Cricket fans will be glued to the English tour of Sri Lanka between January 22 and February 3, ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. That should showcase two of the highlights of any holiday in Sri Lanka – Colombo and Kandy – but what else can tourists with worldwide travel insurance protection take in and, in the wake of late November 2025’s Cyclone Ditwah, and is it safe to be exploring Sri Lanka?
Official advice on exploring Sri Lanka
Firstly, as it stands today (December 29, 2025) there is no official instruction not to travel to Sri Lanka. In December 2025, much work was done to reopen roads and rail routes. Some infrastructure in the hill country around Kandy and Nuwara Eliyah is still affected and will take considerable time to repair. Tourist areas around Sri Lanka’s glorious beaches were largely spared, so are operating largely as normal.
Tourism is one way through which the country can achieve a quicker recovery. So what are the attractions of an island known as both the Teardrop of India and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean?
Colombo – a good starting place for exploring Sri Lanka
Let’s start in the capital, Colombo, where skyscrapers mingle with temples and colonial architecture. One of the best ways to explore is by private tuk tuk tour. Perhaps ask your driver to make a bee line for the Lotus Tower. This is South Asia’s tallest self-supporting structure and, with its observation deck, will give you a great view of the city.
From there, you can handpick what to visit, perhaps then appreciating the cultural and religious melting pot nature of Sri Lanka. You could head to the colourful Hindu Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Temple, otherwise known as the Kapikaawatha Temple, or the pretty unique Buddhist Temple of Gangaramaya Temple, complete with bodhi tree and pagoda. The colourful mosque of Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid will further add to the multi-cultural feel.
Buddha statues and Beira Lake
Statues of Buddha will be found in many places, but in Colombo, check out the golden Buddha at the entrance to the green oasis of Viharamahadevi Park, or those on the relaxing island of Beira Lake, in the heart of the urban sprawl, which has its own temple. A more chilled vibe can also be found at the Galle Face Green park.
If you love a spot of haggling, picking up local handicrafts and souvenirs, or exploring the street food of holiday destinations, tread a path towards the Pettah floating market on Beira Lake. With obliging walkways to assist your adventure, you can soon be sampling the spicy kottu roti and samosas and snapping the huge heaps of spices piled up before your eyes. Take advantage of the opportunity to hop aboard a boat whilst there.
Exploring Sri Lanka beyond Colombo
Once you have seen all that Colombo has to offer, a whole world of cultural heritage in Sri Lanka awaits or, alternatively, life on some of the most glorious beaches in the world.
For a deep dive into Sri Lankan culture, head to locations such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dambulla, its fellow UNESCO treasure – the hill fortress of Sigiriya - nearby Anuradhapura or the archaeologically rich Polonnaruwa.
At Dambulla, another dramatic golden statue of Buddha is a striking feature, but it is the treasures of the cave complex that delight visitors. The caves hold a total of 153 statues of Buddha, alongside three statues of kings and four of gods and goddesses and awe-inspiring paintings. The 52-metre-long reclining Buddha, found in the largest cave, is a must-see.
Climbing the hill fortress of Sigiriya could take a few hours and require some strong stamina and fitness to climb the 1200 steps, but the view from the top of the 180-metre-high ‘Lion Rock’, dating from the fifth century, is well worth it. This rock was actually once a city, palace and fortress for King Kashyapa and hints of its grandeur still exist in its gardens and fabulous frescoes. Not-to-be-missed are the lion’s paws that still survive to this day and which are approached by a mirror wall stairway. Imagining the reflection of the king in this mirror wall, as he moved around his rock kingdom, adds a few goose bumps.
Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa
Anuradhapura was the island’s first capital and here lie the ruins of three of the country’s most important monastery complexes, with one dating back to 77 BC. One of these is the Temple of the Great Enlightenment, a truly holy site for Buddhists in Sri Lanka due to the presence of the sacred pipel tree, grown from a cutting from the Bo tree under which Buddha gained enlightenment. This is the oldest cultural tree in the world.
Meanwhile, at Polonnaruwa, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site and former capital of the island (993 AD), now exists as a vast site of ruins, from royal palace and bathing pool, to an audience hall and ten fabulous structures within what is known as the Sacred Quadrangle. Whilst at Polonnaruwa, you can also see Rankot Vihara – a large brick dagoba – and the incredible rock-cut Buddha figures of Gal Vihara. These include a reclining Buddha, a standing Buddha, a Buddha sitting on a throne and a smaller rock-carved Buddha figure.
Sri Lanka’s Hill Country
Sri Lanka is a land of contrasts, so away from all of this culture, you could be stepping back into colonial times in ‘Little England’ (Nuwara Eliyah) or taking the idyllic Kandy to Ella train, to view tea plantation country in all its glory. Making the pilgrimage to Kandy, to visit the Temple of the Tooth, home to a tooth of the Lord Buddha, is also almost a necessity and the intricate architecture, inlaid in gold, silver, bronze and ivory, will not disappoint.
This area has been badly hit by the cyclone but the cricket in Kandy is still going ahead. Just prepare for some potential disruption and beware bad weather conditions, as landslides remain a possibility.
Other things to do when exploring Sri Lanka
Otherwise, you could be touring a tea or rubber plantation, viewing the fabulous Ravana Falls in Ella, or visiting the seaside town of Galle, with its boutique lifestyle and stick fishermen. Excellent beaches can be found around Trincomalee and Jaffna fort is well worth seeing.
From jungle to paddy fields and tea terraces to seascapes including spinner dolphins, fin whales and sometimes even blue whales, plus 26 national parks rich in wildlife such as elephants, wild buffalo, giant squirrels, leopards, sloth bears, and a wealth of birdlife, there is so much to take in on this island.
Travel risks and cultural rules in Sri Lanka
So what are the risks? Fauna is one, so do be careful around wild elephants, venomous snakes and feral dogs that can carry rabies. Staying out of trouble often means not disrespecting Lord Buddha, so do not pose in front of a statue of Buddha, cover shoulders and legs inside Buddhist temples and take off shoes and hats on entry.
Beware of theft risks, particularly bag-snatching by thieves on mopeds. You need to keep your passport with you at all times, so put that and any cash or cards in a body belt. Make sure any bag is protected and away from the road. Pay a lot of attention to what is going on around ATMs and try to use those that are more secure, located inside a hotel or bank. Always keep an eye on what is happening with a credit card with which you pay a bill.
Personal safety and sports activities
Also be alert for drink spiking and do not leave drinks unattended. Do not drink ‘local brews’ as these could be dangerous and mixed with methanol. Similarly, stay away from cocktails unless drunk in a trusted location such as a good tourist hotel.
If indulging in water sports, make sure the provider of activities has the right safety equipment and seems well-organised. Monsoon season differs in different parts of the island, so do take advice with regard to seasonal rip-tides and sea safety.
As we have seen in recent months, weather risks can be significant in Sri Lanka, be those related to typhoon, cyclones or tsunamis. Make sure you arrange your Europesure travel insurance as soon as you book your trip to Sri Lanka, so cancellation cover is in place and your financial investment in your holiday is protected. Learn how to spot the signs of tsunami before travelling and also read up on sea safety.
If you wish to explore Sri Lanka, you will need a worldwide travel insurance policy. Europesure can provide comprehensive, trusted cover on either a single trip or annual travel insurance basis. Purchase the former if you will take just one holiday or overseas trip in the course of the year but gain better value, if you intend to make a few trips, by buying an annual policy.
