[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"ge":3,"en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Ffooter":221,"story-\u002Fen-gb\u002Fdestinations\u002Fasia\u002Fsri-lanka":295},["Reactive",4],{"name":5,"created_at":6,"published_at":7,"updated_at":8,"id":9,"uuid":10,"content":11,"slug":18,"full_slug":206,"sort_by_date":207,"position":208,"tag_list":209,"is_startpage":210,"parent_id":211,"meta_data":207,"group_id":212,"first_published_at":213,"release_id":207,"lang":214,"path":207,"alternates":215,"default_full_slug":207,"translated_slugs":207},"Header","2022-07-25T09:41:40.982Z","2026-10-09T14:45:33.722Z","2026-10-09T14:45:35.812Z",167377631,"aedb7dba-a9c4-4919-a156-7811e7dfa393",{"_uid":12,"logo":13,"items":17,"title":14,"component":18,"metaTitle":19,"nav_menus":20,"strapline":201,"search_page_link":202,"search_bar_placeholder_text":205},"79db3d30-00b1-497c-987c-f5f00938f54f",{"name":14,"filename":15,"fieldtype":16},"","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1663659218\u002FPicolo\u002FAssets\u002Fpicolo_logo_black-1_yml543.svg","asset",[],"header","Picolo Travel Tips",[21,59,93,139,191],{"_uid":22,"items":23,"title":57,"component":58},"308eea60-0253-48ab-98d9-615c6d12ffc0",[24,33,39,45,51],{"_uid":25,"link":26,"label":31,"component":32},"a7139461-6c37-4a7d-9cec-581d691d477f",{"id":27,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":30},"159f3d9c-5d41-4fe5-9ffa-82c8e9f0839b","story","multilink","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fwhere-is-hot-in-november","Where is hot in November","link_list_item",{"_uid":34,"link":35,"label":38,"component":32},"931e80d8-c47f-47c2-a8c9-202cb4a3454b",{"id":36,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":37},"b13cdf89-fddd-41f1-b2b0-c33dd41651f8","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fwhere-is-hot-in-december","Where is hot in December",{"_uid":40,"link":41,"label":44,"component":32},"4c50e61d-6cdf-4486-8e7b-eef2f9cfd596",{"id":42,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":43},"eadd2a7c-1ee1-4e43-ae8c-af0cbedece52","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fchristmas-breaks","Christmas breaks",{"_uid":46,"link":47,"label":50,"component":32},"1bf43ffc-1684-49e0-af0c-f0e9a29f7a53",{"id":48,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":49},"e2fca915-bfea-4138-a458-6030be48ab28","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fchristmas-market-breaks","Christmas market breaks",{"_uid":52,"link":53,"label":56,"component":32},"6374e290-023a-47a4-8770-41619ef1adb2",{"id":54,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":55},"77521228-5783-4dbf-b797-e28a625dd37e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fnew-years-eve-breaks","New Year's Eve breaks","Right now","link_list",{"_uid":60,"items":61,"title":92,"component":58},"076dab03-0dc1-4428-b543-541e4f74c20a",[62,68,74,80,86],{"_uid":63,"link":64,"label":67,"component":32},"0467df0d-120e-47da-9167-7c59a66264d1",{"id":65,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":66},"2e2c00b1-d5f1-481e-9075-66f57043529e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002F","Hotels by theme",{"_uid":69,"link":70,"label":73,"component":32},"6a60804e-9f79-4a67-a83e-d29f8581b578",{"id":71,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":72},"7227e7b7-1e79-4544-9a16-4947234ba7da","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fflights-and-hotels\u002F","Flights and hotels",{"_uid":75,"link":76,"label":79,"component":32},"cf311dbb-ff85-48f0-a805-848523029511",{"id":77,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":78},"3a730dc4-4926-4589-b1a4-11f85f26ca22","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fwinter-sun-destinations-europe","Winter sun in Europe",{"_uid":81,"link":82,"label":85,"component":32},"85334270-beb3-4a12-afd0-0937a2cb43a8",{"id":83,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":84},"e869e6a5-4388-456b-9e67-d5494078f88e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fnature-spa-breaks-europe","Nature