Your getaway to Colombo is bound to be a captivating experience when the ideal blend of traditional values and cosmopolitan vibes welcomes you wholeheartedly the very minute you touch down. Blessed with a splendid tapestry of culture, traditions, history, and breathtaking landscapes, there is an abundance of things to soak in this picture-perfect metropolis.
Covering an extensive array of wonders from an abundance of nature to historical architectures, urban parks to gorgeous beaches, and exotic preparations to authentic cuisines, arriving in Colombo, Sri Lanka for vacation will be your once-in-a-lifetime kind of chance to dig into the pure goodness of this island nation unlike any other.
Whether you are seeking a retreat with an intimate stroll amidst the lush vicinities, serene landscapes, or some adrenaline-pumping activities underwater, there are a multitude of attraction sites to keep you hooked to the capital city of Sri Lanka. If you’re interested to know more about what modern-day Sri Lanka is like, you will find this guide in your best interests. Also, natvisa.com has put together all details regarding the Sri Lanka ETA which is needed to enter the country.
A Metropolis with a Cosmopolitan Mix
Colombo is a dynamic city, where the Dutch and British colonial architecture brushes shoulders against each other with the most avant-garde skyscrapers, bustling temples, and the most elegant seafood restaurants.
Compared to Sri Lanka’s more conventional municipalities, Colombo is definitively more forward-thinking. This makes it one of the most inviting places to visit in Sri Lanka.
Its captivating contrasts of contemporary and colonial and the sheer intensity of hubbub are undoubtedly rewarding for people who genuinely want to take out their time to absorb its one-of-a-kind charm. From the ancient peristyle verandas to the dazzling 5-star hotels, Colombo stirs up the most fascinating and exciting blend of the new and old Sri Lanka.
5 Best Places to Visit in Colombo
Due to the colonization earlier by the British, Dutch, and the Portuguese, Colombo brims with a horde of enthralling historical architecture and several other places of attraction. Here is a list of some of this metropolis’s best places without which your vacation in Colombo will be deemed incomplete.
Galle Face Garden
The gorgeous Galle Face Garden is indeed one of Colombo’s most sought-after attractions. It is prevalent among locals and tourists alike. The scenic park is sprawled extensively over 5 hectares of land and ideally serves as the ultimate picnic spot.
Head down to this luxuriant park on your trip to Colombo and spend some genuinely blissful moments with your beloved. Also, the place is dotted with several vendors selling an array of must-try street food items that receive a massive footfall, especially during the weekends.
Gangaramaya Temple
Constructed in the 19th century, the Gangaramaya Temple is a Buddhist temple that serves as one of the most sacred attractions of the city. While sitting close to the magnificent Lake Beira, the Gangaramaya temple offers tourists a golden chance to indulge in complete serenity even in the most bustling capital city of Sri Lanka.
An impeccable blend of unique architectural styles and cosmopolitan cultures having Thai, Chinese, and Indian elements apart from the traditional Sri Lanka designs, this exquisite edifice is worth marveling at.
Beira Lake
Snuggled in the very heart of Colombo rests Beira Lake, one of the liveliest and most remarkable tourist hotspots. It is practically a sin to leave Colombo without visiting this spectacular place. Whether you are searching for a full-on soulful experience or want to make an adventurous escape, here is a one-of-a-kind experience that awaits you.
The Beira Lake is famous among bird-watchers and photographers as the mesmerizing lake gives you a chance to participate in fun-filled activities like boat riding and many others. Simultaneously, a jaw-dropping and eye-boggling sunset serves as the perfect backdrop, a sight you will reminisce about for life!
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
In the suburbs of Kelaniya, on the northeast borders of Colombo, rests one of Sri Lanka’s most admirable Buddhist temples. It is said to occupy the exact place where Buddha himself paid the last of his 3 legendary visits to the island. This very spot is marked by a gorgeous stupa.
The present-day structure is an impressive colonial-style building that dates back to 18-19th centuries. It is adorned with a dazzling sequence of contemporary murals that depict the legendary visits of Buddha to an island known as Mahavamsa.
