Vital Information For Planing Sri Lanka Vacation Packages
Sri Lanka is blessed with some of the world’s beautiful and dramatic beaches, mountain peaks, cultural sites and wildlife reserves. Many of these tourist places attract a large number of travellers every year; however, there are many unpopular tourist places and those tourist places still remain unexplored by foreigners. Sri Lanka’s broad range of climates is also a blessing for tourists to Sri Lanka. Whichever Sri Lanka vacation packages you choose from, it will be one of the most memorable trips of your lifetime.
Table of Contents
- Sri Lanka Vacation Package
- Why Choose a Sri Lanka Vacation Package?
- Types of Sri Lanka Vacation Packages
- How this blog post helps you to plan Sri Lanka vacation tours?
- Planning a trip to Sri Lanka involves several key steps. Here’s a guide to help you organize your visit:
- What do most travellers find interesting about Sri Lanka vacation packages?
- How much does it cost for Sri Lanka vacation packages?
- Finding the best accommodation for Sri Lanka vacation packages
- Visiting Sri Lanka beaches
- Experience the culture of Sri Lanka
- Visiting Sri Lanka mountain resorts
- Addin east coast to Hindu pilgrimage tours
- Dormitories, Guest Houses, Rest Houses, Villas and Hotels in Sri Lanka
- 5 popular Sri Lanka vacation tours
- Sri Lanka vacation packages
- What is the best time for Sri Lanka vacation packages?
- What type of Sri Lanka vacation packages should we book? a group tour or an independent tour?
- ETA, Tourist visas for Sri Lanka
- What to pack ahead of Sri Lanka vacation packages?
- Vaccinations for Sri Lanka
- Important places to include in Sri Lanka vacation packages
- How to book transport for the Sri Lanka vacation packages?
- Using public buses and trains on Sri Lanka vacation packages
- Private transport for Sri Lanka vacation tours
- About Sri Lanka’s food
- Why you should book Sri Lanka vacation tours with seerendipity tours
Sri Lanka Vacation Package
Sri Lanka is blessed with some of the world’s most beautiful and dramatic beaches, mountain peaks, cultural sites and wildlife reserves. Many of these tourist places attract a large number of travellers every year; however, there are many unpopular tourist places, and those tourist places still remain unexplored by travellers. Sri Lanka’s broad range of climates is also a blessing for tourists to Sri Lanka. Whichever Sri Lanka vacation packages you choose from, it will be one of the most memorable trips of your lifetime.
Seerendipity Tours travel blog is to get information to plan your Sri Lanka trip. A sizable number of leisure travelers, family travelers, adventure seekers, honeymooning couples, young people, and students use our blog. All our articles, blog posts, holiday tips, and information provide you with essential information to plan memorable Sri Lanka vacation packages.
Why Choose a Sri Lanka Vacation Package?
Why opting for a vacation package in Sri Lanka is a smart move:
- Hassle-free planning: Leave the logistics to the experts
- Cost-effective: Often cheaper than booking everything separately
- Local expertise: Benefit from insider knowledge and hidden gems
- Time-saving: Maximize your experiences in a limited time
- Customizable: Tailor your trip to your interests and budget
Types of Sri Lanka Vacation Packages
Sri Lanka offers a diverse range of experiences. Here are some popular package types to consider:
- Cultural Triangle Explorer
- Beach Bliss Getaway
- Wildlife Safari Adventure
- Tea Country Retreat
- Ayurveda and Wellness Escape
- Adventure Sports Package
- Honeymoon Romance
- Family Fun Package
How this blog post helps you to plan Sri Lanka vacation tours?
- Help to plan memorable Sri Lanka vacation packages with a minimum budget.
- Provide information about places of interest in Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan culture and Sri Lanka beaches.
- What are the must-included tourist attractions in Sri Lanka vacation packages?
- What kind of accommodation is available for Sri Lanka vacation packages on the island, from luxury boutique properties to cheap accommodation find the best price for Sri Lanka accommodation.
