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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Vacation Packages & Tours at -25%

Our recommendation to visit Sri Lanka

Map of Temples, Treasures & Spiritual Retreats
Temples, Treasures & Spiritual Retreats
-25%

From $6,039

$4,499

Per night: $450

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    Colombo
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    Dambulla Caves
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    Kandy
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    Negombo
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  • Accommodation
  • All flights
  • All transfers
  • Some meals
  • Activities
Honeymoon
Culture
Sophia , Travel Expert

Sophia
Travel crafter

Embark on an adventure that will take you deep into the nature of Sri Lanka: the imposing ruins that sit in its jungles, its colorful Buddhist temples and one of the most varied wild fauna in the world.

Live your dream trip then do it again!

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Extraordinary Vacation Packages & Tours to Sri Lanka

Escape your comfort zone with Exoticca’s extraordinary tours to Sri Lanka. Make lasting memories as you discover this vibrant paradise island located in the Indian Ocean

Roughly the size of West Virginia, the “Teardrop of India” offers extraordinary sights and thrilling activities. Disconnect from the grind and immerse yourself in new adventures.

Exoticca arranges all the details to deliver you to this dream destination. Most of our Sri Lanka tour packages include flights, hotels, transfers, and sometimes meals, too.

Trips to Sri Lanka from Canada

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Sri Lanka is a geological extension of India. It separated from the mainland millions of years ago. Our Sri Lanka tours present temples and treasures of the teardrop-shaped isle

Stand atop imposing Sigiriya for an epic sunrise and explore the country’s wildlife with a safari. View exquisite architecture, cave temples, tea plantations, and relax on pristine beaches.

Book our package trips to Sri Lanka from Canada. Flights take off from main cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

Top points of interest in Sri Lanka


Sri Lanka is filled with a vast variety of attractions. We explore some of the more popular sights below.

Colombo


Most tourists start their Sri Lanka tour in Colombo, the capital and largest city in the country. It was once called the “Garden City of the East.”

Catch a game of cricket if you’re a sports fan. Get an authentic experience by visiting stunning temples, parks, and historical sights. Picnic in Viharamahadevi Park, a large area with fountains, sculptures, and an enormous gold Buddha.

The national museum resides within a stunning 19th-century neo-baroque building. Collections detail the historical kingdoms with ancient artifacts and recent colonial-era relics.

Walk along the Galle Face Green, an extensive open area and seaside promenade. Families come for the flying kites and bubble-blowers. Friends meet to hang out, and others sit and people-watch.

Dambulla Caves


A visit to the city of Dambulla is essential on your trip to Sri Lanka. Located in the country’s center, it’s about 148 km (92 miles) east of the capital.

The cave temple, also called the Golden Temple, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the largest, best-preserved cave complex on the island.

The overhanging rock towers 160 meters (525 feet) into the air. The major attractions are in five central caves beneath it. Over 150 statues and paintings depict Siddhartha Gautama, aka “the Buddha.”

Koggala


The town of Koggala has one of the longest beaches in the country. It’s a popular destination on many Sri Lanka beach vacation packages. Located beside a lagoon on the south coast, it’s near hotspots like Unawatuna and Weligama. 

The Koggala Lake offers rich biodiversity and a myriad of hidden inlets to explore. You can take a boat ride and island hop to see Buddhist temples or a monastery. 

Watch stilt fishermen practice their traditional method at Ahangama. Visit the turtle hatchery at Habaraduwa. Renowned author Martin Wickramasinghe was born in Koggala. The Folk Museum in his name is another fascinating attraction.

Matale


Just 20 km (13 miles) north of Kandy, Matale is the second-largest town in the central area. It’s known for its agriculture, especially spices, rubber, and tea. Matale is a fantastic place to go on a cultural tour of Sri Lanka.

Visit the Sri Muthumariamman Temple for a typically colorful Hindu shrine. It’s dedicated to the goddess of rain and fertility. The 33 m (108 feet) tower boasts sculptures of over a thousand deities. 

Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple is a Buddhist shelter painted in religious iconography. There are standing, seated, and reclining Buddhas. Learn about flavoring agents at the intriguing Ranweli Spice Garden.

Sri Lanka: Off the beaten path


Here are some lesser known attractions to consider:

  • Kandy showcases an iconic procession known as the Festival of the Tooth. The Esala Perahera occurs each year for ten days in July/August. Troupes of traditional dancers follow the procession.
  • Chill out on secluded beaches in Tangalle and Talala, east of Galle. Goyambokka has a sandy beach, palm trees, and a few bars and restaurants.
  • Go scuba diving and surfing up the east coast for a Sri Lanka adventure tour. There’s also dolphin spotting in Trincomalee.

