Sri Lanka is a hidden gem of Asia, which is recommended to travelers for its cultural diversity (influenced by Indian culture), beautiful UNESCO World Heritage sites, stunning beaches, spectacular tropical sea views, cheap flavorful food, and famous tea.
Sri Lanka is also one of the top places for biodiversity in the world. If you want to visit a country full of national parks where you have the chance to see rare animals such as spotted leopards and wild elephants, then this is the place.
Sri Lanka Visas and Travel Restrictions

Entry policy: From March 1, 2022, travelers don't need to do a COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen tests before departure for Sri Lanka as long as they're fully vaccinated.
Visa Policy: Most visitors will need to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) in order to enter Sri Lanka, which is easily done online. Visitors from North America and many countries in Europe are able to apply for a Visa on Arrival to Sri Lanka, but this is not recommended as it requires a long wait at immigration and more hassle. Read more about how to apply a visa to Sri Lanka.
Best Times to Visit Sri Lanka
The weather patterns of Sri Lanka are influenced not only by its location in the Indian Ocean, but also by its two monsoon seasons that affect different sides of the island. Because of the country's complicated weather patterns, the best time to visit Sri Lanka depends on where you want to go on the island.
Best Times for the West and South Coast: December to March
If you are visiting the most popular regions of the country — the west, the south coast, or the hills — then the best time to visit Sri Lanka is from December to March. This area of Sri Lanka includes places like Colombo, Kandy, the major beaches, and the tea country.
From December to March, the Maha monsoon (NE monsoon) hits the east and northeastern parts of the country with heavy rains and strong winds, but leaves the rest dry.
Many international travelers start their holidays in Sri Lanka after Christmas and New Year, and the price of hotels is at its highest level during this season. So, book your tour and hotels well in advance.
Best Times for the North and East Coast: May to September
If you want to see the east coast or northern regions of the island, then May to September is the best time to visit. During these months, the Yala monsoon (southwest monsoon) brings heavy rains and strong winds to the west and south but leaves the northern/eastern regions dry.
Travelers should be aware of October and November because this is the inter-monsoonal period when heavy rains can take place anywhere on the island. The benefits of traveling during the monsoon and inter-monsoon period include discounted hotels and less-crowded tourist areas.
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Great Experience
WOW! I’ve traveled Asia some & I must say Sharon & Asia Highlights made this trip so much more enjoyable and easy More
Stephen Hollis,
Aug 2023
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Alisa has has been great to work with
Alisa with Asia Highlights has has been great to work with. Very friendly and responsive. More
Ana Rausch,
Aug 2023
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Using Sharon right now to book our…
Using Sharon right now to book our upcoming trip to Thailand. She has booked everything that we asked for. Has answered all of my inquiries, which has been many! Looking forward to having a great girls trip in Thailand More
Tracy,
Aug 2023
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Thailand, Singapore, Bali
In Thailand, Tanny and Nori(Suparp), were both incredible! They were both fun, funny, and full of knowledge and made sure we got the full experience. They went the extra mile and always made sure we had cold bottled water and towels to cleanse our hands. In Singapore, Nicole was an absolute gem. She was so kind and knowledgeable and guided us in the right direction to make our day as enjoyable as possible. She helped us choose a top notch local lunch and coffee spot in China Town and taught us so much about the country! In Bali, Emon was an absolute joy. He was very knowledgeable and kind and absolutely made sure we were feeling comfortable and was willing to be flexible with us. He was fun to converse with and made our time traveling between destinations so enjoyable! I cannot recommend Asia Highlights enough! Accommodations, travel arrangements and guided tours were all a breeze. More
Cassi Thunker,
Jul 2023
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Very supportive
Very supportive ! I have received eticket for Sky Lattern Festival very fast More
Chi?n Nguy?n Ng?c,
Jul 2023
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My experience in Chang Mai with Asia Highlights
I greatly enjoyed my experience with Asia Highlights for a trip I booked to Thailand.All of my interests were catered too. My guide in Chang Mai Gemma was excellent.I truly felt the soul of Thailand culture and Buddhism. More
Richard,
Jul 2023
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A pleasure to plan with
Well, this has been a painless and pleasurable process to find such a wonderful company. I had specific dates and places to be and Sharon worked with me diligently to refine the schedule and costs to suit my travel needs and budget. She informed me of a special tour on the dates I am to be in Thailand and I added that to my previous plans. More
Chris Williams,
Jul 2023
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Large multi-generational holiday in Thailand
The holiday was wonderful. Our guides, Mr Monchai (Bangkok), and Ms Tipagorn (Tippy) (Chiang Mai) were exceptional. Travelling in a large multigenerational group with many children requires patience and our guides truly understood that. Mr Monchai and Ms Tippy shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. While everyday was busy, having them greet us with patience and a smile truly made this a memorable holiday. The hotels we stayed at were equally wonderful and went above and beyond to celebrate not only my parents 50th anniversary but also celebrate 2 milestone birthdays that occurred. We will cherish this holiday for many years to come. We hope to use Asia Highlights again. More
CL,
Jul 2023
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I never used a travel agent in my life
I never used a travel agent in my life, but Sharon for Asia Highlights did a phenomenal job helping planning and coordination a family vacation. The best part of working with Sharon was that she maintained an open line of communication and provided answers to my question well within 12-24 hours. Additionally, Sharon was flexible and customized our vacation to my families needs. Overall great experience. More
Antione Barry,
Jul 2023
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Great company to plan a trip to Southeast Asia!
Sharon Haung has been wonderful to work with! Very patient and accommodating. Responds immediately given time change and is prepared, prompt, and professional. More
