Travel to Colombo
Colombo
Cosmopolitan Colombo, gateway to the wonder of Sri Lanka, boasts a rich colonial heritage, featuring a melting pot of races, religions and cultures. A city of contrasts, it is both an eclectic mix of shiny hotels and swanky office blocks, neighbouring beautiful red-tiled colonial-era buildings. Sprawling bustling street markets brim with fragrant spices, colourful silks, cottons and fresh fruit and vegetables. Discover Colombo’s multi-ethnic legacy with churches, mosques and temples congregating on the same streets, and delve into iconic sites including Fort Station, the Red Mosque, and the Khan clock tower.
Plunge into Colombo’s enticing street food scene, eat like a local, and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and aromas of the whirling Pettah Bazaar. This seaside city offers a plethora of exciting adventures, experiences and places to visit. Delight in an exhilarating tuk tuk ride around the city, relish high tea at a magnificent colonial style hotel overlooking the azure ocean, and play a round of golf on scenic green courses. A shopper’s paradise, exquisite boutiques feature international brands, and charming shops offer colourful local art and textured fabrics. The home of the famed Ceylon tea, delve into the vast array of fragrant flavoured teas, including banana and brandy.
Featuring a fascinating heritage and enticing culture, Sri Lanka‘s capital is one of Asia’s favoured travel destinations. Offering a vast selection of accommodation options, including rustic beachside shacks to lavish colonial mansions and stunning hotels, your every taste and desire on where to stay is fulfilled.
Sri Lanka is generally considered safe for travel. But, like any other destination, it is always important to practice caution and take the necessary precautions. Since the end of its civil war in 2009 security and stability has improved. The government has implemented measures to ensure the safety of both locals and tourists.
The economic crisis that started after COVID has now diminished. Fuel and power availability have been restored.
We advise you to stay informed about the current situation before planning your trip. We recommend checking travel advisories and following the guidance provided by your government. Also, make sure you’re sufficiently insured for the duration of your tour.
Sri Lanka is a popular destination for families due to its beautiful beaches, incredible wildlife, good food, and hospitality. There are many kid-friendly attractions and activities to experience. Hotels that cater to the needs of families as well. Sri Lanka offers a wide range of activities for kids.
When traveling with toddlers, make sure to get diapers and formula in major towns where supermarkets are available. Also, the kids should be vaccinated for rabies since there are many stray dogs around. Pack your mosquito repellents as well, since dengue is abundant. Consult with your hotel to confirm that they are baby- and child-friendly and can accommodate your special requests.
A few things to do with kids
- Boat trips
- Whale and Dolphin watching
- Seeing elephants on a wildlife safari in Yala or Udawalawe
- Visiting a sea turtle hatchery
- Visiting the Udawalwe Elephant transit home
- Discover the tea estates in Nuwara Eliya
- Visit Galle Fort
- Snorkeling in Pigeon Island
Since Sri Lanka is a small country, it makes it easier for kids as there is less time on the road.
- Tea
- Sri Lanka is one of the largest tea producers in the world. The scenic tea plantations in the central highlands of Nuwara Eliya and Ella are popular tourist attractions.
- Beaches
- The country has beautiful palm-fringed beaches along its coastline. Particularly on the west coast, south coast, and east coast. There are ample surfing hotspots like Arugam Bay and Weligama. Southern beaches like Mirissa, Weligama, Tangalle, Hiriketiya are trending beach hotspots.
- Wildlife
- Sri Lanka is a biodiversity hotspot, home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is known for its national parks, such as Yala, Minneriya, Wilpattu, and Udawalawe. Visitors can spot elephants, leopards, birds, and other wildlife. Whale- and dolphin-watching tours are also available in Mirissa, Kalpitiya and Trincomalee.
- Heritage Sites
- Sri Lanka has a rich archaeological heritage, with ancient cities and ruins. Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress, and the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Cultural Events
- With a recorded history spanning over 2000 years and a diverse cultural landscape, Sri Lanka commemorates numerous religious and cultural festivals all year round. Prominent events like the Esala Perahera in Kandy, Vesak festival and the Sinhala and Tamil New Year exemplify the rich traditions of the country.
- Ayurveda and Wellness
- Sri Lanka is renowned for its traditional Ayurvedic medicine, which focuses on holistic healing and wellness. Many visitors come to Sri Lanka for Ayurvedic treatments and wellness retreats.
- Adventures
- Sri Lanka is embraced by captivatingly beautiful beaches, green mountains, and untouched waterways. This enchanting paradise presents an array of thrilling prospects for both adventure enthusiasts and nature aficionados. Positioned as an island sanctuary, it is encircled by the azure expanse of the ocean and intertwined with a network of rivers, lakes, and mountains soaring to heights over 2500 meters above sea level.
These natural features provide an abundance of avenues for exhilarating activities such as deep-sea fishing, sea kayaking, wind and kite surfing, flyboarding, paragliding, white-water rafting, canoeing, waterfall abseiling, river kayaking, rock climbing, zip-lining, and canoeing. Moreover, boasting over 200 shipwrecks scattered around its coastline, the island offers an enticing prospect for diving enthusiasts as well.
