Everything you need to know before traveling to Sri Lanka: safaris, trekking, the coast, cultural etiquette, and interesting facts about Sri Lanka that you won’t find in any guidebook. Before traveling to Sri Lanka, it’s a good idea to learn about its national parks, highlands, and history. This is the definitive guide from SunZen Travel.
Inland Atlas · Sri Lanka Series · SunZen Travel
Sri Lanka: What to See, Interesting Facts
and a travel guide unforgettable
Leopard safaris, trekking through tea plantations, whales, and temples: the highlights that will make you want to book right away
that do not appear
in any guide
topics
history
The world's highest density of leopards is concentrated in a single national park. A safari here is an unforgettable experience.
YalaOff the coast of Mirissa, you can see the largest animal that has ever lived on the planet, very close to shore.
seaAdam's Peak is a mountain sacred to four different religions at the same time. People climb it at night to watch the sunrise from the top.
Sri Pada
The first thing that needs to be resolved
The ETA Visa, in Just a Few Minutes
To enter Sri Lanka as a tourist, Spanish citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). It is applied for online before traveling; the process is quick and is approved in most cases within a matter of hours.
Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. The standard tourist ETA allows for stays of up to 30 days, which can be extended. It’s best to apply for it well in advance of your flight; never wait until the last minute.
About the language: Sri Lanka has two official languages, Sinhala and Tamil, but English is widely spoken, a legacy of British colonization. Getting around the country without speaking Sinhala is not a problem.
The Cornerstone of Adventure
Safari: Leopards, Elephants, and More
Sri Lanka has more than 20 national parks, which together offer one of the most intense wildlife experiences in Asia. Yala National Park has the highest density of leopards in the world—there are an estimated 40 individuals of the endemic subspecies, the Sri Lankan leopard. A sighting is never guaranteed on a real safari, but the chances here are among the best on the planet.
This is home to the largest gathering of wild elephants in Asia. During the dry season, hundreds of elephants gather by the reservoir in what is known as «the great gathering.».
Few places in the world allow you to see Asia's largest land mammal (the elephant) and the largest animal that has ever lived on the planet (the blue whale) in a single day.
They are the most elusive animals on safaris. Their ability to blend into their surroundings makes them nearly invisible—only guides with a trained eye can spot their fresh tracks.
The country's second-largest national park was once a British hunting reserve before becoming one of Asia's premier wildlife sanctuaries.
03 · Hiking and the Highlands
The Most Beautiful Train and the Sacred Mountain
The train ride between Kandy and Ella is considered one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. The doors remain open throughout the trip, and many people travel while sitting literally on the doorstep so as not to miss the view of the tea plantations.
In Ella, the excursion to Little Adam’s Peak and the Nine Arches Bridge takes just half a day and offers spectacular views of the highlands.
The Great Ascent: Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada), at 2,243 meters, is a mountain sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians alike—each religion attributes the footprint at the summit to a different figure. Thousands of pilgrims climb at night, step by step, to arrive just as the sun rises.
The island's 25% area is covered with tea plantations—the highlands are also the heart of Ceylon tea.
Where the adventure ends and the sea begins
Blue whales, surfing, and fishermen on stilts
Off the coast of Mirissa, on the southern coast, you can spot blue whales with up to an 85% chance of success during the season—one of the best places on the planet to see the largest animal that has ever lived on Earth from very close to the shore.
The southern coast itself is a surfer's paradise, with spots like Mirissa, Ahangama, and Weligama offering consistent waves almost all year round.
Celebrities fishermen on stilts The ones seen in the photos are not an ancient tradition: the technique was invented right after World War II, when a shortage of materials and boats forced fishermen to improvise using scraps from airplanes and sunken ships so they could fish near the shore without scaring the fish away.
In nearby Rekawa, various species of giant sea turtles lay their eggs on the same beaches where people surf during the day.
To Avoid Making a Mistake
The Cultural Code Nobody Explains to You
More than 70% of Sri Lanka's population is Buddhist, and there are some rules of conduct you should be aware of before visiting a temple—or engaging in any everyday conversation.
