Just before take full benefit of a holiday destination, especially to a richly diverse country as Sri Lanka – the small miracle – you need to know some fundamental facts. To assist you understand what to expect; below are the answers to frequently asked questions by tourists who book a holiday in Sri Lanka.

Where is Sri Lanka situated?
Sri Lanka positions between the northern latitudes 5 55‟ and 9 55‟ and the eastern longitudes 79 42‟ and 81 52‟ 650km north of the equator. It comprises 65,610 sq km and has 1,330km of coastline. There is a 30km divide between the island and India. 1,215km to the west are the Maldives, and to the south nothing but thousands of kilometers of ocean until Antarctica.

Are Sri Lanka and Ceylon the same country?
Yes. Under British rule the country was called Ceylon. The name was retained after independence in 1948 until 1972, when it changed to Sri Lanka – “Resplendent Land” in Sanskrit. The name Ceylon is sometimes applied – “Ceylon tea” for example.

What is the best time of year to visit the island?
Sri Lanka is a constant destination as it has two monsoons that occur in different halves of the island at different times. So if you wish to enjoy the western and southern coastal resorts when the weather is best, come between December and April. However, even during the monsoon, sunny, warm days are common, although evening showers can be expected.

What type of accommodation is available?
Whatever lodging type you seek is available in Sri Lanka. Five-star hotels, resort hotels, boutique properties, villas, guest houses and home stays can be found, especially along the western and southern coasts and Kandy and the hill country. In a sort of their own are government-run rest houses, originally used by British colonists. As a consequence many are colonial buildings, set in peaceful locations.

Is Sri Lanka a suitable destination for children?
Sri Lanka is a very child friendly country. People make a special effort to fuss and entertain children: when it comes to foreign children the effort is doubled. Hotels and guest houses often have family rooms. Children are well-catered for in restaurants. Baby food and nappies are available in supermarkets, though baby bottles are harder to find. Bring mosquito repellent and sunscreen. The main highlight for children is, inevitably, the beaches and all the delights that go with them. A winding train journey into the hill country, the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela and the Dehiwela Zoo in Colombo. If you want your children to play safely while you eat or shop in Colombo, there are play areas in ODEL, Cheers Pub, Cinnamon Grand, Excel World and Urban Kitchen.

Can we visit National Parks and what kind of animals can be seen?
Sri Lanka owns 14 National Parks which offer the chance to see some of the country’s 91 mammals (16 endemic) elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sambur, spotted deer, hog, mouse and barking-deer, wild boar, porcupine, ant-eater, civet cat, loris, giant squirrel, and monkeys such as the macaque, purple-faced leaf money and grey langur. The largest of the parks is Yala, where jeep safaris provide close encounters with leopards and also abundant bird-life. The best park to see elephants is Uda Walawe.

Is it possible to witness traditional festivals?
Every full moon day is a Buddhist public holiday, a POYA. The most important is in May Vesak Poya;  a festival that marks the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and bereavement, worth seeing are the illuminated pandals (bamboo frameworks) hung with pictures depicting events in the Buddha’s life.
Sri Lanka’s best-known traditional festival is the Kandy Esala Perahera, held in Kandy over 10 days in late July to early August. Perahera means “procession” and that’s exactly what occurs nightly – a magical passing-by of drummers, dancer’s whip-crackers, acrobats and robed elephants. A caparisoned tusker carries the reason for the festival, the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha for the people.

Is it possible to obtain Ayurvedic Treatment?
Yes. Ayurveda is practiced more widely than Western medicine. Many hotels offer Ayurvedic treatment for guests and have qualified practitioners to advise you on how to improve your health, or give various types of baths and massages.

How can I stay healthy in Sri Lanka?
With common sense precautions it is easy to stay healthy in Sri Lanka. Minor health problems can be treated by doctors with practices in the resorts and elsewhere in the country. If you have a serious problem, Colombo boasts well-equipped private hospitals offering the latest in conventional medical and surgical techniques.

• Never drink tap water and avoid ice and juices in places where bottled water isn’t used.
• Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of safe, clean water, or king coconut – a cheap, healthy alternative.
• Always use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15. Remember you are just 600km from the equator.
• Do not pet or play with stray dogs – they may have rabies.

Mosquito repellent is essential since malaria exists throughout the country apart from the districts of Colombo, Kalutara and Nuwara-Eliya.

What is the ideal length of stay?
The compact size of Island and the accessibility of most major attractions mean that even a week will allow you to visit a number of different areas. But to experience the island properly, a two-week stay is advisable.

What are the sites not to be missed?
The cultural depth of Sri Lanka is recognized by UNESCO, which has declared six archaeological World Heritage Sites. The remains of the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa feature enormous STUPA (dome-shaped structures) and statues of the Buddha. Dambulla has a splendid enormous stairway, while Sigiriya is a rock with the remains of a palace on the summit and sensual frescoes.