- How to travel around Sri Lanka by private vehicle or public transport.
- What type of food can be expected during Sri Lanka vacation packages, from street food to boutique hotels?
- How to find the best time for Sri Lanka vacation packages.
- How to be healthy during Sri Lanka vacation packages.
- Travelling in Sri Lank with families.
- Backpacking in Sri Lanka or book your Sri Lanka road trip with a tour operator.
- Sample Sri Lanka trips.
Planning a trip to Sri Lanka involves several key steps. Here’s a guide to help you organize your visit:
- Decide When to Go:
- Consider the monsoon seasons and your preferred activities
- December to March is popular for the south/west coast
- May to September is better for the east coast
- Determine Trip Duration:
- Ideally, 10-14 days to cover major highlights
- Choose Your Destinations:
- Cultural Triangle (Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa)
- Hill Country (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella)
- Wildlife Parks (Yala, Udawalawe)
- Beaches (Mirissa, Unawatuna, Trincomalee)
- Colombo and Galle
- Plan Your Route:
- Create a logical itinerary based on your chosen destinations
- Book Accommodations:
- Range from luxury resorts to budget guesthouses
- Book in advance, especially during peak season
- Arrange Transportation:
- Consider hiring a car with a driver for convenience
- Look into train tickets for scenic routes (book in advance)
- Obtain Necessary Documents:
- Apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
- Check passport validity (should be valid for at least 6 months)
- Health Preparations:
- Consult your doctor about vaccinations
- Consider travel insurance
- Plan Activities:
- Book safaris, whale watching tours, or cultural experiences in advance
- Pack Appropriately:
- Light, breathable clothing
- Modest attire for temple visits
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Learn Basic Phrases:
- A few words in Sinhala or Tamil can go a long way
- Budget Planning:
- Research costs for accommodations, food, activities, and transportation
- Stay Informed:
- Check current travel advisories
- Be aware of local customs and etiquette
- Consider Hiring a Local Guide:
- Especially useful for historical sites
- Plan for Connectivity:
- Research SIM card options or Wi-Fi availability
Remember to be flexible with your plans and allow some free time to explore and relax. Sri Lanka offers diverse experiences, so try to balance cultural activities, nature experiences, and relaxation in your itinerary.
Let’s break these down and see what each has to offer!
- Cultural Triangle Explorer
Perfect for: History buffs and culture enthusiasts
Key destinations:
- Anuradhapura: Ancient city with well-preserved ruins
- Polonnaruwa: Medieval capital with impressive architecture
- Sigiriya: Iconic rock fortress with stunning views
- Dambulla: Famous cave temples with Buddhist art
Don’t miss: Climbing Sigiriya Rock for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape
Duration: 5-7 days
Learn more about Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
- Beach Bliss Getaway
Perfect for: Sun-seekers and water sports enthusiasts
Top beaches:
- Mirissa: Whale watching and laid-back vibes
- Unawatuna: Golden sand and turquoise waters
- Tangalle: Secluded and pristine
- Arugam Bay: Surfing hotspot (May to September)
Activities: Snorkeling, diving, surfing, and beach hopping
Duration: 7-10 days
- Wildlife Safari Adventure
Perfect for: Nature lovers and wildlife photographers
Key national parks:
- Yala: Famous for leopard sightings
- Udawalawe: Elephant haven
- Wilpattu: Off-the-beaten-path with diverse wildlife
- Minneriya: Witness “The Gathering” of elephants (July to October)
Don’t miss: Early morning safari for the best wildlife viewing opportunities
Duration: 7-10 days
Explore Sri Lanka’s national parks
- Tea Country Retreat
Perfect for: Slow travelers and tea enthusiasts
Key destinations:
- Nuwara Eliya: “Little England” with colonial charm
- Ella: Scenic mountain town with great hiking
- Haputale: Breathtaking views and tea plantations
Activities:
- Visit tea factories and learn about tea production
- Scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella
- Hike through tea plantations
Duration: 5-7 days