To say «yes,» agree, or say thank you in Sri Lanka, you don’t nod up and down. Instead, you gently sway your head from side to side (the famous «head waggle»). To a Westerner, this might look like “I don’t know,” but it’s actually a friendly affirmation.
You must remove your shoes before entering any temple. You should never point at a Buddha statue with your feet, and turning your back on a statue to take a selfie is considered disrespectful.
In Buddhist culture, the head is considered the most sacred part of the body. Touching a monk's head—even as a gesture of affection—is frowned upon.
Buddhists greet each other by pressing their hands together and saying «Ayubowan,» which means «long life.» More informal greetings are also used in everyday life, but knowing this one opens doors for you instantly.
SunZen Travel · Interior Atlas
At SunZen, we travel to Sri Lanka with its own product, already organized
Safari, hiking, and the ocean—all in one trip. Small group. The destination our guests have asked us to return to the most.
Inland Atlas · Sri Lanka Series
65 Interesting Facts About Sri Lanka
The ones that don't appear in any guide. Divided into 6 thematic series.
Interior Atlas
Geography and History: 2,500 years on an island the size of Ireland
8 facts about a small region with a history and geography that are completely out of proportion.
The origin of the word «serendipity»
The word «serendipity» (discovering something beautiful by chance) owes its existence to Sri Lanka. It comes from Serendib, the island’s ancient Persian name, inspired by a tale about «the three princes of Serendib,» who always made wonderful discoveries by accident.
A country with two capitals
Colombo is the commercial capital, but the official administrative capital is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, a satellite city established in the 1980s. This fact confuses even diplomats.
The teardrop-shaped island
Because of its distinctive shape, Sri Lanka is known as «the teardrop of India.» It is about the same size as Ireland, but boasts a remarkable diversity of landscapes: beaches, jungles, mountains, and wetlands—all within a single territory.
More than 2,500 years of written history
Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were advanced cities of the ancient world, with irrigation systems that, in some cases, are still in use today—more than 1,500 years after they were built.
The world's oldest tree planted by humans
Anuradhapura is home to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, planted in 288 B.C. It is a direct cutting from the original tree in India under which Buddha attained enlightenment—with more than 2,300 years of documented history, and it is still alive today.
Three European empires, a single territory
Sri Lanka was colonized successively by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. It gained independence in 1948, but retained the name Ceylon until 1972.
«Not a single drop of rain should reach the sea without having been used.»
This is the saying attributed to King Parakramabahu, who ordered the construction of one of the most advanced hydraulic systems in the ancient world. Some of these reservoirs are more than 1,500 years old and are still in use today.
8 World Heritage Sites in a tiny country
For its size, Sri Lanka is home to an exceptionally high number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites—ranging from ancient cities surrounded by jungle to ancient tropical forests.
The king who built Sigiriya to hide from his brother
The Sigiriya rock fortress has had three distinct roles over the course of 1,500 years: royal palace, Buddhist monastery, and military refuge. Its first role is attributed to King Kashyapa, who built it as a hideout after usurping the throne from his brother—a story worthy of a movie.
The Mahavamsa, a chronicle dating from the 5th century B.C.
Sri Lanka preserves one of the world's oldest continuous historical records: the Mahavamsa, a chronicle that documents the island's history dating back to the 5th century B.C.
The Buddha's tooth that determined who would rule
The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy houses a relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha. For centuries, whoever held this relic had the legitimacy to rule the island—a religious object that became a symbol of political power.
Possibly the world's first wildlife sanctuary
In the 3rd century B.C., King Devanampiya Tissa established a protected area to prevent the hunting of animals after converting to Buddhism. Many historians consider it the world's first documented wildlife sanctuary.
A tree with recognized legal status
The Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred tree of Anuradhapura, is officially registered with a status of state protection equivalent to that of a citizen. Few trees in the world have that legal recognition.
«Sri Lanka gave the world the word serendipity.
»To discover something wonderful, purely by chance."
Interior Atlas
Wildlife and Nature: one of the 36 hotspots on the planet
8 facts about biodiversity that is disproportionate to the island's size.
