Ceylon tea- this is the first thing that came to my mind after a friend invited me to visit this distant country. How far away I had a very rough idea.
Where is Sri Lanka located?
And she is located VIndian Ocean. This is a lonely island near India. It is noteworthy that the island was once connected to India by land, but that was a very long time ago, however, it left an imprint on Sri Lanka itself, the local residents and their way of life.
Locals
The bulk of the local population is divided according to religious views between Catholics and Buddhists. In this connection, the island is dotted with Catholic and Buddhist temples.
Local residents are divided into Tamils and Sinhalese. Tamils are slightly lighter than Sinhalese, which is a source of pride for them.
Pros of holidays with and without a package
Based on personal experience, I would note several points in favor« wild» recreation:
- We managed to see several cities, visit on different sides of the island, it’s unlikely to be possible to do this with a voucher.
- You can hire a local resident, some speak Russian, to take you around the island. We did just that and did not regret it.
- In our budget The package holiday would not have been possible, and we would have seen much less.
- We visited places where tourists rarely go, or they don’t stop by at all, judging by the rounded eyes of the local residents when they see us. :)
Now in favor of the trip:
- A distant country, its own rules, its own mentality. Go according to the ticket, in any case,safer.
- If you are taking us on an excursion, they will bring you and show you everything in the best possible way.. We, while relaxing as savages, used the services of local residents. A funny thing happened: they took us to show the elephants and, as promised, they showed us, only they brought us to a landfill. :)
I would especially like to recommend visiting the most beautiful place that stands out on the entire island - this .
This is a small town located at an altitude of 1884 meters above sea level, the locals call this town - New England. Having visited many places in Sri Lanka and, periodically, sweltering from the heat, we arrived in Nuwara Eliya and plunged into the coolness. Clouds are walking around the city, very beautiful and unusual. This town sunk into my soul, but we didn’t have time to enjoy its beauty, so we moved on.
We visited tea plantations and a huge botanical garden, in the cities of Anuradhapura and. We were also at a huge market in Colombo. All these places are not alike.
So where is . Leaving aside the geographical side of the issue, I will say: where everyone should visit!
Full name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
Area: 65,610 sq. km.
Population: 21,675,648 people.
Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Official currency: Sri Lankan rupee.
In the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, not far from the coast of India, there is a small island shaped like a drop.
Everyone has heard about it at least once, and every day they probably enjoy its gifts - delicious black or green tea. His real name is rarely spoken, but his “nickname” Ceylon is heard by many. This is Sri Lanka!
Sri Lanka is separated from the Hindustan Peninsula by the narrow Palk Strait.
The people of Sri Lanka are called Sri Lankans.
At the beginning of the 19th century. the island was a colony (dependent territory) of Great Britain and was called Ceylon, and in 1972 it became independent and received a new name - Sri Lanka, which means “blessed land” in Sinhala.
Due to former British rule, almost everyone speaks English in Sri Lanka today. Only he is not quite familiar. Often, a resident of the British Isles or the USA will not fully understand a Sri Lankan, although both will communicate in the same language. This is because local residents add a lot of “their” words to their speech.
The flag of Sri Lanka is one of the oldest. It features a Sinhalese lion and two multi-colored stripes. The lion is the symbol of the ancestors of modern Sri Lankans, the green and orange stripes mean the few Muslims and Hindus, and the red part of the flag symbolizes the predominant Buddhists on the island. In the corners of the flag there are 4 leaves of paipula, a tree sacred to Buddhists.
Sri Lanka is an island of precious stones. In its depths are rubies, garnets, moonstone, and amethysts. But the “king” of stones is sapphire - blue, pink, yellow, white and very rare star. A Lankan sapphire even adorns the English crown!
As in other Asian countries, motorized pedicabs are popular in Sri Lanka. Here they are called "knock-knock". This is the only safe means of transportation, since it can easily go around any obstacle. Chaos is happening on the streets of Sri Lankan cities! Local residents do not follow traffic rules. They can stop their vehicle whenever and wherever they want just to let a cow pass or to go out and say hello to an acquaintance whom they suddenly saw on the street...
This is interesting!
