Inexperienced tourists who are not very well versed in geography are sometimes not only interested in where Sri Lanka is located on the world map, but also ask such stupid questions as, for example, “What country is this?” I remember after returning from my first trip to Sri Lanka, many of my friends and acquaintances said: “ Sri Lanka? Where is it?"It is not surprising that many people do not know where Sri Lanka is on the world map.
To begin with, we note that Sri Lanka is an island country. Previously, this island was called Ceylon. In general, it is stupid to ask what country this is, Sri Lanka, since Sri Lanka is an independent country within the borders of a large island.
Now let's answer the question of where exactly Sri Lanka is located. Former Ceylon is located in Indian Ocean, between 5 and 10 degrees north latitude. The distance to India at the narrowest point of the strait dividing the countries is about 50 kilometers. The long but narrow island of Sri Lanka is home to 21 million people. Of these, Sinhalese constitute the largest proportion and Tamils are the second largest population group.
Due to its favorable location in Southeast Asia and the northern Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has always been considered an important location on many trade routes. The population of the island knew this and managed to properly take advantage of this advantage by exporting coconuts, spices and the world famous Ceylon tea and rubber.
Where is Sri Lanka on the world map? The island can be found fairly quickly at a glance at the map. To do this, you must first find the Indian Ocean, and at the very top of this ocean, to the right of India, you will see the island of Sri Lanka. Usually this island is marked on all general geographical maps.
Where is the capital of Sri Lanka? Colombo, the capital and economic center, is located on west coast and has coordinates of 7 degrees north latitude and 80 degrees east longitude. About 700,000 people live and work in Colombo. This is an important political and Cultural Center Sri Lanka.
Area of Sri Lanka, length, width and geographical coordinates
Belonging to the continent of Asia, Sri Lanka covers an area of 64,630 square kilometers of territory and 980 square kilometers of water area. This makes Sri Lanka the 123rd largest country in the world by land area, with a total area of 65,610 square kilometers.
Because Sri Lanka is big Island, then it is not correct to name any specific geographical coordinates. Northernmost Big City, Jaffna, has the following coordinates: 9 degrees 40 minutes north latitude and 79 degrees 51 minutes east longitude. The southernmost major city, Halle, has coordinates: 6 degrees 2 minutes north latitude and 80 degrees 13 minutes east longitude.
The length of the island of Sri Lanka is 452 km, and the width at its widest point is 227 km.
Map of Sri Lanka with resorts in Russian
If you want to study in more detail the location of cities, resorts and other objects on the island, then you will need a detailed map of Sri Lanka with resorts in Russian. There are many maps of this island, but nowadays the best one is to use interactive maps, one of which you will see below. This map allows you to find any object and zoom in to such a value that you can see any house on the streets of the cities of Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka has a warm climate. From May to October there are often unpredictable storms, but the rest of the time you can enjoy gentle sea breezes. Sri Lanka rarely gets very hot, but the island's high humidity worries many Russian travelers. Climate-sensitive travelers usually need a few days to acclimatize. Depending on the region of the island, the air temperature during the day can fluctuate between 16 and 35 degrees. While the wetter southwestern region of the island can expect very high rainfall, especially from May to October, the northeastern region remains relatively dry. The sunniest weather in Sri Lanka usually occurs between January and April.
Most of Sri Lanka is covered with tropical forests, which is typical for a region with a predominantly humid and warm climate. The enormous wealth of plants and trees is the result of these climatic conditions. The Bodhi Tree, the oldest tree in the world, defies all the unevenness of nature today and is truly attractive. In the north and east of the island, due to the drier climate, there are noticeably more bushes and shrubs.
Another gift of nature in Sri Lanka are the beautiful ones, which are appreciated by numerous tourists.
Sri Lanka's diverse fauna have adapted to the warm, humid climate. Animal lovers will be delighted to see monkeys jumping from tree to tree, Asian elephants and a beautiful palm squirrel, which is similar to the chipmunks we know. Even thousands of crawling animals feel very comfortable here.
Mountains of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka can be divided into three landscape areas. One of them is the mountainous area, where you can climb mountains up to 2500 meters high. This is also the area of the world famous Ceylon tea. In the highlands of Sri Lanka you will find many attractions and very beautiful places, such as the giant Bambarakanda waterfall. This waterfall is famous for the fact that the water here falls from a height of 240 meters.
