Sri Lanka is a kaleidoscope country. Otherwise, I cannot name all the magnificent opportunities that it provides to tourists and travelers of any age, gender and religion.

The preparation of each trip to this seemingly small island turns for me into a new and new combination of elements of a large constructor: endless sandy beaches, the history and culture of antiquity, extreme sports, the romance of the ocean, travel to emerald mountain peaks and much more.

There are so many interesting things on the island that, as a rule, the trip is not limited to one destination. The ring is the ideal form of the route in Sri Lanka. The beginning and end is the Bandaranaike airport, and everyone chooses the points on the circle to their taste.

My first trip to Sri Lanka was very luxurious and expensive. But the island made such an impression on me that I wanted to return here again, so I began to look for more affordable ways to travel around Sri Lanka, to look closely at the life and life of the locals, gradually turning a seemingly unrealizable fairy tale into reality. So over time, Sri Lanka became my second home.

The island really has a place to turn around in terms of sights and interesting places, so I love not only traveling on it myself, but also planning routes for friends who come here.

Visa and border crossing

The popularity of Sri Lanka among independent travelers is associated, among other things, with the availability and ease of obtaining a visa. Package tourists can also appreciate the efficiency of the officers at the passport control of the airport.

The cost of a visa to Sri Lanka for Russians and citizens of the CIS: at the airport - $ 40, an electronic visa - $ 35. It is given for 2 entries within 30 days. This is convenient if you want to fly, for example, to the Maldives or India.

I recommend applying for an electronic visa on the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) website - it is both cheaper and faster to cross the border. And if you have problems with entry, then you will find out about it in advance, and not at the airport in Sri Lanka.

To apply for an e-visa, you must fill out a special form on the website.

Upon completion of registration, you will receive information that the application has been accepted, after a few hours (up to a day) - confirmation that the visa has been issued.

Please note that closer to the moment of arrival in Colombo, flight attendants begin to offer migration cards for registering entry into Sri Lanka. In this form, you need to enter the following parameters in Latin:

• First Name Last Name;
• nationality;
• passport number;
• place of stay on the island (if you plan to travel around the island, then indicate the name and address of the first hotel in your itinerary);
• signature.

You can fill out a migration card on the plane, and at the airport go straight to passport control. The procedure is that you hand over the issued card and passport (it must be valid for at least 6 months after the expected end of the trip). No one ever asked me for a printout of an electronic visa, a tourist voucher and a return air ticket, all the necessary information is already contained in the electronic database of the Sri Lanka visa service. However, keep these documents handy just in case.

A Sri Lankan visa can be extended up to 3 months and in special cases up to six months. The Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka, where you can go through the relevant procedure, is located at 41, Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo.

Depending on the severity of the violation of migration laws in Sri Lanka, various fines are provided, up to being included in the list of persons who are denied entry to the island.

How to get there

By plane

The main transport hub of the island - Bandaranaike International Airport - is located near Colombo, the largest city in Sri Lanka.

How and how much to fly is the first question that any traveler asks. There are no direct regular flights from Moscow to Colombo, but there are charters during the high season (in winter). This is about 8.5 hours of flight.

The main way to get from Moscow to Sri Lanka is the daily regular flights of Arab airlines, which carry out 1 transfer:

• Emirates - ;
• Qatar Airways-Doha;
• Etihad - .

The flight time, taking into account the connection, increases to 12-14 hours. Ticket price - from 28,000 rubles.

You can get from other Russian cities with the help of the FlyDubai low-cost airline, which operates flights to major Russian cities with a transfer in Dubai. For cities such as, this is the most advantageous flight in terms of time and cost.

Promotions and sales of tickets to Sri Lanka are carried out by airlines around March and October. During this period, the cost of the flight can be reduced by 25-35%. Easy to keep track of prices and discounts.

Tourist regions

The most famous resorts of Sri Lanka are located in the south (the best beach is from Tangalle to Weligama) and southwest () of the island. Eastern Sri Lanka is gaining popularity among tourists every year, attracting with its cleanliness, desert and coral reefs. Also of interest are two central regions of the country: mountainous Sri Lanka with developed trekking routes among the green hills and the so-called "cultural triangle" - a historical region between the three ancient capitals of Ceylon (Anuradhapura,).

Each resort has its own characteristics and offers vacationers a bright range of entertainment and interesting excursions.

southwest coast

Since the southwest of Sri Lanka is famous for its wide variety of beaches, I made my personal rating of the best of them:

• - the untwisted resort of Sri Lanka. Its beaches are preferred by newlyweds for a romantic trip or a wedding ceremony. You can navigate the prices for tours to Bentota. In addition, there is a special program to support the Bentota area as an Ayurvedic resort, so several specialized centers operate here, and each hotel has its own SPA programs. On one of its beaches there is the most popular water entertainment center on the island, there is everything from fishing, surfing to water skiing, yachting
  The quiet lagoon of Bentota allows you to swim here all year round - this is its big plus. And the relative proximity to the airport (115 km) makes the resort one of the most accessible on the island.
• Beruwala- a resort with many attractions related to Islam. The main one is the ancient mosque of Kechimalai. Muslims from all over the world make pilgrimages here during religious holidays. Beruwala also has a number of large hotels with Ayurvedic SPA-salons, tennis courts, golf courses, traditional water activities on the beaches - surfing, diving, fishing. This area, as a continuation of Bentota, is also very clean, but it is cheaper. Among the minuses is the city of Beruwala itself. If you decide to get out into the areas where the locals live, then you will be met by dirt and restless beggars - both children and adults.
• Hikkaduwa- a great place for surfing and diving, which, although not fashionable, is adored by young people and extreme lovers. Unlike most resorts in Sri Lanka, there are many fun bars and discos here. And the main attraction of Hikkaduwa is the coral reserve.
  Especially popular, including with me and my friends, are local seafood, which can be tasted in street restaurants.
• Mount Lavinia- a resort with a long history and several large modern hotels. Currently, it is a large city adjacent to the economic center of the country, Colombo. Of the main attractions, one can note the Dehivela Zoo with more than 300 species of animals, as well as the huge Bolgoda Lake - the largest reservoir of fresh water in Sri Lanka. The resort is maximally focused on tourists: many hotels and even hostels do not basically populate the Sri Lankans themselves. The main advantage of Mount Lavinia is its proximity to the airport (49 km).
• Tangalle- one of the southern resorts of Sri Lanka, designed for lovers of solitude (!!!), endless sandy beaches. There are also excellent opportunities for diving and snorkeling.
  In this area you will find both luxury hotels and cheap guest houses. Local fishermen daily catch several types of fish and seafood, which are skillfully prepared in local restaurants.
• - the southernmost resort of Sri Lanka. Near its beaches is the city of Matara and Cape Dondra - the extreme point relative to the equator. The beaches of Mirissa are characterized by calmness and tranquility. A few resort hotels are intended more for those who travel around Sri Lanka on their own, there is no infrastructure for package tourists.
  
