Sri Lanka Travel Guide

Visit the Tear Drop Isle well-prepared with our useful travel guide resources. Here you'll find lots of information on when to go and what to see with detailed guides to the popular Cultural Triangle and Sri Lanka's best beaches. Discover more about the wildlife and safari opportunities on the island, see what visa you'll need, and hear what our travellers have to say about our tours.

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Best Places to Visit

Places on our must-see list for any visit to Sri Lanka from national parks to ancient ruins

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Best Time to Visit

Time your visit with the best weather using our guide to the seasons and local climate

Currency

Top Travel Tips

Everything you need to know about money, shopping, food, health advice and more

Elephants in Pinnawala Orphanage - Sri Lanka Tours - On The Go Tours

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Learn more about the island's most popular animals and where to find them

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The Cultural Triangle

Our comprehensive guide to visiting Sri Lanka's famed Cultural Triangle

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Sri Lanka's Best Beaches

Our choice of top beaches in Sri Lanka, when best to visit and recommended hotels

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Where to go when

Plan your perfect holiday to Sri Lanka with our guide to best places to visit by month

Visas

Tourist Visas

Visa requirements for Sri Lanka and information on how to obtain your visa

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Traveller Reviews

What are travellers think about Sri Lanka, our tours and our local guides

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Sri Lanka Travel Updates

Stay abreast of the latest alerts on safety and security in Sri Lanka

Plan your trip to similar destinations!

Get to know Sri Lanka

Recommended Reading

  • Running in the Family
    by Michael Ondaatje
  • A Village in the Jungle
    by Leonard Woolf
  • The Road From Elephant Pass
    by Nihal de Silva
Did you know...?

Facts about Sri Lanka

  • Sri Lanka was the first country in the world to have a democratically elected head of state who was a woman.
  • The spice cinnamon originated in Sri Lanka but was actually discovered by the Egyptians.
  • Although cricket is the most popular sport in Sri Lanka, the national sport of the country is, in fact, volleyball.

Sri Lanka Travel Advice for Canadian Travellers

The safety of our travellers is paramount and we keep abreast of current travel guidance for Sri Lanka. We recommend that you check the latest travel updates from the Canadian Government Advisory when planning your trip.

Flying to Sri Lanka from Canada:

The tropical Tear Drop Isle is between a 20-25 hour flight from Canada depending on whether you depart from the east or west coast of the country. If departing from Toronto, Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi is a great option with a short transit stop. Sri Lankan Airlines also operate the route on a codeshare with Air Canada via Frankfurt. From Vancouver one of the fastest flight times is offered by Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong. Other 1-stop flight options include Korean Air via Seoul and Lufthansa via Frankfurt on a codeshare with Air Canada.

Useful Online Resources:

The official Sri Lanka Tourist Organisation site and the latest Sri Lanka Weather Updates from the BBC.