The mountains take up quite large area Sri Lanka, but still the largest part of the island is covered by tropical areas.
The third zone, which is the most popular among vacationers, is the coastal zone with beautiful beaches and a large number of coconut trees.
The island state of Sri Lanka is located on the map southeast of the Hindustan Peninsula. It attracts tourists tired of the bustle of big cities. A leisurely flow of life dominates here. The resort offers a relaxing holiday: magnificent beaches, fishing, diving, picnics in nature, visiting ancient sights.
Sri Lanka is washed by the Laccadive Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The island is separated from India by the Gulf of Mannar and the Pork Strait. The coast is lowland, including beaches; mountains rise closer to the center of the island.
Brief information about the country
Story
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has a population of over 21 million. The capital is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, a suburb of Colombo.
In the 16th century, the Portuguese, who captured these lands, called them Ceilão, which the British read as Ceylon. Sri Lanka has long been known throughout the world under this name. The name of tea, which the state supplies the whole world, comes from the Portuguese word.
Later, the country was occupied by Great Britain, making it its colony. Sri Lanka gained independence only in 1948. At the end of the 20th century, a fire broke out on its territory Civil War, restoration continues to this day.
Capital
In 1982, the capital of Sri Lanka became the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte or simply Kotte, founded around the fortress of the same name. A parliamentary building was erected on an island in the middle of the lake, where the government of the country moved.
But the true heart of the state remains Colombo, the center of trade and business.
This is a typical Asian city, which combines ancient temples with modern skyscrapers, bustling avenues and the regularity of Buddhist life. The city still retains zoning based on the type of activity of the population: a district of artisans, a district of merchants, poor people and others, but today it is not so relevant. 
Columbo prostrated himself large area, one- and two-story houses predominate on its territory. It will take a couple of hours to get from one outskirts to the other. Tourists mainly prefer beach holidays and treat the capital as a transit point, but there is still something to see here.
These are mainly architectural attractions, including many temples. Also museums, a theater and even a casino, open especially for city guests. In the tourist area, life is in full swing at night. Here you can have a delicious dinner, go shopping in shopping mall and even visit night club.
Languages
The majority of the population of Sri Lanka are Sinhalese. Their language is considered official along with Tamil.
has interethnic status, but is spoken mostly in cities and tourist areas. It also conducts business negotiations and business documentation.
Visa 
Having a visa for Russians is a prerequisite for entering the country, but obtaining one is quite simple.
- It is enough to create an application electronically on the website eta.gov.lk (Russian language is supported), and then receive ETA permission electronically.
- In order for an application to be approved, several rules must be followed:
- There must be at least six months left until the expiration date of the passport;
- availability of round-trip air tickets;
- confirmation of financial solvency in the form of a bank account statement;
Some airlines allow you to get a visa on arrival. On board the plane, you must fill out a migration card, present it at customs along with return air tickets and a receipt, and affix a permit stamp. A number of companies may refuse this opportunity.
Currency
Official currency State is the Sri Lankan rupee. Its course is constant, changes infrequently and smoothly. 
You can also take dollars and euros on your trip and exchange them on the spot. There won't be much difference. Exchange at the airport is slightly less profitable. Outside there are many opportunities to buy rupees: in banks, official exchange offices, jewelry stores, souvenir shops, tourist centers and other places. Private individuals offer a slightly more favorable exchange, but there is a risk of deception in transactions with them.
What you should not do is pay in dollars and euros in markets and small shops. Change will be given in local currency and at an extremely unfavorable exchange rate.
The island of Sri Lanka on the map has many small settlements; before going there, you should stock up on local money.
Difference in time
The time zone in Sri Lanka is UTC +5.5, the difference with Moscow is 2.5 hours.
Climate
The climate in Sri Lanka is tropical, but is influenced by the dominance of the monsoons.
Due to the winds, different parts of the island can experience completely different weather at the same time:
Resorts in Sri Lanka. Tour prices
The island of Sri Lanka, which has many beautiful beaches and interesting sights on its map, can be classified as not the most expensive segment. The level of infrastructure differs in different parts of the island. Russians have fallen in love with the southwestern coast; this is where you can most often meet compatriots.
