New Year's Eve in Sri Lanka
Flight, hotel and transfer, in the dry season on the south and west coast.
Hillside tea estates, Buddhist temples, leopards in Yala and palm-fringed Indian Ocean beaches, all on one island.
Sri Lanka packs ancient citadels, Buddhist temples, hillside tea estates and national parks with elephants and leopards onto one fairly small island. The coast has palm-lined beaches, good surf bays and colonial towns such as Galle.
You can combine a few days by the sea with trips to the Cultural Triangle or the train ride through the tea country.
What to see in Sri Lanka over the holidays
Sigiriya Rock
King Kashyapa's fifth-century citadel, built on top of a rock nearly 200 metres high, with frescoes, gardens and the giant paws of the Lion Gate. The climb is by stairs and is best done early in the morning.
The train through the tea country
The railway between Kandy and Ella climbs through the hills, past tea estates, waterfalls and villages, and is one of the most scenic train journeys in Asia. Near Ella, the Nine Arch Bridge is a stop not to miss.
Yala National Park
On the south-east coast, Yala has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, alongside elephants, crocodiles, sloth bears and hundreds of bird species. Jeep safaris set off early in the morning or in the afternoon.
Mirissa and the south coast
Palm-fringed bays, warm water and a fishing village turned laid-back resort. From November to April, boat trips leave Mirissa harbour to watch blue whales and dolphins.
New Year's Eve in Sri Lanka: what to know
When to go to Sri Lanka
For the west and south coasts and the hill country, December to April is the dry season. The east coast, at Trincomalee or Pasikudah, is sunniest from May to September. On the coast it is 27–31°C all year, and cooler in the hills.
Where to stay
On the south-west coast, Bentota and Beruwala for beach resorts, Unawatuna and Mirissa for bays and a relaxed mood, and in summer the east coast at Pasikudah or Trincomalee. Kandy and Ella are good for a few nights inland.
Excursions
The Cultural Triangle brings together Sigiriya, the Dambulla cave temple and the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and Galle Fort, built by the Portuguese and strengthened by the Dutch, are also worth seeing. For short hops, take a tuk-tuk.
Local food
Rice and curry comes with several small bowls of vegetables, dhal and pol sambol, made from grated coconut and chilli. Try hoppers — bowl-shaped pancakes — kottu roti and, of course, Ceylon tea, drunk right next to the estate.
Questions about New Year's Eve in Sri Lanka
- How long is the flight from Romania to Sri Lanka?
- Flights to Sri Lanka usually involve one stopover, and the total journey generally takes more than 10 hours, depending on the connection. You see the exact times and the stopover in the package before you book.
- When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
- It depends on the coast: December to April for the beaches of the west and south, as well as Kandy and the tea country, and May to September for the east coast. That means almost every month has some part of the island with good weather.
- Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
- You need a passport valid for at least six months and an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or e-visa, obtained online before departure. The rules have changed several times in recent years, so check the current requirements before you travel.
- What does the Sri Lanka holiday package include?
- The return flight from Romania, your chosen hotel with the board in the offer, airport–hotel–airport transfers and TravelTheme assistance throughout the trip.
- What currency is used in Sri Lanka?
- The local currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). Cards are accepted in hotels and larger shops, and US dollars and euros are easy to exchange. You need cash in rupees for tuk-tuks, temples and markets.