Colombo
Colombo exudes culture and history, the atmosphere is exotic and exciting.
There’s only one way to describe this place: diverse. One of the East’s sleepier destinations; but take the time to explore it and you’ll find that you wake up to something completely different every day.
Lush, green and without crowds, Sri Lanka has become one of the prime boutique destinations of the East. We love it for its diversity, the people and the exquisite food.
A Sri Lanka holiday will not disappoint. You are guaranteed to experience one of the most idyllic and exotic destinations on earth. Travelling around this beautiful island, you will see rolling tea estates, spectacular views, fascinating historical sites, wide stretches of sandy beach and verdant forests abundant with wildlife, such as leopard, wild elephant and sloth bear.
With so many different holiday styles, Sri Lanka has something for everyone, from trekking and camping in National Parks, such as Wilpattu, to flying to north-east Jaffna to explore the Dutch forts. Alternatively, you could relax on the glorious sandy beaches around the coast, explore the UNESCO site of Galle or discover Colombo’s fascinating past and vibrant future with a private walking tour in the city.
Make the most of every moment in Sri Lanka. Create an itinerary brimming with these truly unforgettable moments.
A collection of luxury Sri Lankan properties handpicked through firsthand experience. Find your home away from home and be left feeling perfectly prepared for all of the moments waiting for you.
Sri Lanka benefits from generally good weather all year round and experiences a tropical climate with the best and most popular to visit being during our winter months, from January to April.
Visit the Southern and Western coast of Sri Lanka to experience the hot and humid climate in coastal areas or visit the mountainous regions for cooler temperatures with less humidity.
In Northern and Central Sri Lanka, temperatures will start to rise, and these regions will become more humid with March being generally a dry month for Sri Lanka.
Overall, April is a very good time to visit Sri Lanka, with most of the island experiencing high temperatures and lots of sunshine, all before the first monsoon rains of the year begin in the South.
From May to August, the country experiences the first of its two annual monsoon seasons in Southwest Sri Lanka. Therefore, during these months it is best to visit Northeast Sri Lanka including Batticaloa and Passekudah.
Rainfall with continue in the South during the monsoon season whereas in Northern Sri Lanka, June is one of the best times to visit this area with a warm climate and high temperatures throughout.
In Northern Sri Lanka, the months of June and July are particularly good times to travel to the area, with minimal rainfall, particularly high temperatures and long days of sunshine.
Throughout the country, you can expect excellent climate conditions. August is ideal month for those wanting to experience both the Northeast and Southwest regions of the island, typically quite unusual due to Sri Lanka’s monsoon seasons.
September will start to see the end of the monsoon season in the Southwest and whilst rainfall and thunderstorms are less frequent, are still likely across the region.
Prior to the monsoon season, rainfall is likely throughout the country and can sometimes be unpredictable, meaning disruptions in travel are likely.
From November to February, Northeast Sri Lanka will experience one of two annual monsoon seasons. Whilst most days will experience rainfall, it is a great time to travel to experience the lush, green countryside.
Due to the monsoon in the Northeast, it is best to visit the southwest coast of Sri Lanka prior to the second monsoon reaching this area in May. Experience high levels of sunshine, perfect for Sri Lanka’s beaches.
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Well, the locals pronounce this fortified city as Gala as in Allah! Western tourists tend to pronounce the word as Gaul (as in ball). They are both correct.
Trains are a great way to cross the country at slow speed. The most scenic train journey in Sri Lanka, but possibly the world, is the Kandy to Ella train. Climb aboard the six-hour(ish) journey from Kandy and wind and climb through the tea estates Sri Lanka’s lush hill country. The Blue Train leaves Kandy or Colombo Fort in the mornings going uphill and From Badulla and Ella towards Kandy at least four times a day.
We personally believe that this train journey is best experienced by purchasing a lower-class ticket. First Class is stuffy with tightly shut windows. Second and third class reserved (wooden benches) offer a more authentic experience, with everybody keen to have a chat. Doors and windows are open, perfect for dangling your feet over and feeling the wind in your hair. We like to get your train tickets well in advance as the popular routes and classes sell out up to two months in advance.
If you do opt to travel first class in Sri Lanka expect softer seating and air conditioning. The windows and doors will remain locked and you will be sat with other foreigners. Do ask us for information about the observation carriage. They have wide windows, looking back down the track. It is not air-conditioned so the side windows do open enough to pop through your camera lens. The price of a ticket is peanuts, expect to pay between 70p and £5 for your journey.
ATMs are becoming more widespread in the larger cities, but are more difficult to find outside of these. Before leaving for more rural areas, we advise making sure you have plenty of local currency with you in
Sri Lanka is a year-round destination although the weather differs between the north and the south. For the best climate visit the south of the country between January and April and the north from June to December.
Yes, in fact renting a villa of any size is great value and makes for a wonderfully relaxing holiday. A particularly good option for families the villas come with staff and locations range from beachfront to inland depending on your preference. The best selection is found on the south coast near Galle.
British passport holders need an e- visa which is easily obtained online. It is currently 35 USD for British citizens until further notice and is generally issued within approximately five days. There is no need to send away your passport. Other nationalities please ask for further information.
Sri Lanka was declared free of malaria in 2017 and 2018 after eradicating the disease in 2016. However, do take normal precautions. Wear long-sleeved tops and avoid skin exposure during dusk and dawn when mosquitos are most active. Avoid sitting or staying by any standing water or boggy land. Invest in some repellant when travelling through a jungle and forested regions. Mosquitoes are prevalent and do carry Dengue Fever.
Obviously, wildlife is never guaranteed but chances are good, particularly in Yala National Park which has one of the highest density of leopard in the world.
It is safe to visit Jaffna in the north of the country as well as the new beach resorts around Trincomalee on the north-east coast. However it is worth mentioning that in Jaffna there remains a strong military presence. If you like pioneering travel and are OK with basic accommodation then a visit to the very north of the country could well appeal.One of our female travel experts recently travelled to the north and felt extremely safe throughout.
Willpattu on the north-west coast is opening up and there is now a comfortable camp there. Willpattu is best for Sloth bear and leopard, however, leopards are more elusive here than in Yala National Park.
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We support projects right across the planet. Explore below to see where and how we’re making a difference – in some cases, we can even arrange a visit as part of your tailor-made itinerary.
The Rainbow Centre provides daily education, food, welfare, medical treatment and loving support to children living in extreme poverty in southwestern Sri Lanka. Its key aim is to enable children to obtain an education and to help them to break free from a world of crime, begging, addiction and abuse.
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