Based on their reviews, we can highlight best resorts:
Tour prices
| Departure city | Number of nights | Number of people | 1-3 * | 4* | 5* | All inclusive |
| Moscow | 7 | 2 | from 70 000 | from 89 000 | from 95 000 | from 110 000 |
| Saint Petersburg | 7 | 2 | from 90 000 | from 105 000 | from 115 000 | from 135,000 |
The given figures show the general order of prices. The cost of tours depends on the time of year, the specific resort and hotel, airline, food and other factors.
Negombo. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Ranweli Holiday Village 4* | From 2800 rub. |
| Villa Kapuru 3* | From 2300 rub. |
| Shanelo 2* | From 2600 rub. |
| Blue Elephant Boutique 3* | From 1800 rub. |
| The Gateway Airport Garden by Taj 4* | From 5300 rub. |
Bentota. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Vivanta by Taj 5* | From 6600 rub. |
| The Surf 4* | From 4300 rub. |
| Mihin | From 1200 rub. |
| River View | From 3600 rub. |
| Siroma Villa | From 2500 rub. |
Kalutara. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Jasmine 3* | From 1800 rub. |
| Seasand Holiday Home | From 2900 rub. |
| Feel Homestay | From 2000 rub. |
| Karl Holiday Bungalow | From 1600 rub. |
| Feel | From 2400 rub. |
Colombo. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo 5* | From 5100 rub. |
| The Kingsbury 5* | From 8200 rub. |
| Taj Samudra 5* | From 9200 rub. |
| Residence by Uga Escapes 5* | From 9500 rub. |
| Ellen's Place | From 3900 rub. |
Halle. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Unawatuna Beach Resort 4* | From 5800 rub. |
| Niyagama House 5* | From 8300 rub. |
| The Fort Printers 5* | From 8700 rub. |
| Green Casa | From 3800 rub. |
Induruwa. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Jungle Villa | From 2800 rub. |
| Happy Man Guest House | From 3100 rub. |
| Paradise Villa | From 3000 rub. |
| Janus Paradise Rest | From 2300 rub. |
| The Fence | From 3500 rub. |
Unawatuna. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Ridee Villa 4* | From 8200 rub. |
| La Villetta | From 2400 rub. |
| Unawatuna Nor Lanka 3* | From 2100 rub. |
| Beach Grove Villas 4* | From 3100 rub. |
| Flower Garden 3* | From 3000 rub. |
Mirissa. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Citrine Mirissa | From 9200 rub. |
| Handagedara Resort | From 7200 rub. |
| Hostel First Mirissa | From 5100 rub. |
| Hangover Hostel Mirissa | From 3300 rub. |
Entertainment on the island
The island of Sri Lanka on the map is a popular destination for tourists.
The entertainment industry is growing here at a fast pace, offering guests a wide variety of leisure activities:
- Diving and snorkeling. The island is surrounded by reefs - an ideal place to observe underwater life, admire the remains of sunken ships and caves.
Beaches
The main purpose for which tourists come to Sri Lanka is a beach holiday. There are really beautiful sandy beaches here, wide, clean, golden white.
A list of the best of them is presented below:
- Negombo beach. It is located closest to international airport, so many people come here to soak in the warm water before heading off on further excursions. There are almost always waves here, and if it is better to look for a quieter place with children, then there will be real freedom for surfers here.
- Arugam Bay. This beach with a wide strip of golden sand is loved by surfing fans: there are big waves here. You can get to it from Colombo by first reaching the village of Pottuvil. You can take a rickshaw or hire a private car.
- Bentota. One of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka. There are many hotels of different price categories, restaurants, bars, shops. For lovers of active recreation there is a water sports center.
Surfing
The island of Sri Lanka on the map is surrounded by the waters of the Laccadive Sea and the Indian Ocean. A real paradise for surf lovers. Due to the peculiarities, the water sports season does not stop here. In winter, surfers go to the southwest, in summer - to the east. There are enough specialized schools and instructors in Sri Lanka, the prices for their services are relatively low, which attracts tourists from all over the world. 
The southwestern coast, due to the abundance of harbors and bays, is more suitable for beginners. They should consider the following resorts:
- Welligama;
- Hikkaduwa;
- Mirissa;
- Tangalle;
- Matara.
The East Coast is for professionals; lovers of competing with the sea elements come here.
Professionals will appreciate:
- Arugam Bay;
- Pottuvil;
- Okandawara Bay;
- Koggala;
- Mirissa.
