A country of beaches and mountains, rice fields and tea plantations, Sri Lanka is also a land rich in history where colonisers from India, Portugal, the Netherlands and England have left important remains as in the capital, Colombo, which is very marked by colonial architecture. But Sri Lanka also has a large number of Hindu temples and cultural triangle palaces in the centre of the island, particularly in Kandy, which attract thousands of tourists every year eager to discover this diverse historical heritage. An extraordinary fauna also awaits you in Sri Lanka (elephants, leopards, monkeys, monitors...) in different reserves such as Yala National Park or Minneriya National Park. Following the instructions of a Sri Lankan tourist guide, you will be able to enjoy a stay that includes both the country's must-see attractions and off the beaten track sites.

What to see, what to do Sri Lanka?

When to go Sri Lanka ?

It is between mid-December and mid-March that the island experiences its peak "western" tourist season. Many Europeans travel to Sri Lanka, especially on the west and south coasts, to escape the winter and spend the holiday season in the sun. The price of rooms is increased accordingly, even multiplied by two or three, especially when religious, cultural or sporting (understand: cricket) events are added to this. From June to September, the east coast enjoys a drier climate and is the best time to go on a beach holiday in Sri Lanka. Two festivals also attract a large population of Sri Lankan islanders and expatriates: the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April and the Esala Perahera festival in July and August. The latter is particularly important in Kandy (central mountains) and Kataragama (southeast coast). It becomes more expensive to travel to Sri Lanka because of the high prices.

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Practical information for travel Sri Lanka

Le Sri Lanka est une destination envoûtante qui offre une grande diversité de paysages, de sites et d'activités. La taille modeste de l'île permet au voyageur d'explorer les différentes facettes du pays lors de son séjour : les plages superbes du littoral, les montagnes parsemées de plantations de thé à perte de vue, les différents parcs nationaux abritant une faune et une flore préservées, les différents temples bouddhistes et hindous, les sites historiques, les villes à l'héritage architectural colonial... Si vous disposez de peu de temps, il est préférable de s'adjoindre les services d'une agence de voyage qui mettra à votre disposition un véhicule avec chauffeur et qui se chargera de réserver vos hébergements à tarifs préférentiels. De nombreux itinéraires sont possibles, à établir selon vos préférences. Voici quelques idées de circuit pour vous aider à planifier votre séjour dans l'île.

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How to go Sri Lanka

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How to go alone

Bandaranaike International Airport, north of Colombo, is currently the only international airport that handles flights to and from Europe. As solo travelers in Sri Lanka, beware of petty crime in tourist areas and avoid walking alone after dark. Also beware of sea currents which can be dangerous, so swimming alone and unsupervised is not recommended.

How to go on a tour

In addition to a motorized solution for your travel, tour operators often provide the services of a guide. He or she is responsible for ensuring that your trip goes as smoothly as possible, will allow you to communicate with the local population, and will of course give you explanations during site visits. It is customary to provide a tip for the driver as well as for the driver guide. The more you are numerous and the longer the stay, the more you will reduce the amount.

How to get around

It is easy to get around the island thanks to a dense railway network inherited from the colonial period. The trains are rather old and slow but still quite practical. Buses are more chaotic but some have air conditioning and are faster than the train. The best solution is to rent a car with a driver, especially since the rates are very reasonable. Finally, the main cities and tourist sites of Sri Lanka are well served by domestic flights.

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Discover Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a very popular tourist destination which shines by the great diversity of its landscapes but also by its rich culture, its numerous traditions and its multi-ethnic population. A land of beaches and mountains, rice fields and tea plantations, it is also a land rich in history, where colonizers from India, Portugal, the Netherlands and England have left an important legacy within the kingdoms that have succeeded one another. The island is also rich in flora and fauna, with superb national parks where visitors from all over the world flock to see wild animals. This chapter presents the various facets of the "Emerald Tear", its eventful history, its ethnic, religious and cultural diversity, its gastronomy, but also its excellent tea whose quality is internationally recognized.