The hallmark of the resort is a boat trip to the blue whales that winter nearby. Also among the advantages of Mirissa is the ability to get in 1.5 hours from Colombo by bus along the high-speed autobahn.
• Kalutara- a modern developing resort. It is known all over the world for its spices, as well as juicy tropical fruits that grow in the area. The Gangatilaka Vihara Temple is the city's most famous landmark. This is a huge hollow stupa (the only one in Sri Lanka) that you can enter. I highly recommend visiting this one-of-a-kind facility. The downside of the resort is the relative proximity of the city of Kalutara, its noisy streets, bustle, railway, city drains that go past the beaches into the ocean. Also in Kalutara there is no shallow water as such, so I do not recommend holidays with children.

northeast coast

Since the Sri Lanka airport is located on the opposite side of the island, getting to the northeast is more difficult. Nevertheless, there are several resorts with their own unique features:

central highlands

An unforgettable contrast with the beach of Sri Lanka is guaranteed!

It is always very hot here during the day, and at night the temperature drops to 12 degrees, so you will need a jacket or a warm sweater to travel to these parts.

The two main points of visit to the mountainous part of Sri Lanka, each of which has its own unique look and history, are Nuwara Eliya and Ella.

By the way, between them you can make a fascinating three-hour journey by train among the pristine eucalyptus groves and emerald tea plantations.

"Cultural Triangle"

4 of the 8 UNESCO sites of Sri Lanka are located in a small area, which is formed by lines connecting the cities of Anuradhapura, Pollonaruwa and Kandy. At different times, each of them was the capital of Ceylon.

To visit the main cities of the "triangle", it is enough to allocate 1 day each. You can spend a little less time exploring Anuradhapura, but a little more - Kandy. Each city has the minimum necessary tourist infrastructure: hotels, guest houses, restaurants, shops. In Kandy, of course, it is more developed, as it is the second largest city in Sri Lanka.

In addition to the above cities, the attractions of the "cultural triangle" also include, which take about 3 hours to visit for each object. But you can set aside a separate day for them.

It is convenient to book hotels in Sri Lanka at Booking - before that, you can compare hotel prices. You can view offers from owners for apartments and apartments by.

Top cities

In order to know Sri Lanka from A to Z, I recommend visiting cities that will show the island from different angles:

Islands

Sri Lanka is an island in itself, but nevertheless, it has a small number of satellite islands, some of which will be interesting to include in the travel itinerary.

The names of some of the northwestern islands end in "tivu", which means "island" in Tamil: Punkudutivu, Mandaytivu. Some of the islands have retained the names of Dutch cities since the colonization of the country. For example, an island.

Most noteworthy:

Top attractions

The peculiarity of Sri Lanka lies in the unique opportunity to combine a relaxed vacation on the ocean with an educational excursion program. There are 8 UNESCO sites on the island, as well as various historical and natural attractions. You can see them both as part of an independent trip (cheaper and more interesting with preliminary preparation), or buy excursions in agencies and representatives of travel agencies (very expensive, but reliable and more comfortable).

• Sigiriya- a historical complex (UNESCO heritage site), located on a high cliff in the very center of the island. The caves of the monks, who came here, the king of Kasapa turned into a magnificent city with a palace, temples, outbuildings. The pearls of Sigiriya are a huge (140 by 40 meters) gallery of frescoes, as well as images of a snake and a giant lion carved into the rocks, of which only the lower part with paws has been preserved. Read all about Sigiriya.

• golden temple- a complex of cave temples shrouded in legends, in which there is a huge number of images of the Buddha - frescoes, drawings, statues. The drawings on the walls tell about the main moments of the life of the Buddha. Read more about the temple and surroundings.

• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Sacred place for Buddhists around the world! Perhaps this is one of the most luxurious temples in Sri Lanka. Previously, there was a royal palace at this place, so you can see a lot of interesting things: wood carving, gilding, paintings, religious objects and much more. I wrote in detail about the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

Weather

Luck or not, it is summer in Sri Lanka all year round: daytime air temperature ranges from +28 °С to +33 °С (at night +24 °С ... +26 °С). The water temperature in Sri Lanka is +27 °С ... +29 °С.

The tropical climate and monsoon winds determine the seasons on the island. There are two of them: dry and cool, wet and hot season. Basically, the comfort of a beach holiday and swimming depends on this. Otherwise, you can go to Sri Lanka at any time of the year, as there is sure to be something interesting in every period.

The northeast and southwest coasts take turns sharing the palm among visitors to Sri Lanka. In addition, tourists travel all year round to the sightseeing objects of the island, and also climb the mountains located in the central part of the country.