The world's highest density of leopards
Yala National Park is home to the highest density of leopards on the planet, including a subspecies endemic to the island. A sighting is not guaranteed on any safari, but the chances here are the best in the world.
«The Great Gathering» at Minneriya
Every year during the dry season, hundreds of wild elephants gather at the Minneriya Reservoir—the largest gathering of wild elephants in all of Asia, in a single location and at a single time of year.
On the same day, the giant of the land and the giant of the sea
Few places in the world allow you to see Asia's largest land mammal (the elephant) and the largest animal that has ever lived on Earth (the blue whale) in a single day.
26 bird species found only here
Sri Lanka has one of the highest rates of endemism on the planet: 26 bird species, the island sloth, and the local macaques are found nowhere else in the world.
One of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots
Although it covers less than 0.05% of the planet's land area, Sri Lanka is home to an extraordinary wealth of species and ecosystems, ranging from coral reefs to mountain cloud forests.
Sinharaja, the last remaining tropical rainforest
Designated a World Heritage Site, Sinharaja is one of the oldest tropical forests in Asia and one of the few that remains virtually untouched.
More than 350 waterfalls in a single country
Sri Lanka has one of the highest densities of waterfalls in the world relative to its size. Most of the country's electricity is generated by hydroelectric power, thanks precisely to this abundance of water and elevation.
From a tropical beach to the cool mountains—in just a few hours
Sri Lanka has two distinct monsoon seasons, which means that while one coast is experiencing heavy rain, the other may be enjoying full sunshine on the same day. In just a few hours by car, you can go from a tropical beach to a mountain climate.
The insect that looks just like a leaf
The Phyllium is an insect that looks so much like a leaf that it even has what appear to be «veins.» It is one of the most perfect examples of camouflage found in nature.
A fish that «walks» out of the water
The walking catfish can travel on land for hours, using its fins to move between pools when its habitat dries up. It is one of the island's most amazing fish.
Interior Atlas
Adventure and Places: rocks, trains, and sacred mountains
8 facts about the places that make Sri Lanka a destination for adventure, not for lounging on the couch.
Sigiriya, the 200-meter-high rock fortress
Sigiriya, the «Lion Rock,» was built on a rock nearly 200 meters high, with a royal palace at the summit and an entrance formed by a gigantic stone lion. Frescoes dating back more than 1,500 years are still preserved there.
One Mountain, Four Religions
At the summit of Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) is a footprint carved into the rock. Buddhists believe it is the footprint of the Buddha; Hindus believe it is that of Shiva; Muslims and Christians believe it is the footprint left by Adam when he set foot on Earth after leaving Eden. Followers of all four religions make the pilgrimage together to the summit.
The Most Beautiful Train Ride in the World
The route between Kandy and Ella is considered one of the most spectacular train rides on the planet. The doors remain open throughout the entire journey, and it’s common to ride while sitting on the steps so as not to miss the scenery of the tea plantations.
The Nine-Arch Bridge, in the heart of the jungle
Near Ella, this stone viaduct has become one of the most photographed spots in Sri Lanka, especially when one of the highland trains passes over it.
The world's first female prime minister
In 1960, Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the first woman in the world to serve as a country’s prime minister. A historic global milestone that few associate with Sri Lanka.
Angampora, the ancient martial art
Angampora is the traditional martial art of Sri Lanka, and it is not just wrestling: it includes combat techniques, the use of weapons, and knowledge of traditional medicine passed down through generations.
When the national team plays, the country comes to a standstill
Cricket is practically a religion in Sri Lanka. The national team won the Cricket World Cup in 1996, and when it plays an important match, the country comes to a virtual standstill.
Flowing Chaos — With Tuk-Tuks Taking Center Stage
Traffic may seem chaotic at first glance, but it usually flows surprisingly well. The tuk-tuk is one of the main modes of transportation, and getting around in one is part of the travel experience.
«Tea saved the country's economy.".
Today, Sri Lanka »It's synonymous with the best tea in the world."
Interior Atlas
Tea, Gems, and Gastronomy: an island that is both a gold mine and a pantry
7 facts about what Sri Lanka produces and exports to the rest of the world.
