Travel Guides: All Countries / Asia / Sri Lanka
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| | | Teardrop of India |  | Why go on holiday to Sri Lanka?
An island of extreme natural and cultural beauty, Sri Lanka has garnered a lot of names - Serendib, Ceylon, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient - a catalogue that reveals its richness and beauty.
Of all these titles it is the epithet 'Teardrop of India' that reveals to us the downside of this paradise island - a dangerous and bloody ethnic unrest.
Despite this you will find that the people are friendly, the food tasty, the accommodation good and costs reasonable.
How much does it cost?
There are all sorts of deals for all sorts of wallets but as a guide, a 14-night tour of key sites including flights and half-board accommodation in February is around £1,000. Flight only, return from £550. Budget room £3, moderate hotel £10, top-end hotel £20 and up.
When should I go?
The driest and best seasons are from December to March on the western coasts, southern coasts and in the hill country, and from May to September on the eastern coast.
December to March is when most foreign tourists go. Out-of-season travel has advantages - fewer crowds and lower air fares and accommodation costs.
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| | | Visit Buddhist shrines |  | What should I do when I'm there?
There's good swimming at any number of beaches along the south west coast.
Excellent scuba diving, snorkelling and surfing are found at Hikkaduwa; there's pleasant snorkelling at Unawatuna; and sailing, windsurfing and waterskiing on the Bentota River.
For trekking, try climbing Adam's Peak or walking across the strange silent plateau of Horton Plains near Nuwara Eliya to see the 700m (2,296ft) drop at World's End.
Which towns are worth a visit?
Colombo is a noisy, frenetic, modern city. It's a colourful place and worth a visit to see what makes Sri Lanka tick.
Kandy, the laid-back capital of the hill country, is built around a peaceful lake and set in a picturesque bowl of hills where the Dalada Maligawa (Temple Of The Tooth) houses Sri Lanka's most important relic - the sacred tooth of Buddha.
Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are important ancient cities. Nuwara Eliya was the favourite hill station of the British Raj: a blend of Tudor and Georgian architecture, gabled roofs, immaculate lawns with rose bushes and moss-covered gravestones.
Soak up the quaint atmosphere by visiting the Hill Club. Dutch Colonial remnants include forts, churches and houses at Galle.
Can I see the animals?
Animal life is profuse and the island is also an important seasonal home to migrating birds, including flamingoes.
Yala West is one of the few Sri Lankan national parks still open to travellers. It covers almost 1,000sq km of scrub, lagoons and rocky outcrops in the country's south east and is a particularly good place to see elephants.
There are also leopards, bears, deer, crocodiles, wild boar, monkeys, buffalo and wild peacocks. It's best to hire a jeep and driver in Tissamaharama and be in place near a waterhole at dawn or dusk.
Nearby Bundala National Park is Sri Lanka's best spot for birdwatching. Yala West is closed in September and usually part of August and October too.
What about culture?
Sri Lanka's classical architecture, sculpture and painting is predominantly Buddhist. Stupas - domed Buddhist shrines - sprinkle the countryside and there are several extravagantly large Buddha sculptures, notably at Aukana and Buduruvagala.
The spectacular Sigiriya is an impregnable fortress, a monastic retreat, and a rock art gallery.
Built in the fifth century to fend off a feared invasion, it is situated atop a 200m (656ft) high rock, with water gardens, fifth-century rock paintings of well-endowed damsels, a couple of enormous stone lion paws and tremendous views.
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| | | Fiery hot curry | | Where's good for nightlife?
Colombo isn't for ravers. Try a visit to the cinema, where many English-language films are shown. Theatres hold musical and traditional dance performances in Colombo and Kandy.
Hikkaduwa, the island's most developed beach resort (if somewhat forlorn nowadays), has a range of good restaurants and pleasant cafe-lined beaches.
What's the food like?
Rice and curry - often fiery hot - dominate meal times and usually include small side dishes of vegetables, meat and fish.
Indian curries such as thali (a whole vegetarian meal served in small dishes on a tray) delicately flavoured biriyani and kool, a boiled, fried and dried-in-the-sun vegetable combo, are also available.
Hoppers are a unique Sri Lankan snack, similar to a pancake, served with egg or honey and yoghurt. Coastal towns have excellent fish.
What should I buy?
Sri Lanka is known for its gems. Ratnapura is the centre of the trade and you can get a bargain or a beautiful stone if you know what you're doing. Ambalangoda is the best place to buy Sri Lankan masks.
In Colombo don't miss the pungent Pettah bazaar district. Marvel at the riot of goods - fruit, vegetables, meat, gems, gold, silver, brass and tin junk.
Kandy is an exciting place for shopping with souvenirs in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony and bronze. Ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, jewellery and rush and reed-ware can also be purchased.
What is there for children to do?
After familiarising yourself with Sri Lankan culture at Colombo's museums, the kids should love the island's Dehiwala Zoo with its elephant show every afternoon.
Tourist office
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) Tourist Board, Clareville House, 26-27 Oxendon St, London SW1Y 4EL. Tel. 020 7930 2627.
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| | Available rental properties in Sri Lanka |
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