The rough guide to sri lanka pdf download

The tropical island has become more of a hot-spot to keen travellers in recent years, although tourism in Sri Lanka remains relatively low key. Sri Lanka has it all. Watch whales off palm-fringed beaches, track leopards in lush rainforests and hike through the hill country to verdant tea plantations.

With such a wealth of attractions, figuring out where to go in Sri Lanka can be quite a task, although its relatively small size means you can fit a lot into a single trip. Destinations include the package holiday resorts of Negombo and Beruwala , the more stylish Bentota , and the old hippy hangout of Hikkaduwa. More unspoilt countryside can be found north of Colombo at the Kalpitiya peninsula and in the vast Wilpattu National Park nearby, home to leopards, elephants and sloth bears.

Beyond Hikkaduwa, the south coast is significantly less developed. Beyond lies a string of fine beaches. These include the ever-expanding village of Unawatuna and the quieter stretches of coast at Weligama , Mirissa and Tangalla, as well as the lively provincial capital of Matara , boasting further Dutch remains.

East of here, Tissamaharama serves as a convenient base for the outstanding Yala and Bundala national parks, and for the fascinating temple town of Kataragama. A string of towns and villages — Ella , Haputale and Bandarawela — along the southern edge of the hill country offer an appealing mixture of magnificent views, wonderful walks and olde-worlde British colonial charm.

The gem-mining centre of Ratnapura to the south serves as the best starting point for visits to the elephant-rich Uda Walawe National Park and the rare tropical rainforest of Sinharaja. North of Kandy, the hill country tumbles down into the arid plains of the northern dry zone. Foremost amongst these are the fascinating ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa , the marvellous cave temples of Dambulla , the hilltop shrines and dagobas of Mihintale and the extraordinary rock citadel of Sigiriya.

Gateway to the east is the characterful, if war-torn, city of Trincomalee. But the construction of a huge new resort at Passekudah is likely to change that.

Increasing numbers of visitors are making the long journey to the absorbing city of Jaffna , while a side-trip to remote Mannar, closer to India than Colombo, is another adventurous possibility. Almost 15 percent of the island is made up of national parks and reserves. They cover diverse terrain, and harbour a wealth of wildlife, while many are situated in areas of outstanding beauty. Yala — South of the island, bordering the Indian Ocean; home to a host of wildlife, including crocodiles, elephants and the highest density of leopards in the world.

The climate is affected by two separate monsoons, meaning you can usually dodge the rain when you travel to Sri Lanka, as it will probably be dry somewhere on the island. In October and November, just before the maha monsoon, there is unsettled weather across the island.

This means you might get caught in a downpour or thunderstorm wherever you are. Bear in mind that there are variations in the general weather pattern, which means no two years are likely to be quite the same. And temperatures in the hills can drop to almost freezing at night, so make sure you pack extra layers. Broadly speaking, in terms of the weather, the best time to visit the west and southwest of Sri Lanka, including the hill country, is December to March. Get more information on weather in Sri Lanka , including an average temperature and rainfall chart.

When you visit Sri Lanka chances are there will be a festival in full swing or preparations for one will be underway. With four major religions coexisting on the island, each with its own calendar of festivals, as well as many public holidays, these events can be hard to avoid. You might be planning your itinerary to avoid the biggies, that seem to bring the island to a standstill, or you might want to be in the thick of it — to experience the real essence of Sri Lanka.

Here are just three of the big festivals that take place each year, which are also public holidays:. Get the full calendar of festivals and public holidays in our Sri Lanka travel guide. The best way to bag a good deal on the cost of a flight is to book as far ahead as possible, but fares tend to be pretty constant year-round. SriLankan airlines offers direct flights from the UK London Heathrow ; there are also indirect flights available travelling via the Gulf and India.

Comprehensive maps throughout help you find your way around the region. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Dubai. The Rough Guide First-Time Asia tells you everything you need to know before you go to Asia, from visas and vaccinations to budgets and packing.

It will help you plan the best possible trip, with advice on when to go and what not to miss, and how to avoid trouble on the road. You'll find insightful information on what tickets to buy, where to stay, what to eat, how to stay healthy and save money in Asia. The Rough Guide First-Time Asia includes insightful overviews of 21 Asian countries from Bhutan to Vietnam, Bangladesh to Thailand, highlighting the best places to visit with websites, clear maps, suggested reading and budget information.

Be inspired by the 'things not to miss' section whilst useful contact details will help you plan your route. All kinds of advice and anecdotes from travellers who've been there and done it will make travelling stress-free. World-renowned 'tell it like it is' travel guide, now with free eBook. Discover India with this comprehensive and entertaining travel guide, packed with practical information and honest recommendations by our independent experts. Whether you plan to look for leopards in Kanha National Park, visit the world's greatest building, the Taj Mahal, or explore the immaculately preserved temples of Khajuraho, The Rough Guide to India will help you discover the best places to explore, eat, drink, shop and sleep along the way.

Features of this travel guide to India: - Detailed regional coverage: provides practical information for every kind of trip, from off-the-beaten-track adventures to chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas - Honest and independent reviews: written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, our writers will help you make the most from your trip to India - Meticulous mapping: practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys.

Your Sri Lanka Guidebook will be prepared for download in three easy steps. You just need to press the buttons below and then download your book. What are the steps: Prepare an empty book. Prepare all the content you need. It will be prepared right now - with fresh up to date information!

Download your free Sri Lanka Travel Guide. Not many years ago we all were used to travel with printed travel guides - from Lonely Planet, Frommer's, Rough Guides, Fodor's and others. The books were usually great and they were helping us to find the best places to see, to eat at or to stay in Statistic cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously. Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites.

The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user and thereby more valuable for publishers and third party advertisers.

The Rough Guide to Sri Lanka. Share Share. Free download Indonesia travel guide - Lonely Planet Indonesia. Free download Iran travel guide - Lonely Planet Iran.

Free download Israel travel guide - Frommer's Israel. Free download Istanbul travel guide - Dorling Kindersley Istanbul. Free download Istanbul travel guide - Rough Guide Istanbul. Free download Japan travel guide - Frommer's Japan. Free download Jerusalem travel guide - Dorling Kindersley Jerusalem.

Free download Jordan travel guide - Lonely Planet Jordan.