If you have skill in this sport, you can rent equipment and improve your skills yourself. Rental prices range from $2-4 per hour to $11-15 per day. You can immediately rent equipment for several days; it will be cheaper than paying for each day separately.
Learning by trial and error can be harmful to your health. To begin with, it is better to learn from professionals, take at least a couple of classes, fortunately, Sri Lanka provides a lot of opportunities.
The most economical option is local residents who have mastered the board so much that they have begun to teach the skill to others.
A local instructor asks for $10 or more, but no one guarantees his qualifications. It's like a lottery: you can find a professional, or you can end up with a self-confident amateur who will quit at the first danger. A much more reliable option is surf schools.
Athletes with international certificates train there. The cost of their services ranges from $15-40. This also includes equipment rental.
We should also highlight surfing centers with Russian-speaking instructors. This is a narrower segment, so prices here are much higher and start at $120. You can save a little and go to a group lesson, the cost of participation in which will be from $50. There is also a more interesting option in Sri Lanka, which will allow you not to worry about everyday issues. This
surf camps, special camps formed by surf lovers for like-minded people. Everything is organized here for comfortable rest : accommodation, meals, training, equipment, various exercise equipment. Some surf camps also offer transfers and entertainment program
. But what is much more valuable is the company of fellow water sports fans.
Shopping
What you should bring from the island as a reminder of the sunny country:
- Traditional crafts. In Sri Lanka they make batik, make wooden masks and toys.
- Gemstones are mined and sold on the island, and custom jewelry is made within a few days.
- Tea. It is impossible to leave Ceylon without the famous tea. There are both classic black tea and various blends on sale.
- Spices, including curry, saffron, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves and others.
You can make purchases at the market, in local shops, and souvenir shops. Aggressive trading is not accepted here, but if you try to negotiate amicably, you can knock down up to a quarter of the price.
Those wishing to purchase unique and high-quality locally produced goods are advised to visit large shopping centers. The best ones are in Colombo, although there are a few in Galle.
Kitchen
National cuisine Sri Lanka has been greatly influenced by India. Their traditions are similar: fish, seafood, rice and a lot of spices, especially curry.
But Sri Lankans prefer to subject their food to as little heat treatment as possible. Meat dishes are also prepared on the island. Basically it's chicken
. The cow is revered as a sacred animal, and beef is not eaten. But Sri Lanka is a paradise for seafood lovers! Their variety is greatest in coastal areas, where you can try delicacies for very little money.
The main food is rice, which is cooked with a variety of seasonings.
There is also a lot of greenery on the menu, including bamboo leaves, which are unusual for Europeans. Coconut is sold here in all possible forms: milk, pulp, oil and even palm nectar. Fruit lovers will be delighted by the rich variety of fruits at local markets.
Attractions Sri Lanka is a country with a rich and long history
, on the map of the island there are many attractions, both natural and man-made.
- Some of them definitely deserve attention: Adam's Peak.
- The most visited mountain on the island, which has become sacred to four religions. When the sun rises, a footprint appears to be visible on its slope. Each of the faiths considers this to be the merits of its saints. At the top there is a Buddhist temple. Sigiriya
is a city located on the top of a cliff among a sea of greenery. It is decorated with fountains, gardens and water cascades. Unique frescoes have been preserved on the walls of the ancient fortress.
You can tell a lot of interesting things about the country:
The island of Sri Lanka is a unique place on the world map, having absorbed the traditions of several cultures. Svetlana Ovsyanikova
Video on the topic: Sri Lanka island
The island of Sri Lanka is a wonder of Asia:
Sri Lanka is the island of Sun and Sand. More than one thousand kilometers sandy beaches with palm trees surround Sri Lanka. Until 1972, this country was called Ceylon. And although its name has changed, the best black tea in the world, Ceylon, is still grown there. In addition to beautiful beaches and tea, Sri Lanka has a large number of historical attractions, ranging from Buddhist and Hindu monasteries and temples to orchid gardens and colorful festivals.
Geography of Sri Lanka
The island nation of Sri Lanka is located in the northern Indian Ocean off the southern coast of the Hindustan Peninsula in South Asia. Sri Lanka is washed on all sides Pacific Ocean. In the northwest it has a maritime border with India, and in the southwest with the Maldives. The total area of this country is 65,610 square meters. km
In the center and south of Sri Lanka there are foothills and mountains, and the rest of the territory is plains and coastal lowlands. The largest local peak is Mount Pidurutalagala, whose height reaches 2,524 meters.