Taking Sri Lankan rupees abroad, even as a souvenir, is prohibited by law.
An umbrella in Sri Lanka is not a means of keeping out the rain, but the main protection from the sun. It won’t save you from the downpours that happen here, but it won’t save you from the hot sun without an umbrella. That's why umbrellas are sold even in grocery stores.
In a cafe, before putting a dish on a plate, they put a plastic bag on it. In this way, Sri Lankans maintain hygiene, and there is no need to wash dishes after eating.
One state - two capitals
The small state of Sri Lanka can boast that it has not one capital, but two! This is the large metropolis of Colombo and the little-known town with the complex name of Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte. The first houses the residence of the President of Sri Lanka, and the second houses the country's parliament and the Supreme Court.
Colombo means “mangrove harbour” in Sinhala. The city is indeed located in an area with many mangroves. But there is another version of the name. It is believed that the Portuguese, who conquered Sri Lanka in the past, could have named the city this way in honor of the navigator Christopher Columbus.
Colombo is the largest city on the island and the largest port in Sri Lanka. It's noisy and crowded here all the time, the streets are filled with cars and tuk-tuks. Colombo is the only city in Sri Lanka where there are high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. And only here temples belonging to representatives of three religions at once coexist safely - churches (Christianity), mosques (Islam) and Buddhist temples.
Colombo is home to one of the best botanical gardens in Asia. Its highlights are the Orchid House and the Spice Garden. The world's rarest species of these plants grow in the Orchid House. And in the Spice Garden all the aromatic plants and herbs of the island of Sri Lanka are collected. The king of the garden is pepper, and the queen is cinnamon. It is thanks to the huge amount of spices that the island was interesting for many European countries. Their rulers always dreamed of capturing plantations of allspice, vanilla, cloves, and ginger, which had no equal in the world.
Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte is a town in the suburbs of Colombo. When at the beginning of the 16th century. Envoys of the Portuguese king arrived on the island, the guides managed to stretch the five-kilometer route between Colombo and Kotte into a three-day hike around the entire island! This was done to confuse uninvited guests and hide the exact location of the capital from them. The expression “to go to Kotte” for modern Sri Lankans means “to take a roundabout route.”
The city of Colombo was the capital during the domination of Ceylon by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. When the state became independent, the city of Kotte received the capital function.
Today Kotte is a beautiful, quiet town with many universities and colleges. The Sri Lankan Parliament sits here. A luxurious building was specially built for him in the center of the city lake. Various festivals and fun carnivals are often held on the streets, in which brightly and beautifully dressed elephants - the symbol and pride of Sri Lanka - always take part.
Elephant City
In the past, elephants were the main transport in Sri Lanka. They transported people and cargo in the mountains and jungles. Today this is done by tractors and trucks, but the elephant is still the main animal and symbol of the island. 
The Sri Lankan elephant is different from its African brother. The inhabitants of the hot continent are larger, their ears are of a different shape and they always have powerful tusks. Among Sri Lankan elephants, tusks can be seen on about one in 20 animals.
An elephant lives as long as a person - 70-80 years. An adult animal weighs about 5 tons. He needs 250 kg of reed or coconut palm leaves and 200 liters of water per day.
For us, elephants are a symbol of wisdom and tranquility. But Sri Lankans think differently. They consider giants a natural disaster and fight them. Most animals are not killed by poachers. They are shot... by farmers. Elephants wander into fields, destroy crops and even destroy houses. A herd of angry elephants can destroy an entire village! The giants are not stopped by either fences or traps, and it is useless to try to “negotiate” with them. Lankan elephants are considered more aggressive and “clueless” than their African relatives.
There are fewer and fewer elephants in Sri Lanka every year. To protect the animals from extinction, the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was built on the island. This is a huge nursery where elephants left without parents, disabled elephants and retired elephants live. By the way, the oldest animal here is more than 60 years old, and the youngest is only two months old. He is given warm milk from the nipple to make him stronger and feel good.
Elephants are the main participants in all holidays and festivals in Sri Lanka. They are dressed in special mask costumes and decorated with jewelry.