Conventionally, the periods of the high tourist season on the coasts can be divided according to the principle - in summer it is better to go to the northeast, and in winter - to the southwest. More detailed information by month:

The off-season in Sri Lanka is characterized by unpredictable weather - it may not be ideal, but it is quite suitable for relaxation. For example, in April, the best time to visit the mountainous part of Sri Lanka with its emerald tea plantations, but you can quite comfortably spend a few days on the beaches of the southwest coast:, Hikkaduwa,. May is a good time for a sightseeing holiday, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites located on the island. An excellent addition to this route will be rest on the northeast coast: Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Appuveli.

The rainy season in Sri Lanka brings with it partly cloudy, short-term, usually 2-5 minute (sometimes up to 15 minutes) heavy heavy rains. As a rule, precipitation occurs at night, but there are exceptions. A strong wind can frighten tourists in the off-season, as well as large waves in the ocean, which practically nullify swimming.

If you choose a hotel with a swimming pool, then the rest can be quite comfortable, in addition, housing prices drop significantly in the low season.

Swimming in the ocean during the rainy season is still possible if you choose the right beach with a lagoon or closed islands. This location calms the raging waves. There are similar stretches of beaches in the southwest and northeast of Sri Lanka.

Money

The monetary unit of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). A trifle is somewhat similar to ours - 1 rupee 100 cents. Course for spring 2016:

• 1 dollar is equal to 146 Sri Lankan rupees;
• 1 euro - 170 rupees;
• 1 ruble - 2.02 rupees.

For convenience, you can divide all prices by 2 - as a result, you will get the cost of goods and services in rubles.

Yes, currency on the island can be exchanged at any hotel, bank, large shopping center, but I have never met a better rate than at Colombo airport for all trips to Sri Lanka.

You can find exchangers by going to the waiting area for those who meet you, after receiving your luggage. It is impossible to miss them - the doors open, and in front of you there are at least 6 “counters” where young people change currency at exactly the same rate for everyone. The check, which is issued at the currency exchange, allows you to convert rupees back into your currency, at the rate of its purchase.

By the way, please note that the export of the national currency from the country is prohibited, so do not forget to exchange the rest of the money back for dollars or euros.

Sri Lankan money is interesting to look at. The notes in circulation on the island are 10/20/50/100/500/1000/5000 rupees. On them you can see quite interesting, and most importantly, vivid images - local traditions, sights, animals, peacocks.

But no matter what, these are the most worn and dirty bills that I have ever seen. Either the state infrequently updates the money supply, or the citizens themselves are not particularly careful about banknotes.

The basis of the banking system is the 3 largest banks in Sri Lanka: Bank of Ceylon, People's Bank, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC. Thanks to them, there will definitely be no problems with ATMs in big cities, they are here at every turn. In smaller cities and on In beach resorts, these devices are concentrated, as a rule, in shopping centers or at large railway stations.In addition, in chain hotels and shopping centers, credit cards of international payment systems are accepted for payment.

Moving around the country

Sri Lanka is a former colony of Great Britain, which is probably why the traffic here is left-handed.
Getting around the island by public transport (buses, trains) is very cheap. For example, a car transfer from the airport to Bentota is 68 dollars (10,000 rupees), the same distance on 2 buses is 2 dollars (300 rupees), by bus and then by train - 0.85 dollars (120 rupees).

Connection

Roaming or local calls

Sri Lanka is actively developing cellular communications and the Internet.

The island, by analogy with Russia, has its own "big three" mobile operators - Mobitel, Dialog, Etisalat, each of which has its own travel offers for dialing minutes for international, domestic calls and Internet traffic.

Having bought a local SIM card, talking to Russia will be much cheaper than paying for roaming to domestic operators. For example, the cost of a minute for MTS is 250 rubles, and for Dialog - 9 rubles. Calls from a landline from a hotel are also not cheap.

Which tariff to choose

In my experience, the most stable connection is Dialog, Etisalat. But Dialog is cheaper, so I prefer it for relaxation. The minimum fare is 5.5 dollars (780 rupees). This is enough for calls to Russia and communication in social networks for a couple of weeks. You can play it safe and, in order to be always in touch, purchase a more expensive Dialog tariff - more minutes and Internet traffic.

If there is a need for frequent calls or remote work via the Internet, then the best option is Etisalat. A little more expensive, but the volume of minutes provided and Internet traffic is larger.

Where to buy a SIM card

A SIM card from one of the local operators can be purchased directly at the Colombo International Airport in the waiting room (right behind the exchangers). Representatives of the mobile operator will perform all the manipulations with your phone in order to activate the tariff, but you can simply buy a card and do all the operations yourself according to the instructions or with the help of English-speaking call center operators.

Similar SIM cards can also be purchased at mobile phone stores in cities. It is also widely available to replenish the account using phone cards, which can be bought in stores, shops, post offices and gas stations.

The territories of Colombo and the resorts of the southwestern part of the island are best covered by mobile communications. In the north and east, only large cities can boast of stable mobile communications and the Internet.

WiFi

As a rule, hotels in Sri Lanka have wi-fi. In large chain hotels, it is available everywhere, and in small hotels and hostels - at the reception and in common areas. Most of the time, this service is free.

In large cities and resorts, there are also Internet cafes that allow you to access the Global Network, but they look very suspicious and unsafe.

Helpful information

Telephone services: ambulance and fire - 112, police - 119

Language and communication

In total, there are about 22 million citizens in Sri Lanka, of which 10 million live in Colombo, the economic capital of the island.

The official languages ​​in Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil, but English is actively used in government agencies and tourism. At the household level, mostly residents of cities speak a foreign language, but even in the outback they will try to answer you something or find someone who speaks at least a little English.