Before tea, Sri Lanka grew coffee
A pest destroyed nearly all the coffee plantations in the 19th century. Tea was introduced as a substitute and ultimately saved the country's economy—today, Ceylon tea is one of the most renowned in the world, with more than 300 million kilos exported each year.
Real cinnamon comes from here
Sri Lanka is the birthplace of Ceylon cinnamon, considered the «royal cinnamon,» and produces between 80% and 90% of the world’s supply of this variety. The cinnamon commonly sold in Western supermarkets is usually Cassia, a cheaper variety with a less refined flavor.
Ratnapura, the «city of gems» for 2,500 years
Sri Lanka produces about 25% of the world's high-quality blue sapphires, as well as rubies, topazes, garnets, and alexandrites—more than 75 different types of gemstones. Ratnapura literally means «city of gems.».
The world's largest sapphire came from Ratnapura
In 2021, the «Serendipity Sapphire» was unveiled—a 510-kg stone found in Ratnapura—the largest cluster of star sapphires known to date.
Coconut is in everything
Milk, oil, grated, or in flour form—coconut is ubiquitous in Sri Lankan cuisine. Breakfast can be extremely spicy, and dishes like «hopper» (a kind of flatbread) or «string hopper» (rice noodles) are everyday staples.
Curry rice varies by region
There is no single «curry rice» dish in Sri Lanka—it varies greatly depending on the region of the country. The cuisine combines Indian, Arab, Malay, Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences, the result of centuries as a key stop on the Spice Route.
Paper made from elephant dung
In areas like Pinnawala, an interesting eco-friendly business has sprung up: handmade paper made from elephant dung. Since elephants are herbivores, their dung is pure digested plant fiber—the resulting paper is odorless and helps fund animal shelters.
One of the largest concentrations of coconut palms in the Indian Ocean
The coast of Sri Lanka is home to one of the highest densities of coconut palms in the entire Indian Ocean—an essential part of both the landscape and the local cuisine.
The «coconut tax,» a tax specifically on coconuts
The coconut is so important to Sri Lanka's economy and culture that there is a specific tax on it, popularly known as the «coconut tax.».
«Rice & curry» can include up to 12 side dishes
Sri Lanka's national dish isn't a single dish—it's an experience: rice served with up to a dozen different curries and side dishes in a single meal. Every family has its own version.
Interior Atlas
Culture and unique data: what you won't find in any guidebook
7 final facts—some of the strangest and least known on the entire island.
Demonic Masks for Healing Rituals
Sri Lanka has a traditional craft of demonic masks, carved from wood and used in ancient healing rituals. Each mask represents a specific spirit, with a specific purpose within the ritual.
The «yes» that is expressed by nodding the head from side to side
In Sri Lanka, to nod, say thank you, or show agreement, you don't move your head up and down. Instead, you gently sway it from side to side—a gesture so distinctive that it has its own name in English: the «head waggle.».
Three ethnic groups, four religions, one island
Sri Lanka is home to three major ethnic groups (Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim) and four major religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity), all living together in a relatively small territory.
A flag that represents the entire country
The flag of Sri Lanka incorporates symbols representing its entire population: the lion represents the Sinhalese majority, the Bo leaves in the corners represent Buddhism, the orange stripe represents the Hindus, and the green stripe represents the Muslims. These symbols have their roots in legends dating back more than 2,500 years.
More than 20 ways to say «I» in Sinhalese
The Sinhalese language has more than 20 different ways of saying «I,» depending on the level of respect, age, and context of the conversation. This linguistic nuance reflects just how important social hierarchy is in the country’s culture.
The Ancestral Ritual to «Call for Rain»
The Kohomba Kankariya is a traditional ceremony featuring dance, fire, and masks, held to pray for rain and a bountiful harvest. It is one of the oldest and most elaborate rituals still practiced on the island.
Frogs that live only on a single mountain
Sri Lanka's biodiversity of endemic amphibians is disproportionate to the country's size—some frog species are found only on a specific mountain on the island, and many were discovered only in recent decades.
