Sri Lanka Holidays

One of Sri Lanka's many idyllic tropical beaches One of Sri Lanka's many idyllic tropical beaches
Sri Lanka is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, located just off the southern coast of India.

Steeped in a rich and colourful history, benefitting from mile upon mile of tropical beaches and numerous national parks: Sri Lanka has a great deal to offer its visitors. With its coastline looking onto the Indian Ocean it is an ideal location for a beach holiday. Most of the popular beach resorts are located in the south-west and west of Sri Lanka including Bentota, Kalutara and Beruwala. For the culturally inclined there are numerous UNESCO world heritage sites throughout Sri Lanka such as The Temple of the Tooth Relic, in the city of Kandy. For a chance to spot Elephants, Monkeys, Leopards and a variety of bird species in their natural environment, Yala National Park is the place to head.

Sri Lanka experiences two monsoons, the Yala monsoon that sweeps across the south-west between May and August, and the Maha monsoon which affects the north and east of the country from October to January. Outside of these monsoon seasons is the dry season which for the southwest runs from December to March and for the north and east, May to September. The temperature stays quite constant throughout the year, around the mid 20s, despite the seasonal variations in rainfall.

Featured Hotels

Bentota

Beruwela

Kalutara

Kandy

Negombo

Nuwara Eliya

Travellers' top tips for places in Sri Lanka Beach
  • Kalutara: use a good guide to make sure you see the real Sri Lanka and not just the beach. teamdeejay
  • Negombo: Make sure you do the laggon trip.... going over the sand bar is great. AnnieLumsden
Food & Drink
  • Bentota: visit the temples, speak to the locals and eat all the food! JDonovanLeeds
  • Wadduwa: Hire a tuktuk, go to the supermarket and take some food and sweets to the orphanage. It is so worth it to see their smiles. Meet Ruchi and take a trip Gillian2604
Nightlife
  • Kandy: know that you are visiting a Buddhist heritage place, not good for any nightclubs or night life. d_chandriani
Shopping
  • Kalutara: stay clear of the people who say "I remember you from the hotel" as they don't and just want to show you their friends over inflated priced shops. Phil_Dempsey
  • Galle: visit the jewellery shop at the Ladyhill Hotel on Upper Dickson Road in Galle. After, go upstairs to the roof top bar and enjoy the view! shapesandsounds
Weather
  • Galle: Take a stroll along the Fort walls - either early in the morning (when it's not too hot) or as the sun is setting. MamaBear2011
  • Kandy: use protection from mosquitos and take an umbrella with you, the sun is hot. echinda

View Sri Lanka hotels on map

Map for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka travel tips from your fellow travellers
  • Sigiriya: make sure u think about nothing but relax in Sigiriya - by Felipe87
  • Kalutara: know how how to deal with hasslers - by Pollypot
  • Kalutara: Dont stay there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - by mappy366
  • Waikkal: travel along Hamilton Canal to see the water monitors and kingfishers. - by squeasy
  • Sigiriya: get the paddy field or lake dwelling! - by voges