In resort areas, the Russian language is becoming increasingly popular among residents involved in the tourism sector, knowledge of which allows the Sri Lankan to find a better-paid job in this industry.

10 phrases you need to know

• Hello (may your years last) - Ayubovan;
• Thank you - Situtiy;
• Please - Kurunakara;
• Yes - oh;
• No - Epa;
• How much does it cost - Kiyade gane;
• Expensive - Ganan;
• Cheap - Labai;
• The other is Anit;
• Drink - Bonava;
• Doctor - Dostara.

Features of the mentality

Among the population of the island, two nationalities can be distinguished:

• Sinhalese (75%), who mostly profess Buddhism;
• Tamils ​​(12%), who live mainly in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka, their main religion is Hinduism.

Basically, religious communities live separately, forming entire districts of the city, region. From my own experience, I can note that the cleanliness and comfort of the area is very dependent on the religion practiced by the locals. Buddhism implies the formation of harmony around, so its adherents are constantly washing, sweeping, repairing something - they attach great importance to order. This contrast is striking when you drive through the country. In Muslim or Hindu areas, they don’t think so much about the existence of things, hence the garbage, there are many times more unkempt places.

In general, the Sri Lankans are very friendly and always ready to help. Of course, there are swindlers, but they obviously do not think about their karma, as the vast majority of the inhabitants of the island do. Even if they are poor now, it is very important for them to go into the next life with a "clear conscience".

I love the locals for their high moral principles, for the family way of life (good upbringing of children and respect for elders). Sometimes all this reminds us of our Soviet times, although European values ​​are slowly being introduced into the minds of young people, destroying traditional foundations.

They usually set a large table with a huge number of different dishes. But if a foreigner came to the family, then the first to feed him, and only then the owners themselves start the meal.

And the Sri Lankans are very fond of holidays, often visit temples, attach great importance to rites and rituals.

Food and drink

Feature of Sri Lankan cuisine

The spicy and spicy food of Sri Lanka can be a big challenge. The magic phrase comes to the aid of the traveler “but sleepy”, however, this does not guarantee that the food will be similar to European. This is a classic feature of the cuisines of all Asian countries.

The charm of Sri Lankan cuisine is in its simplicity. The basis of most dishes is vegetables, rice, fish, spices. This is still the same constructor, in the center of which is rice. Around it are various curry sauces - a mixture of ginger, turmeric, pepper, coriander, cinnamon, garlic. A lot of local dishes are prepared using coconut juice, oil, shavings.

What do the locals eat

As true Buddhists, the Sri Lankans practically do not eat meat and very rarely consume poultry. Mostly pork, beef, chicken dishes are prepared for tourists in resort areas and large cities. The cow is a sacred animal, but in Sri Lanka they are more tolerant in terms of eating its meat than in neighboring India.

As for seafood, they are not always available to a simple Sri Lankan, because. prices are high by local standards. The entire catch is sold to cafes and restaurants. As a rule, the Sri Lankans eat small fish or umbalacada - fish powder, which is added to sauces. But to visit here and not try the lobsters, the freshest fish, is simply impossible. For those who cook on their own, you can buy cheaply at special fish markets. They work from 4 am to 7 am.

Where to eat

In Sri Lanka, you can eat on almost every corner. These are mainly street eateries, cafes, restaurants.

Don't be afraid to eat in street places. The chance to taste stale and tasteless food is higher in cafes and restaurants. On the street, dishes are prepared in front of your eyes, and if a lot of customers sit in this eatery, then the products are definitely fresh, the reputation of the institution has not been spoiled in any way.

In expensive restaurants, various surprises and inconsistencies in expectations can lie in wait for you. Although it must be admitted, in Colombo there are the most upscale restaurants in Sri Lanka with amazing luxury national and European cuisine.

All fast food restaurants (KFC, MCDonalds, Burger King) are also concentrated in large cities. It should be noted that even in such establishments, local food habits are taken into account - there are many vegetarian dishes. A full meal at a local MCDonalds will cost $4 (600 rupees).

Prices for local food in Sri Lanka are very low.

In street eateries you can eat for 1-1.4 dollars (150-200 rupees). Lunch in a good restaurant in the resort area will cost 10-20 dollars (1500-2500 rupees) for 1 person.

About drinks

• In such a hot country like Sri Lanka, you must definitely drink a lot. Tap water can only be consumed after boiling, but it is better to always buy bottled water, which is sold everywhere and is very cheap. The bottle must be SLS label(Sri Lanka Standards Institute).
• Milk is expensive here. It spoils quickly, so preservatives are often added to it. Everywhere they sell milkshakes in bags with the addition of cocoa, vanilla, etc. Pay attention to the expiration date. I advise you to buy milk in the areas of Nuwara Eliya, where many farms and large dairy factories are located.

• A popular drink in Sri Lanka is coconut milk. But do not forget that this is a strong diuretic.
• Ceylon tea is a classic drink, fragrant and strong, so locals often dilute it with milk. The environment of the island makes the usual ritual of tea drinking more elite and unforgettable.
• Fruit juices (from mangoes, bananas, papaya) and lassi (yogurt, fruit, sugar, ice). Fresh will be prepared for you right in the street stalls. The magic words to the seller are “but ice, but sludge” (ice is made from no one knows what kind of water, and fruits are already quite sweet).

• Ginger beer is a soft drink similar to soft cola, but with a ginger flavor and aroma.
• Arak (Arrack) - coconut vodka. Often used with Zhinzha to remove the fortress. Price: around $3.5 (500 rupees) per bottle. The best variety of Arak is Old Reserve, which costs about 7 dollars (1000 rupees).
• The most popular types of beer in Sri Lanka: Anchor, Lion (Stout and Lager), Three Coins (similar to Belgian).