The longest river in Sri Lanka is the Mahaweli, its length is 335 km. The Mahaweli flows through the central, northern and eastern regions of this country, and flows into the Bay of Bengal.
Capital
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the capital of Sri Lanka. More than 120 thousand people now live in this city.
Official language of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has two official languages- Sinhala and Tamil.
Religion
More than 70% of the population professes Buddhism (specifically Theravada Buddhism), more than 12% Hinduism, almost 10% Islam, and about 7% Christianity.
State structure
According to the current Constitution, Sri Lanka is a presidential-parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, elected for 6 years by universal suffrage. The President is the Supreme Commander and appoints ministers.
Sri Lanka's unicameral parliament has 225 members elected by popular vote every six years. The President of the country has the right to dissolve Parliament.
Administratively, Sri Lanka is divided into 9 provinces and 25 districts.
Climate and weather
Due to its proximity to the equator, the climate in Sri Lanka is tropical and warm. The average annual air temperature is +28-31C. In hilly areas and foothills - +20C, and in flat and coastal areas - +27C.
From May to July in central, western and southern regions The monsoon (rainy) season continues on the islands. In the northern and eastern regions, the rainy season occurs in December and January.
The best time to visit Sri Lanka is from November to April (southwest coast and mountains) and from May to September ( East Coast). Thus, you can visit Sri Lanka all year round, because... there is always a dry season on some part of this island.
Sea in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is washed on all sides by the Pacific Ocean. The length of the coast is 1,585 kilometers. Local beaches surrounded by palm groves. The average sea temperature in January is +28C, and in July - +27C.
Rivers and lakes
There are more than 100 rivers in Sri Lanka. The longest of them is Mahaveli, its length is 335 km. The Mahaweli flows through the central, northern and eastern regions of this country, and flows into the Bay of Bengal.
Story
The history of civilization in Sri Lanka goes back more than 2.5 thousand years. In former times this country was called Ceylon. The first settlers were the Veddas. Around the 6th century BC. The Sinhalese arrived on this island and founded their kingdoms there. From the 3rd century BC. Buddhism begins to spread there. Until the 11th century, the capital of the most powerful Sinhala kingdom was Anuradhapura, and then it was moved to Polonnaruwe.
In 1505, the Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka and monopolized the spice trade. By 1658, the Sinhalese kings, with the help of the Dutch, were able to expel the Portuguese from the island.
The Dutch were more interested in trade and profit than in governing this country. Therefore, they did not resist the British very much when the British sailed to Sri Lanka in 1796. In 1815, Britain defeated the Sinhalese kingdom of Kandy, thereby establishing control over the entire island.
It was not until 1948 that Sri Lanka achieved independence. In 1972, this country received its modern name - Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan culture
Sri Lanka has a multi-cultural society consisting of Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Therefore, the culture there is very interesting and diverse. Travelers will be able to experience colorful and unique festivals and celebrations in Sri Lanka.
In January, Sri Lankans celebrate New Year, Duruthu Perahera (held in memory of Buddha's visit to this island), Pongal (Hindu harvest festival); in February/March - the Buddhist holiday Navam Perehera and Maha Shivarathri Day; in April/May - Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Eid ul-Adha; July/August - Kandy Perahera and Vel Festival; September – festival kites, Hindu festival Navarathri; October/November – Ramadan, Lilavali (“Festival of Lights”); December - Sangamittha Perehera.
All these festivals are colorful processions, they are always accompanied by elephant parades, music and dance performances, fireworks and theatrical performances.
Kitchen
Sri Lanka's cuisine reflects the multi-ethnic composition of the island's population. Home food local residents– rice and curry made from a mixture of spices, herbs and coconut milk. In general, almost all local dishes are prepared using coconut milk and spices.
Samba is pearl rice and is eaten on special occasions. During festivals, yellow rice is made, cooked in coconut milk and lightly seasoned with spices. Another popular dish from rice – Kiribath (milk rice).
In addition, the people of Sri Lanka are real experts in preparing fish and seafood dishes. Fried fish is served with chips and salad, while curry fish is served with rice.
