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Costa CeylonTravels
A traveller on a sandy beach beside palm trees

Why Ceylon

Why visit Sri Lanka

So much island, so little distance.

Sri Lanka is about the size of Ireland, yet within a few hours' drive you can move from ancient kingdoms to cloud forest, from leopards to whales, from tea estates to coral beaches.

Ancient stone steps leading up to a statue

Eight World Heritage Sites on one small island.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Sacred cities, rock fortresses, painted caves, a Dutch colonial fort and a rainforest: few countries hold so much history and nature in such a short drive.

  • Sigiriya
  • Anuradhapura
  • Polonnaruwa
  • Dambulla Cave Temple
  • Kandy
  • Galle Fort
  • Sinharaja Forest
  • Central Highlands
Two elephants walking beside the water

Leopards on land, blue whales at sea.

Wildlife Safaris

Yala has one of the highest concentrations of leopards on earth. Minneriya hosts the great elephant gathering, and the southern seas are among the best places in the world to see blue whales.

  • Leopards in Yala
  • Elephant gathering at Minneriya
  • Blue whales off Mirissa
  • Over 400 kinds of bird
The railway line seen from inside a train window

Among the most beautiful railway lines in the world.

Scenic Train Journeys

The line from Kandy to Ella climbs through tea estates, tunnels and waterfalls before crossing the Nine Arches Bridge. Lean out of the open door and watch the hills roll by.

  • Kandy to Ella
  • Nine Arches Bridge
  • Coastal line to Galle
Palm trees beside calm water on the coast

Two coasts, two seasons, sun all year.

Golden Beaches

The south and west coasts shine from December to April; the east coast is at its best from May to September. So somewhere on the island the sea is always calm.

  • Mirissa
  • Unawatuna
  • Tangalle
  • Bentota
  • Trincomalee
  • Pasikudah
A tea picker working in a lush tea field

Where Ceylon tea is born.

Tea Plantations

Since the 1860s the misty hills of the centre have grown some of the finest tea in the world. Stay in a planter's bungalow, walk between the bushes with the pluckers and taste fresh tea at the factory.

  • Nuwara Eliya
  • Haputale
  • Ella
  • Hatton

When to go

A sunny coastin every season.

Two monsoons arrive at different times on different sides of the island. This is a general guide; we will help you plan around the weather for your dates.

Best months to visit each region of Sri Lanka
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
West and south coastJanuary: BestFebruary: BestMarch: BestApril: BestMay: WetterJune: WetterJuly: WetterAugust: GoodSeptember: GoodOctober: WetterNovember: GoodDecember: Best
East coastJanuary: WetterFebruary: GoodMarch: GoodApril: BestMay: BestJune: BestJuly: BestAugust: BestSeptember: BestOctober: GoodNovember: WetterDecember: Wetter
Hill CountryJanuary: BestFebruary: BestMarch: BestApril: BestMay: GoodJune: GoodJuly: GoodAugust: GoodSeptember: GoodOctober: WetterNovember: WetterDecember: Good
Cultural TriangleJanuary: GoodFebruary: BestMarch: BestApril: BestMay: BestJune: BestJuly: BestAugust: BestSeptember: BestOctober: GoodNovember: WetterDecember: Good

The island compass

Choose yourcorner of Ceylon.

Coast

Golden bays, a colonial fort and whales offshore. The south and west coasts are best from December to April, the east from May to September.

  • Galle
  • Mirissa
  • Bentota
  • Trincomalee

Your Ceylon, planned around you

Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you love. We will reply with a route and a quote, with no obligation.

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