Pictures and images Sri Lanka

Préparation des poissons avant de les vendre au Fish Market. eFesenko - Shutterstock.com
Paysage dans les environs d'Ella. SJ Travel Photo and Video - Shutterstock.com
Fort de Gale. Aleksandar Todorovic - Shutterstock.com
Langur à face violette. DINAL_SAMARASINGHE - Shutterstock.com

The 12 keywords Sri Lanka

1. #Ayubowan

You'll often be greeted with the slightly solemn Sinhalese phrase for "good morning". This expression literally means "May you be blessed with a long life" and is usually pronounced with hands clasped in prayer. Tamils will greet you with "Vanakkam" as a sign of respect.

2. #Ayurveda

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Originally a traditional Indian medicine, Sri Lanka has developed over the centuries its own techniques of this discipline which uses medicinal plants to heal. Many establishments offer cures, fitness sessions, massages... However, be careful about the quality of the treatments offered.

3. #Cargills-Food City

Founded by William Miller and David Sime Cargill in 1844, this commercial chain, whose first establishment was in Colombo, on York Street, now has a small supermarket

in every town and village on the island. Very practical and popular with tourists, the brand is undoubtedly part of the country's heritage.

4. #Cinghalais

They account for 75% of the population and are said to be the descendants of Prince Vijaya, who arrived from Bengal in the 6th century BC. The vast majority of Sinhalese are Buddhists. They are particularly proud to speak a language distantly derived from Sanskrit, Sinhalese, which is spoken by no one else in the world.

5. #Elephant

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This pachyderm is the island's emblematic animal. During your stay, you can observe it in the wild in one of the country's many national parks or on the roadside. Bear in mind that these animals, despite their majestic serenity, can be unpredictable and dangerous. Don't approach them carelessly.

6. #Lipton

In 1890, Sir Thomas Lipton founded this brand, now internationally renowned for its teas from different countries. However, Ceylon was the birthplace of his first plantation, near Haputale in the Highlands. Previously considered a luxury product, he was able to democratize tea and make it accessible to all.

7. #LTTE

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The memory of this Tamil organization is still fresh in the minds of the Sri Lankan people. Formed as a small army, financed mainly by European and Canadian Tamil immigrants, the LTTE enjoyed solid logistical support and even possessed a naval air fleet.

8. #Coconut

Coconut is ubiquitous in Sri Lankan daily life. Yellow coconut (king coconut) contains a refreshing juice, coconut milk and shredded coconut are used to make delicious dishes, and arrack, the national alcoholic beverage, is made by distilling fermented coconut blossom sap.

9. #Rice and curry

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This is the most popular dish in the country! It consists of a meat, fish or seafood curry, a generous portion of rice, several vegetable curries offering different flavors and textures, all accompanied by a papadum (fried bean cake) and condiments. A delight.

10. #Sari

Women wear this colorful piece of cloth girded around the loins and draped over the shoulder. While modern Sri Lankan women, particularly in Colombo and Kandy, dress in Western style, the sari is still widely worn in the rest of the country. It is de rigueur for all official ceremonies, especially weddings.

11. #Tamoul

The word Tamil in French refers to both a people and a language of southern India. The Tamils of Sri Lanka are either indigenous or descendants of Indian populations brought by the British to work in the tea plantations. Mostly Hindu, they represent today about 15% of the population.

12. #Ceylon Tea

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The tea produced in the island is one of its main wealth and offers, thanks to its plantations scattered on the hills of the Highlands, exceptional landscapes. However, the tea plant is not an indigenous plant, its cultivation was introduced in the 19th century by the British, who imported trees from northeast India.

You are from here, if...

If you removeyour shoes before entering a temple, mosque or church, and if you keep your dress code correct (shoulders and knees covered).

If you show discretion in your demonstrations of affection, as male-female relations in society are rather formal and dictated by reserve.

If you avoid broaching subjects relating to politics, religion or civil war, which could offend your interlocutors.

If you don't have a Buddha tattoo, which is strictly forbidden in Sri Lanka. If you do have one, it's best to hide it carefully.

If you don't turn your back on a Buddha statue, let alone take a selfie in a temple!

If you respect the ban on smoking in the street and in public places.

If you bring sweets to a dinner party, not flowers or alcohol - except with your friends, of course!

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