- Ayurveda and Wellness Escape
Perfect for: Those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation
Key elements:
- Ayurvedic treatments and consultations
- Yoga and meditation sessions
- Healthy, locally-sourced cuisine
Popular locations:
- Beruwala
- Bentota
- Wadduwa
Duration: 7-14 days (for optimal benefits)
- Adventure Sports Package
Perfect for: Thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts
Activities:
- White water rafting in Kitulgala
- Surfing in Arugam Bay or Weligama
- Hiking in Knuckles Mountain Range
- Rock climbing in Bambarakanda
Duration: 7-10 days
- Honeymoon Romance
Perfect for: Newlyweds and couples
Highlights:
- Luxury accommodations with stunning views
- Private beach dinners
- Couple’s spa treatments
- Scenic hot air balloon ride over tea country
Duration: 10-14 days
Discover romantic experiences in Sri Lanka
- Family Fun Package
Perfect for: Families with children of all ages
Activities:
- Elephant orphanage visit
- Turtle hatchery experience
- Spice garden tour
- Water parks and beach activities
What do most travellers find interesting about Sri Lanka vacation packages?
Sri Lanka (about Sri Lanka) is a beautiful country and it is well worth embarking on one of the Sri Lanka vacation packages. The island already attracts many millions of tourists every year and the number of foreign tourists is expected to grow further in the coming years. Sri Lanka vacation tours are very popular among travellers from Europe, China, Arabian countries and South Asia.
Sri Lanka is a holiday destination with many possibilities, it may be a relaxing beach holiday that you are fancy about or it might be an adventure holiday package, Sri Lanka cultural tour, or you like to explore the rain forest and wildlife parks, whatever it is there is something for you.
How much does it cost for Sri Lanka vacation packages?
With regards to the expenses during your Sri Lanka vacation package: it is not necessary to spend a lot of money and rip off your wallet. Whether it is one of the cheap Sri Lanka vacation packages or a luxury Sri Lanka vacation package you can find the best accommodation facilities and other services depending on your budget. Most travellers in Sri Lanka organise their Sri Lanka vacation package through a tour operator and they book package tours in their home country.
Solo travel – Sri Lanka vacation tours
The number of independent and backpacking travellers in Sri Lanka is proportionately lower compared to tourists, who book Sri Lanka vacation packages through agents. There is a large number of places to explore in Sri Lanka covering all corners of the island. It is advisable to use the help of a local expert to organise the best Sri Lanka vacation packages with the most important places depending on your budget and time available.
How much you spend on Sri Lanka vacation packages is decided by you. Sri Lanka vacation package can be the cheapest tour this year for you or it could turn out to be the most expensive tour for you, it all depends on the planning. If you plan your tour properly it is possible to reduce your daily expenses to $50 for 2 people, still with decent and clean accommodation and good food.
Low-cost accommodation and food
Food is very cheap on the island compared to most holiday destinations around the world. Same time you can find very clean, decent accommodation and transport for Sri Lanka vacation packages at an incredibly very low rate. If you are eyeing low-cost accommodation, there are many options such as a guest house, rest houses, small hotels, dormitories and home-based accommodation called homestay accommodation.
Luxury accommodation for Sri Lanka vacation tours
If you look for luxurious Sri Lanka vacation packages with accommodation in luxury hotels and villas, there are plenty of options that you can choose from. Availability is great in this category of accommodation, and the price variation is also great. Rates are mainly regulated by the demand, therefore the prices of this type of accommodation shoot up during the high occupancy period from November to April, during the rest of the year rates dip due to the low demand. If you look for Sri Lanka vacation packages with luxury accommodation at affordable rates your best bet should be during the off-season.
