Sri Lanka A teardrop island of tea and tusks in the Indian Ocean
The finest island of its size in all the world: that’s how the famous 13th-century explorer Marco Polo described Sri Lanka. And for good reason. Shaped like a jewel, Sri Lanka offers an embarrassment of treasures from wildlife-filled national parks and tropical rainforests to tea plantations and palm-fringed beaches. Then there’s the fragrant yet fiery cuisine and the smiling people who are proud to share their homeland. All told, chances are you’ll leave Sri Lanka as entranced as Marco Polo once was.
Where it is
Indian Ocean
When to go
December to April
Why go there
Tea plantations
Animal encounters
Idyllic beaches
What to see
Sigiriya Rock
Udawalawe National Park
Unawatuna Beach
Mighty fortress
The towering rock of Sigiriya is where King Kasyapa built his palace in the 5th century. Cosa tip: on the hike up, don’t miss the series of dramatic frescoes painted into the rock wall.
Elephant encounters
At Udawalawe National Park, you can enjoy close encounters with herds of emblematic elephants as well as water buffaloes, eagles, monkeys and spotted deer. Simply unmissable.
Beach bliss
Turquoise seas, powdery fine white sands and a hefty dose of Vitamin D. Unawatuna Beach promises all of the above, and the chance to see the famous fishermen on stilts.
Tea time
Sri Lanka has long been synonymous with tea and a tour of a factory such as Dunkeld gives an insight into the production process, as well as the chance to taste multiple varieties.
Travel in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is what a tropical holiday should be – exotic but manageable owing to the short distances between attractions. One of the best ways to get around is by train: travelling by rail affords a wonderful window into local life while also serving up diverse landscapes, from rainforests to rice fields. The ride from Colombo – Sri Lanka’s capital – to Kandy in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Tea Country is one of the most scenic train trips in Asia.
Sri Lanka facts
This small island nation has had many names: the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, the teardrop of India, Taprobane, Serendib, Ceylon and since 1972, Sri Lanka. The name from the British colonial era, Ceylon, is also the island’s famous tea. Make no mistake: tea is big business, with tea plantations providing employment for more than one million locals. Cricket is another passion: Cosa can arrange for you to join the crowds cheering on their teams at the cricket stadium in Galle.
Time zone
UTC +5.5
Flight time
12 hours from Switzerland
Local currency
Sri Lanka rupee
Dialling code
+94