Elephants have been trained for performances for many years. When elephants grow up, they “work off” their care and maintenance by giving tourists rides on their backs. This is the most popular attraction among visitors and the main business of local residents. Before riding, the elephant is saddled. This is done only for the sake of tourists. Sri Lankans ride bareback. Maintaining balance while riding is very difficult, but an excellent view opens from the back of the animal. Traveling on horseback, you become convinced that the elephant seems clumsy only from the outside. Despite its impressive weight, it moves almost silently. Usually an elephant walks at walking speed, but if necessary, giants can reach speeds of up to 40 km/h.
An elephant that has worked up an appetite during the trip must be thanked. The best way to do this is to feed him bananas, the elephant's favorite dessert.
The fauna of Sri Lanka is very diverse. Animals and birds on the island feel free, they are not afraid of humans and live next to him.
Based on materials
Hello friends!
Today I took a ride in my furious Enfield from Arambol to Kerim beach. And then he passed out like a knockout: he had no strength to work or cook. I can only listen to music. This is not the first time I have noticed such a feature when I go out into a crowded place. Either I’m grabbing other people’s bad energies, or I’m sick from the heat and climate...
Please write in the comments if you have encountered this? And how did you cope? So far, only a cool shower brings me more or less to my senses, and only every once in a while.
I remember the island of Ceylon, where we spent 2 months last year. And I remember that I also fell into a similar “blackout” within the confines of bazaars and noisy streets. Therefore, if you are also looking for silence and solitude, I will tell you where it is better to go in Sri Lanka, not only to the hectic beaches, but also to the cold with fogs. By the way, I had a great time working remotely there.
Mountains are my favorite landscapes throughout the ages
In general, all the sights of Sri Lanka can be divided into 3 large groups (based on interests, let’s say): beach, mountain and cultural. The latter include not only ancient cities like Kandy or Anuradhapura, but also such legendary psychedelic places as the tomb of Adam and Eve or the Rama Bridge.
But I'll start with the most popular.
In general, the beaches of Sri Lanka are wildly popular among our fellow tourists. Consider the Sinhalese who have learned to babble in Russian on the narrow streets of Negombo. The spectacle, along with beer-addled vacationers, is not the most pleasant, of course, but all this is more than compensated by the stunning nature and friendliness of the local population (albeit with a huge share of an absolutely stupid desire to cheat for a rupee or two). About the latest in the country.
So, resorts. The best time is winter, especially in January and February, the weather in summer is very hot, and in early September it can rain. You can visit them calmly and independently!
Negombo
The beach town closest to the capital and the airport with a wide tourist infrastructure and a huge number of hotels for every taste and budget. You can easily rent a motorcycle for a long trip around the island or lie down while waiting for your next visa to India.
Among the obvious advantages of Negombo, there is one significant disadvantage. Especially for the female half of humanity: the number of spermotoxic degradants is simply off the charts. I am frankly at a loss as to the reasons for this situation, but the fact is clear. It is impossible to leave your girlfriend for a minute: immediately some creature with an obligatory hand in his pocket begins to get hooked. Therefore, I would only recommend staying here to those who have nowhere else to go. It is better to go to the South, to Hikkaduwa or Unawatuna.
Hikkaduwa
A large beach resort with an even greater selection of all the tourist delights. You can get here from Colombo in 3-4 hours by bus or in 2 hours by train. But you have to manage to squeeze into the latter, because in Sri Lanka trains with reserved seats run on very limited routes. But upon arrival there is a long beach with soft and fine sand; and the sea, into which the sun sets every day in incredible colors.
Here it is, the sunset sea of Hikkaduwa
An incredibly strong Tsunami wave hit here in 2004, resulting in the death of a huge number of people. I already wrote about the tsunami museum earlier in a small one.
It’s crowded and hectic here, but if you live in a small apartment off to the side, it’s quite bearable. And everything is there: supermarkets, Saturday market, diving, snorkeling and surfing. And the prices are more than adequate.
Unawatuna
Unawatuna is an even more party and youthful place than Hikkaduwa. A picturesque area for long-term stays next to a very beautiful piece of colonial architecture - Galle Fort. Especially if you live away from all the bustle, behind the railway.
