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.
Travellers' top tips for places in Sri Lanka Beach
  • Negombo: Make sure you do the laggon trip.... going over the sand bar is great. AnnieLumsden
  • Kalutara: see rammi, and go where you want - not were the beach boys want to take you. Good valve but know what you want 1st (my wife did that bit) Alan_Burge
Food & Drink
  • Galle: walk the walls,have a drink at the Amangalla, dinner at the Galle Fort Hotel MsBoutique
  • Waikkal: Negambo is just a few minutes away by car, and you can find loads of pubs and restaurants funmaker1981
Nightlife
  • Kandy: know that you are visiting a Buddhist heritage place, not good for any nightclubs or night life. d_chandriani
Shopping
  • Negombo: Try a trip up the canals. See the fish market and the temple at Negombo. ElderleyMalePerson
  • 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
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

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Map for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka travel tips from your fellow travellers
  • Mount Lavinia: Take care on the roads!! The driving in Columbo and Sri Lanka in general is nothing short of crazy, but entertaining!! - by MarieCarmichael
  • Kalutara: Don’t add lies on the Trip Advisor!(and don’t delete the lies that you add on this page) - by ryj89
  • Kalutara: visit the fruit and fish markets - by ccskwok
  • Beruwela: When in Beruwala, make sure you stay in eden hotel and do not forget your swimming suit. - by cvds29
  • Kalutara: Have lots of small rupee notes for tipping - by TMFAM

Featured hotels in Sri Lanka