How to find the local guides for Sri Lanka vacation tours
Booking Sri Lanka vacation packages with local guides, and through a local tour operator, in order to have the best experience. Because when all sightseeing and transport and other facilities are organised by the local company, you can make sure it is up to the best possible perfection because they have the expertise and experience.
Entrance fees to important places
You will find the prices of entrance tickets in Sri Lanka are high especially for UNESCO world heritage sites, national parks and botanical gardens. It is possible to cut cost considerable by not visiting big sites but on the other hand, you should think of the experience you get by visiting them. If you are on a tight budget you can still find a lot of cheap or even cost-less attractions and activities to keep you busy during Sri Lanka vacation packages.
Finding the best accommodation for Sri Lanka vacation packages
Usually, the best prices for hotels can be obtained from the local tour operators, because they have the privilege of getting special discounted rates from local hotels. And on the other hand, online travel portals keep a big margin from all the reservations and it is usually 20%-25%. Therefore if you are serious about finding the best price for your accommodation, it is highly advisable to make hotel reservations through local tour operators.
The options for accommodation with local tour operators are great since they get special rates from all local hotels around the island and local tour operators provide accommodation only within the country. Almost all the online hotel booking sites are owned by foreign companies and they promote only a few selected properties. If you discuss with a local tour operator about your budget and the type of accommodation you look for, they will organise the best accommodation for you.
Visiting Sri Lanka beaches
We have already published several posts on Sri Lanka beaches, you can click through to take a look at them, At the same time, we list some of the other informative blog posts written on Sri Lanka beaches so that you are exposed to a wide range of vivid information.
Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Ocean but some locations cannot be recommended for beach holidays due to their inability to provide services required by the tourists. Places such as Jaffna, the south-east coast and some parts of the east coast cannot still be recommended for a beach holiday.
Hikkaduwa-the cradle of the beach holidays
Hikkaduwa was the main beach holiday destination in Sri Lanka at the beginning of the tourist stream to the island started in the ’80s. The main part of Hikkaduwa is crazy during the peak holiday season with a large number of tourists-packed into a narrow strip of beach. Still, Hikkaduwa is one of the most loved beach holiday destinations and there is a large number of repeat visitors, who show up here almost every year.
Hikkaduwa is known to be the heaven for backpackers in Sri Lanka and is best suitable for travellers who like to anchor for a long period of time and travelling on a tight budget. There are only a few star-class hotels to be found here, strong rips and big surf make Hikkaduwa not ideal for small children.
Bentota beach for beach holidays
By the far west coast, Sri Lanka is the most popular beach holiday destination in Sri Lanka. The West coast of Sri Lanka is well developed over many years to accommodate beach lovers. Especially the beaches like Bentota offer the ideal atmosphere for travellers. The travellers get plenty of things to do on the west coast of Sri Lanka from beach hopping to surfing, boating, diving, snorkelling and many more. But gradually the other beach holiday destinations such as Bentota claimed most of the beach holiday lovers on the island during the last several decades. Today Bentota is the most popular beach resort in Sri Lanka and the biggest portion of beach lovers find their station here. Bentota is boasted to be the best-developed beach resort in the country with well-developed tourism infrastructure. It gives you options for a wide range of accommodation facilities, activities, and services.
There are still peaceful, unpopular beaches on the west coast that enables you to escape from the crowd such as Ambalangoda, Wadduwa, Mt.Lavinia, Ahngama, and Weligama. You might find them almost deserted even during the peak holiday season from November to April.
Southern Sri Lanka as a beach holiday destination
With the development of southern Sri Lanka and the addition of the southern expressway, which curtails the travelling time between Colombo and the south coast, the number of tourists heading for the southern coast increased in the recent past.
Beaches like Mirissa, Tangalle, Hambantota, Matara, Galle, and Unawatuna getting busier and busier over the last several years and this trend will remain in the future as well, especially during the peak holiday season when the west coast beaches are crowded and cost for holidays in the west coast inflated.