You will not find alcohol in supermarkets. It is sold in specialized Wine Stores.

Prices in them are usually high, because. Sri Lanka has high import duties on liquor. In addition, the sellers themselves make a decent margin. Alcohol and beer in hotels and restaurants are sold without restrictions.

5 dishes worth trying

shopping

The shopping you can do in Sri Lanka has a special national flavor. This is felt regardless of the place, be it a market or a shopping center.

Everywhere you can find all kinds of goods: from spices to clothes and precious stones.

What you need to know about shopping in this country

The key rule of shopping in Sri Lanka is “Bargaining is appropriate!”, because in the process you can drop the price up to 50% of the original one. On the other hand, the cost of souvenirs and spices can be so meager in terms of rubles that it’s easier to do without bargaining, but when buying precious stones, leather goods and clothes, be sure to bargain.

Fixed prices in duty-free stores, supermarkets, shopping centers.

The best cities for shopping

Shopping, similar to classic European, is perhaps only available in Colombo. There are a number of large shopping centers, including those with well-known international brands. In resort areas, shopping, as a rule, comes down to buying souvenirs.

What to bring from this country

• Ceylon tea (the best is from the highlands of Ella and Nuwara Eliya. I advise you not to buy Pekoe and Orange Pekoe; as well as Lipton and Dilmah);
• souvenirs: masks, ceramics, batik, leather goods (for a lover of the exotic);
• spices (the cheapest cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, etc. in supermarkets).

Vacation with children

For a comfortable stay with children, Sri Lanka is a very suitable place. The beaches are calm, the people are friendly, and the crime rate in the whole country is quite low. The Sri Lankans themselves are very fond of children and respect women with children. The main thing is to try to follow the following rules:

Safety

If you follow the minimum precautions, then a trip to Sri Lanka will be unforgettable for you with a plus sign. Things to consider:

All booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also aggregation of prices from all distributors, all in one place, let's go!

We would like to apologize right away if it suddenly seems to anyone that some of our reviews of the best beaches in Sri Lanka will be somewhat negative. Yes, we are not connoisseurs of such "civilized" places - we are indifferent to them, but perhaps it is this indifference that will allow us to give a more objective assessment of them. If, like us, you are more interested in secluded and picturesque corners in the bounty style, then read about them in the first part - The most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka.

The best beaches of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka - kilometers of sandy beaches under the shade of coconut palms, washed by the waves of the warm Indian Ocean. It would seem that if you want to swim well and sunbathe, go anywhere. However, it should be recognized that the question “Where to go in Sri Lanka for the purpose of a beach holiday?” very relevant, and the answer to it is not so obvious. Why? The main reasons are strong ocean waves and not too developed tourist infrastructure.
Part of our multi-day and multi-kilometer motorcycle trips in sri lanka, became a site along the southern and western coast of the island, starting from Tangalle and ending in Negombo. Thanks to this, we were able to see and visit almost all the beaches and form our personal opinion about them. Review south coast can be found , and about the beaches of Negombo (by the way, pretty good) - . Overview and recommendations of inexpensive good accommodation along the route - .
Now we want to try to tell you where to go exactly for a beach holiday in its classical sense - a good beach, clear sea, tourist infrastructure and other benefits of a civilized holiday. It is the desire to combine all these parameters that causes the problem.

The best beaches in Sri Lanka? Where to go for a beach holiday

So, let's begin. The main goal is a classic beach holiday, which should include:

• good, clean, well-groomed beach with sunbeds, umbrellas and cafes;
• good conditions for swimming, i.e. lack of waves and stones, good bottom and sufficient depth even during low tides (who does not know, low tides in the daytime);
• well-developed tourist infrastructure - exchange offices, ATMs, shops, tour desks, etc.;
• entertainment - restaurants, disco bars, nightclubs, animation;

Bentota beach

In our opinion, Bentota is one of the best options for such a classic holiday by the sea. Here you can find all of the above requirements, with the possible exception of animation, although it is likely that this is also found in large hotels. The bulk of vacationers in these parts are package tourists, respectively, everything is “sharpened” for them.
The beach of Bentota is not a "bounty", but it is very beautiful - a 3-kilometer sand arc, in some places a few tens of meters wide. The size of the beach allows, if desired, to always find a place where you can retire and enjoy peace, even in the peak of the season. The sand is light and clean.
The entrance to the water is smooth, the bottom is excellent. The water is a little cloudy, but here it is not so much due to the nearby Bentota River, but to the composition of the bottom and waves. In short, the water is a little cloudy, but clean. The waves are present, sometimes and sometimes strong, but even the kids are safe near the shore.
However, attention! The rollback of the wave creates a strong current along the coast in a northerly direction. This is not particularly dangerous, but be aware of this and do not leave children unattended.

Moragalla Beach (Beruwela)

Beruwala and its Moragalla beach is located north of Bentota, just beyond the Bentota Ganga River and stretches for about 1.5 kilometers. The location is good, but be careful when choosing a hotel based on a beach holiday. The river takes out its waters exactly along the beach and because of this, its large half is not suitable for the purposes of interest to us. In the southern half, you should not settle at all - both the beach and the water are dirty.

In the second half, at a small cape and an island, it is already better. The water is cleaner, but very turbid, quite shallow at low tide, the bottom is sandy with silty inclusions (probably river drifts). The beach is nice, wide and cleaned regularly.
In the upper third, right behind the cape, the situation changes dramatically - the water is clean, more transparent. The strip of sand, although narrow, is beautiful.
The cape has a closed water area, a kind of pool, where there are almost no waves - great for children.
A little further, behind the popular and chic hotel Cinnamon Bay– a beautiful little cove, perfect for swimming, the depth is sufficient even at low tide.
The nightlife here is really not in full swing, but otherwise the place for a beach holiday is good.

