninsula, the city’s fort remains remarkably well-preserved.
Its streets showcase the colonial past through buildings that reflect the Portuguese, Dutch, and English influences, as these powers once controlled its strategic port.
The impact of its colonial history is so strong that walking through Galle feels like stepping into a European coastal city. Strolling its streets, lined with shops and restaurants, often culminates in a visit to the lighthouse, where you can enjoy views of the beach.
The charm of Ella, a mountain village located 1,000 meters above sea level in Sri Lanka, lies in its breathtaking surroundings. For those seeking a deep connection with nature and serene forest trails free from crowds, Ella is an ideal destination.
The highlight of the area is Ella Rock, a dramatic viewpoint that offers spectacular, vertigo-inducing vistas. Reaching it involves a three-hour hike, factoring in the inevitable moments of getting lost along the way.
The hike is of medium difficulty. While athletic prowess isn’t required, the final stretch demands a minimum level of physical fitness.
Sri Lanka’s central highlands bring cooler weather, so don’t forget to pack a warm jacket if you plan to visit Nuwara Eliya, often referred to as the island’s “Little England.”
Surrounded by rolling tea plantations, this town is the perfect place to visit a tea factory and learn about the production process.
The area’s calm atmosphere, lush green landscapes, and serene lake make Nuwara Eliya one of the most relaxing stops of the entire trip. If the weather permits, we recommend taking some time to explore the surroundings, as this region is also known for having much lighter traffic.
Sri Lanka’s second-largest city is located in the central part of the island. Being in a mountainous region, it enjoys a much cooler climate compared to the towns in the north or along the coast.
Some of the key attractions include a stroll around Lake Bogambara, a visit to the Temple of the Tooth of Buddha, or a trip to the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya, just a few kilometers from Kandy.Kandy also serves as the starting point for the famous train journey through the highlands. The stunning scenery along this route is truly breathtaking. By train, you can travel to Ella or Nuwara Eliya.
Among the towns on the south coast, Tangalle was the one we chose for a few days of relaxation by the beach. Staying in a cozy cabin with delicious food made the five days we spent there feel like a true vacation.
Although the sea has some rocky areas, the long beach lined with coconut trees and the occasional beachside bar completely captivated us. The peaceful atmosphere far from the town.
If you’re deciding between Tangalle and Mirissa for a break, we wholeheartedly recommend Tangalle.
The Dambulla Caves, also known as the Golden Temple or Cave Temple, form a complex of temples within caves. This site is the largest, most famous, and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.
Situated atop a 160-meter-high rock, the site includes over 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. However, the main attractions are five caves containing statues and paintings, many of which date back to the 1st century BC.
Continuously used as a Buddhist temple since Buddhism arrived in Sri Lanka, the Dambulla Caves were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. You can read about our rainy visit to the caves in our travel diary chapter: Soaking in the Caves of Dambulla.
Sri Lanka’s second ancient capital after Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa is part of the country’s cultural triangle. This city is filled with archaeological wonders, including palaces, playgrounds, gardens, intricately designed bathing tanks, carvings, sculptures, and an impressive array of art.
The best part is that you can explore Polonnaruwa easily on foot, by bike, or by tuk-tuk, as we did with our trusty Motoret. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
Anuradhapura, one of the largest archaeological sites in the world and sacred to Buddhism, was Sri Lanka’s first ancient capital. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, it is an essential stop on any trip to the island.
Located in the northern part of the island, Anuradhapura is today one of the most visited places in Sri Lanka. The new city, situated near the ruins of the ancient capital, offers numerous hotels and a variety of restaurants to suit all tastes.
Anuradhapura is at the heart of Sri Lanka’s history. Spanning approximately 40 square kilometers, it preserves palaces, forts, dagobas, tanks, irrigation systems, moats, and walls. A visit to Anuradhapura is like traveling back in time, offering a glimpse of what the Sinhalese kingdom’s capital was like over 1,500 years ago.
Just 13 kilometers from Anuradhapura lies Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism since 247 BC. It was here that Mahinda, the son of Indian Emperor Ashoka, met King Devanampiya Tissa and introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
Since then, the hill where this historic meeting took place has become a sacred pilgrimage site for the faithful. A staircase of 1,843 steps connects the lower temples to the summit, where you’ll encounter as many pilgrims as hungry macaques—be sure to keep an eye on your belongings and never leave your backpack unattended!
The highlight of Yala National Park is undoubtedly the elusive leopard, although it’s also the hardest to spot. We spent an entire day in the park and only managed to see one at the last moment.
Even if we hadn’t found the leopard, the visit would still have been worth it. During our time in Yala, we saw elephants, water buffalo, monitor lizards, peacocks, wild boars, eagles, flamingos, toucans, kingfishers, and countless macaques.
We were overwhelmed by the sheer variety of animal species, and our guide even stopped to show us dung beetles crossing our path.
The magnificent blue whale can be spotted just a few kilometers off the coast of Mirissa, and going on a boat tour to see it has become the most popular activity in the area. However, whale-watching tours can have serious consequences for these majestic creatures when agencies prioritize profits over the well-being of marine life.
To ensure an ethical experience, we chose “Raja and the Whales,” a company founded by a young fisherman who gave up fishing to focus on protecting marine life along the coast. You can read more about our experience [here]. (coming soon)
How about renting a tuk-tuk and exploring Sri Lanka on your own? As soon as we found out it was possible, we rented a tuk-tuk and named it Motoret. Without a doubt, it was the cherry on top of this incredible trip. You can read all about our experience in the link above. Don’t miss it!
Our philosophy at the beginning was always “book the first night and then start picking up hotels as you go”, but since people started travelling en masse, new hotels and “full” signs have emerged, and with them new booking websites. The advantage is that now you have, just a click away, a lot of hotels and guesthouses to choose from before you arrive at your destination.
We recommend platforms like Booking.com, very active in many countries in Asia like Sri Lanka.
Accommodation in Sri Lanka was pricier than we anticipated, but you can still find double rooms in some places starting at 1,800 rupees, including breakfast.
The most expensive place we stayed was a beach hut with breakfast and dinner included for 6,600 rupees. However, most of the time we paid between 2,500 and 3,500 rupees for clean rooms that provided towels, soap, and toilet paper (a detail you’ll appreciate if you’ve been traveling in India!).
While we traveled around the country in our tuk-tuk, getting around Sri Lanka is easy and affordable if you take the bus. Outside the cities, you can also rent a motorbike or hire a tuk-tuk for local transport.
If you’re traveling from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, don’t miss the scenic train ride. It’s one of the most beautiful experiences in the country, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
We usually rent scooters when we travel, but surely at some point, we’ll want to rent a car (or a tuk-tuk) and remember the day we decided to get an international driving permit.
Click on the image and it will take you to a new Google Maps window with all the points of interest to travel around Sri Lanka.
