Travel in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is deceptive. On a map of the world it appears to be tiny, but the moment you arrive you’ll realise that within its diminutive borders it packs in an astounding array of attractions, landscapes and climate zones – with countless activities to boot.

India is a key source market for the neighboring countries of Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. In February, India was the biggest source market for Nepal, accounting for more than 25% of foreign tourist arrivals in the country.

Underscoring Emirates’ commitment to boost tourism inflows across its network, the airline has reaffirmed its strategic cooperation with Tourism Seychelles and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and has forged a new partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Emirates has pledged its renewed commitment with Tourism Seychelles, supporting the island’s efforts to promoting tourism and trade to the country. The MoU was signed by Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ SVP Commercial - West Asia & Indian Ocean, and Sherin Francis, Principal Secretary Tourism Department, Tourism Seychelles, in the presence of Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President, Passenger Sales and Country Management.

Emirates is famed for its extravagant service onboard its current fleet of Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s. It’s therefore little surprise that expectations are high for its incoming A350s – an aircraft that has been years in the making.

Sri Lanka may conjure ideas of tropical coastlines flanked with palm-trees but this island is more than just a paradise for beaches. With 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, sacred cities and tea plantations, there’s a lot to experience in Sri Lanka’s interior during your trip. The “Cultural Triangle” — which includes Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and Kandy — showcases the glory of Sri Lanka’s ancient empires, while its hill towns speak to its modern history as a British colony and are ideal for hiking, relaxing and immersing yourself in the country’s lush landscapes.

Blessed with a tropical coastline that stretches over 830 miles (1,340 kilometers), Sri Lanka beckons travelers with promises of sun-drenched shores and azure waters. Whether you’re looking for tranquil coves for sunbathing and snorkeling, thrilling surf breaks on a pristine reef, or vibrant beachside cultural hubs, Sri Lanka offers a diverse range of experiences to cater to every taste — with plenty of beautiful boutique hotels to boot.

What better way to celebrate the start of a marriage than with an unforgettable honeymoon in a dream location? But with so many exquisite island destinations to choose from, it can be difficult for honeymooners to decide which is the best for a romantic getaway.  On average, couples spend around $5,000 on their honeymoon, so they’ll want to make sure they get the most value for money.

Forget high-rise hotels and all-inclusive beachfront resorts — the world's most popular hotel companies see a future in luxury tents.

With its daily sunshine, miles of wide golden sand beaches, lush green forests, brightly colored buildings, buses, tuk tuks and smiling people, the island of Sri Lanka richly deserves its title as “Pearl of the Indian Ocean.” And it also seems fitting that Time magazine described the country’s first luxury wellness retreat, Santani, high in the Dumbara mountains above the town of Kandy, as “one of the world’s 100 best places.” Following its launch in 2018, Santani Wellness topped the “best spa” lists of the world’s lifestyle press, including Vogue, Tatler, Conde Nast Traveller and Forbes.

Online travel platform Agoda has signed an agreement with Goa Tourism to promote the coastal state. The collaboration aims to highlight various experiences that the state can offer to different travelers. 

The flight time is approximately two hours and 10 minutes.

Imagine spending nearly five months exploring the most fascinating destinations in the world while living in a lavish suite on a luxury cruise ship. From your suite’s private balcony, you can watch the ship pull into secluded islands and alluring ports in Asia, Europe, and Australia. All the while, you have unlimited access to gourmet dining—lobster, filet mignon, Champagne—with every need seen to by a solicitous crew.

Marriott International has announced the signing of its debut Ritz-Carlton property in Jaipur, Maharashtra. The 250-key hotel is expected to open in 2028. Currently, the hospitality company operates five hotels in the city. Rajeev Menon, president, Asia Pacific excluding China at Marriott International, said that the Indian market is flourishing and its interest in luxury travel is leading to a growth in demand for global luxury brands. 

The first commercial flight of India’s newest airline, Fly91, took off on Monday. The Goa-based airline’s maiden flight was on the Goa-Bengaluru route. Its next flight is scheduled for Tuesday between Goa and Hyderabad. 

The world is a big place, and there are oodles of countries to explore and wild experiences to relish. Many folks have saved up vacation days and squirreled away funds for a journey of a lifetime. The questions are: Where should you go and how should you start the planning process? The advantages of small group travel abound. You’ll meet new people from different places around the globe, logistics and safety protocols will be expertly considered, and a professional tour guide will lead the way so that all you have to do is show up and enjoy the ride.

I’m splashing around in the Atlantic, having fallen off my board for what feels like the thousandth time this morning. The water is beautiful, the sky clear and immense, and the Atlas mountains loom behind me. But despite all this serene beauty, I am boiling with frustration: who knew learning to surf would be this hard? Thankfully, psychologist and psychotherapist Josh Dickson is on hand to help me resolve my conflicting emotions. Having been in a severe midlife depression for seven years, I have decided, in my mid-forties, to join the pioneering surfing and group therapy Resurface retreat that is his brainchild.

Sri Lanka has been on my must-visit list for years. The teardrop-shaped island in South Asia is known for its stunning beaches, lush jungles, and foliage-covered mountains.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Karen Edwards, who blogs about her family's life abroad. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

The Maldives is renowned as a luxurious, fly-and-flop destination. Located 500 km from the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka, it's a serene string of 1,190 low-lying coral islands scattered across the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. Here, you'll find white, sun-kissed beaches and warm, azure blue lagoons studded with colourful corals that are home to exotic marine life.

Sri Lanka Tourism is all set to give it’s best at the ITB Berlin this year, which will kick off on the 5th of March 2024 and continue till 7th March 2024 at Messe Berlin, Germany. The Island paradise will showcase all its Tourism Products to lure the International tourists to come and have an experience of a lifetime. Sri Lanka is seeing continuous increase in the number of Tourist arrivals since 2022 and is celebrating a remarkable comeback with 1.5million tourists in 2023. Sri Lanka is a regular participant of the ITB and as a result of its promotional efforts, the number of German travelers to the destination has doubled in 2023 compared to 2022. Germany is one of the top source markets for Sri Lanka Tourism, which has the second highest number of arrivals from Europe after UK. This time, Sri Lanka Tourism will have a myriad of travel and holiday opportunities to offer for the German counterparts, with new initiatives and projects rolled up on its sleeve, in order to highlight that Sri Lanka is still one of the most renowned travel destinations in the world. The number of Airlines to Sri Lanka have increased and several top Airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish airlines and Lot polish Airlines have resumed flights to Sri Lanka, as a result of the continuous promotional efforts carried out by Sri Lanka Tourism.

Sri Lanka has scrapped free long-term visa extensions for Russians and Ukrainians who headed to the country in the last two years, Reuters reported.

On a grassy bluff at the southern tip of Sri Lanka, I clasp a negroni, my feet pointing downhill toward the Indian Ocean. Snatches of jazz float into my ears from Cape Weligama's Surf Bar. On the horizon a cluster of roseate clouds match the hue of my drink.