It’s generally best to visit Sri Lanka from December to April when the weather is reliable for most activities. The country has two different monsoons and the one in the south and southwest starts to reduce from September so that is the shoulder season and can be a good time to see all of the island if you don’t mind the occasional shower.
May to September is the perfect time to visit the east coast since the monsoon is not affecting that part of the island at that time so it is a good time to do all sorts of activities such as beach holidays, watching whales along the south and east coast, seeing the elephants and other wildlife at Minneriya.
Yes, and make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date there.
Applying for a visa can be completed online at http://www.eta.gov.lk and the cost is USD50 per person. The visa is free for children under the age of 12. You will be allowed to stay for 30 days.
Because of the warmth and humidity all year round it is important to pack lightweight clothing made of natural and breathable fabrics. However, if you’re planning to visit the mountainous central highlands you will need some warmer clothes because it can get quite a lot cooler there, so think about adding some layers, also be prepared for showers at any time of year.
It is important when visiting religious buildings, such as Buddhist and Hindu temples, that you must have your knees and shoulders covered and all headwear and shoes removed. The temple floors can get hot underfoot so carrying some socks to protect your feet is a good idea.
It is important to check the current vaccination requirement with your GP or travel clinic before travelling there. Even if there are no compulsory requirements it may be advisable to have boosters, especially if you are planning an active holiday in countryside areas.

Our Reviews
Nala booked a fantastic range of accommodation for our tour; everything from hotels with lake views, beach views, tea plantation homestays, and an atmospheric luxury riverbank campsite.
The tour was a great mix of learning about Sri Lankan culture, wildlife safaris and relaxation.
From Nala's friendly, enthusiastic and informative first meeting with my husband and myself, we knew it was going to be a great trip.
Nala quickly became aware of our interest in learning as much as we could about everything we were seeing and was always keen to fully answer our questions.
Nala was keen to respond to every type of question from our group; from Buddhism, archaeology, wildlife to local politics.
Nala’s knowledge and enthusiasm enabled us to experience this most beautiful country and learn about its culture. From temples and historic ruins to safaris and botanical gardens with beautiful scenic drives along the way.
Nala organised a wonderful two week tour for us and he was always very friendly, and had a good sense of humour. He was helpful and knowledgeable in answering our questions as he guided us around his wonderful country.
“Our friendly, knowledgeable and inspiring guide Nala helped us to really understand and enjoy the many faces of his beautiful country.”
The family groups of elephants in the National Parks were wonderful to watch and Nala made sure that we had the best opportunities to see them.
The tour bus was very comfortable, air conditioned and complete with a fridge with the necessary chilled water required with temperatures in the 30s most days, and our driver Bunda was exceptional.
What was lovely was the way in which Nala shared his passion for his people and country with us as we moved from place to place and this enhanced our experience of Sri Lanka. If any problems or difficulties arose he would step in quickly to find a solution.
We cannot thank Nala, our Tour Guide and Bunda, our driver, enough for giving us the most amazing time in Sri Lanka.
Hiking across Horton Plains was an amazing walk, heightened by Nala sharing with us his extensive wildlife knowledge.
I stayed here for a week whilst surfing in Weligama. Nala and his family were the most generous hosts, both with friendship and hospitality.
Nala was always great company too; calm, cheerful and often making us laugh.
What an amazing holiday we had to Sri Lanka; a big thank you to Smile Tours. Special thanks go to Nala, our Guide, who was so knowledgeable and accommodating, the BEST!
We really enjoyed the fabulous and colourful rice and curry dishes in Sri Lanka, there was such an amazing array of fruit and vegetables.
We would highly recommend Sri Lanka Smile Tours to enjoy a truly personal experience and to get the most out of what Sri Lanka has to offer. Hopefully we will get to go back one day.
Nothing was ever too much trouble for Nala, and he always wanted us to have the best experience possible and would go out of his way to ensure that we did.
Nala and our driver worked very well together so we got the best out of the trip with fun, entertainment, relaxation and meeting locals as all part of an amazing two weeks.
First Time Visiting Sri Lanka?