Emerging beach holiday destination in Sri Lanka
Even though it does not attract as many tourists as the west coast, North-West has emerged as a fast-developing beach holiday destination in Sri Lanka. It is a comparatively new destination to explore compared to the west coast and opened its door for tourism after ending the civil war in Sri Lanka in 2009. The northwest coast is thought to be going to be an important beach holiday destination in the coming years.
Experience the culture of Sri Lanka
The cultural triangle is on the bucket list of travellers, who book Sri Lanka vacation packages. There are many important historical places within the cultural triangle such as Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Dambulla, and Polonnaruwa that are worth your attention. You need to find a base within the cultural triangle in order to explore important cultural sites here. It might be difficult, expensive and time-consuming if you plan to visit them by road from a faraway city like Kandy.
Visiting Anuradhapura on Sri Lanka vacation tours
Anuradhapura is a UNESCO world heritage site and a magical ancient city that harbours a large number of historical monuments. It had been the capital of Sri Lanka way back in the 2nd century BC. The oldest documented tree, which is known as the Srimaha bodhi resides here and receives great respect, especially from Buddhists around the world. Habarana is a laid-back city in the cultural triangle and provides facilities for recreational activities such as elephant rides, safari, boating, village tour, bullock cart ride etc.
Visiting Kandy on Sri Lanka vacation tours
Kandy is considered to be the cultural city of Sri Lanka, where Sri Lankan customs and traditions are still alive and home to cultural attractions in their own right. It is endowed with the privilege of protecting one of the most valuable elements for Buddhists in the world, which is the left eye tooth of Buddha. Today the tooth relic temple of Kandy is the most visited Buddhist temple in the country. Pinnawala elephant orphanage, royal botanical garden, Kandyan cultural show, Kandy lake, Bahirwakanda, and tea museum are some of the important places within easy reach of Kandy.
Visiting Sri Lanka mountain resorts
Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Bandarawela and less popular Haputale are popular for cool clime, breathtaking scenery and activities that consume adrenaline. The most prominent difference between these places and low land beach areas of Sri Lanka is the climate.
Instead of scorching heat with high humidity prevailing in coastal areas here in the mountains you get mild weather with low temperature. Due to the vivid geographical conditions with mountains, plains, rivers, and waterfalls here you find many places that are suitable for adventure sports such as white water rafting, trekking, mountain climbing, kayaking etc.
Addin east coast to Hindu pilgrimage tours
I feel Trincomalee, in the very Far East, is a must-see place for the pilgrims, especially for Hindu devotees. It is growing in terms of tourist arrivals but still, the number of tourists in Trincomalee is considerably low compared to the west coast.
Dormitories, Guest Houses, Rest Houses, Villas and Hotels in Sri Lanka
What can you expect from Sri Lanka accommodation? That of course is decided by the budget that you allocate for accommodation. There are many options that you can choose from. Dormitories and homestay accommodations are the cheapest forms of accommodation; you can find that type of accommodation at the rate of around $5 per night per double or single room. Guesthouses and rest houses are the cheapest options come next if you can afford to pay around $15-$30 per night.
Mid-range hotel accommodations such as 2 stars or 3 stars hotels with a pool can be found here without much trouble. If you can afford to pay around $50 per night you can secure a room in a 2-star hotel and a room costs around $70 in a decent 3-star hotel, while the cost for a 4-star hotel is around $120 per night per room.
Room rates for upper category hotels such as 5-star hotels, villas, and luxury boutique hotels are starting around $130 per room per night. However, the rates directly come under the influence of demand. Therefore above mentioned average room rates can be higher during the peak holiday season from November to April and cheaper than the rates mentioned here during the off-peak season from April to November.
Whatever type of accommodation you look for, you will find it in Sri Lanka. Pre-booking is highly recommended during the peak holiday season in order to have peace of mind. And don’t expect to make last-moment bookings, especially accommodation and flights during the peak holiday season in Sri Lanka.