The beaches of Induruwa, Kosagoda and others

Further, almost up to Hikkaduwa, there is a string of amazingly beautiful beaches - Induruwa, Kosagoda and others. There are not many vacationers here, housing is also not a huge choice, but what is often very, very good. Many hotels are brand new, they simply shine and can satisfy the requirements of the most demanding tourists, but…
There is one big "BUT". It was here that the strongest blow of the 2004 tsunami fell. Despite the fact that more than 10 years have passed since the tragedy and the coast has almost “healed all wounds”, the atmosphere here is very different from other beaches of Sri Lanka.
Traveling around the island, we read almost nothing and did not know about the catastrophe of that year. Leaving Hikkaduwa towards Bentota, at first we could not understand why we were suddenly seized by a feeling of incomprehensible sadness, despite the beauty reigning all around and wonderful weather.
There was a subconscious feeling that we were moving to places where there was a war, there were strong battles and many dead. They understood what was the matter, stopping at one of the beaches and carefully looking around - almost everywhere, in the tall grass and bushes, inconspicuous graves. So for almost the entire journey ... We found it impossible for ourselves to have fun and have fun in these places.

Hikkaduwa beach

Hikkaduwa is perhaps the most popular place for tourists from Russia, especially for independent travelers. The place is ambiguous, on the one hand - nice beaches (south of Hikkaduwa beach), on the other - excessive overcrowding, overcrowding, and the coastline close to the water is built up with hotels and restaurants, plus all this is squeezed between the sea and a busy highway.
Entering the water and swimming in some places can be complicated by the presence of stones. This place is more suitable not for a classic beach holiday, but for lovers of parties, bars and discos, they will be comfortable and interesting here. In short, you should not look for the relaxed, peaceful atmosphere of tropical beaches in Hikkaduwa.

If you still go here, then we recommend settling not in Hikkaduwa itself, but a little to the south in the Nerigama beach area, it is a little freer and more beautiful there.
If your plans include evening romantic walks along the beach, then there is a chance to bring them to life, and in Hikkaduwa you should definitely not hope for this.

South of Nerigama, there are even fewer people. And in Dodanduva there are almost none of them at all, however, as well as any kind of tourist infrastructure.
Well, be prepared for the fact that the waves on all these beaches are significant. Hikkaduwa beach can be considered an exception in terms of waves, but the beach there is so dirty and unattractive that we personally did not have a desire to swim there.

Unavantuna beach

In terms of popularity among Russian tourists, only Hikkaduwa can compete with Unawatuna, keep this in mind. Unawatuna Beach is a relatively small stretch of sandy shore, but it cannot boast of width. But what can amaze you is the density of vacationers per 1 sq. km. m., as well as the ambitions of most vacationers.
However, this is a matter of personal taste, especially since most beach tourists are attracted not by natural beauty, but by the presence of developed infrastructure. Shops, banks, restaurants, bars, discos, many offers of various excursions and entertainment - all this is present here.
The main advantage of the beach itself is the absence of big waves and the possibility of safe swimming. The coastline is curved in a steep arc, bent more than 90 degrees, one of the ends of which ends in a high cape, protruding into the sea and covering a significant part of the beach area from the excesses of the ocean.
The sand on the beach is good, light, but in some places it is very heavily polluted with cigarette butts - I dug a little with my hand and here they are handsome. The bottom is sandy, clean, without stones. The set of depth is fast, which allows you to swim even in the strongest low tides.
In general, it should be recognized that there are excellent conditions for swimming here. True, this applies only to 1/3 of the beach - the western one. The remaining 2/3 are not suitable for a beach holiday. Keep this in mind when choosing a hotel.

In addition to the main Unuwantuna Beach, there are a couple of smaller ones called Jungle Beach. They are located on the opposite side of the peninsula. You can get to them either by tuk-tuk, driving along the highway or walking along the trail from the Jungle Beach Hotel.

The beaches are positioned as Bounty - beautiful, wild nature. However, in fact, this is a purely commercial place, where all the attributes of a "civilian" holiday are at your service - sunbeds under umbrellas, a restaurant, a bar and a lot of people on a tiny, but still, pretty heel of land. But do not forget - these beaches are located in a bay (rather closed), on the shore of which one of the largest cities in Sri Lanka is located - with all the consequences, as they say.

Mirissa beach

Once again we are forced to apologize for such disrespect for the "pearl" of Sri Lanka. We visited Mirissa twice. For the first time - having read laudatory odes, we went there with the intention of living for five days, or even more. They stayed no more than an hour and a half and left home to look for housing elsewhere. The second time, passing by, they checked, what if we missed something and did not understand on the first visit, and also did not linger. Well, we didn’t like it categorically, and in order not to say something superfluous and untruthful, we won’t write about it.

This is how we got a review about the beaches of Sri Lanka and their description. Have a good rest and a well-chosen place!

All beaches of Sri Lanka on the map of the island

updated: August 8, 2017 by: Sergei

Sri Lanka is rich in first-class beaches, modern hotels and a host of ancient sights. Entertainment - entirely quiet-peaceful: picnics, fishing and diving. The capital of Colombo, waterfalls and national parks - everything about Sri Lanka: tours, reviews, weather, prices.

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The style of rest in Sri Lanka can be briefly defined as follows: away from the hustle and bustle, closer to the sea and nature. It is unlikely that there is a more “slow” country in the world than Sri Lanka: no one is in a hurry here, everyone enjoys life - including the service staff in hotels (though this does not apply to top establishments - everyone runs around in soap, to please guests). Most of the attractions in Sri Lanka are natural, just like most entertainment. Noisy discos and smoke yoke until the morning are not in favor here, but picnics in nature, fishing or barbecue on the beach - as much as you like. Well, diving, of course. What Sri Lanka cannot please is its proximity to our immense: the flight here is long.

