Explore
Sri Lanka
Something for everyone - beaches, wildlife, history and lovely friendly people.
Badulla 2023
Columbo 2025
Language
The language spoken in Sri Lanka is Sinhala and Tamil depending on geography and religion.
currency
The currency used throughout the country is Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) currently around 400 LKR = 1 GBP
Weather
The weather is variable. Warm temperatures and light or monsoon rain.
South west monsoon is May to September
North east monsoon is December to February
However be aware these are very changeable with dramatic consequences - Cyclone Ditwah hit at the end of November 2025 and has caused the worst natural disasters for decades..
At a glance
My experience in Sri Lanka
Having visited Sri Lanka on the early 2000s, I was expecting a more laid back version of India with hotter curries. This time round, the reality was even more striking. From the moment we arrived in Colombo, the people, the culture and the atmosphere was positively welcoming and friendly.
We had planned to explore Sri Lanka by public transport where possible and use the capital Colombo, as a base to return to and relax if the exploring became a little tough.
This worked well and we began with a visit to Jaffna in the far north, the home of the 30 year civil war. We took a bus to the most northerly point and a friendly tuk tuk driver took us to the fishing village. Using the bus service again, we went west across the wetlands and sparsely populated countryside to the coast of Sri Lanka - 32 miles from India.
We took the famous train ride to Badulla in the heart of the tea plantation area and learnt lots about tea. There are unsurprisingly plenty of waterfalls in this area to visit and if you are quiet, you will see monkeys.
The animal theme was continued with great safaris in two national parks, bumping along spotting deer, lizards, all manner of birds, elephants, mongooses and a fleeting glimpse of a leopard.
Galle in the south and along the west coast is typically touristy with hotels, cafes, restaurants and sad memories of the 2004 Tsunami which devastated much of the coastline. Galle Fort however, is worth at least one visit to see the fabulously maintained citadel with churches, a mosque, library and quaint streets still fully utilised today.
Contrast all of the above with the capital Colombo. There are colonial reminders from the Dutch and the British days, in the form of hospitals, churches and museums.
Alongside these are Sri Lanka's amazing Lotus Tower and innumerable sports (mainly cricket) grounds contributing to the overall wealth of greenery and outdoor space throughout the city.
With the exception of the frighteningly fiery, hot food, I would defy anyone not to enjoy their time in this delightful, tropical island in the Indian Ocean