Popular dishes - Mallung Curry (finely chopped dried vegetables, prawns with grated coconut and spices), Sambol (spicy hot dish), Pol Symbol (grated coconut, onion, red pepper, lime and salt), Seeni Sambol (fish with spicy onions ), Lamprais (curry, cutlet, shrimp paste, eggplant curry, rice wrapped in banana leaf and baked), Buriyani (rice in meat broth), and Thalaguli and Wattalapam sweets.
The traditional soft drink in Sri Lanka is black tea, which is most often drunk with sugar and milk. Sometimes crushed ginger is added to tea. In addition, the inhabitants of this island love coffee, fruit juices and coconut milk.
Alcoholic drinks are also made in Sri Lanka - low-alcohol toddy (from coconut palm sap) and arrack (30-40%, from coconut palm sap).
Sights of Sri Lanka
According to official data, there are several hundred Buddhist and Hindu monasteries in Sri Lanka. And if you add to this temples, palaces, mosques, cave complexes, then the number of local attractions will reach several thousand. In our opinion, the top ten best attractions in Sri Lanka may include the following:
- Dalada Maligawa Buddhist Temple (Housing Buddha's Tooth)
- Fort in Colombo
- Sigiriya Fortress
- Dawatagaha Mosque in Colombo
- Cave Buddhist temple in Aluvihara
- Kochchikade Hindu Monastery in Colombo
- Ruins of the city of Anuradhapura
- Palace of King Kassiapa on Lion Mountain
- Buddhist cave temples of Dambulla
- Buddha's footprints on Sri Pada mountain
Cities and resorts
The largest cities in Sri Lanka are Kandy, Tricomalee, Kurunegala, Galle, Ratnapura, Kurunegala and Colombo.
Sri Lanka has many kilometers of beautiful beaches. Many of these beaches are located in picturesque bays surrounded by palm groves.
The best beach areas are Colombo, Trincomalee, Bentota, Arugam Bay, Hikkaduwa, Kogalla, Negombo and Kalutara. Many tourists believe that the best beach in Sri Lanka is Mount Lavinia near Colombo. All local beach resorts have good recreational infrastructure. There are also excellent opportunities for surfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, swimming, diving, fishing, spearfishing and scuba diving.
Near some beach resorts(for example, near Trincomalee) there are hot springs, and therefore tourists can take medicinal baths there.
Souvenirs/shopping
From Sri Lanka, tourists usually bring handicrafts, ceramics, jewelry, masks, leather goods (for example, bags), batik fabric, souvenirs made from coconut shells, spices, and, of course, local (“Ceylonese” ) Black tea.
Office hours
Sri Lanka is a remote country on a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean. Of course, we know her better by her tea name Ceylon. But now this mysterious island has received its ancient and sacred name and invites you to visit. What to expect from Sri Lanka? It contains many different attractions. These are ancient cities and heavenly beaches, these are tea plantations and picturesque mountains, lush vegetation, spicy food and unprecedented shopping! And all this fits on one island, the impressions of visiting which we will now tell you about.
Despite its tiny size, the island in the Indian Ocean of Sri Lanka has simply a scattering of a wide variety of attractions - from cultural and historical places to culinary and exotic wonders. In terms of the vividness of impressions and the mixture of different events and interesting places, Sri Lanka is somewhat reminiscent of.
We flew to the island of Ceylon in April and decided to devote two weeks to it. We had a little plan for our independent travel in Sri Lanka, compiled in the form approximate route. We began our acquaintance with the country from the cultural triangle, and then planned to go towards the famous beaches of Sri Lanka. Due to the fact that our plans were slightly adjusted during the trip, the original route also changed. But our impressions were very vivid.
Read more:
The best attractions in Sri Lanka
I decided to highlight the five best, in my opinion, attractions in Sri Lanka.
1. – a town in Sri Lanka in the province of Uva. Tiny and small, but with its cuteness and tranquility, it instantly won our hearts. And now, if we say that we should go to Sri Lanka again, we mostly mean to return to Ella. This city is the absolute champion in this ranking, the main attraction, this is indisputable.
Mount Ella Rock
Why is Ella so good? If you like to sit with a cup of tea, looking at the surrounding green hills and leisurely strolling from one restaurant to another along the only street, then this is the place for you. If you like walking through the hills to see not the most outstanding, but somehow attractive sights, then the city of Ella is also waiting for you. And of course, if you not only love tea, but are interested in how it grows, then welcome to the surrounding tea plantations!
