Sri Lanka

Famed as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a tropical island which is known by a number of names among locals and globe trotters: Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient are some of these titles.

Travelers can head towards the cool climes of the central highlands within a couple of hours to escape the heat of the plains, or just laze around along the picturesque and golden beaches that are found along the coast. The landscapes simply change from flat plains to rugged and forest filled mountains within minutes when you are traveling around the country. The entire island is abundantly filled with bird life, animals such as Elephants and Leopards along with tropical fern and flora of which most are endemic. Some of the most significant aspects of the island include friendly and hospitable natives and deliciously mouthwatering authentic cuisine that will tantalize your taste buds.

The beautiful beaches of the South-Western coast, the toe tapping and exuberant Kandyan dances, processions of elephants and masked devil dancers, the regal and ancient architecturally and archeologically renowned cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are some of the highlights that await you.

Sri Lanka has a maritime tropical climate, meaning that it is warm and humid throughout the year. Average temperatures ranges from 60°F in the central highlands, to 89°F along the northeast coast. High temperatures in Trincomalee, in the northeast, can top 100°F. The entire island generally has humidity levels between 60 and 90% year-round, with the higher levels during the two long monsoonal rainy seasons (May to October and December to March).