Sri Lanka – The First Paradise

Sri Lanka is a teardrop shaped nation in the Indian Ocean situated off the coast of Southern India. This land of remarkable diversity and ancient history is generally recognised as one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

What To See In Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka can be conveniently divided into 5 main areas of interest each with its distinctive landscapes and cultural traditions.

A: The Cultural Triangle
Ancient Temples And Ruined Cities

B: Kandy
The Heart Of Sri Lanka

C: The Hill Country
Tea Covered Hills And Waterfalls

D: The Deep South
Deserted Beaches, Wildlife Parks And Elephants

E: The South West
Beach Resorts, Lagoons And Tropical Villages

When To Go?

November – April
The Winter Season
Great for Sri Lanka’s Deep South and South West Beaches, with calm seas and dry weather.

May – June
The South West Monsoon
Rainfall likely during these months. The duration and intensity depends on local conditions.

July – August
Intermonsoon Period
The country is lush and green after the South West Monsoon, and touring is a very pleasant experience.

September - October
The North East Monsoon
Now rarely happens with minimal rainfall due to changing weather patterns.

Regional Weather in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a constant average temperature of 30 *C on a year round basis except for the cooler Hill Country.

South West And Deep South Beach Resorts
The Beach Season lasts from mid-October to the end of April when the seas are calm and rainfall is lowest at major resorts such as Negombo, Wadduwa, Kalutara and Bentota on the South West Coast. The Deep South Beaches around Hikkaduwa, Galle, Mirissa and Tangalle are also at their best during the Winter Season.

The East Coast
Legendary but ‘off the beaten track’ beaches on Sri Lanka’s East Coast at Arugam Bay, Kalkudah and Nilaveli are some of the finest in Asia. The best time to visit the East Coast is between July – September.

The Hill Country
At Nuwara Eliya (6000ft) among the tea estates, the temperatures range from 12*C (night) to 20*C (daytime). The weather is akin to a spring day in the UK. The holiday season in the hills falls during the month of April.

Visa Regulations

There are no visa requirements for British Passport Holders as long as your passport is valid for 6 months from your date of arrival in Sri Lanka. A free 30-Day Visa will be given on arrival at Colombo Airport.

This also applies to persons holding Commonwealth, European Union, Irish and USA passports. Other passport holders are advised to check with the Sri Lanka Embassy:

Sri Lanka High Commission
13 Hyde Park Gardens
London W2 2LU
Tel: 020 7262 1841 / 020 7706 480