How to Plan a Trip to Sri Lanka - Tips for Planning the Ultimate Holiday in Sri Lanka

Tipped to be one of South Asia's most popular honeymoon hubs and beach holiday destinations, Sri Lanka offers visitors an exciting array of activities and adventures. Sri Lanka is home to breathtaking national parks and is ranked among the region's top locations for water sports activities. Enjoying a memorable getaway truly is a matter of diligent planning. From deciding when to go to figuring out how to spend your time there, here are some tips on planning a getaway to this paradise island.

Image via Amaya Corporate

 1. Time the Visit

While Sri Lanka is touted as a year-round vacation destination, those who wish to make the most of their time in the island nation should plan to visit during the peak tourist season. Falling between the months of December and April, sunny skies and clear weather conditions prevail over much of the country during this period making most outdoor activities widely available through local tour operators. Avoid visiting from May to October as this is when the monsoon season hits the island and inclement weather can make certain excursions and activities impossible if not dangerous. Those who wish to experience certain cultural events in the Sri Lankan calendar can also time their visit to coincide with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year or the Vesak Festival, for example.

2.  Calculate Your Holiday Goals

Although Sri Lanka is a tiny island nation, the country truly packs in a punch in terms of touristic value as there's much to see and experience.  This is why narrowing down your holiday goals should be a top priority for all visitors as it is possible to enjoy a very particular kind of vacation in Sri Lanka to the exclusion of certain hotspots and activity options. For example, if a simple beach holiday is all that you require, there's no need to head up to the hill capital or the Cultural Triangle while wildlife enthusiasts can restrict their holiday to a tour of the 9 national parks scattered around the country. Water sports lovers can also enjoy their kind of getaway by exploring the southern and north-eastern coastlines. Those who are staying for two weeks or longer, however, can experience nearly everything the island has to offer. 

3. Schedule Some Beach Days

As the main reason why most honeymooners head to Sri Lanka in the first place, no trip to the island would be complete without spending time on its pristine beaches. From south coast paradises the likes of Unawatuna, Koggala and Hikkaduwa to Pasikudah, Batticaloa and Arugam Bay in the northeast, the choices are seemingly endless. Those who are heading to the beach capitals of Sri Lanka can also sign up for a whale and dolphin watching tour in Mirissa or Trincomalee. 

4. Sign Up for Activities

Whether it is white water rafting down the rapids in Kitulgala or trekking across the misty plains of Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka is a dream come true for active travellers. In addition to signing up for scuba diving and fishing tours in the beach hotspots, visitors can also go mountain biking, rock climbing, bungee jumping or enjoy a safari tour of the country's wildlife sanctuaries. 

5. Pack Light

Whether one is staying at properties that belong to popular hotel chains such as Amaya Corporate or any one of the other Sri Lanka hotels, it is necessary to not overpack for your island getaway. As a hot and humid country, a vacationer can get by on jeans, shorts, a bathing suit and several t-shirts for weeks as long as these clothing items are cotton or made from a similar fabric. Don't forget to pack sunscreen and bug spray as these are the two most common hazards visitors face in this tropical nation.