Sri Lanka
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Southern Asia · LKA
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a compact but high-contrast island trip where beaches, temples, tea country, and wildlife can fit into a single route. It works best as a loop that balances the cultural triangle with one coast, hill country, or safari stop rather than rushing all of it.
Popular For
Things To See
- Colombo
- Kandy
- Sigiriya
- Galle
- Yala National Park
- Nuwara Eliya
Best Months
Best Months For Winter Travel
Know Before You Go
- Weather differs by coast and season, so route choice matters.
- A loop combining cities, hills, and one coast is the strongest first-trip shape.
- Reserve popular stays and safari days ahead during peak months.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Sri Lanka.
Guidebooks
Tours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Sri Lanka.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
- Population
- 21,763,170
- Area
- 65,610 km²
- Region
- Southern Asia
Languages
- Sinhala
- Tamil
Currency
Sri Lankan rupee (Rs රු)
LKR
Exchange rate unavailable for USD.
Cost of Living (World Bank)
28.9
Price level index (US = 100)
- Groceries
- 48.1
- Restaurants
- 24.3
- Rent
- 7.2
Safety & Peace
higher score = safer everyday environment · derived from World Bank homicide data
lower score = more peaceful · 1.0–3.5 scale
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (6.89°N, 79.90°E).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
15/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 2/100
- Lived safety
- 49/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal❌
- Relationship recognitionNone
- Adoption recognition❌
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❌
- Legal gender recognition❌
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.776
High human development
- 5-year change
- -0.006
- 10-year change
- +0.012
- Trend
- stable
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 0.951
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.367
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.754
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (8)
- 🌿
Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
Inscribed 2010
- 🏛️
Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple
Inscribed 1991
- 🏛️
Sacred City of Kandy
Inscribed 1988
- 🏛️
Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
Inscribed 1988
- 🌿
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Inscribed 1988
- 🏛️
Sacred City of Anuradhapura
Inscribed 1982
- 🏛️
Ancient City of Sigiriya
Inscribed 1982
- 🏛️
Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
Inscribed 1982
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 30.0%
- Forest cover
- 34.0%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 30
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 14
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
36/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Luxury Infrastructure
83/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
There were no changes to the advisory level. The Other risk indicator was added. Advisory summary was updated Exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka due to unrest, terrorism, and landmines. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Advisory Summary: Demonstrations Protests over the economic and political situation in Sri Lanka can happen at any time. Police have used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters. Avoid all gatherings, even peaceful ones. Protests could turn violent with little or no warning. Terrorism Terrorist attacks have occurred in Sri Lanka, with little or no warning. They may target: Tourist locations Transportation hubs Markets and shopping malls Government buildings Hotels, clubs, and restaurants Places of worship Parks Major sporting and cultural events Schools and hospitals Airports Other public areas The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in remote areas. Land mines Approximately 23 square kilometers of Sri Lanka have land mines left from its civil war. Most land mines have been cleared, but some areas in northern and eastern Sri Lanka are still dangerous. The highest concentration is in the northern districts of the Northern Province. This territory has dense forests and rough terrain. Warning signs with the international land mine symbol mark the areas of greatest risk. The symbol shows a skull and crossbones in a red, upside-down triangle. White markers indicate cleared land. If you decide to travel to Sri Lanka: There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Sri Lanka. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Avoid traveling off well-used roads, tracks, and paths due to risk of unexploded ordnance in certain areas of northern and eastern Sri Lanka, with the highest concentration of affected areas in the in the northern districts of the Northern Province. Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues. Large-scale demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur with little notice. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and other essential services. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Sri Lanka. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans. Avoid demonstrations and crowds. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Sri Lanka. Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist. We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
Read full advisory →Data current as of May 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data