Maybe you opt for accommodation without meals and would like to prepare meals you own. If you rent a room or a bungalow it provides the room with facilities for cooking. Therefore you can make sure that you have more flexibility in your foodie choices and also you can save money. If you hit a supermarket in the city you can buy all sort of items that are required to prepare a meal. The food is very cheap here and even you can go for prepared food in outside restaurants at a much lower rate than at the hotel.
5 popular Sri Lanka vacation tours
- Simply Sri Lanka 8 Days Private Tour with Luxury Accommodation
- 4-Day Essence of Sri Lankan Culture-Private
- Sri Lanka Classic Luxury-7 Days Private Tour
- Sri Lanka Kandy Trip With Scenic Upcountry Train Journey-2 Days
- Sri Lanka Grand-10 Days-Private Tour
Sri Lanka vacation packages
Some travellers visit Sri Lanka without a pre-planned tour itinerary and make all the arrangements as they go, while some others book Sri Lanka vacation packages beforehand. Both options are possible but special attention should be given, when you go for last moment booking. Before starting on the private Sri Lanka vacation packages, you can contact us for any type of tour itinerary. Our local staff help you to plan the best Sri Lanka vacation packages at the best rate depending on your requirement. We do not charge anything to make an itinerary for you.
We already have published several Sri Lanka vacation packages on our website and all of them can be customised depending on your requirement. Seerendipity tours offer private airport transfers, hotel booking, food tours, guided tours, sightseeing tours, beach holiday packages, and adventure tour packages. Most Sri Lanka vacation packages offered by Seerendipity tours can be booked through getyoutguide.com. Most people who booked our tours are massively impressed with our service and you will find the reviews of our tours on getyourguide.com.
What is the best time for Sri Lanka vacation packages?
The island is under the influence of monsoon, but the monsoon pattern allows you to have nice weather at any time of the year, either on the east coast or west coast. Therefore it is advisable to book accommodation, especially for your beach holiday resort after studying the monsoon pattern. The rainfall can be increased in the affected areas during the monsoon and therefore you have limited room for outside activities.
North-east monsoon prevails from November to April and soaks the north, east, north-east and south-east parts of the island. Sri Lanka is under the influence of the southwest monsoon from April to November and the west, south-west, south and north-west part come under the increased rainfall. The temperature fluctuation is very low in Sri Lanka and remains around 27 Celsius during the night and around 30 Celsius during the day in the low country areas. In the higher elevated areas or hill-country temperature is cooler than in the low land areas.
What type of Sri Lanka vacation packages should we book? a group tour or an independent tour?
The Independent Sri Lanka tour package is a good option to see Sri Lanka but you may find it difficult if you travel for the first time in Sri Lanka. On the other hand, package tours are more convenient and you may find them very handy when you travel with the family. Sri Lanka tour packages are offered by many leading international tour operators. One distinct disadvantage of a package tour is that it is not possible to change the proceedings without paying the supplement, once the tour is commenced. Sometimes it may not possible to make a change at all, especially when you are attached to a group.
If you plan an independent tour it is essential to book your first hotel before arriving in the country. Because it could be a be difficult to find a nice place to stay if you do not make a booking well in advance. Having a room ready to occupy when you land in Sri Lanka, makes life so much easier because you are tired from a long journey. It will definitely be a good idea to book a hotel near the airport or in Negombo so that you are not required to drive for a long time. However, if you plan to stay in the southern or western part of Sri Lanka on the first day or for several days, you still can go ahead with it, because the travelling is much easier and the journey is much faster now with the opening of the southern expressway.
There are a large number of places to explore in Sri Lanka and they are spread out on the island. You may require a few days to see most of the important attractions and be having multiple bases makes it much easier to explore them. Having multiple bases reduce the time spent on transport and save time for sightseeing.