Here, according to National Geographic, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
I am often asked which is better: Hikkaduwa or Unawatuna? I cannot give such an answer, you need to come and look at everything yourself. It seemed to me that Unawatuna was somehow more cozy. Most of it lies below the main road and is not so hectic there. But in Hikkaduwa there is a beach with an amazing ocean right next door.
Arugam Bay
A small and very rustic little place with huge stone piers. It is located on the east coast of the island, so on the beach, unlike Hikkaduwa, it is better to meet the sun than to see it off. Suitable for long-steers and those who need rural silence.
Trincomalee (Trinco)
Almost the best place in Sri Lanka where you can hang out in May and August. Either cyclones swirl like that, or some other typical local mysticism. The beaches in Trinco are also in complete order, and if in Hikkaduwa you are attacked by the ocean, insane in its fury, with waves, sunsets and wild surfers, then here there is relaxation and silence, because all the beaches are located along a large and cozy bay.
In addition to typical beach attractions, you can find WWII bases and even hot springs right there in the jungle. Of course, I somewhat doubt the relevance of the latter against the backdrop of eternal summer.
Tea, mountains and fogs
If you, like me, prefer fogs, the smell of taiga, waterfalls and coolness - you should go to the central highlands. Because there's a really cool story going on here. Quiet, measured and very fresh. I especially fondly remember Haputalle and Ella, where it was especially fun.
Kandy
The ancient capital of Ceylon. There is, however, a minimum of fog here. But the surrounding forests, tea hills and Buddhas are truly fascinating. There are also several tea factories in the area, where there are some super-old-school tea machines (or whatever they are called), which are shown in the museum to enchanted tourists right there in the city.
Lake in Kandy - wonderful
People have differing opinions about Kandy. Some people think it's vain, but I really liked it. But I wouldn’t hang around here for any long time (there’s nowhere to be found).
Ella
I’m talking about this wonderful place on the very edge of the Ceylon Highlands. Ella is a very small village, permeated with tourist orientation, coolness and thick fogs. There are several amazing viewing points, tea plantations and extremely picturesque waterfalls around. This is probably one of those places where I could hang for months.
By the way, in Ella, during one of them, I actively chased cats in order to 100% capture the delights of the surrounding space.
The highest mountain resort in Sri Lanka at an altitude of about 1800 m above level and one of the coldest places on the island. It is located at the foot of the highest point - Mount Pidurutalagala (barely able to pronounce it). Here, with tourism, everything is on a grand scale: a bunch of alpine-style hotels, a bunch of expensive cafes and a bunch of those who want to spend a few days away from the heat of the plains and coastal areas. All around is very beautiful: mountains, the same tea, which in Nuwara Eliya is considered one of the best, and even coniferous forests.
Here it is - the highest point in Sri Lanka
And in winter, as legends and locals say, frost sometimes falls at night. On my own behalf, I will say that in the absence of heating, it is very oaky here, especially when it rains. But all this is more than compensated for by the gorgeous surrounding beauties.
A very small village, located, like Ella, on the very edge of the highlands and rightfully considered the coldest place in Sri Lanka. There is absolutely no tourist infrastructure here, as well as more or less adequate housing options for a long stay.
Celebrating the New Year in Haputale with Ippolit and Zhenya Lukashin
But he who seeks will find. Therefore, we discovered a wonderful little place called Bawa Guest House with a nice elderly couple of Muslim jewelers. That’s how the place began to be called: Uncle Bava’s. There is complete freedom all around for walks through the jungle and tea fields, and at night the clouds literally flow from one window of your home to another. Sit and watch!
My favorite Sri Lankan photo is the view from Haputale looking south
From here you can also organize a trip to the Horton Plains - mountain shrouds with incredibly clean air and an equally insane 30 USD per person for entry.
Ohiya
Another place for relaxation and flow in the heart of eucalyptus forests. If even Haputale seems noisy to you, go to Oia. Because it is very quiet here and, according to the locals, even water here can be easily collected from the stream and drunk without boiling. It's so clean.
Eucalyptus forests near Oia
Bandarawella and Badulla
Quite large transport and tourist hubs of the central highlands. From Badulla, for example, you can take a direct train to Colombo or Kandy. This is where the line of the stunningly beautiful mountain railway ends.