A country that has had several names throughout history
Ceylon, Serendib, Taprobane, «the Pearl of the Indian Ocean»—Sri Lanka has been known by many different names over the centuries, each with its own story behind it.
Less than 0.05% of the Earth's surface
Despite covering less than 0.05% of the planet’s surface, Sri Lanka boasts a rare combination of millennia-old history, Buddhist heritage, ancient hydraulic engineering, large terrestrial and marine mammals, and exceptional biodiversity. It’s no wonder they call it the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
Interior Atlas
Extreme wildlife and hidden corners hidden
10 facts about the island's wildest and least-visited spots—the ones that don't even appear in most travel guides.
The most surprising fact about the entire island: Within Yala National Park, there are areas that look like they were taken straight out of Namibia—dunes, red earth, and sparse vegetation. Very few people know that, in a country known for its rainforest, there is also something resembling a desert.
A «desert» within Yala
In Yala National Park, there are areas with sand dunes, red soil, and sparse vegetation that are reminiscent of Namibian landscapes. Very few people associate Sri Lanka with anything resembling a desert.
A giant lake right in the heart of Colombo
Lake Bolgoda is the country's largest natural lake—and it lies within the boundaries of Colombo, the commercial capital. A natural wonder right in the heart of the city.
Swimming with reef sharks, just a few meters from the shore
The Pigeon Island reef is one of the most accessible reefs in the world. You can swim among reef sharks just a short distance from the beach, without needing to take a long boat trip.
Horton Plains, a cloud forest that looks like something out of a fairy tale
In Horton Plains, the fog creates a unique mountain ecosystem that is home to species found nowhere else on Earth. It is one of the most unexpected landscapes in the entire country.
A bat with a wingspan of 1.5 meters
The Sri Lankan fruit bat can reach a wingspan of 1.5 meters — one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Carnivorous plants that are found only on one mountain
Some endemic species of Nepenthes, a genus of carnivorous plants, grow only on very specific mountains in Sri Lanka and nowhere else on Earth.
The red loris, one of Asia's strangest primates
This small nocturnal primate has enormous eyes that allow it to see in the dark, and it moves so slowly that it is very difficult to spot, even for local guides. It is endangered.
The purple-faced monkey that lives only here
The «purple-faced langur» has a purple-colored face and is extremely shy. It is endemic to Sri Lanka—it is found nowhere else in the world.
The sloth that pinches its nose shut to eat termites
The Sri Lankan sloth bear can completely close its nostrils to suck up thousands of termites without getting dirt up its nose—a feeding technique that is unique among large mammals.
26 species of cetaceans on a tiny island
The waters off Sri Lanka are home to blue whales, sperm whales, orcas, false orcas, fin whales, pilot whales, and numerous species of dolphins. Few countries in the world offer the opportunity to observe such marine diversity so close to the coast.
The natural bridge that connected India and Sri Lanka
The sandbars known as Adam’s Bridge connected the two landmasses for thousands of years, and in the past, they could be partially crossed on foot or by very small boats. Today, they are still visible from the air and via satellite.
The lake that «disappears» every year
Lake Kala Wewa shrinks dramatically during the dry season, revealing submerged temples and ancient structures that remain underwater the rest of the year.
2°C on a tropical island
In Nuwara Eliya, in the heart of the highlands, nighttime temperatures can drop as low as 2°C—something almost unthinkable for anyone who imagines Sri Lanka as an exclusively tropical island.
A «sea of fog» that moves like waves
In Haputale, the fog covers and reveals entire mountains in a matter of seconds, creating a rippling effect that looks like something from another planet.
A lake that fills with pink flowers once a year
Lake Diyawanna is covered with pink water lilies for a few weeks each year—one of the island's most spectacular and least-known natural phenomena.
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Sri Lanka is a unique corner of the world. Although it is often compared to its neighbor, India, this island shines with its own captivating personality that tourists are only just beginning to discover. Wildlife roaming freely, untamed nature, endless beaches, a cuisine full of contrasts, and unforgettable hospitality. Sri Lanka is, without a doubt, the perfect destination for an adventure that captivates with its magic.