ETA, Tourist visas for Sri Lanka
Unlike in many other countries, Sri Lanka visas for kids are free. All tourists should be obtained ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before arriving in Sri Lanka and ETA can be obtained online. The ETA has a validity of thirty days with the option to be extended through the emigration department. Click the link below to find out more information. http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
What to pack ahead of Sri Lanka vacation packages?
Sri Lanka is a tropical country and sunburns are very common among travellers who are not familiar with tropical weather conditions. It is essential to apply some kind of sunscreen to block sun-ray that harm your skin. Mosquito repellent can be quite handy if you travel to the interior of the country but most hotels offer mosquito nets to their in-house guests. If your room is not equipped with a mosquito net you may ask for it, because some hotels provide it when the customers demand it.
Your clothing should be suitable for hot and humid weather conditions, but it can be really cool in the mountains, especially after the sunset so better prepared for the cool climate if you come across the mountains. If you plan to visit Hindu or Buddhist temples you should have a kind of attire that covers your shoulders. And legs should be covered up to the knee. Carrying a small bottle of iodine can be handy because small bites and scratches can deteriorate easily in the tropics. You are also required to carry plenty of fluid all the time to avoid dehydration, which resulted due to scorching heat.
Vaccinations for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is free of epidemics and taking malaria prophylaxis is also not required anymore in Sri Lanka. Malaria and diarrhoea kind of epidemics is also not reported on the island. Please consult your family doctor for the recommendation of vaccinations. Try to avoid mosquito bites as much as possible, because there are instances in which a large number of dengue patients is recorded in some parts of the island, especially Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara.
It is essential to consume mineral water while you stay in Sri Lanka and consuming running water can cause you to have abdominal infections. Be careful when you consume the food that is been sold by the street vendors and consuming peeled fruits that are sold by the street vendors also can make stomach problems.
More information you know about Sri Lanka makes it easier for you to enjoy Sri Lanka vacation packages. Sinhalese is the most widely used language in Srilanka and knowing useful words and phrases such as thank you, hello, and please will be very handy. Having some information about good hotels, restaurants, and places of attractions and of course maps might be very useful. It is advisable to grab a travel guide and gather some essential information covering history, nature, culture, politics, food and customs.
Important places to include in Sri Lanka vacation packages
- Anuradhapura
- Polonnaruwa
- Sigiriya rock fortress
- Dambulla golden cave temple
- The temple of the tooth relic
- Pinnawala elephant orphanage
- Sea turtle farm
- Yala national park
- Mirissa for Whale watching
- Adam’s peak
- Sinharaja rainforest
You can keep on adding to the list above…because Sri Lanka offers hundreds of places that have some kind of historical, natural or cultural importance. It is definitely difficult to cover most of them within 2 or 3 days, you will be able to cover most attractions with one week Sri Lanka vacation packages.
How to book transport for the Sri Lanka vacation packages?
Visiting many places required you to travel a great distance and hiring a vehicle is more suitable than using public transport. You can book private transport easily to travel around the country with a local tour operator. Tuk tuk is also can be a very handy transport method to travel short distances at an affordable rate.
Using public buses and trains on Sri Lanka vacation packages
If you plan the transport and sightseeing tour on your own by using public transport, it can turn out to be cheaper compared to a Sri Lanka vacation package organized by a tour operator. Even though it saves money, it is very time-consuming if you opt for public transport such as buses and train travel and comfort is at the lowest level. Hardly you can reach more than one important attraction per day using the busses and trains. You might spend about 11-14 days with local transport to cover, what you see in one of the 5 days or 4 days Sri Lanka vacation packages with private transport.
Busses and trains are the cheapest forms of transport method in Sri Lanka but it consumes more time than any other transport method. If you plan to travel to the west or southern coast, expressway buses are the best option as it is very comfortable, far less time-consuming and affordable. Normal public trains and buses can be also used and they are much cheaper than expressway buses but very time-consuming.