All around are the same tea fields, serpentines and night oak trees. It’s just a lot more bustling and crowded, so my clear favorites are Haputale and Ella. Where, despite the size, there is everything you need for a long hang.
Cultural and archaeological sites
I finished my favorite part about mountains and nature. Now I will touch on the cultural richness of the island. And with some degree of regret I will say that I knew absolutely nothing about him before coming here. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is one of the main hotbeds of Buddhism, where it has not only survived for 2 millennia, but has multiplied and spread its tentacles quite widely. At the beginning of our era, the teachings of the Buddha fell into decline and only thanks to the efforts of traveling monks it was carried to the most remote corners of Asia.
Sri Lanka seems to have got the most significant piece. Where else can you find Buddhist temples that have been in operation for over 2000 years? Where can you touch antiquity, the developments of which are still used today? I haven't found such a place yet...
The only downside to all these cultural fossils is the price of entry. In Sri Lanka, pricing in general is a complete mess. Entry to Horton Plateau costs $30. Go beyond the Anuradhapura gate - 35, etc. Sigiriya, who has nothing else besides aesthetic beauty, asks for 40 bucks. Well, etc.
And Kandy again
As I already wrote above, this is a rather picturesque place, rightfully considered almost the cultural capital of the island. But the main attraction here is the Temple of the Tooth Relic. No more and no less! I will say right away that you still won’t see the tooth itself, it is hidden from prying eyes somewhere in the depths of the temple, but you will be able to fully feel the ancient energy. Entrance price 1000 rupees (rate 1 dollar = 145 rupees)
Temple of the Tooth Relic
Dambulla
Ancient cave temples, about 2000 years old. The most important artifact of the place is a small stream of water, which during the rainy season suddenly begins to run up the walls. Either a miracle, or a trick... But for me, the place is very touristy, and in order to somehow feel the energy and character of the place, you have to hide in the farthest corners. Entrance price 1500 rupees (rate 1 dollar = 145 rupees)
cave temples of Badulla
Anuradhapura
If there are places where the antiquity is simply off the scale, then after the city of the dead Varanasi, I can only name Anuradhapura. A vast old city, a living archeology of 2,300-year-old stupas, and a Mahaboddhi tree grown from a branch of the Boddhi tree in Bodhgaya, India, where Buddha gained enlightenment. The Mahaboddhi of Anuradhapura is considered to be the oldest tree in the world with a documented history.
Entrance price 4500 rupees.
Pollonaruwa
Another place where travelers to Sri Lanka strive to get. The ancient capital of the island with the large Gal Vihara temple. If you are fans of antiquities and cultures, welcome. If not, then let's go to Ella.
Sigiriya
The strangest attraction, in my opinion. Because apart from its psychedelic-photogenic location, for me it is not particularly remarkable. Well, yes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Well, yes, it’s beautiful... But around you can find at least a couple of places where the view will be even cooler, and you don’t have to pay money for entry. Unless the fact that there are Buddhist monasteries at the top makes it somehow significant. The rest is a place promoted by the tourism industry, where package travelers are transported by huge buses.
Admission is $30.
Mannar Island
But this is a completely different matter! North of Sri Lanka. There are no tourists at all, just villages, Christians, churches and tuk-tuk drivers completely indifferent to our white faces. It is from here that the legendary chain of islands leads to India, called the Rama Bridge, and a few kilometers from it are the graves of Adam and Eve themselves, who, after the Fall, decided to live in Sri Lanka for a season. Not a bad option for earthly paradise?
Rama Bridge Islands
But all around is chaos worthy of the best examples of India. Heat, dust and donkeys. The sea and beaches are deserted and inaccessible.
Jaffna
The far north of Ceylon, which for a long time remained the center of LTTE separatist militants, until they were finally defeated by government forces in 2010. Until 2012, the city was closed to foreign tourists; apparently it was actively cleared of mines, tripwires, undead groups of Tamil Tigers and unexploded shells. And today you can even find KFC here.
When choosing the best resorts in Sri Lanka for a holiday, it is worth remembering that there are several important features for tourists.
