Lankan Leisures

Welcome to Paradise

While Marco Polo called it the "Jade Pendant"... "Pearl of the Indian Ocean", "Taprobane", "Serendip", "Ceylon" and latterly "The Tear Drop of the Indian Ocean" were some of the names Sri Lanka was called during its happy days and turbulent past. Endowed with a rich history of over 2500 years the island Sri Lanka is found nestling off the southern tip of peninsular India, resplendent in a cloak of mesmerizing greenery surrounded with the fragrance of spices. Previously known as Ceylon, a name synonymous with your morning “cuppa” of tea is now a very popular tourist destination, so much so that accommodation and transport are reserved over a year ahead! Beautiful Sri Lanka has much to offer to make your vacation the holiday of your dreams come to pass.

Typically, Colombo the former capital of Sri Lanka, is the hub of commercial activities synonymous with the hustle and bustle of a vibrant city. Colombo is alive at night as well as during the day while the rest in this beautiful sleepy, lackadaisical Island is half asleep.

Sri Lanka is the newest and best holiday destination and this is where you can unwind and throw your cares away. Multi faceted Sri Lanka does just that for you.

Sri Jayewardenepura in Kotte is the administrative capital, not too far from Colombo. The Parliament and Government offices are sited here and in medieval times was once the Capital of the Island from where Royalty ruled...

Travelling to Sri Lanka

Travelling to Sri Lanka for the holiday of your dreams, the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake (30km north of Colombo) is the only International Airport in Sri Lanka at present. However, plans are underway to include a second airport in the South of the Island where infrastructure development activities are presently taking place to make Sri Lanka the most preferred holiday destination. You will notice why Sri Lanka is referred to as the Emerald Isle the moment you begin to descend if you are one of those lucky enough to land while the sun is still out.

Tips to Ensure Stress Free Travel to Sri Lanka

Sitting in the Bay of Bengal, just off the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka is a wonderful destination for all types of traveller. The country is host to ancient Buddhist cities, jungle landscapes and diverse wildlife. Sri Lanka beaches are amongst some of the best in this part of the world, so there really is something for everyone, be it the lone backpacker or a full family. However, as with any long haul destination, getting there can be quite a stressful experience, but there are measures you can take for a more stress free trip.

A guide to Sri Lanka Cruise

The island of Sri Lanka is in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal. This `Pearl of the Indian Ocean` is even more attractive to visitors and the number of cruises stopping off in Sri Lanka have started to increase in the last few years, as the country rebuilds itself after the wars and natural disasters of the last decade or so.

As well as its tropical climate, Sri Lanka also has two distinct Monsoons. The Yala Monsoon from May to August causes rain on the south-west part of the island whereas the Maha monsoon brings rain to the north and east during October to January. It is also worth noting that October and November can also be rainy in many parts of the island. Therefore, the best time to visit the west, south coast and hill country are from December to March, whereas April to September is better for the east coast and ancient cities.

Finding the Right Accommodation

Known as the Isle of Serendipity, Sri Lanka is situated off India`s southern tip in south east Asia and the island is surrounded by the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka`s major tourist attractions are in the south and east of the country where fabulous beaches, ancient heritage sights and lush green resorts are located.

The island is home to many World Heritage sites including Lion King Sinharaja Tropical Forest. There are many other National Parks too which are popular visitor attractions. Colombo, the island`s most historic city, is considered to be the commercial capital.

Hotels in Sri Lanka range from the very basic to the palatial. Modern hotels are air conditioned and many have swimming pools. Anyone contemplating a Sri Lanka trip is sure to find a hotel to suit their budget and particular requirements. A Sri Lanka map will show the major towns and tourist areas and these are naturally where the best hotels are found.

Be prepared on arrival

It will help to fill out your disembarkation form before you proceed to Island's Airport as most often, many flights arrive at the same time, but as long as you have your documents ready and don't allow any over-eager travellers to cut in line, the smiling immigration officers will send you sailing through towards your adventures in Sri Lanka and a holiday you won't forget. You will be able to get your disembarkation form from a flight attendant before you land, or from the desks in the immigration area.

Airport clearance process
The Bandaranaike International Airport is small and the clearance process is not too complicated. Make sure you have your disembarkation form filled out before you get in line at immigration.

Then When you have your bags and if you have any goods to declare, make sure you fill out a customs form before you get into the exit line. These forms can be found at the desks near the luggage carousels.

Winter Getaway Guide

There`s no better way to beat the winter blues than a good blast of sunshine and an increasingly popular destination for those seeking to escape the cold mornings and dark evenings is the beautiful island of Sri Lanka.

Now that thirty years of civil unrest have come to an end, Sri Lanka tourism looks set to explode with dozens of guidebooks being frantically rewritten to take account of new areas of the island that are opening up to visitors for the first time in decades.