Holidays in Sri Lanka

Climate: The island has a tropical climate. On the flat part of the country, the average temperature is +29-31 C, in the mountainous part +16 -24 C. High humidity - about 75%. The monsoon blowing from May to September (southwest) and from September to April (north) contributes to the main amount of precipitation. From November to the end of April is the most favorable time for rest.

Political status: Democratic Socialist Republic. Part of the Commonwealth. Head of state and government - the president. Legislative body - parliament.

Capital: Colombo - actual, Sri Jaya Wardenapura (Jayawardenapura Kotte) - administrative.

Population: The total population is 15 million people. In terms of ethnic composition, the country is multinational, the population consists of Sinhalese, Tamils, Burghers (descendants of the Portuguese and Dutch) and Moors (descendants of Arab traders).

Language: The official language is Sinhala. English and Tamil are also considered official languages.

Religion: The main religion is Buddhism, but Hinduism, Christianity and Islam are also found.

Money: The currency of Sri Lanka is the rupee, which is equal to 100 cents. The exchange rate is approximately: 1 dollar = 70-80 rupees. It is better to exchange money upon arrival at the airport and keep the receipt so that upon departure you can convert the unspent amount at the purchase rate. Money can also be exchanged at the hotel and in banks (from 9:00 to 13:00 on weekdays).

Cuisine: You can choose from both European and national cuisine, the famous Rice seasoned with “curry” is the most common food product. In addition, there are dishes made from meat, fish and seafood (try shrimp and lobster), poultry, vegetables. Excellent and inexpensive tropical fruits: pineapples, bananas (more than 200 varieties), avocado, mango, papaya, oranges, and coconuts. Popular local drinks include arak and beer.

Transport: Traffic is on the left. Roads are well paved, but narrow. Most of the roads are in the mountains. Traffic rules are not observed well by drivers and pedestrians. Therefore, it is recommended to rent a car with a driver. The cost of travel is approximately $ 0.3 per 1 km. For personal trips, you can rent a car. Car rental from $ 20 per day. You can find out about the location of the nearest car rental agency from the porter. However, for your safety, we recommend using the services of a driver or ordering a taxi.

Shops: Precious stones (especially local sapphires), We recommend purchasing jewelry in specialized stores, requiring an appropriate receipt or certificate. Ceylon tea, spices, and handicrafts such as masks, batik, and leather goods are also known throughout the world. In the cities, you can also buy inexpensive textiles. You can bargain over the price in markets, private shops, etc. You can reduce the price by 30% compared to the initial price. However, this is not allowed in state-owned stores, supermarkets, shopping centers, and DUTY FREE stores. Shops are open from 10:00 to 22:00. You can bargain over the price in markets, private shops, etc. You can reduce the price by 30% compared to the initial price.

Excursions: Sightseeing tour of Colombo with a visit to a Buddhist monastery, Hindu temple, folklore center, a visit to the zoo, where you can watch elephant dances and other animals that live in Sri Lanka.
Trip to Pinnawala, an elephant sanctuary where 60 elephants live, including 15 cubs. The best time to visit the reserve is 9 am, when you can watch the baby elephants being bottle-fed and be present on the river bank while the elephants are bathing.
Sightseeing tour of Kandy - the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, visiting and watching national dances with walking on coals
Excursion to the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, which was arranged by the Sinhalese king, a trip to the "Spice Garden", a Hindu temple.
Excursion to Polonaruwa. On the way to Polonaruwa you will visit Sigiriya. Sigiriya is a stone fortress, a wonderful treasure of world art. At the base of the mountain and on the mountain itself are the ruins of the royal palace of the 5th century with beautiful frescoes on religious themes. Visit to the Buddhist temple of Dabulla, carved into the rock (a complex of 5 cave temples with numerous sculptures of Buddha). The temple is located on a mountain covered with forest, where monkeys frolic.

Rules of conduct: It is not recommended to visit Buddhist or Hindu temples in shorts, in clothes with open shoulders and back. Also, when entering the temple, you must remove your shoes and headdress.

Sights: Of the 130 world historical values ​​protected by UNESCO, seven are located on this amazing island, which is not surprising, because, according to legend, it was here that the Old Testament Garden of Eden of Adam and Eve was located, as well as many places associated with the name of Buddha. Hundreds of kilometers of beaches and a unique underwater world put Sri Lanka among the world's largest seaside resorts. Cultural - Adam's Peak (2243 m.) - the holy mountain of Sri Lanka, a rock with Buddha's footprints, the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy (Buddha's tooth), Anuradhapura (ancient royal city of the 11th century), the Bo tree (Buddha rested under it). Museums with collections of historical exhibits - in Colombo, Kandy, Ratnapura, Anuradhapura, Galle, Trincomalee. Colombo - Fort (old part of the city), Presidential Palace, Yami-ul-Affah Mosque, State University, Vidyalankara Buddhist University, National Museum, Art Gallery. Kandy: Royal Botanical Garden, Palace of the last king of Kandy, Pinnawala elephant orphanage (45 minutes drive from Kandy). Pollonnaruwa: Royal Palace with huge statues of Buddha. Anuradhapura (ancient royal city of the 11th century): Buddhist relic Ruwanweliseya Dagoba - a huge ark. Sigiriya: Lion Mountain - a giant monolith with a fortress on top. In Dehiwala you can see such an unusual sight as an elephant dance. National parks in Yala (Ruhunu), Wilpattu, Gal-Oya are the most beautiful reserves, which preserve all the conditions of wildlife. Near Kandy there is a large botanical garden. And, of course, the famous tea plantations and tea factories scattered throughout the island, each of which is a small open-air ethnographic museum.

Holidays:
January 1,
February 4,
Good Friday,
Easter Monday,
May 1 and 22,
June 30,
August 9,
December 25 and 26.