A typical first trip here runs about $350 to $475 per person for 7 days at a mid-range style, before flights. Get your own number from the Budget Calculator.
- Rice and curry, an elaborate spread of multiple curries eaten with rice and hands
- Hoppers (appam), bowl-shaped crispy rice flour crepes, often with an egg
- Kottu roti, chopped flatbread stir-fried with vegetables and egg
- Ceylon tea, grown in the Hill Country; some of the world's finest tea
- Pol sambol, fresh coconut relish that accompanies virtually every meal
- Esala Perahera (Kandy, July–August), elephant procession, one of Asia's greatest festivals
- Vesak (May full moon), most important Buddhist holiday with lanterns everywhere
- Sinhala and Tamil New Year (April 13–14), major national celebration
- Tea country heritage and the famous train journey from Kandy to Ella
- Ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, over 2,000 years of history
Sinhala and Tamil are both official languages. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and among educated Sri Lankans.
Sri Lankans are warm and hospitable, even in budget areas, hospitality is exceptional.
- Never turn your back on a Buddha statue, always face it to take photos
- Dress modestly at Buddhist and Hindu temples
- Eating with the right hand is traditional
- Tipping 10% is appreciated in restaurants
Latest for Sri Lanka
Updates for Sri Lanka will appear here as they are published. Every update cites official sources, so you can plan on it.