In general, it is very simple to determine a person who will definitely like it here. Firstly, there are few blank pages left in his not the first passport. Secondly, he is either interested in world culture and history (and ancient Sri Lanka is very rich in interesting monuments), or he is a desperate sea daredevil who wants, in addition to palm trees, sand and the sea, to have a diving center nearby, and surfer headquarters. Thirdly, he will certainly look askance at your fragrant cup of tea. After all, Ceylon, aka Sri Lanka, supplies a quarter of the world with this drink.

Regions and resorts of Sri Lanka

Money

The monetary unit of the country is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR), in 1 rupee 100 cents. Current exchange rate: 1 LKR = 0.37 RUB (1 USD = 180.44 LKR, 1 EUR = 199.27 LKR).

It is better to exchange currency at Colombo airport. It makes sense to keep the check received at the same time until the end of the trip: in this case, upon departure, it will be possible to convert back unspent local money at the airport bank at the purchase rate. In addition, the currency is changed at any hotel and bank. The latter are open from 9:00 to 15:00 from Monday to Friday. For exchange, we recommend taking US dollars with you: they are accepted in all branches, and in tourist areas they can be paid directly at hotels and all kinds of retail outlets.

In large hotels and shops you can pay with credit cards, there are ATMs in almost all cities of the country. However, it is better to warn the staff of your bank in advance about the upcoming visit to Sri Lanka: due to the critical level of financial fraud on the island, a credit card can be blocked at the first attempt to use it.

Sri Lanka Hotels

Police: 133, ambulance: 144, fire department: 122.

The best photos of Sri Lanka

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Those who have begun to choose where it is more complete and better to relax in exotic Sri Lanka will not be bored, the island is full of interesting places and natural resources for all time. The Temple of the Relic Tooth Relic, first-class surfing diving, beautiful beaches - the resorts will make it possible to realize any desires, whether they are related to the relaxation of the body or the soul.

The sunny Sri Lankan coasts are covered by excellent infrastructure that works for all tourists. The level of complexes is maintained at different levels, so it will be wise to choose a suitable place in advance according to its characteristics. After all, the needs of people are different, and the best resort in Sri Lanka, according to one agency, tourist, neighbor, may not be what you want, according to another.

There are places where it is better to relax in Sri Lanka as savages, and there are places where all conditions of service and comfort are provided. The first option is suitable only if you have good experience or support at hand, the second - for everyone else who just wants a quiet, ready-made vacation. This is exactly what the best places in Ceylon offer:

1. Negombo is a fish resort with colorful reefs and fishermen.
2. Wadduwa is a place where you can find sunken ships.
3. Bentota - picturesque secluded sandbars and star hotels for romantics.
4. Hikkaduwa is a world of many hotels and rich water activities.
5. Unawatuna is a bay for calm swimming and independent travel.
6. Trincomalee - palm trees, lemurs, ancient buildings and temples.

But such brief characteristics of dignity with the features of these resorts are not limited. All resort towns are distinguished by important nuances.

Fishing and reefs

The best places for equatorial fishing, according to the inexorable majority of tourist reviews, including 2019, lie on the lands of Negombo. Here, rich, numerous reefs, ideal for diving, water areas are filled with large communities of fish. Relaxed swimming is problematic, because of the reefs and many fishermen, the ocean waters off the coast are opaque, but there are comfortable lagoons under the guidance of local expensive hotels.

The pros and cons of Negombo verified by tourists:

• the resort is only 30 km from Colombo, namely from the transfer airport;
• the tourist town is surrounded by the country's largest fresh seafood market;
• a large selection of housing for different tastes and wallets;
• an abundance of bright landscapes, colorful local fishermen, an abundance of subjects for non-trivial photos;
• few sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach strips.

The climate allows you to come to Negombo for any season, but October, November, May are characterized by high dampness.

Active sports, beach, water world, excursions

5 km further from Negombo, 35 km from Colombo airport, Wadduwa base is located - a luxurious beach holiday in Sri Lanka is available here. The coasts are strewn with golden, fine sand, coconut palms grow along the coast, there are many comfortable hotels. Water activities are well developed on Wadduwa: sailing, surfing, diving, underwater excursions to the cemeteries of sunken ships. In parallel, the most convenient grounds for playing tennis and golf are equipped.

There are ways to entertain yourself spiritually as well. Excursions are provided:

• to the neighboring urban area of ​​Kalutara to the Buddhist temple of Gangatilaka Vihara, built in the Art Nouveau style;
• to the city of Hambantotu, where large fishing communities live;
• inside local channels that can only be crossed by boats;
• to secret, scenic tropical locations.

Vacations in Wadduwa actively begin in the fall, from October, and the season declines by April.

Solitude and paradise for honeymooners

After driving 2 hours or 65 km south of the central regions of Colombo, it is easy to find yourself on the super beaches of the village of Bentota. The resort is recognized as an elite holiday destination, there is the largest number of luxury hotels. The beaches are crystal clear and uncrowded, surrounded by evergreen mangrove forests, jungle wildlife.

Bentota is the coast where it is better to relax in Sri Lanka for lovers of quiet fishing, romantic rendezvous on yachts, underwater life, and solitude. Guests are offered exotic safari to watch crocodiles on the river, close encounters with turtles at the turtle farm.

The time of the most good weather is in autumn from October, in winter, the beginning of spring is March. Bentota is the most favorite place for newlyweds to spend time.

Variety, style and class

If you want to relax in a civilized way, surrounded by people and peers, then you need to choose only Hikkaduwa. This is a resort space 100 kilometers from the center, the most favorite among young people and family travelers. Most of the tourists consider Hikkaduwa a resort where it is best to relax in Sri Lanka.