Book your Sri Lanka tour with Exoticca

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We organize captivating itineraries for our Sri Lanka tours. The result is an extraordinary travel experience to one of the most historic islands. 

All included: Flights, hotels, tours & transfers


Our Sri Lanka vacation packages include most flights, accommodations, transfers, and tours. Some also cover meals. Our all-inclusive deals aren’t uniform, so check carefully before booking.

Our team negotiates affordable rates by dealing with hotel groups and airlines directly. It’s our mission to make travel to exotic locations accessible to all

Sri Lanka partially or fully guided tours


We offer partially or fully guided Sri Lanka group tours. Pick from independent, escorted, semi-escorted, or fully guided options. You can also chat to us to arrange a private tour.

Crafted by our own travel experts


Exoticca’s team of travel specialists has crafted hundreds of epic vacation packages to countries worldwide. Our travel experts use this experience to curate fascinating and action-packed Sri Lanka tours.

We collaborate with experienced guides and reliable service providers at each destination. Our local partners are the driving force behind our tours. They carry out each itinerary to ensure a safe and memorable holiday experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which month is best to visit Sri Lanka?

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Sri Lanka has a warm and humid climate year-round, so any period you choose should result in a perfect vacation. The December to April window is peak season, while the low season occurs from May to August.

How many days are enough to visit Sri Lanka?

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Sri Lanka is filled with captivating and unique experiences, so you need at least a week to gain a comprehensive understanding. You can visit several major attractions in a few days.

Is Sri Lanka worth visiting?

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Absolutely. Sri Lanka offers stunning and varied scenery. There’s a wealth of historical ruins and fortresses. Try surfing, snorkeling, or scuba diving. There are eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, fabulous food, and friendly locals.

Is Sri Lanka more affordable than Thailand?

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The average cost of living in Sri Lanka is about half that of Thailand. Both countries offer many budget-friendly and high-end options to suit every taste.

Which area is best to stay in Sri Lanka?

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It depends on each person. Many tourists head for the fort city of Galle. Others choose the south coast or nearby Hikkaduwa and Hambantota. Some pick the east coast, Kandy, Anuradhapura, or Jaffna.

Exoticca Travel Stories

Creating unforgettable memories, one traveler at a time

Sri Lanka Travel advice

Sri Lanka tourist attractions

More information about Sri Lanka

The ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’Sri Lanka holidays are the paradise of tea plantations, lush elephant-filled jungles, endless beaches, and fascinating ancient ruins. Legendary temples, such as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, rub shoulders with the colorful colonial architecture of Colombo and Kandy, and historic monuments, such as Sigiriya, invite travelers to discover the charms and heritage of this unique island country. 

Up in the highlands, the fresh, cool environment is home to endless tea plantations and characterful villages, whilst a total of 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites makes a Sri Lanka tour package an eye-opening experience. Sri Lanka is also known for its rich and varied wildlife, much of which is protected inside nature reserves, such as Mirrierya and Yala National Park, where leopards, elephants, and monkeys can be found in abundance. 

Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s ancient national culture makes it a captivating travel destination. A teardrop-shaped island in the Indian OceanSri Lanka is situated off of the coast of the Indian Sub-Continent. Its bustling capital of Colombo is the gateway to the country, full of aroma-filled markets, high-rises and quaint relics of its colonial past. 

Sri Lanka tours often also include a visit to the city of Kandy, set amongst verdant mountains in the center of the country. A simply beautiful city, Kandy is known for its vibrant local culture, historic buildings, and Buddhist temples and enjoys a cooler climate due to its highland location. 

Away from the cities, a holiday to Sri Lanka is incomplete without contemplating the sunset or watching the unique fishing methods of its famous fishermen along the idyllic coastline. A popular honeymoon destination, Sri Lanka’s beaches range from tranquil stretches of white sand to rugged, surfer havens, attracting travelers from around the world. 

 

History of Sri Lanka

Formerly Ceylon under British colonial rule, Sri Lanka’s history can be traced back to 3,000 years. Buddhism has played a pivotal role in the history of the country, starting from its arrival on the island around the 3rd-century BC. It was in this year that the teachings of Buddhism attracted the attention of the Anwradhapur King, who quickly spread the word to his kingdom.

The population of the island at this time was overwhelmingly the Sinhalese, whose descendants still constitute 75% of Sri Lanka’s population today. The significance of Buddhism grew and developed through successive kingdoms across the centuries, and on a tour of Sri Lanka today you can even visit the famous Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, a sampling taken from the tree under which Buddha himself became enlightened and brought by Buddhist monks to Sri Lanka in 288 BC. 

