Sri Lanka, dubbed by Marco Polo as the finest island in the world, and visitors continue to be seduced by the heavy warm air, the endless rich green foliage, the luxuriant swirls of the Sinhalese alphabet, the multicoloured Buddhist flags, and the variety of saris, fruit, jewellery and spices on sale in the markets. Sri Lankan festivals announce themselves with sparkling lights strung over town clock towers and bazaar alleys.

Best time to visit

December to March (the driest time of the year).

Essential Experiences

Sharing the first rays of the morning sun with pilgrims at the summit of Adam's Peak; lazing the day away on the beach in sleepy Mirissa; wandering through tea plantations in the hills around Nuwara Eliya; getting up close to the young elephants at Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage; climbing the spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya; experiencing a puja (offering of prayer) at the Temple of Tooth in Kandy; attempting to spot an elusive leopard in Yala West National Park.

In a few words, Sri Lanka is

Beautiful beaches lined with palm trees, tea plantations, coconuts, friendly, smiling faces, elephants, rice and curry, batik, three-wheelers winding in and out of traffic, good cricketers and enthusiastic supporters and Kandyan dancers.

Did you know?

In Sri Lanka, Buddhist temples depict images of Hindu gods and serious traffic accidents are rare despite the apparent lack of road rules.