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Sigiriya rock surrounded by tropical forest
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Travel to Sri Lanka: the complete 2026 guide

Mythic Kandy-Ella train, Yala safaris, pristine Mirissa beaches, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa temples, tea plantations. Sri Lanka packs continent-worth of diversity into 14 days. ETA $35, direct flight from Paris (11h).

📅 When to go? 🗺️ See itineraries

Sri Lanka at a glance

Capital

Colombo (admin: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte)

Language

Sinhala + Tamil

Currency

Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

Time diff

+3h30 / +4h30

Flight from Paris

~11h direct

Average / day

€40-150

Visa

Best season

Dec-March (S/W) or April-Sept (N/E)

Photo : Matt Dany / Unsplash

In 30 seconds

Why visit Sri Lanka

  • 1

    Island of 1,000 landscapes

    65,610 km². Tropical southern beaches, central tea plantations at 2,000m, Yala jungle safari, UNESCO Polonnaruwa ruins. All in 14 days.

  • 2

    Mythic Kandy-Ella train

    7h journey at 1,800m altitude, through tea plantations, waterfalls, stone bridges. One of the world's most beautiful train rides.

  • 3

    Safaris in 26 national parks

    Yala (leopards), Wilpattu (no crowd), Udawalawe (elephants), Bundala (birds). Plan €50-100/person for half-day 4×4.

  • 4

    Simple ETA at $35

    All online at eta.gov.lk. 30-day validity, double entry. Apply 72h before departure. No queue on arrival.

  • 5

    Asia's best value

    Less crowded than Thailand, prices still very low (€3-5 meals, €15 guesthouse). Ideal for discovering Asia without overtourism.

Calendar

When to go to Sri Lanka

Two inverted monsoons between Southwest and Northeast. No perfect period for the whole island. For classic route (Colombo, Kandy, Yala, South beaches): December-March.

Full when-to-go guide →
Ideal Fair Avoid · Click for details

01

Jan

🌡 22-30 °C

02

Feb

🌡 22-31 °C

03

Mar

🌡 23-32 °C

04

Apr

🌡 25-32 °C

05

May

🌡 26-31 °C

06

Jun

🌡 26-30 °C

07

Jul

🌡 26-30 °C

08

Aug

🌡 26-30 °C

09

Sep

🌡 25-30 °C

10

Oct

🌡 24-30 °C

11

Nov

🌡 23-30 °C

12

Dec

🌡 22-30 °C

Detailed programs

Recommended itineraries

1 week

1-week itinerary

📅 1 week 💰 📍 Sigiriya · Kandy · Ella
See itinerary →
2 weeks Best-seller

2-week itinerary

📅 2 weeks 💰 📍 Colombo · Sigiriya · Polonnaruwa · Kandy · Ella · Yala · Mirissa
See itinerary →
1 month

1-month itinerary

📅 1 month 💰 📍 Negombo · Anuradhapura · Sigiriya · Polonnaruwa · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella · Yala · Mirissa · Galle · Trincomalee
See itinerary →

Destinations

Cities & islands of Sri Lanka

Colombo seafront and skyline in Sri Lanka West

Colombo

Capital + gateway
Kandy lake and the Temple of the Tooth in Sri Lanka UNESCO

Kandy

Tooth Temple + lake

By traveler profile

Which trip suits you?

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Families

Southern beaches (Tangalle, Mirissa), Yala safari (kids > 5), Sigiriya. Short distances (10h max), accessible food.

💑

Honeymoon

Cape Weligama, Amangalla Galle, Anantara Tangalle, Ceylon Tea Trails (plantation bungalow). 7 nights: €4,000-7,000.

🎒

Backpacking

Trains + buses €1/hour, €8 hostels, €3 rice curry. 14 days backpacking: €800-1,000.

🏔️

Trek & nature

Adam's Peak (2,243m), Ella Rock, Knuckles Range, Horton Plains (World's End). 4-6h each.
🐘

Wildlife

Yala (leopards), Udawalawe (elephants), Wilpattu, Minneriya (elephant gathering Aug-Sept). Avoid captive elephant experiences.
🍃

Tea plantations

Ceylon Tea Trails (colonial bungalows), Nuwara Eliya factory visits, participatory picking. Buy bulk tea directly.