Debi Hinerfeld,
Jul 2023
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We took a 15 days trip (10 days Vietnam and 5 days Thailand …
It was an amazing experience the guides and drivers were there awaiting for us at each airoport for a transfer to the hotels also on time for all the tours all the guides were so lovely , very experienced and spoke very good English , one of the days on tour in Thailand I lost my phone in a temple in Bangkok mr chai went out of his way in a middle of thousands of visitors and managed to find an bring it back to me I found that amazing , also while on a trip I contacted Jason li out tour organizer few time via whatup and he replied and helped on the spot I recommend asiahilights 150% The quality of the service hotels the guides the drivers outstanding From start to finish ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ???? More
SIMO el ghobar,
Jun 2023
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Wonderful Guides and Experience
Our large group arrived in Bangkok with Tanni as our guide. She was wonderful! An absolute joy to spend time with. She is knowledgeable, kind, and extremely funny. I don’t know what we would have done without her! After Bangkok, we traveled to Chang Mai, where Indy was our tour guide. She was a delight! She is kind, knowledgeable, and so patient. Our trip to Thailand was an adventure of a lifetime and these two women helped make it memorable. I would definitely use Asia Highlights for any future travel in Asia. More
Jessica Bennett,
Jun 2023
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Guide - Chai
We travelled from Vietnam to Bangkok and were blessed to have a guide named Chai. He was a superb guide and it is a pity we couldn't bottle him and take him home. He was very knowledgeable and an absolute gentleman. He could not have done enough to facilitate us and imparted so much knowledge about the Temples, Buddism and the History of Thailand in general. Not only did he give us a great overview of the past and current ways of living in Thailand but I also feel I came away a much better person having interacting with him. I will carry many of his teachings with me for the rest of my life and know that having met him was a very special blessing in my life. More
Customer,
Jun 2023
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Our guide Tanni was kind
Our guide Tanni was kind, knowledgeable, funny and beyond accommodating for our group. We felt like we'd made a friend and it enhanced our trip in the most positive way. Everything was coordinated perfectly which is not easy to do in a large traveling group. Excellent experience! More
Marissa Manson,
Jun 2023
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We are only on day 5 of our 15 day trip…
Our first stop so far was in Hanoi where our guide Trong was just so awesome! He shared about his culture and family life which showing us sites through a city tour. He was so funny making lots of jokes and always made sure we were having fun while learning about everything! He checked on us frequently even when we were no longer with him since we then went on a cruise in Halong Bay! Halong Bay and the cruise on Paradise Elegance went way above anything I expected. The scenery was breathtaking, the ship was so beautiful and clean with such fresh, good food! And I can’t sing enough praise for the staff who took care of us- especially Anna and Belle! They went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed every aspect from eating meals with Anna to every other detail with Belle! I highly recommend Asian Highlights to help plan these extraordinary trips! This already has been a trip of a lifetime and we still have so much more to see all thanks to Cathy!! More
Diane Creitz,
Jun 2023
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Tanni for the win!
14 of my closest friends and family descended upon Bangkok ready to see the town. Asia highlights and Tanni took us on a tour that changed our lives. We experienced so much everyday. Tanni was amazing! She did all the thinking for us, so we all could just be present and enjoy the moment. I can’t recommend this company, and especially Tanni enough. More
Megan McGlynn,
Jun 2023
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This isn't my first trip with Asia…
This isn't my first trip with Asia Highlights. They are great at helping me plan, working my requests into the itinerary, and booking it all. We travel with friends and just got back from a trip to Thailand and Vietnam. Albee did a great job with all the details and we had a wonderful time. We will use them for our next adventure! More
Katie Potesta,
Jun 2023
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Amazing service
Although we have not been our trip yet I wanted to still write a review based on customer service and the ease of booking. Alisa has been extremely prompt and responsive with planning our trip to Thailand. She has had great recommendations and guidance to add to our custom itinerary. Highly recommend using Asia highlights! -Alex More
Alex,
May 2023
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I have never hear of this company…
I have never hear of this company before , and after reading all these reviews ,I decided to give it a try . The professionalism and communicative skill received by one of the agent , Sharon of Asia Highlights , convince me that She was the right travel agent for my trip in Asia . Very quickly she communicated with me and got all the detail of my desire vacation . Sharon made me a great itinerary with great experiences that I am dreaming to experience and I am looking forward to it . Thanks Sharon for been so great and crafting me a dream vacation with great suggestions. More
orge alvarez,
May 2023
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Coco Yang worked tirelessly to…
From the moment I landed in Bangkok, Ms Noi Ying was there to welcome me and get me settled into my hotel. We enjoyed several days together touring Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. In Chiang Mai, Mr Ekachai took my son snd I on an amazing trip to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and to visit a community Lanna home, gardens and a hands-on cooking class preparing an authentic Thai meal. Lisa arranged a last-minute speedboat tour of 5 breathtaking islands in Phuket. From start to finish, the guides exceeded my expectations!! Thank you, Asia Highlight!! Debbie Woods More
Debbie Woods,
May 2023
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Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka
From the historical and cultural UNESCO World Heritage sites to the national parks and stunning beaches, there are so many places to visit in Sri Lanka. The following destinations are our clients' favorites. Most travelers will start in Colombo, where the country's main international airport is.
1. Kandy — History and Culture, Colonial Architecture