The beauty that gives the city such a high status:

• a wide variety of water activities - diving, surfing, snorkeling, kite surfing;
• decent nightlife without the din of clubs and pubs;
• always strong waves of the correct form for surfers;
• giant tame turtles that come ashore in the morning for refreshments;
• coral parks with walks on transparent boats;
• many Buddhist temples, free to visit;
• very long beaches;
• a variety of hotels of any star rating;
• mines for the extraction of precious stones, where they are allowed on excursions, and stones are allowed to be bought.

The optimal period for relaxing on Hikkadu beaches is November, December, January, February, March.

calm waters

Ceylon always welcomes surfers, but the best beaches in Sri Lanka without waves are not a myth. You can swim in smooth, clear water off the coast of Unawatuna, which is 120 km from Colombo. The former fishing village is now rapidly becoming an excellent Sri Lankan resort village. The edge of endless guesthouses at budget prices, so convenient for independent travel, a bay protected by reefs, which allows you to safely swim in the water right with the children.

Underwater recreation is also present, there are diving and snorkeling centers. If you visit the desire to walk around the area, there is a road to the neighboring coasts of Galle. However, only the sea is calm here, otherwise the beaches are always crowded. To enjoy the absence of waves and a minimum of people, you need to go to Mirissa - the most beautiful beach in the Indian Ocean. Tourism is still developing here, there are only a few small hotels, so the places are ideal for solitude, free swimming.

Another Sri Lankan beach town, Beruwala, is considered the best for traveling with children and easy relaxation. The tourist part of the city is developing very quickly, shops, hotel complexes, service recreation areas are opening. There are no waves off the coast at all, and good weather lasts all year.

It is reasonable to go to Unawatuna in December, in January, in February, in March-April. It is very rainy there in autumn and on May holidays.

Far but the best

The most beautiful place of the island lies far from the center to the northeast - the town of Trincomalee. The long distance, which has to be covered in 7 hours by bus or 9 hours by train, makes these shores less preferable for ordinary tourists.

But the beauty of the bay, once opened to the world by Admiral Nelson, completely compensates for the long journey. The coasts are so natural that lemurs calmly walk along them, palm trees have an extraordinary height. Upon arrival, in addition, another bonus opens - Trincomalee is rich in unique architecture, ancient buildings, temples, mysterious Muslim buildings.

The tourist business is just emerging, because the hotels are inexpensive, comfortable, clean, the bars and restaurants are not crowded, not noisy. There are no excessive activities, you can safely relax on the sand. Divers have a separate coral island in the depths of the bay. Hot springs are nearby. The most convenient time of arrival is spring, summer, September, October. The remaining periods are overshadowed by rains.

Whatever the best places in Sri Lanka come under your attention, you can visit any other resort or any city in one trip, public transport is very well developed in the country. And another top feature of the island is safety. Although this does not concern local lovers of swindling tourists for money, vigilance is always needed here!

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Most tourists who are tired of popular popular places are looking for countries that are not too exotic and not known to everyone for their vacation. One of these wonderful places for tourists is Sri Lanka, where it is best to start relaxing in November. What is attractive about rest here, what you need to know about this country, what sights Sri Lanka is famous for, when it is better to relax when going to this island and much more, you will learn right now.

The unique country of Sri Lanka

Indeed, Sri Lanka is a country unique in every way. This is not just an exotic island and the birthplace of coconut trees, elephants, and also tea. It's much more:

• here you will see the last relic forest;
• close to Kandy you can watch unspoiled and dense views;
• you visit the ancient city, as well as the ruins of Buddhist shrines and palaces that are lost in the jungle;
• you will find rivers teeming with crocodiles and forests overgrown with thick lianas.

Even all this will already be enough for your separate trip to visit Sri Lanka, right? And now remember the endless beaches of the island and you will understand that you need at least a month to visit them all. So, when and where is the best time to relax in Sri Lanka?

The best time to relax

All year round the island has a hot, humid climate, or at least warm, although it cannot be said that it is the same everywhere - it is influenced by the extent of Sri Lanka and the relief. On the plains the average annual temperature is kept at +31 degrees, in the mountainous part up to +24. The rainy season starts from May and ends in September for the southern and western coasts of the country, and for the eastern - from October to April.

Hence the conclusion: for a beach holiday on the west and south coasts, the best time is October - April, and for the eastern - May - September. However, it is worth noting that such a division is rather arbitrary, since in any direction at any time of the year in Sri Lanka there are always enough sunny days for a pleasant pastime, so you can go in any direction.

The most popular resorts of the island, according to tourists

In Sri Lanka, in addition to wonderful weather, there are also many excellent resorts with developed infrastructure and magnificent beaches. By analyzing the reviews of tourists who have already been here, you can find out which resorts or areas are the most popular on the island.

And in which resort of Sri Lanka do you want to relax, have you decided?

What must-see attractions in Sri Lanka

The island of Sri Lanka, which is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, attracts travelers with both a beach holiday and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the sights. When planning your vacation, take seriously the question of what to see on the island, because there are quite a lot of natural and historical places that you want to visit. Unfortunately, in a short period of time, you will not be able to visit everywhere, but it is quite possible to see the main sights.

In Sri Lanka, first of all, inspect the architecture of the most ancient cities, such as:

Hindu temples are no less interesting - Ganeshan and Kanestan, which are located in Colombo in the Pettah area on Sea street. The Jami Ul Alfar Mosque is the main Muslim shrine of the city. It attracts everyone's attention with its facade, which is painted in white and red stripes.

The sights of Colombo include the Brown Gardens, offering guests of Sri Lanka to walk in the shade of various exotic plants. A huge park is laid out on former cinnamon plantations. There is a statue of the Buddha, around which there are bushes, flower beds and a rounded pool. From this sculpture stretches the main alley with green lawns and fountains.