Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is known as The Pearl of the Indian Ocean not only for its beauty but also for its diversity. Even though it’s less than 300-miles long, things are a little different everywhere you go. For example, in the South West around Galle, you’ll find a modern train system and weather that the Yala monsoons dominate from May through September. If you can find a way two reach the remote Northeast corner near Trincomalee, the Maha monsoons blow from October through January. Tourists come to the interior highlands around Kandy in the spring for cool, dry weather or for the great elephant migrations in the fall.

There are issues and responsibilities with the island’s diversity. Travel can and should be used to preserve the rich cultural heritage and biodiversity that’s being threatened as the island develops. Also, there has been a long series of ethnic and recent monetary crises that should compel you to check for current travel warnings before booking. There are certainly logistic issues to visiting Sri Lanka, but you’ll be rewarded with authentic experiences and affordable luxury if you know where to look. That’s where a good travel site is invaluable 😉.

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Language(s)

Sinhala and Tamil

Currency

Sri Lankan Rupee

Reconsider Travel
Summer Avg. (°F) Winter Avg (°F)
Colombo 90 74
Nuwara Eliya 72 47
Trincomalee 94 76
Outlets
Type-D
Type-G

Best Time to Visit

Generally, the best time to visit the west and south coasts as well as the Cultural Triangle is between December and April, while on the east coast the climate is at its finest from May through to October.

  • Wet Season: December – April
  • Dry Season: May – November

Fun Facts

  • Sri Lanka is nicknamed Pearl of the Indian Ocean and Teardrop of India
  • Sri Lanka is a leading tea produces and exporter, with over 1 million of its 22 million people working for the tea industry
  • Sri Lanka the home of cinnamon
  • Adam’s Peak is the most sacred mountain in the country
  • The Sri Lankan national flag is one of the oldest in the world
  • Sri Lanka was the first country with a female prime minister

Bucket-List Activities

Natural Wonders

  • Sigiriya Rock (Sigiriya)
  • Yoda Ela Water Flow Technique (North Central Province)
  • Parakrama Samudraya (Polonnaruwa)
  • The Trincomalee Harbour (Trincomalee)
  • Horton Plains (Central Province)
  • Ruwanveliseya (Anuradhapura)
  • Sri Dalada Maligawa (Kandy)

Major Attractions

  • Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple (Colombo)
  • Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Kandy)
  • Main Fish Market (Sembawang)
  • Galle Fort (Galle)
  • Horton Plains National Park (Central Province)

Native Foods

  • Fish ambul thiyal (sour fish curry)
  • Roti (a round flatbread native to the Indian subcontinent made from stoneground whole wheat flour)
  • Kottu (diced roti stir-fried with scrambled egg, onions, & chilis)
  • Parippu (curry)
  • Lamprais (three meat curry dish)
  • Hoppers (bowl-shaped pancakes)
  • Polos (green jackfruit curry)
  • Wambatu Moju (spicy pickle prepared with eggplant)

General Travel Tips

Common Phrases

  • Ayubowan – Hello
  • Bohoma Istuti – Thank you very much
  • Karunakara – Please
  • Mata Terinneh Neh – I don’t understand
  • Oyate Ingrisi Katha Karanna Puluwanda – Do you speak English?
  • Meeka Kiyadha – How much is it?
  • Hotela – Hotel
  • Kaama – Food
  • Apana Sala – Restaurant
  • Colombo / Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB  ✈✈ ✈✈) – All international flights arrive in Colombo
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Not quite two years ago, we started blogging and now we have quit our jobs, vacated our house, disposed all our possessions, and now we are heading to Asia.

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Meet Ed & Jenn

Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman, and together we are Coleman Concierge. It is our goal to inspire you to get out, expand your world, and to seek adventure, even in your own backyard.

We deeply believe in the transformational power of travel. Our tagline is amazing adventures for ordinary people because we believe that you don’t have to be super rich, super fit or super anything to have an amazing adventure. Expanding your comfort zone and trying new things will pay huge dividends in both health and happiness.

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