Your Luxury Holiday to Sri Lanka: The Ultimate Guide

Sri Lanka is one of those rare islands that feels impossibly rich for its size. Tea-carpeted highlands where the mist hangs low, wild jungles where elephants roam, ancient cities with gilded stupas, and beaches where fishermen balance on stilts and cast their nets. A luxury holiday to Sri Lanka means much more than just sun and sand – it’s all about discovery, flavour, and culture. And best of all? It’s all wrapped in warm island hospitality.

If you’re planning your trip, here’s everything you need to know: inspiration, practical details, and insider tips for seeing the best of this beautiful island.

Getting There

How long does it take to fly from the UK to Sri Lanka?

Flights from London to Sri Lanka typically take around 11-12 hours – you can fly direct with Sri Lankan Airlines from London in around 11 hours, while flights with Qatar are a little longer and take into account a short stop in Doha. There are multiple options depending on your budget and preference. 

How long is the flight from Sri Lanka to the Maldives?

It’s less than two hours, which is why so many travellers combine a luxury holiday to Sri Lanka with the incredible islands of the Maldives. If that’s something you’re interested, check out our Natural Sri Lanka & Maldives itinerary.

Culture & People

What language is spoken in Sri Lanka?

Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages of Sri Lanka, though English is also very widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and by guides – especially in luxury settings.

Are Sri Lankan people friendly?

Yes, incredibly so. Hospitality here runs deep, so whether you’re in a tea estate bungalow or a remote village, you’ll be met with genuine warmth. It’s what makes the country so enticing to foreign travellers.

What religion is Sri Lanka?

Buddhism is the most widely practised faith in Sri Lanka, and, as such, its influence is visible everywhere – from the ancient stupas of Anuradhapura to daily temple rituals that echo through smaller towns. Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity are also part of the island’s diverse cultural fabric.

How do you say ‘hello’ in Sri Lanka? How do you say ‘thank you’ in Sri Lanka?

In Sinhala, “Ayubowan” (hello) is spoken with palms pressed together, meaning “may you live long.” “Bohoma sthuthi” is thank you, and using these phrases will always raise a smile.

What is the culture in Sri Lanka?

It’s a very vibrant blend of Buddhist traditions, colonial legacies, colourful festivals, modern art, and a deep respect for family and food. This balance of old and new is what makes a luxury holiday to Sri Lanka so enriching.

Why Go?

Is Sri Lanka a good place for tourists?

Sri Lanka is a very good destination for tourists. It’s compact enough that you can see a wide variety of settings in a week-long trip, yet also astonishingly varied. If you wanted to, you could go on a safari at dawn, be sipping tea in the hills by afternoon, and dine by the ocean at sunset.

Is Sri Lanka expensive to visit?

Compared to other luxury destinations, Sri Lanka really does offer exceptional value. World-class hotels, private guides, and exclusive experiences come at a fraction of the price of Europe or the Maldives.

Which is better, Sri Lanka or the Maldives?

Sri Lanka and the Maldives complement one another rather than rival. The Maldives is home to rich lagoon life and beautiful overwater villas, while Sri Lanka brings centuries of history, culture, wildlife, and depth. Many travellers choose to combine the two for a perfect luxury holiday.

What is Sri Lanka famous for?

Sri Lanka is of course famous for tea, as well as spices, beaches, ancient temples, leopards, Ayurveda, and cricket. More than anything, it’s famous amongst travel lovers for its incredible variety, and it’s always an island we recommend when customers come to us with a ‘show me anything’ mindset. 

Practicalities

Do I need malaria tablets for Sri Lanka?

No, as Sri Lanka is malaria-free. Mosquito repellent is essential, but anti-malarial medication isn’t required.

What injections do you need for Sri Lanka?

Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date. Many travellers choose to have Hepatitis A and Typhoid injections before travelling to Sri Lanka, but you should always consult a travel clinic or your GP for personalised advice.

Do you need cash in Sri Lanka?

Cash can be very handy in Sri Lanka for paying for tuk-tuks, souvenirs from small shops, and any tips you may deem necessary. Rest assured that cards remain widely accepted in hotels and restaurants.

What to take to Sri Lanka on holiday?

For a luxury holiday to Sri Lanka, we’d recommend packing light cottons, a scarf or shawl to cover up during temple visits, swimwear, SPF, insect repellent, and sturdy shoes for exploring. You may also want to bring a smart outfit or two for the evenings. 

Is Sri Lanka safe for tourists?

