Colombo Travel Guide
Travel guide to Colombo, Sri Lanka with comprehensive information about events, shopping, and major Colombo sporting events to help you enjoy your visit more.
Colombo Overview
Off the Southern tip of India lies Sri Lanka. Once known as Serendib, and Ceylon, Sri Lanka has left behind a turbulent past since independence to become one of the fastest growing and tourist destinations in the world. The Island boasts a selection of world-class hotels; plenty of awe-inspiring scenery; and a rich culture that will enchant you during your visit.
Lots of people visit Sri Lanka each year as part of a multi-centre holiday, with few days in Dubai either on the way out or the way back. The main destinations for tourists visiting Sri Lanka are the capital city Colombo, the cooler hill town of Kandy, and the many beach resorts on the south west coast: Bentota, Kalutura, and Galle in particular.
Colombo is mainly somewhere that people just arrive into and move on, although there is plenty to see there, and it is an interesting place to explore - if only for a day or two before you start your holiday proper relaxing on one of the quiet beaches.
You can get cheap flights to Sri Lanka throughout the year, and it is possible to book guided tours of the island, such as, and fit more into your holiday than you would have though.
Top Colombo Attractions
The island of Sri Lanka has all kinds of amazing sights for visitors to enjoy during their stay. From the beaches of Negombo and other coastal resorts in the south, to the glorious landscapes of the tea growing areas around Kandy, the island is a place of contrasts.
With so much to see and do on Sri Lanka aside from just lying on a beach, many people take the opportunity of a visit to the island to take a guided tour and see the island for themselves. Highlights of a tour include the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, the Yala Wildlife Park, the ruined city of Polunnaruwa, and many stunning monasteries and temples.
Colombo itself has a number of museums and galleries, and if you do not wish to take an extensive tour, but still want to get more from Sri Lanka than a suntan, a few days in the capital can be a most rewarding experience.
Shopping in Colombo
If you spend a few days in Colombo before heading to your beach hotel, you will be surprised at the sheer variety of on offer, from ethnic markets selling various cultural trinkets through to shopping malls selling clothes and electrical goods cheaply.
The cost of living is low in Sri Lanka, and more often than not, shops and stalls are open to negotiation over prices, so you can get some great bargains.
Many people combine a holiday in Sri Lanka with a brief stop in Dubai along the way, and the shopping in this Middle Eastern City is well documented.
Colombo Sporting Events
Just off the coast of Sri Lanka there are several coral reefs and other great diving sites where you can get close to the sea life and enjoy an underwater world. Sailing is popular too, and most hotels have a small fleet of boats to choose from if you are feeling nautical.
In the mountains around Kandy, the more temperate weather makes strenuous activity possible, and the region is popular for hikers who want to explore this beautiful country for them self.