A leisurely lifestyle is what attracts Ella. That’s why you so want to come back here, rent a house and live, working on projects and walking along the intricate mountain paths. The result was an idealistic image, but this is how Ella remained in our memories of Sri Lanka.
On the road to Adam's Peak in the city of Ella on the island of Sri Lanka
2. – this is the main thing sacred place for Buddhists of Sri Lanka. It was here that the march of Buddhism across the island began. Here are the first stupas and hidden sacred caves, which are arranged in such a magical way that fresh air always flows there. The huge boulders are cut in such a way that an analogy with Peru and Bolivia and their unknown technologies that were used in the construction of megalithic masonry immediately comes to mind. This sacred historical landmark of the island, a place of power and a witness to the times.
Mihitnale
In Mikhintala you immediately understand the difference and see two time layers. Once upon a time, there was an ancient civilization on the island, comparable in power to those that left their mark on South America. And then another came to her place, she built from simple bricks, but understood that she needed to imitate the first buildings. And of course, among other things, there is something light and pleasant here.
It happens that in places of ancient civilization there is the dark energy of those who no longer understood the meaning of the buildings and sacrificed innocent people. This is not the case in Mihintala in Sri Lanka. Here the lotuses actually bloom and their pure aroma spreads. Perhaps it was the influence of Buddhism that defeated the dark energy, or perhaps it was never here. In any case, for us Mihintale has become the place where a state of peace comes to the fore.
Two ways of building in Mihintala, Sri Lanka. The sandstone foundation was built by unknown people, the brick dagobah was created by the Sinhalese
3. The mountain is one of the main attractions of Sri Lanka. And we also fell victims to its unusualness and attractiveness. The most hyped feature of Sigiriya is the frescoes depicting apsaras, celestial dancers. But it seemed to us that even without the frescoes, Mount Sigiriya and the palace of Kasapa, the rebellious king, are so interesting that they are still remembered. And his stone throne, carved directly from the rock, surprised us no less than anything else and remained in our memory forever.
Stairs to Sigiriya
Of course, it is much more interesting for us to look at the megalithic masonry that the palace on the top of the mountain is rich in. And we were again convinced of the multi-layered nature of Sri Lanka's historical cake.
And the climb to Sigiriya will appeal to those who love leisure and walking tracks. Even if it is just one mountain, there are not convenient steps everywhere, but climbing up is good for your health and eyes, which open to green views of Sri Lankan fields and hills.
Good to know:
And this is another miracle - the throne of Kasapa. Carved from a single rock on top of a mountain. Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.
4. – ancient city on the shore of the artificial lake Minneriya in Sri Lanka. The city is very large and beautiful, rich in attractions. His buildings are amazing, especially the book in stone on ancient language Pali. Closer to the lake there is a small temple with a stone lion. Of all the cities in the cultural triangle, we found Polonnaruwa the most attractive and interesting to explore.
5. . It's strange to describe a waterfall. You can, of course, indicate its height to give an idea of the size of the waterfall. But is it worth it? A beautiful powerful stream in the morning rays of the sun is not a landmark of the island of Sri Lanka? We really liked the trail to the waterfall, Dunhinda itself seemed charming, and it greatly brightened up our impression of the city of Badulla, which we did not like at all and closes the ranking of our impressions from traveling around Sri Lanka.
Dunhinda Falls near Badulla, Sri Lanka
Tasty theme in Sri Lanka and shopping
While we were traveling on buses around the island of Ceylon, we constantly encountered loud sellers of everything under the sun. We noticed that wadis were the most frequently offered. As we found out, wadi are spicy lentil pies. Taking a risk, we decided to try it. How delicious it was! From then on, as soon as we heard the cheerful “wadi-wadi-wadi”, we immediately bought a whole package for ourselves and enjoyed it!
I would also like to say a few words about shopping in Sri Lanka. Our trips to markets and shops were very successful. First we visited the famous market of world brands in Nuwara Eliya, where we bought an excellent Burton jacket - high quality, beautiful and comfortable. There we bought delicious tea, which we still drink. We also visited several tea factories in Ella, where we also bought tea. Undoubtedly, tea is the main theme in Sri Lanka, and it can also be highlighted as an attraction of the island.