The first of them is monsoons. From May to September the country is at the mercy of rains. The second nuance concerns tourist areas. Conventionally, there are two main directions: the southwest and southeast coasts. What is the difference between them, where is the best place to relax in Sri Lanka in the summer, a description of local resorts - you will find all this below.
South of Colombo to the town of Galle there is a scattering of the best resorts on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka.
Negombo
Negombo was called “little Rome”, there are so many temples in this city, decorated with beautiful stained glass windows, frescoes, sculptures and ornaments. The city is rich in other attractions, including natural ones. For example, a few kilometers from Negombo there is a famous nature reserve Muthurajawela.
The beaches deserve special mention. Unrealistically beautiful views, magical sunsets, pleasant and clean sand, and warm sea make parting with Negombo, which is inevitable for tourists, incredibly difficult.
Almost all the best hotels are located right on the coast; there are many quite comfortable and cozy guest houses. Tourists will not have problems with food. Negombo has many restaurants with plentiful and tasty food and low prices.
The only drawback may be the quiet and measured flow of life at the resort, but it will appeal to couples looking for privacy, and parents who come to relax peacefully at sea with their children.
Bentota
Bentota is the pearl of the resorts on the west coast of Sri Lanka and one of the most popular places for a beach holiday. Here you can book a small guest house or a room in a hotel of a large global chain - in short, Bentota is more than open to tourists.
The best beaches are the main trump card of the resort. The long and wide coastal strip, fine and gentle sand, and warm sea water attract lovers of swimming and sunbathing here. The waves, although not as strong as, for example, in Hikkaduwa, open up space for surfers and windsurfers, and the enchanting underwater world will win the heart of any diver.
Those looking for something exotic and adventurous can visit the Water Sports Center (by the way, the largest in Sri Lanka) or go on excursions to see with their own eyes the impressive local temples and the world's largest sculpture of a seated Buddha. And that's not all, of course. The mysterious Tropical Art Nouveau Gardens, an exciting river safari, a trip to a turtle farm - and many, many more surprises await you.
Despite all of the above, Bentota is considered a quiet place where it is good to relax, being alone with yourself and feeling harmony with the world around you. Perhaps this is the secret of a good vacation at this resort in Sri Lanka.
Hikkaduwa
This one is popular the resort bears the unspoken name of the capital of diving if not all of Sri Lanka, then the west coast for sure. There is a beautiful coral reef, sunken ships, and, of course, scuba diving training centers. For diving enthusiasts, this is the best holiday destination in Sri Lanka.
However, holidays in Hikkaduwa are somewhat controversial. This is a completely modern resort with a developed infrastructure - but there are no bounty-style beaches here: hotels and other buildings come so close to the water and obscure nature. Hikkaduwa has gorgeous, strong and high waves, which delights desperate surfers - but a small child will be better off in the pool here.
Hikkaduwa itself is poor in attractions, but for noisy and life-loving young people this resort has much more freedom than in Negombo or Bentota.
The west coast of Sri Lanka offers other resorts where you can go for a beach holiday: Kalutara, Unawatuna, Wadduwa, Beruwela, Mount Lavinia, Tangalle, Galle.
East Coast
At first glance, the resorts on the east coast of Sri Lanka are not as diverse and numerous as those on the west. However, they have one common and important feature - a record low amount of rain for the country, even in the off-season. If it is better to relax in western resorts from November to April, then for a tour to the eastern ones you can also choose the “forbidden” monsoon time - from April to September.
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is an exotic and distinctive Sri Lankan resort. Its main feature is its incomparable flavor: small two-story hotels, picturesque sandy beaches and special customs. The overwhelming majority of the local population professes Islam, with all that implies (modest and covered women's clothing, restraint in drinking alcohol, etc.).
Although the sea off the coast is shallow and children can easily splash around in it, Arugam Bay still attracts surfers more than family tourists. The waves here can be really steep – up to 2 meters high – so the resort organizes international competitions.
An interesting feature of Arugam Bay is its seasonality. When it rains in other parts of the country, the local beaches are sunny and hot. Therefore, when deciding which Sri Lanka resort is best to choose for a summer holiday, first of all remember Arugam Bay.
