First Timer

Hi, my husband and I are looking to go to Sri Lanka and would be grateful for any tips. What is the best time to go and where would be the best place for us. We are in our 40%26#39;s and like a little night life but not clubs etc. We like nice beaches, good food, good company and a great chill out holiday. Also, do we need visas (like we did for Goa)? We loved Goa and have been told that Sri Lanka is very similar.

First Timer

Hi there,

Yes could be a good idea!

a) No visa needed for a stay upto 30 days.

b) The best time is Dec 15 to end of March; only then the sea is calm enough for swimming, and most days fully sunny. Good 2nd place is mid July to mid September, this has many sunny days and almost any day at least a sunny morning. And is cheaper (than the high season).

c) Places matching your criteria are Negombo, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and to a lesser extent Mirissa and Tangalle. All have enough independent restaurants and a little nightlife, not like the Goa level.

Negombo has by far the shortest transfer time from the airport (30 mins) but the worst beaches of all. The other places have at least 3 hours transfer time, increasing upto 7 hours in the order mentioned with Bentota as a start. All of them have good beaches.

Feel free to come back with more detailed questions..

All the best,

%26lt;Erik%26gt; %26amp; [Sandya]