In a Sri Lankan cafe
We purchased durable trekking sandals from Kandy stores that lasted us quite a long time. And we love to walk! And in the capital, Colombo, we visited the House of Fashion shopping center. Again, it is surprising to say that the clothes bought in Sri Lanka lasted a very long time.
We are very happy with our shopping experience in Sri Lanka!
Good to know:
In one of the restaurants for locals
Worst impressions of Sri Lanka - what we didn’t like
The center of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the city is very popular and important for all religious people of the country. However, I personally found it very unattractive. Of course, there is no point in suggesting that the cave could be beautiful place(although in Thailand, Laos and the USA we saw beautiful caves, religious and not so). And since we ourselves did not appreciate the holiness of the place, the impression turned out to be very average.
- turned out to be a mistake in the route. It’s not at all clear why I decided that this was a nice town. But Badulla is not pretty. At all. This is a typical Sri Lankan town - dirty, noisy. There is nothing special in the city itself, nor are there any special attractions. But there is Dunhinda Falls not far from the city, and after the nature trip I was resigned to the fact that we spent some time in Badulla. Although when we boarded the train towards Ella, I was very happy!
Other than a nice view of the sky, there's not much to do in Badulla
Negombo (Negombo) became our first city we visited in Sri Lanka. Immediately after our arrival, we arrived in Negombo and began to look for a hotel in complete darkness. We were tired, it was dark, and we were brought to some indecently dirty hotel (as is usually the case with a tuker friend), and we no longer had the strength to look for anything else. And we stayed there, and, as it turned out later, we overpaid. But I’ll be honest – it was the worst hotel in my life! Probably, even in Bolivia, during a tour of the Uyuni salt flat, we stopped in a more decent place.
We thought that if we went to the ocean, the impression would improve, but no, Negombo did not become any better. We don't even have any photos left! Although, of course, we ourselves were to blame for everything. We should have prepared better for the trip.
There is another reason to be unhappy with Sri Lanka. When we arrived in Anuradhapura, we immediately fell into the clutches of the driver Akila. He promised to take us around the cultural triangle for two days for an agreed amount and leave us in Kandy. We agreed, deciding that it would be easier if we had our own, and we would manage our time ourselves.
However, as our journey progressed, Akila reconsidered his obligations and tried to earn extra money from us. When we realized this, we decided to replay it. And they outplayed it. I wrote about this in detail in. Akila turned out to be a dishonest person, which even his compatriot admitted. Therefore, we want to warn other travelers about it. No matter how hard he tried, Akila did not spoil our mood and mood, and now we only remember him with a smile. But he, of course, believes that the Russians are just terrible people and did not fall into his traps! Oh no no no!
Yes, we really want to return to Sri Lanka. As I already said, we all dream of living in Ella for a month or two. I would like to travel around the cultural triangle again, either on the buses ourselves or with a more sane driver. View others interesting places and sights that we missed during our first trip to the island of Ceylon. And of course, relax on best beaches Sri Lanka!
Read more:
- We visited the Little Adam's Peak in Ella, but we never climbed the real Adam's Peak (Sri Pada). And I would like to make an ascent on my next visit to the emerald island.
- Instead of or together with Sigiriya, we want to visit the neighboring Pidurangala Temple, which, as they say, is also interesting from a historical point of view, although not as famous as Lion Mountain.
- Last time we also skipped the port city of Galle and the beaches of Sri Lanka, choosing instead to holiday in the Maldives. The only thing left to do is to find a specific place on the island where you would like to lie in the sun and swim in the ocean.
- There is also a very vague desire to go to the Yala Nature Reserve. I don’t yet have an opinion on whether to go on a safari in Sri Lanka, or leave the safari for Africa in Tanzania, Kenya or Namibia.
As you can see, despite its size, the island of Sri Lanka is a country of great beauty, diverse in attractions and rich in experiences.
How to go to Sri Lanka - tours, tickets and hotels
We always plan our trips in advance and try to find plane tickets at a good price. You can look at the cheapest air tickets to Sri Lanka, find out the cost of hotels or choose a tour online yourself:
- Find cheap flights to Sri Lanka on the Aviasales website →
- Book hotels in Sri Lanka on Booking →
- Find a ready-made tour to Sri Lanka on the website