If you are travelling towards the interior of the country to places such as Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Sigiriya you can get public transport with AC or without AC. Travelling with A/C buses costs twice as much as travelling with non-A/C buses. Busses can be incredibly crowded in the morning and in the evening. A train ride through the mountains is fantastically scenic and some are organised it parallels their Sri Lanka tour package.
Private transport for Sri Lanka vacation tours
Private transport with a local driver is the proven best method for Sri Lanka vacation tours. The most commonly used method for Sri Lanka tours is the package tours that can be booked with local tour operators. This can be a bit expensive but everything is organised by the local tour operator and you just have to visit and see attractions. It is incredibly convenient to have a pre-planned Sri Lanka tour package with help of a tour operator because it saves a great amount of time for you while enabling you to have an enjoyable tour with peace of mind.
About Sri Lanka’s food
Sri Lanka offers endless choices of delicious delicacies for food lovers, especially the island has a great variety of seafood specialities and they are cheap too. Local foods are prepared in different flavours and most local recipes include chilli and pepper. Maybe it is not suitable for the European palate but Sri Lankans eat spicy food most of the time.
Sri Lanka offers a wide range of tropical fruits and some of them such as mangosteen are very difficult to find in other parts of the globe. You can buy food everywhere and in every corner of the country. You should try Sri Lanka rice and curry in a typical local restaurant, rice and curry is the staple food on the island and very delicious even though it is spicy. Sri Lanka offers a wide range of sweetmeat. If you find your main course spicy, order something like curd and treacle, which is a widely popular sweetmeat speciality.
Fresh fruit juices are widely available on the island and prices are very affordable in fact it is very healthy and gives you minerals and vitamin. King coconut is the most popular thirst quencher on the island and this yellow-coloured coconut can be bought everywhere in the country. Tea is served with breakfast in all hotels and restaurants if you are a coffee lover you may have to ask for coffee because sometimes it is only tea served in hotels and restaurants.
Sometimes street vendors hop into long journey buses and sell savouries and drinks. They sell Mineral water, king coconut, soft drinks, biscuits etc. Fresh wade can be a temporary solution if you’re hungry, and they are made of lentils. The wade can be very spicy sometimes. There is a wide range of biscuits in Sri Lanka, with nice bourbons, cream crackers and ginger nuts included.
The food experience of a backpacker is definitely different from that of a tourist, who travels on a package tour. If you are on a package tour you mostly stay in tourist hotels and foods are specifically prepared for the European palate in these hotels. Those foods show a lot of European influence and totally different from the local food. But as a backpacker, you have the opportunity to try a wide range of local food as you mingle with the local community more often.
Don’t forget to drop into a seafood restaurant during the Sri Lanka vacation tours, this is a perfect opportunity to get fresh seafood at an affordable rate. Crabs, shrimp, lobster and many types of fish are readily available and can be prepared the way you wish.
I round up this overview of Sri Lanka vacation tours with earlier remarks on Sri Lankan food. There is a large amount of information in this blog post moreover you have plenty of links directed to outside blog posts written in Sri Lanka. Try them and you definitely find some important information about Sri Lanka.
Why you should book Sri Lanka vacation tours with seerendipity tours
Serendipity Tour is an entirely locally owned travel company with a head office in Colombo. The highly experienced local staff is a key strength of Serendipity Tours, and they can plan your dream holiday to Sri Lanka.
The best price guaranteed for your Sri Lanka trip
When you book a tour with Serendipity Tours, you directly book the tour with the local company, which means there are no middlemen and therefore you can guarantee the best price. Simply get in touch with us and let us know when you travel and what you like to see.
Plan your best Sri Lanka trip with-expert
Our staff makes a personalised program for you, which you can change until you find the best Sri Lanka trip package for you. Visit www.sirilaktours.com to browse our existing tour packages, which you can customise to meet all your expectations. Write to us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, tel. 0094-77-440977, WhatsApp 0094-77-4440977.
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