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Sri Lanka

Getting around Sri Lanka

Flights to Sri Lanka land at Bandaranaike International Airport, within easy reach of the cities of Colombo and Negombo. Given the importance of the city of Colombo, there are several ways to get there. For instance, buses from the airport to the city leave every half hour. You can also take a taxi. Once at your destination, there are several ways to get around. The main cities offer several bus routes, which are divided into public and express lines (somewhat faster but, as you can guess, more expensive). Tuk tuks are another popular way of getting around in the cities, to the point of being used as a sort of alternative to taxis for short distances. For longer distances, there are train lines connecting one city to another.

What to visit in Sri Lanka

There are several attractions you should not miss during your trip to Sri Lanka. Three in particular make up the country's so-called 'cultural triangle': Yala National Park, Dambulla Caves and Sigiriya Fortress. Yala is the second largest natural area in Sri Lanka, and one of the most frequently visited. On a guided tour you can get up close to some of the animals that live in the area such as crocodiles, buffaloes, leopards and mongooses. The impressive Dambulla Caves are home to ancient temples carved out of granite rock. Due to its historical importance, this area has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The third point in the triangle, the Fortress, is also a World Heritage Site. It was built at a height of two hundred meters on top of a granite monolith around the 5th century AD and is considered one of the most important historical sites in the country. If you want to immerse yourself in the culture of the place and the daily life of its inhabitants, a visit to the city of Colombo may be the right choice. Among the things to do in the city is a stroll through its main markets, where you can discover local handicrafts and the many spices that are produced in the area. Another building to discover is the National Museum of Colombo, one of the most important in the country. For history enthusiasts, the archaeological sites of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura are two destinations not to be missed.

Where to eat

The cultivation of spices is one of the most important activities in the country, and is also one of the reasons why the typical Sri Lankan cuisine is particularly spicy. The main dish is curry rice, which is used in almost all recipes as a base and accompaniment for other ingredients such as fish and meat. There are several versions, also with fruit and coconut milk. At street food stalls, you can try typical lentil fritters or samosas. Kottu, a kind of stuffed flatbread, is another popular dish. Be careful, though: Sri Lankan cuisine is very spicy!