Sea Gazing and Sunbathing: The monsoons in Sri Lanka plays a major role in beach visits. It is advised to visit the east coast between the months of April to October. The west and the south coast comes alive during November to April when the south-west monsoon takes a break. Marine tours such as Surfing, Snorkeling, Sea diving, Whale and Dolphin watching is in act during this time.

Safari tours: Wilderness tours happen all year around. Sighting Leopards and Sloths are famous in Yala and Wilpattu during the dry season which spans between the months of May and September. Elephant Gathering sights in Minneriya and Kaudulla National park can be observed only between June and October. The Gathering is ranked amongst the world's top wildlife spectacles where hundreds of elephants come together in the late afternoons around the tank beds. Elephants however can still be seen year-round in other national parks such as Uda Walawe.

Bird Watching: One can engage in Bird Watching all year around where 34 endemics and over 150 resident species are observed. The winter season through November to February is the best time for Bird watching for over 100 bird species migrate to Sri Lanka from all over the world. Most recorded species migrate from far way Siberia, Europe and Northern parts of India.

Whale and Dolphin Watching: Whale and Dolphin Watching is famous in Mirissa of the south and Kalpitiya of north-west from November to April while Trincomalee is mostly visited through March to September.

Adam’s Peak tours: The Adam’s peak can only be toured during the season, which comes in December to April every year.

Kandy Perahera: The world famous Kandy Perahera is the largest cultural spectacle in Sri Lanka, not only within the locals but also within tourists interested in Culture and tradition of Sri Lanka. The Kandy Esala Perahera takes place in Central Kandy for 12 days from late July to mid-August with the final perahera falling on Esala full moon poya day.

Sri Lanka is a Tropical country and possesses a lovable climate all year around with average temperatures of 27°C/81°F to 32°C/90°F in the lowlands and coastal areas. The hill country in the interior is cooler with a temperature range of 12°C/54°F to 25°C/77°F.

Rainfalls are determined by the two monsoons that affect the island every year. The north-east monsoon runs from October to February affecting north, north-west, north-east and highlands. The south-west monsoon starts from late April till September washing off west coast and hill country. Unpredictable rains occasionally occurs during the dry seasons too. So just be ready!

There are two international airports in Sri Lanka, The Bandaranaike airport in Katunayake and the Mahinda Rajapakse airport in Mattala. Roads are mostly used for domestic travels due to the island’s finite area.

Public buses can be found all around the roads of Sri Lanka, and a ticket would cost a very low amount. Although at peak times, finding seats on a bus would be tough. However, traveling by air makes a holiday more interesting and adventurous. There are private planes, sea planes and helicopters that are scheduled from Colombo and Katunayake to selected military airbases and lakes. Anyhow Travelers have the opportunity to hire their own charter jet and fly to any part of the country they wish. With its luxurious comfort and great offers charter jets make any vacation smoother.

Trains are the most used method of transportation among the locals as well as foreigners. Most of the rails and caves were built during the British, and haven’t been renovated since then, this rustic look gives these sites a unique colonial touch of beauty. Sri Lanka’s extensive rail networks allow people to travel and discover remote charms of the island.

Train rides through central highlands of Kandy and Ella opens up scenic views of green hills, tea estates, misty forests and waterfalls. Try taking a train trip to the highlands for the most breath-taking sceneries.

Express train services travel directly to Jaffna halting only in key towns such as Anuradhapura.

Southern railways pass through golden beaches to reach up to Southern’s hub Galle and towards Hambantota.

Sri Lanka being a culturally devoted island, appropriate dress codes and behavior matters a lot. Make sure your clothing doesn’t attract unwanted attention, especially for women.

Down in the lowlands, the climate could be quite hot most of the time, so make sure to wear light yet cotton material clothing which will prevent from sweat and discomfort. Sunglasses, Sunscreens, hats or caps are highly recommended during sight-seeing in the hot season. Bringing a raincoat or an umbrella would save you from sudden rainfalls.

Hiking trips down the lowland or highland rainforests could end in leech stings and bleedings, so remember to bring leech socks to prevent hurtful leech stings. Classic Sri Lanka provides these during tours around Sinharaja Reserve and Kitulgala.

Late Nights and Early mornings in the hill country can be really cold, so jackets, jumpers, windcheaters and sweaters are recommended.

A typical Sri Lankan greeting would be “Ayubowan” with the palms pressed together and a slight bow. This is a pleasant wish for a long life. Responding in the same way is expected.

Displaying intimate affection such as kissing in public are frowned upon in the Sri Lankan society, so it is advised for couples to be discreet.

Beaches are indeed eye catching and perfect for sea bathing and tanning, but nudity and topless sea bathing is not permitted in Sri Lankan beaches.