In the hill country lays the royal capital of Kandy, home to the Dalada Maligawa, which houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. In contrast, experience the colonial heritage of the country by heading south to the mid-17c. Dutch Fort at Galle, the best preserved in Asia.

There is a seventh World Heritage Site – an ecological example, The Sinharaja Forest Reserve.  Similar sites include the Knuckles mountain range and Horton Plains. Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) is a holy mountain climbed by pilgrims – join them and appreciate the stunning views from the peak. The famous National parks (Yala, Minneriya, Uda Walawe, Bundala seasonal)

What aquatic sports are available?
The island, with a constant sea temperature of 27 C, is an ideal location for wind-surfing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, surfing, sailing,  scuba-diving  (including  wreck-diving),  snorkeling,  speed-boating  and  banana-boating.  In addition, there are freshwater opportunities in rivers and „tanks‟ (reservoirs), such as kayaking and canoeing, and adrenaline-pumping white- water rafting, Whale & dolphin watching trips. Fishing tours.

Are there any other sports to enjoy?
Yes. There’s rock-climbing, caving, mountain biking and paragliding for the daring. For those who enjoy golf there are three courses across the country – Colombo Golf Club, Nuwara-Eliya Golf Club and Victoria Golf Club near Kandy. There are excellent opportunities for trekking. Nature trails of interest include the Sinharaja rainforest, the cloud-forests of Horton Plains, the Knuckles mountain range and Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve. White-water rafting in Kithulgala and Seethawaka Kandy. Hot Air Balloon trips in the Cultural Triangle and in down south during the season (Dec to March)

What outfit should be worn?
In the low country, loose cotton skirts or trousers and tops, and a long sleeved blouse for visiting temples, are ideal for women. Men should wear cotton trousers or shorts and a T-shirt, or even the local sarong. Take a sunhat and sandals, slippers or open shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Being a conservative society, especially in rural areas, very short skirts and short should be avoided.

For hill country trips pack a light sweater, and if you intend to sample nature trails, bring a pair of walking shoes or trainers. If you are traveling with children, a sunhat, loose cotton shorts and tops, including long-sleeved tops to protect them from mosquito bites, will be needed.

What kind of food is available?
Rice is consumed with curries (eggplant, potato, green banana, chicken, and fish) that range from delicately-spiced to near- dynamite. There are also hoppers (a pancake-like snack), string hoppers (steamed rice noodles) and pittu (four and coconut mixture). Lamprais- rice and accompaniments baked in plantain leaves – is a legacy of the Dutch. Fresh fish, prawns, crab, squid and crayfish are readily available.  Desserts include buffalo curd topped with palm-honey, and the caramel-like wattalapam.

Tasty snacks known as short eats are excellent for trips. Fruit includes mango, pineapple, banana and papaya, and the lesser- known but distinctive sapodilla, mangosteen, rambuttan, woodapple custard apple and beli. Colombo has an impressive range of restaurants specializing in international cuisine.

What kind of souvenir can be bought?
Souvenirs often combine traditional designs such as Makara (a mythical animal, lion, swan, elephant and lotus), evident in brass work (boxes, trays, vases) and silverware (ornately carved and filigree jeweler, tea-sets). In addition, ritual masks, lacquer ware, batik and handloom textiles, lace, and wood carvings are popular.
More importantly, Sri Lanka has the widest variety of precious stones among the world’s gem producing countries – blue sapphires, star sapphires, rubies, cat’s eye, garnets, moonstones, aquamarines and topazes being just a dazzling handful that can be purchased – with care.

What do you advise about money?
Most major credit cards are widely accepted in bars and restaurants. In major city centers such as Colombo, Kandy, Galle, etc and tourist areas, there are an increasing number of ATM machines, so cash can be easily withdrawn. However, we advise that you take some travelers cheques in US$ and sterling and some US$ & sterling cash. Travelers Cheques can be easily be cashed at the hotel or at any bank. In the airport arrivals hall, there are lots of bank offering excellent rates. As anywhere in the world, guard your money, credit cards and travelers cheques safely and use safety-deposit boxes where possible.

I have heard that return flights have to be reconfirmed when we are in Sri Lanka, Is this true?
Yes – for some airlines you do have to reconfirm your return flights. If this needs to be done our ticket documentation will provide all the necessary information as to how to re-confirm you flights.

What if people need to contact me in an emergency when I’m in Sri Lanka?
The service voucher which will be posted to you will have our local office telephone numbers and we will also be giving you a local emergency mobile number. You will be able to use any of these numbers to leave a message in an emergency. You can also contact our Denmark office (Click Here) to pass on messages in an emergency. We recommend that you leave a copy of all these numbers, plus a copy of your itinerary, with appropriate friends or relatives in your motherland..

I have just returned from a wonderful holiday in Sri Lanka and wish to send you an email of thanks. Which email address can I use for this to receive the best attention? We always like to hear from you whether it is positive or negative. Please email to; info@toursrilanka.info