Yes, Sri Lanka is considered one of Asia’s safest destinations for tourists in terms of crime. With that in mind, and like many countries in this region, the roads can be hectic – most luxury travellers opt for private drivers who can easily navigate the traffic. 

When to Go & What to Do

When to visit Sri Lanka?

There really is no ‘best’ time to visit Sri Lanka, as there’s always somewhere on the island with sunshine. The west, south, and Cultural Triangle are at their most beautiful from December to March, while the east coast shines from May to September. This means you can plan a luxury holiday to Sri Lanka at almost any time of year.

What to do in Sri Lanka?

Exploring the Cultural Triangle - made up of Sigiriya, Dambulla, and Kandy - is essential. Our experts also recommend riding the famous train through tea country to Ella. Safari in Yala or Gal Oya is a must for any wildlife lovers. Wander the UNESCO-listed lanes of Galle Fort, and make sure to unwind on the golden beaches at Tangalle or Pasikuda.

What to eat in Sri Lanka?

There’s so much good food to be eaten in Sri Lanka: curries scented with cinnamon, chilli, and coconut; hoppers (a bowl-shaped pancake made from rice flour and coconut milk) filled with egg and sambol; jackfruit stews; freshly caught seafood. Many luxury resorts now reinterpret these dishes with a refined and modern twist, offering curated dining that celebrates Sri Lanka’s bold and fragrant flavours.

Ticklist: Must-See Sights in Sri Lanka

• Sigiriya Rock Fortress

• Dambulla Cave Temples

• The Sacred City of Kandy & Temple of the Tooth

• Scenic train ride through tea country (Kandy–Ella)

• Yala National Park for leopard and elephant safaris

• Gal Oya National Park for boat safaris

• Galle Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

• Colonial tea estates in Hatton & Nuwara Eliya

• South coast beaches (Tangalle, Mirissa, Bentota)

• East coast beaches (Pasikuda, Trincomalee)

• Anuradhapura & Polonnaruwa ancient cities

• Colombo’s art galleries, boutiques, and dining scene

Our Favourite Hotels

Here are some of the most captivating places to stay on a luxury holiday to Sri Lanka, hand-picked by our experts. Each one delivers a beautifully unique sense of place, whether sat on a beach, plotted between river and sea, or deeply rooted in the island’s heritage.

• Jetwing Yala – If you want the wild at your doorstep, this is it. At Jetwing Yala, you can wake to the sound of peacocks and fall asleep knowing elephants sometimes wander just beyond the dunes. Safaris start at dawn, but the real magic is often back at base: cocktails by the firepit under a sky thick with stars, or cooling off in that vast pool after the dust of the park.

• The Fortress, Galle – Part fort, part fantasy, this is where old-world walls meet contemporary polish. Inside, courtyards thrum with history, yet your suite might have a private plunge pool looking straight out to sea. Dinner often feels theatrical - seafood grilled as the sun sets over the ramparts - before retreating to a candlelit spa that takes Ayurveda seriously but with just enough indulgence.

• Santani Wellness Kandy – This isn’t a glossy spa hotel – it’s something quieter, more profound. And it's multi-award-winning. At Santani, rooms are pared back to glass and timber, so the real star is the view: folds of green hills that change colour with the light. Days are shaped by personalised Ayurvedic treatments and menus that feel cleansing without ever being joyless. It’s the kind of place you arrive at as one version of yourself, and leave as another.

• Jetwing Kandy – Sat above the bustle, Jetwing Kandy feels a lot like a pause button. It’s close enough to the Temple of the Tooth and Kandy’s lakeside life, yet back at the hotel it’s all birdsong and breezy verandas. The staff have that uncanny ability to remember how you take your tea, and evenings on the terrace, with the hills softening into dusk, feel so special.

• Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort – The name might sound like a marketing line, but this hotel earns it. Hidden within a former coconut plantation, Anantara Tangalle has villas that spill down towards a beach where turtles nest and waves roll in heavy and blue. What is truly wonderful is the rhythm of life here: yoga on a cliff at sunrise, fresh crab curry by lantern light, and the way the ocean seems to soundtrack every moment.

Our travel experts have journeyed across Sri Lanka themselves - through tea-carpeted hills, coastal sanctuaries, and wildlife-rich parks - so we know not just where to go, but when and how to experience it best. 

Whether you’re drawn to wellness retreats, safaris, cultural icons or simply time by the sea, we’re here to shape a luxury holiday to Sri Lanka that feels entirely yours, tailored to your passions, preferences, and pace.

 Explore all of our Tailor-Made Holidays to Sri Lanka