Kandy is the country's second-largest city after Colombo and one of its top destinations. As the former capital city of the Sri Lankan royal dynasty before the colonial period, Kandy is well-known for its interesting history and cultural heritage, the beautiful rolling hills, and its role as the gateway to the hill stations.
There you can learn the history of the region from its people and by observing exhibits and artifacts in National Museum of Kandy. Take a bike ride around the beautiful Kandy Lakes in the middle of the city and enjoy the slow-paced life there.
Kandy is a beautiful city, where you can experience bustling markets, vibrant gardens, and colonial architecture — all with the Kandy Lake as a backdrop.
2. Colombo — Capital, Modernity and Colonial History
Colombo is the capital city of Sri Lanka and the place where most travelers begin their journeys. While Colombo is a bustling metropolis with shiny skyscrapers and big international hotels, there is still a lot of history and culture to experience there. It is a great experience to walk through the streets lined with red-brick colonial buildings and try traditional Indian-flavor food there. Once a key stop on the world's spice trade routes, Colombo is the best place to experience the multi-cultural side of Sri Lanka. There you can find ancient churches, mosques, and temples located on the same streets and overflowing market sectors such as those in Pettah.
3. Yala National Park — Wildlife, Safaris, Leopards

Sri Lanka is full of world-class nature reserves, among which Yala National Park is one of our favorites for its large variety of wildlife and high concentration of wild leopards. If you want to take a safari in Sri Lanka to see these elusive cats, then there is no better place than Yala.
The park has five main zones, two of which are open to the public and can be explored in a safari jeep. An experienced guide will lead you through the forests and rugged terrain looking for elephants, buffalo, monkeys, and big cats.
Currently, visitors cannot spend the night inside the park, but there are plenty of accommodation options, including luxury tents, available in the surrounding area.
4. Nuwara Eliya — Tea Plantations, Mountain Views

Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka's most famous hill station and sits at an elevation of around 1,800 meters (6,00o feet) in the shadow of Pidurutalagala, the country's tallest mountain. Nuwara Eliya is sometimes called "Little England", because, during colonial times, its cool weather made it a popular vacation spot for the British.
Nuwara Eliya is most famous for its sprawling tea plantations and beautiful green scenery. There you can visit the impressive St. Clair's Falls, hike the Moon Plains, relax in a colonial-era hotel, and tour scenic tea estates.
5. Galle — UNESCO World Heritage, Beaches

Galle is a historic city full of beautiful colonial buildings and winding lanes. Much of the city is located inside its fort, which is a walled structure surrounded by the ocean on three sides. Galle Fort is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where visitors will find ancient mosques next to elegant colonial mansions and museums.
One amazing fact about the fort in Galle is that it is still in use. The fort contains residences, schools, offices, and companies where people work and spend their time. The best way to explore Galle is on foot. The whole Fort area is car-free. Walk through the main streets inside the Fort to experience the authentic and interesting life of local people. There are many clean and peaceful beaches surrounding the city where you can enjoy some beach time.
How Long to Stay in Sri Lanka: Sample Itineraries