This now fully-grown sacred fig tree is a major site of pilgrimage. Sri Lanka’s location historically made it an important trade hub, with Portuguese explorers arriving on the island in 1505. It was not long until these colonists built a fort at the port city of Colombo in a bid to secure and extend their territory, eventually forcing the King of Sri Lanka to move his kingdom to Kandy, where he was able to successfully fight off two Portuguese offensives and defy foreign forces for 300-years. British colonists began to settle in Sri Lanka in the early 19th-century, developing coffee and later tea plantations, following a devastating plant disease that destroyed the entire coffee industry.

Interior divisions between Sinhalese and Tamil populations characterized much of Sri Lanka’s modern history, although the Ceylon National Congress unified both parties in a bid for sovereignty, resulting in the nation's independence in 1948, although it was not until 1972 that Sri Lanka was officially renamed as an independent nation of the Commonwealth. A long and bitter civil war, starting in 1983 and lasting for 26 years has left its mark on the nation, causing hardships for the country’s economy and environment. In 2009, the Sri Lankan government finally defeated Tamil forces, bringing an end to the decades-long conflict. Another recent event that is sure to be in the memory of all who travel to Sri Lanka is the devastating 2004 Tsunami, one of the largest natural disasters in modern times. 

 

Nature in Sri Lanka

A tropical Indian Ocean island, Sri Lanka enjoys year-round warm temperatures with rains brought on the monsoon winds between May and July in the southwest of the country and between October and January in the northeast. Home to diverse terrain, ranging from surfer-paradise beaches to mist-covered highlands, a Sri Lanka vacation is a great choice for wildlife and nature lovers. With an amazing 22 national parksSri Lanka takes protecting its natural abundance seriously.

The most famous reserve, Yala Nationa Park is home to the largest concentration of leopards in the world, as well as majestic Asian elephants, monkeys, and colorful birdlife. Originating from the verdant highlands, Sri Lanka’s 103 rivers give rise to natural waterfalls, such as the beautiful Bambarakanda Falls, the highest in the country and an unmissable attraction on a tour of Sri Lanka. With more than 1,500 kilometers of coastline, beach-lovers are certainly spoilt for choice.

Arugam Bay, Hikkaduwa, Negombo, and Mirissa Beach are just a handful of the most breathtaking beaches, mostly concentrated around the south and southeastern coasts of Sri Lanka. Inland, hilltop tea plantations and hiking routes, such as those around Ella Rock, offer tranquil outdoor pursuits in the crisp fresh-air and prove the diversity of Sri Lanka as a travel destination. Temperatures on the beach can be up to 20 degrees higher than those in the lush central highlands. 

 

Culture in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s national culture has long been influenced by the practices and values of Theravada Buddhism, particularly in the south and central parts of the island, although the country’s colonial history has left its own marks, with elements of British, Portuguese and Dutch culture being seen in architecture, cuisine, music, and even language. Hinduism is the second-largest religion and another important cornerstone of Sri Lankan culture. A trip to Sri Lanka is incomplete without experiencing the distinctive art forms, such as the colorful Kandyan dances of the highlands and the soul-stirring drumming of Sri Lankan folk music. 

The two official languages are Sinhala and Tamil, although English is widely spoken, particularly in schools and business settings. A part of Sri Lankan culture that is known worldwide is their love of cricket. It is undoubtedly Sri Lanka’s favorite sport and the country ralliers together for the national teams' most important matches, often closing businesses and schools to ensure their team has the full support of their country! A unique part of Sri Lankan culture is the significance of birds in everyday life. There are many stories about birds in traditional folklore, with different species believed to have luck-bringing properties. A number of traditional dances, such as the Kandian Peacock Dance, depict the significance of birds on the national culture. 

An exceptional all-round travel destination, Sri Lanka offers both beachside relaxation and hilltop exploration. Take an iconic ride on a bright blue vintage train through the lush highlands, go snorkeling in the waters of the Indian Ocean, spot elephants in a national park or sip local tea in a leafy courtyard in KandySri Lanka vacation packages have universal appeal.

  • Entry requirements

    Passport with a minimum of 6 months validity required.

  • Visa

    An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) must be obtained before travelling. Available online here: http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/.

  • Time zone

    UTC + 05:30.

  • Currency

    Sri Lankan Rupee.

  • Language

    Sinhalese.

  • Tourist Office website

  • Electricity

    220V. Adapter required.

  • Other useful information

    People drive on the left-hand side of the road. Moving the head from side to side means yes.

  • Health

    There are no mandatory vaccinations for travellers from Canada.

Visit nearby destinations

Travel protection included