Hambantota
Hambantota is not usually included in the list of popular resorts in Sri Lanka - it is a developing city with modest infrastructure. There are few hotels and almost all of them are located on the coast; there is a small selection of cafes and restaurants.
But these not the most attractive conditions do not stop those who want to see the incredibly beautiful ocean or outlandish Buddhist temples, or visit fruit plantations. And there are quite a few such delights in Hambantota - to the great joy of connoisseurs of exotic and at the same time cultural recreation.
Passikuda
Passikuda is a relatively young beach resort in Sri Lanka, but it has almost everything you might need for a vacation:
- sunny beaches with white sand;
- inexpensive accommodation options (guest houses, hotels);
- calm and shallow sea near the shore, without strong waves and undercurrents;
- a variety of leisure options (from boat trips to excursions).
The most popular recreational activities here are snorkeling and boating. You can also fly over the resort and the beach on a seaplane and see all the heavenly beauty from above. True, in order to eat, you will have to go to the hotel - there is no choice of restaurants as such. Passikuda won't spoil you with shops either - it's better to go to neighboring towns for shopping.
A feature of some local beaches is coral shoots and sharp shells that you can accidentally step on. Therefore, tourists are advised to put on special slippers in advance (both on the beach and when entering the water).
Overall, it is a captivating and magical place. Here you can escape from worries, bustle and noisy human flows. You can relax on Passikuda during a family vacation; it is also suitable for a romantic trip, and even for a tour with friends - if, of course, you don’t mind spending time in peace and quiet.
Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean, located south of the Hindustan Peninsula. The total area is 65,610 sq. km, the length from north to south is 445 km, and from west to east 225 km. In the center of the island is the Central Mountain Range.
The average height of the mountains is 1000-2000 m above sea level, but some peaks rise higher.
The highest point of the island, Mount Pidurutalagala, has a height of 2524 m. However, the most famous is the majestic Adam's Peak (2243 m).
Typically, on weekdays stores are open from 9:30 to 17:00, and on Saturdays from 9:30 to 13:00. The addresses of stores recommended by the Ministry of Tourism of Sri Lanka can be found in many guides to the island.
In addition to tea, which, by the way, is allowed to be exported as a souvenir in quantities of more than three kilograms, items made of silver and copper are considered traditional souvenirs. These products are manufactured in the Kandy region. The Kandy region also produces beautiful pottery. They are painted mainly in red tones, decorated with various patterns. In the south of the island, various demon masks are made.
The most ancient folk crafts include wood carving and the production of various fabrics. Sri Lanka is famous for its rich selection of precious and semi-precious stones and silk.
Tipping is not required. However, a hotel receptionist or a restaurant waiter will be happy with a few extra rupees.
It is recommended to wear light cotton clothing and a hat. Be sure to stock up on sunscreen and sunburn lotion. There are no strict requirements for clothing in the country, but you should not visit temples in shorts, in clothes with open backs and shoulders, and you must take off your shoes when entering the temple.
Climate
Equatorial, with monsoon seasons.
Almost 95% of all precipitation falls during the summer rainy season. The rest of the months are quite dry. Only in the northeast of the island does it rain in the fall, when the northeast monsoon passes over Ceylon.
The air temperature on the island practically does not change and is 26-28 C all year round. In the mountains of the central part of the island it is cooler, and at the coldest point, the mountain resort of Nuwara Eliya, located at an altitude of 1880 meters above sea level, it is approximately 15 C.
There is high air humidity in Sri Lanka, and you can feel it when you get off the plane, when you get the feeling that you are being hit with a warm, “bath” stream of air.
Language
The official languages are Tamil, Sinhala and English. The total population is 15 million people. The country is ethnically multinational, the population consists of Sinhalese, Tamils, burghers (descendants of the Portuguese and Dutch) and Moors (descendants of Arab traders).
Currency
From Monday to Friday, banks are usually open from 9.00 to 13.00-15.00. During holidays, as well as on Saturday and Sunday, they are closed. The exchange of money is allowed only in banks and organizations that have received permission to do so. The list of these organizations includes most hotels.
Transport
Driving is on the left.
