Colombo in Sri Lanka

Image | Pixabay

Known as "the island of a thousand names" because throughout history it has been known by many names, Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Asia.

There are no shortage of reasons to fall in love with ancient Ceylon as it is a destination that mixes mountains, beaches and culture. It is a quiet, cheap and safe island that is not yet crowded with tourists. If you would like to visit Sri Lanka you should start with Colombo, its fascinating capital.

Columbo

Colombo is the gateway to the Asian country and the most populous city in the country. Its colonial past can be seen in the Negombo Fortress, which was built by the Dutch in 1644. In fact, you can still see the original door dating from the XNUMXth century today. Other sites of interest are the Clock Tower, the ramparts, and a sacred tree planted by King Valagamba, which was brought from Anuraghapura.

In the same district of Colombo you can also find the Queen's House, the residence of the President of Sri Lanka and other types of colonial buildings. To know that part of the country's history and others, nothing better than visiting the National Museum, where you can see a large collection of objects from different periods.

Another very interesting place in Colombo is Galle Face Green, the promenade with beautiful views of the beach and the sea.

When to travel to Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka enjoys a tropical monsoon climate, which makes it a true paradise to be enjoyed all year round. However, the best time to visit is between December and April as the monsoons hit the south of the island between May and August and the north between October and November.

Given this, the best thing to do is plan the trip based on the places we want to know or the activities we decide to do. Another factor to take into account is the budget, that is, in high season (December-March) prices are through the roof while in low season (May-August) prices are quite cheap. A good time to go to Sri Lanka on your own and without advance reservation is the period between April and November, which we could consider a medium season.

Image | Pixabay

How to get around in Sri Lanka

Transportation is somewhat more complicated to plan. Although there are good roads, the guides often advise against renting a car due to the peculiar way of driving of the Sri Lankans. In the cities it is recommended to move by tuk-tuk or hire a private driver to take us to places where for certain routes you have to take several buses, which can sometimes be slow, crowded and sometimes difficult to identify as there are dozens of companies. However, they are quite inexpensive. In this case, it is best to consult the establishment where you are staying so that they can inform you in detail since there are not always official stops, stations or fixed schedules.

Regarding the train, it is the most comfortable means of transport to move around. Given the large influx of passengers, it is not easy to get tickets to travel seated, so it is advisable to try to buy all the routes in the first city you visit.

Entry requirements to Sri Lanka

To travel to Sri Lanka it is necessary to carry a passport with a minimum validity of six months and a visa. Although it can be managed upon arrival at the airport according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is better to manage it online to avoid delays at entry or any additional problems.

It is convenient to have insurance that covers our backs in case of accidents, medical expenses, repatriation or loss and theft of luggage, among other issues.


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