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Sri Lanka | |
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Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful island nations in the world, located south of India. The country enchants visitors with its pristine white beaches, ancient culture, and rich history. Rice paddies, rainforests, banana and tea plantations, coconut groves, magnificent hibiscus blossoms, and immense biodiversity-Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon until 1972) has it all. This tropical island in the Indian Ocean is a true paradise.
This wasn't always the case. From 1983 to 2009, a bloody civil war raged in various regions of the island. The devastating tsunami of 2004 also profoundly affected many Sri Lankans. However, the island has since recovered from this natural disaster. In addition to its lush natural beauty, many colonial-era buildings contribute to Sri Lanka's unique charm. |
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TipFor Sri Lanka, you should plan an absolute minimum of 10 days, but ideally, about 3 weeks, as you won't get bored easily and there's simply so much to see and do. If you want to see all the major sights in a whirlwind tour, you'll need about 10 days. However, this means you'll have to travel from place to place every single day and can only briefly tick off each attraction. To see the main sights at a leisurely pace and also spend a few relaxing days on the beach, you should plan for about 3 weeks. Of course, it also depends a bit on whether you want to hire a private driver to take you from A to B or whether you use public transport (bus, train). Even though distances in Sri Lanka are usually not very great, you should still allow plenty of time for travel between destinations. |
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Good to knowsYou need a passport for entry, which must be valid for at least six months beyond your departure date. Every child also needs their own travel document (child's passport). Furthermore, you must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online before your arrival. Simply fill out the form on the website www.eta.gov.lk. A 30-day visa costs USD 50. It is free for children of all nationalities under 12 years of age. Country: Sri Lanka Capital: Colombo Area: 65'610 km² Population: 20,2 Millionen Languages: Sinhala (Sinhalese), Tamil, and English Religions: Buddhists (mainly Sinhalese) 74%, Hinduism (Tamils) 15%, Islam 9%, and Christianity 7.5% Electricity: 230V/50Hz Time zone: UTC +5.5 Call code: +94 eSIM: Comparison portal Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) - Exchange rate EUR - LKR ETA Sri Lanka: www.eta.gov.lk Department of Immigration and Emigration Sri Lanka: https://www.immigration.gov.lk General information: www.srilanka.travel Travel companion App Sri Buddy: www.sribuddy.com |
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KnowledgeAccording to legend, over two millennia ago, when Buddha passed into Nirvana, four teeth were rescued from the ashes of his funeral pyre. One of them, the canine tooth, was smuggled to Sri Lanka by a nun. Today, this very tooth is kept in the Temple of the Sacred Tooth in the city of Kandy - in the innermost of seven golden chambers. And every year in the month of Esala (July/August), the seventh month in Sri Lanka's Buddhist calendar, a procession in Buddha's honor winds its way through the streets of Kandy: Esala Perahera, as the spectacle is called. For ten days, the city transforms into a circus: elephants, drums, colorful robes, temple dancers - a feast for the senses! Swimming too far out to sea can be life-threatening. Strong undercurrents and suddenly rising waves several meters high are not uncommon off the island. And there is generally no "Baywatch" service on Sri Lanka's beaches. However, small flags serve as a guide: yellow flags indicate that the water is choppy and currents may occur - so caution is advised. A red flag means swimming is prohibited or at your own risk due to various hazards (e.g., strong undercurrents, jellyfish, etc.). |
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HighlightsNot exactly a hidden gem, but a must-do: a train journey from Colombo into the highlands is a great adventure. The route passes tea plantations and mountainous landscapes in the highlands. The many magnificent colonial-style buildings contribute to the island's special charm. Red bananas, pitayas, and much more: the variety of exotic fruits in Sri Lanka is breathtaking. A popular photo opportunity: a stilt fisherman catching mackerel. The Sri Lankan elephant is one of several subspecies of the Asian elephant, along with the Indian and Sumatran elephants. The sacred tooth of Buddha was kept in the Hatadage Temple before it was taken to Kandy. Inside, you can still find some Buddha statues and the stone on which the tooth was once placed. The Sigiriya rock massif lies in the heart of the jungle in central Sri Lanka. Over 1,860 steps and numerous spiral staircases lead to the summit, from which you have a magnificent view of the surrounding landscape. |
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TransportationA rental car is not recommended in Sri Lanka. Firstly, this is due to the sometimes ludicrous driving style of the locals. And secondly, because you'll miss out on something special: a ride on one of the brightly colored, often hopelessly overcrowded buses that chug along the roads to deafening, bass-heavy music - the maximum speed in Sri Lanka is 70 km/h. As a tourist, you're the main attraction and can expect numerous conversations, mostly conducted with gestures, since virtually no one speaks English. The buses are incredibly cheap and transport passengers with plenty of time and patience from place to place. A wonderful way to discover the country and its people at a leisurely pace. |
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Taxi / Tuk-Tuk RidesIt is recommended that you use the following apps to compare prices for taxi/tuk-tuk rides so that you don't pay too much. These apps also allow you to order a car or tuk-tuk taxi directly.
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Train JourneysA train journey through Sri Lanka is an experience not to be missed. The approximately 1,500-kilometer-long railway network connects almost all of Sri Lanka's major cities. Most trains travel slowly, although there are also express trains. Some of these, such as the Intercity trains, have a special carriage for tourists, equipped with more comfortable seats, screens, and Wi-Fi. A light meal is even served during the journey. A trip in this carriage costs a bit more, but is still relatively inexpensive. Not exactly a hidden gem, but an absolute must, is a train journey from Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, into the highlands via Kandy to Badulla (a distance of approximately 300 kilometers). This is a particularly charming experience on what are probably the slowest "express trains" in the world. The line dates back to the colonial era and was continuously expanded due to tea cultivation. Ceylon tea, by the way, makes a wonderful souvenir. It is sold everywhere in the highlands for just a few rupees. Sri Lanka Railways: www.railway.gov.lk Overview of the main railway lines:
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PhrasebookHere's a brief introduction to Sinhalese:
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