Sri Lanka is a diverse travel destination. Different travelers stay in Sri Lanka for different periods of time. In general, travelers who are going for a holiday spend 5–6 days in Sri Lanka after a trip to nearby countries, such as India. The following is a typical 6-day tour itinerary for Sri Lanka:
Colombo (1 day): Visit the Pinnawalla Elephant Orphanage, which is now a lovely home to wild elephants. Walk the banks of the Maha Oya River or take a bike ride there.
Kandy (2 days): Visit to the National Museum of Kandy. Appreciate some relics dating back to the British colonial era. Spend another day to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. This extensive temple complex was built to house a tooth relic of the Lord Buddha. Have a relaxing walk around Kandy Lake and then explore the Royal Palace of Kandy.
Nuwara Eliya (1 day): Take a train journey (2½ hours) from Nanu Oya railway station, which is known as the Tea Country Train Ride. Visit Udawalawe National Park from Ella (2-hour drive).
Galle (2 days): Explore the old town of Galle to understand the modern history of Sri Lanka. Discover Galle Fort, the Dutch Reformed Church there, Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum, and Community Tsunami Museum, walking you into the old days of Galle.
If you have more days in Sri Lanka, you can add the following destinations to your trip.
Jaffna (2 days): Drive from Colombo to Jaffna, Visit the Jaffna Fort, which was built by the Portuguese in the 17th century and Jaffna Market which is Located in the center of Jaffna, selling specialties as well as souvenirs. Spend some time in the Jaffna Library which was one of the largest libraries in Asia. And visit the Clock Tower – Another big landmark in Jaffna.
Pidurangula (2 days): climbed up to the top of Pidurangula Rock for the sunrise and have a great view of the town below. Then head to Minneriya National Park nearby, for an elephant safari on the next day.
A Top South Asia Tour Itinerary Including Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a small island to the southeastern India. Most our clients prefer covering Sri Lanka and India in 2 to 3 weeks for their first South Asia trip. Get some inspiration from our 15-Day India and Sri Lanka Tour.
The above sample itineraries are just for your information. You are welcome to contact our experienced 1:1 tour consultant for a tailor-made itinerary.
Travel Costs for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one of the most affordable destinations in South Asia. General speaking, if you are planning for a comfortable trip (mid-range hotels) in the top destinations in Sri Lanka, it will cost between 28,800–36,000 Sri Lanka rupees (US$80–100) per day for a person. The following are some of typical costs for different travel styles:
- For backpackers, the budget is around 30–50 USD/day per person (hostels, street food, tuk-tuks, rickshaws).
- For a medium budget, it will cost around 80–100 USD per day per person (3-star hotels, sit-down restaurants, taxies).
- For a higher standard and a more refined experience, US$100–150 per day per person is needed (4/5-star hotels, nice meals, private guide, and transfers).
How to Get To and Around Sri Lanka

Getting to Sri Lanka
The usual way to reach Sri Lanka is to travel by air to the country's main airport — Bandaranaike International Airport near Colombo.
For travelers from North America: There aren't any direct flights from North America to Sri Lanka, so it will be necessary to catch a flight with at least one stopover at Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, London, Delhi, etc. then catching a nonstop flight from there. It will take about 20 hours to reach Sri Lanka from North America.
For travelers from Europe: There are direct flights from London and Frankfurt to Colombo operated by Sri Lankan Airlines (about 10 hours). Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad all offer flights from London and other European cities to Sri Lanka with a layover in the Gulf region.
There are direct flights to Sri Lanka from Australia. There are direct flights available from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth operated by Air Asia, Sri Lankan Airlines, and Emirates. Direct flights from Australia to Colombo normally take around 12 hours.
Getting Around in Sri Lanka
Once you've landed in Colombo, public transportation across this island country is mainly by bus or train. For international travelers, it is challenging to travel by bus as the journey is often uncomfortable and many travelers feel unsafe with the frantic driving of the bus drivers. Sri Lankan trains are quite slow and dated, but offer beautiful views of the countryside. For the best views, we recommend taking the train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.
In general, we recommend traveling by private car. Private cars offer travelers the convenience of being able to go exactly when and where they want to go in comfort and without unnecessary stops.
Connecting to Other Asian countries
If you are going to visit more destinations in other Asian countries, you can book flights from Colombo to other major cities in India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Traveling with Asia Highlights
Want to explore the ancient ruins and beautiful culture of Sri Lanka? At Asia Highlights we can plan your dream Sri Lanka trip complete with a tailor-made itinerary, private guide, and 24-hour customer service.
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.