Seema Malaka
Resting in the district of Beira Lake is a lovely island temple known as Seema Malkaa that serves as a tranquil getaway option for your trip to Colombo. The Seema Malaka is deemed one of the most worth-visiting places as it is constructed to promote harmony among the various cultures and religions.
If you are looking for a day of peace and sheer bliss far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, then the exotic and tropical vibes of Colombo swathed with lush foliage will undoubtedly give you a much-desirable rejuvenating experience.
6 Best Things to Do In Colombo
Blessed with a horde of historical places, natural attraction sites, and home to a vast range of animal species, there is no shortage of things you can do in Colombo. Here’s a glimpse of the many activities you shouldn’t miss out on during your vacation in Colombo.
Sightseeing on an Open Deck Bus
While you are on a journey to Colombo, there is no way you should skip out on an open-deck bus ride. The finest way to explore Colombo’s rich cultural heritage is to embark on a fun-filled experiential city tour on the vibrant open bus.
There are 3 kinds of tours you can choose from, including the Glimpse of Colombo, Heritage of Colombo, and Colombo at Night. This is the best chance you have to cover the finest attractions of Colombo most easily and conveniently.
Shop in the Pettah
Pettah is the most spellbinding area of Colombo. This festive bazaar district reflects most of Colombo’s lively commercial side with its network of slender streets brimming with all kinds of merchandise you can imagine.
You can even spot some of Colombo’s oldest and most fascinating buildings concealed amongst the busy street life and shops. Most of this district’s streets are devoted to specific items, one selling household wares while another selling leather goods, and so on.
Scuba Diving
If you are an adventure enthusiast, going scuba diving can be your safest bet. Surrounded by a mass of exotic marine life, coral reef, rich flora, and unique hulks, Colombo boasts the most desirable travel destinations, especially for all the adventure junkies. There are a couple of brilliant diving spots like Chief Dragon, Pecheur Braton, and T. Sierra that you can rely on.
Dig Into Street Food
Colombo takes great pride in wrapping up some of the best culinary delights. As you delve into its delectable and gourmet platters with an abundance of spices and flavors, Colombo is bound to leave you with a taste of the best gastronomic delights and culinary experiences you will ever have!
There is an assortment of tasty street foods to devour. Besides the crunchy samosas at Pettah Railway Station and must-haves idiyappam and pittus, the string hoppers at Galle Road are some of the must-try food items on your Sri Lanka vacation.
Savor Orange Coconut
Drinking from an orange coconut is the perfect way to savor the most authentic flavors of this charming city. Even sweeter and more delectable than your regular green coconuts, these vibrant orange coconuts quench your thirst on a whole new level and leave you craving for more. Found in abundance amongst several roadside street vendors, you ought to try this nutritious fruit drink.
Get familiar with the Dehiwala Zoo animals
The vast Dehiwala Zoo is home to a massive range of international and Sri Lankan birdlife and wildlife. Unlike the miserable conditions of zoos found in other parts of Asia, the animals here relish bearably humane conditions. The Dehiwala Zoo’s collection of Sri Lankan wildlife makes it a place worth visiting before going to one of the national parks. Be sure to check out all three types of local sambhur, monkey, sloth bears, spotted deer, and leopards, along with many bird species.
Travel Restrictions in Sri Lanka
Passengers can enter the Sri Lanka International Airports with immediate effect from 0000 hours on June 1, 2021. They will be subjected to the following set of restrictions until notice:
- All incoming flights are permitted to carry only 75 passengers in total.
- The limitation mentioned above doesn’t apply to passengers arriving in Sri Lanka via the Sri Lanka Tourism Bio Bubble Route in possession of resident visas and tourist visas.
- The arriving passengers are subjected to a quarantine period of 14 days.
- Passengers with a traveling history (transit included) in the last 14 days from Vietnam, India, South Africa, and countries in South America will not be allowed to land in Sri Lanka.
The Entry Procedure for Travelers during the COVID-19 Pandemic
All passengers (except for dual citizens and Sri Lankans) arriving in Sri Lanka must carry a valid Sri Lanka eVisa issued by the Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration before their departure. “On arrival
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