Visiting Buddhist and Hindu temples require appropriate clothing that covers the upper and lower body including shoulders and legs. Any footwear or hats should be removed before entering. Taking photographs of religious deities and gods, could be an insult and is advised to steer clear from these acts.

There are no restrictions for taking photography or filming but some historical sites restrict taking photographs with the flash on, and some sites charge a little amount in order to snap pictures or film videos. Anyhow, make sure not to take pictures of religious monuments with people posing.

The official currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) which is approximately 155.00 USD. But it’s not consistent. Currency changing outlets are all over the town including in the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Both Currency and Traveler’s Cheques can be changed through local banks. Unless it’s a public holiday, banks are open on weekdays from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. ATM machines are found in almost every corner of the country, where most foreign debit cards are accepted with a nominal transaction fee.

If choosing to use Travelers Cheques it is recommended to get them issued by recognized companies such as Thomas Cook, Visa and American Express in US Dollars, Sterling Pound or Euros, which are the most frequently traded currencies.

Visa, MasterCard and American Express Debit and Credit Cards are accepted in most outlets. Credit fraud does happen occasionally so it is advised to use your cards only in recognized hotels, leading stores, upmarket restaurants and supermarket chains.

Mobile phone coverage is usually good in the island, apart from travelling to wildlife sites or remote villages.

Using local sim cards would save a lot of credits than using foreign sim cards. Local pre-paid packages could be purchased from Dialog, Etisalat, Mobitel outlets in the airport itself. Phone credits and reloads can be purchased from any communication center or supermarket.

Most hotels and some restaurants and cafes provide complimentary Wi-Fi usage.

Travelers could bring in any sum of money in foreign currencies to Sri Lanka in Travelers Cheques, Bank Drafts or currency notes. If the total sum exceeds US $15,000, then it needs to be declared to Sri Lanka Customs upon arrival.

Sinhala is considered the mother tongue of Sri Lankans while English too is spoken widely, especially in urbanized towns such as Colombo, Kandy.

It is important to know that English is the second or third language of most Lankans, so their English is not very perfect or fluent.

It’s safer to be up to date with polio, tetanus and diphtheria and hepatitis A vaccinations. It may also be worth considering typhoid, rabies and hepatitis B which may depend on the activities you plan on undertaking and the duration of your stay.

Malaria in Sri Lanka is very rare, but bringing mosquito repellents would keep you safer due to the high dengue rates. Anyhow make sure to visit your local general physician prior to travelling to Sri Lanka for immunizations and Health Requirements.

Hospitals in Sri Lanka are reliable and available 24/7. The best private hospitals are mostly located in and around Colombo and other key towns like Kandy and Galle. Pharmacies in private hospitals are open 24 hours.

It is advised for tourists to bring the prescriptions and supplies they would need during their holiday.

It is highly recommended to take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy when visiting Sri Lanka which can cover medical emergencies, theft and potential adventurous activities such as white water rafting, diving and cycling. It is advised to keep these documents at hand in the event of an emergency.

Food in Sri Lanka is considered spicy and hot, consumption of spicy food would make a change in the regular dietary routine and might affect in stomach aches or diarrhea.

It is advised to keep hands sanitized at all times, especially after travelling on public transportation and prior to consuming food. Try to avoid fresh salads, cold cooked foods and any food items that have been out in the open for a long time.

Tourists should be weary of consuming street food to steer clear of diarrhea due to poor sanitation. Ensure to wash fresh fruits with clean water before consuming.

In any case of sudden diarrhea, tourists are advised to keep themselves hydrated, and to consume fluids. If there is fever and abnormal symptoms it is best to consult a doctor.

Sri Lanka is an Island and the humidity and heat is high at all times besides the hill country. It is best to be hydrated and protected during daytime, especially in the lowlands where the sun goes to its peak in mid-day.

Mineral water bottles are safe to drink and can be found all over the place, but make sure the seals are unbroken. It is easier and safer to purchase them through supermarkets.

Wearing sunscreen would protect the skin from burns and sun blisters.

An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system allows visitors to obtain their Tourist Visas online, which are initially limited to 30 days validity from the date of arrival. Extensions can be obtained for up to six months. Click here to apply for the online visa.

Different processing fees and rules are applicable depending on the nationality. On the basis of reciprocity, citizens of The Republic of Singapore, The Republic of Maldives and The Republic of Seychelles are exempt from the requirement of obtaining ETA to visit Sri Lanka. Payments can be made by electronic payment cards (credit card/e-commerce enabled debit cards). Ensure that you have a passport valid for not less than 6 months from the date of arrival, a confirmed return ticket and sufficient funds to meet the expenses during the stay.