In pictures

Sri Lanka in photos

Sigiriya rock surrounded by tropical forest

Sri Lanka

 Colombo seafront and skyline in Sri Lanka

Colombo

 Kandy lake and the Temple of the Tooth in Sri Lanka

Kandy

Must-do

Signature experiences

✨

Kandy-Ella train

7h, 2nd class open
✨

Sigiriya sunrise

1,200 steps
✨

Yala 4×4 safari

Half-day €50
✨

Mirissa blue whales

Dec-April, 4h outing
✨

Sri Lankan cuisine

Hoppers + dahl class
✨

Weligama surfing

Beginner spot
✨

Adam's Peak trek

Night pilgrimage
✨

Galle Fort at sunset

Dutch ramparts

Plan your trip

Practical info

📄

Sri Lanka ETA

$35 online at eta.gov.lk. 30 days, double entry. Apply 72h before departure.

Read guide →
🚆

Train reservation

Kandy-Ella train to book 3-6 weeks ahead. 2nd class panoramic.

Read guide →
🛡️

Travel insurance

International hospitals only in Colombo. Repatriation useful.

Compare →
📡

Sri Lanka eSIM

Excellent coverage on coast and cities. Data from €9.

Compare →

How much

Sri Lanka budget

💰 Calculate my budget →

Backpacker

€1,000

  • ✈️ Return flight: €700
  • 🏨 Guesthouse: €12/night
  • 🍛 Rice & curry: €5/day
  • 🚆 2nd class trains: €30
Recommended

Comfort

€1,700

  • ✈️ Return flight: €750
  • 🏨 3-4★ boutique hotel: €55/night
  • 🍽️ Mixed restos: €20/day
  • 🚖 Private driver: €350

Premium

€5,500

  • ✈️ Business flight: €2,000
  • 🏨 Cape Weligama, Amangalla: €350/night
  • 🍽️ Luxury hotel restos: €70/day
  • 🚖 Driver + 4×4 safari: Included

Our picks

Prepare your trip to Sri Lanka

Our tested and updated comparisons for a smooth trip to Sri Lanka.

🏢

Best travel agency for Sri Lanka

Tailor-made agencies, organized tours, free quotes. Our selection for Sri Lanka.

See comparison →
🛡️

Travel insurance for Sri Lanka

Medical coverage, repatriation, cancellation. The best insurance for Sri Lanka.

See comparison →
📡

eSIM for Sri Lanka

Data plans, network coverage, pricing. The best eSIM to stay connected in Sri Lanka.

See comparison →

Combine with

Combine with

Aerial view of overwater villas above a turquoise Maldivian lagoon 🇲🇻

Maldives

1h30 flight, luxury beach extension
The Taj Mahal in Agra reflected in the pools at sunrise 🇮🇳

India

2h flight to South India
Longtail boat between limestone cliffs in Thailand 🇹🇭

Thailand

Southeast Asia stopover
Japanese pagoda under blue sky near Kyoto 🇯🇵

Japon

Nature et spiritualité

FAQ

FAQ

When to go to Sri Lanka? +
December-March for the classic Southwest route (Colombo, Kandy, Yala, southern beaches). May-September for East Coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay) which is dry while Southwest is wet.
Visa for Sri Lanka? +
Yes, ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) at $35 on eta.gov.lk. 30 days, double entry. Apply minimum 72h before departure.
How much does a Sri Lanka trip cost? +
Backpacker: €800-1,200 flight included. Comfort: €1,700-2,200. Flight = 50-60% of budget. One of Asia's cheapest countries.
Need a private driver? +
Convenient but not essential. €35-50/day including gas. Allows combining panoramic trains (Kandy-Ella) with quick off-rail travel. Otherwise trains + tuk-tuk + bus.
Sri Lanka or South India for first trip? +
Sri Lanka much simpler: compact island, widespread English, decent infrastructure, fewer solicitations. South India more exotic but more demanding.
See blue whales? +
Mirissa, December to April. 4h sea outing (departure 6:30am), €50/person. Success rate 80-90%. Ethics code: Whale Watching Tour Operators Association of Sri Lanka.

Marie Laurent ✓

·

Southeast Asia specialist

Last updated: May 25, 2026.

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