HOW TO PLAN A TRIP TO SRI LANKA

Planning a personalised vacation to Sri Lanka may sound a tad bit overwhelming. Sticking to a few tips from experts can go a long way, making your planning process a lot tidier and straightforward. Here is a guide with some essential tips that will help you plan your trip to Sri Lanka!

Best times to visit

Your itinerary will be dominated by the time of the year you are travelling which will dictate the type of activities you can do and can't do. There are 2 monsoons seasons in Sri Lanka, one starts from the south-west and the other from the northeast at certain months of the calendar. The latter is stronger of the two and does cover the entire island nation with downpours. This monsoon starts in October and lasts till December. It'll be better for you to avoid travelling during these times. The former monsoon starts in May and ends in June. You can head over to the eastern regions of the island to enjoy the sunshine and clear skies! September is the most recommended month for travel with excellent weather and fabulous off-season prices!

Accommodation

This island nation is well known for its wealth of characterful and extremely pretty boutique properties. There are modern innovative properties, mid-budget accommodation, hostels for backpackers and luxury resorts. You can stay at some of the best hotels in Sri Lanka at a good price. Where accommodation is concerned, you are offered a variety, so pick according to your budget, comfort and preference. You can always check out brands like Araliya Hotels & Resorts offering a good experience for your stay in Sri Lanka.

What type of vacation are you looking for?

Sri Lanka caters to all genres of travellers! Therefore, it is now time to ask yourself 'what am I looking for this holiday season?' A cultural trip? A tropical beach stay? An adventure holiday? Some unique experiences? Luxury holidays? National park tours and safaris? The list is quite endless. It'll be better to incorporate a bit of everything this holiday season. These ingredients do make Sri Lanka a true tropical paradise to enjoy an all-inclusive vacation in Sri Lanka.

Reaching Sri Lanka

Reaching and travelling around this island nation is pretty straightforward if you know exactly what you want from this trip. There are direct flights offered by Sri Lankan Airlines which is recommended as the food is delicious offering comfortable seating and leg space to stretch! They are decently priced too. You can also check Emirates or Qatar airlines to reach Sri Lanka. Getting around Sri Lanka might not be as easy to plan given that public transport is nor particularly reliable or fast. Trains, however, offer unique opportunities to see stunning natural sceneries Sri Lank is known for. Therefore, it is always recommended you incorporate a long train journey in your itinerary. Getting a personal chauffeur to take you around will be the most stress-free, relaxing and comfortable option. Busses, though reliable and quick, are extremely busy and not comfortable.

Sorting out your visas and getting your medical

Getting your visa to travel to Sri Lanka is a simple process. You have to ensure that your passport is valid for the next 6 months. You can apply online and get your visa in a matter of days. You must also visit your GP requesting a top-up for vaccines like tetanus, hepatitis etc. In 2016, the World Health Organisation announced that Sri Lanka was malaria-free. So, you don't have to worry about this particular infectious disease. Your GP will be able to advise you on all other necessary medical requirements for a safe trip to Sri Lanka.