spa breaks",{"_uid":87,"link":88,"label":91,"component":32},"33981365-4783-43ce-9dc3-4f73aa12b20f",{"id":89,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":90},"4197aa74-299f-4c2c-bb89-3bf995e8d516","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fvalentines-breaks","Romantic weekends","Find a hotel",{"_uid":94,"items":95,"title":138,"component":58},"bb4c77e6-620a-4cb5-a558-e9509808c4f9",[96,102,108,114,120,126,132],{"_uid":97,"link":98,"label":101,"component":32},"20873083-1a6b-480f-9d6b-e9487fdd3896",{"id":99,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":100},"d4bec25e-b0ce-454e-94d6-aabab96617a1","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fnordics\u002F","Nordic experiences",{"_uid":103,"link":104,"label":107,"component":32},"926badc3-b116-47b1-96c7-8e5b1639334d",{"id":105,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":106},"e854f0f1-1618-4117-88a7-069db9211b76","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Feurope\u002F","Europe experiences",{"_uid":109,"link":110,"label":113,"component":32},"22ce5e3a-5767-4673-a037-557ccaea4318",{"id":111,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":112},"71798c40-9b2b-4115-b340-77f2006f4054","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fski-resorts\u002F","Ski holidays",{"_uid":115,"link":116,"label":119,"component":32},"168333e8-fcea-4b43-82fd-0db41ecb0600",{"id":117,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":118},"13108ae9-ca64-4510-a112-6b1c3ea2944e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fusa\u002F","USA",{"_uid":121,"link":122,"label":125,"component":32},"2b26525f-4bf3-4242-a85e-d30a4900507e",{"id":123,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":124},"904ed885-bd21-4400-97a4-830a30341989","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Flong-haul\u002F","Long-haul",{"_uid":127,"link":128,"label":131,"component":32},"a0c1883d-a044-4509-b2c3-83d565975dfb",{"id":129,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":130},"3c8767b2-37cc-487c-b4c8-ce277e4e8cbb","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Ffood-and-wine\u002F","Food and wine",{"_uid":133,"link":134,"label":137,"component":32},"41561fb3-d852-4cc3-81b8-59a72d343ffe",{"id":135,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":136},"65b6931b-f03f-42c5-83b4-51a22d0c53f3","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002F","See all experiences","Things to do",{"_uid":140,"items":141,"title":190,"component":58},"faf95dbe-68cc-42ec-9f95-c047b12f6445",[142,148,154,160,166,172,178,184],{"_uid":143,"link":144,"label":147,"component":32},"f88be9cb-56b1-43bd-87e5-61b909e6d028",{"id":145,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":146},"4cfd8153-93bc-4589-8f91-f4ea9e124b55","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fnorway\u002F","Norway",{"_uid":149,"link":150,"label":153,"component":32},"71215f2d-3d4b-4631-aeaf-ade259f4c4f5",{"id":151,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":152},"bee8a472-ed8a-4679-8c3f-8c0a8cab414f","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fitaly\u002F","Italy",{"_uid":155,"link":156,"label":159,"component":32},"bedbfc2b-15df-45e0-bb55-5cfa5d962be1",{"id":157,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":158},"3d2c1717-b78f-46be-886c-a50329a1d5fb","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fspain\u002F","Spain",{"_uid":161,"link":162,"label":165,"component":32},"05d2e472-f3ab-499e-aed0-309c563eb265",{"id":163,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":164},"43400836-9ef5-4c7d-8738-8b52cf2ea330","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002F","Europe",{"_uid":167,"link":168,"label":171,"component":32},"b9d4845c-7006-4b34-a8e3-38256248a729",{"id":169,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":170},"75196b14-bd87-4113-9065-94eacad4509e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Fasia\u002F","Asia",{"_uid":173,"link":174,"label":177,"component":32},"9adf8203-f8af-417f-a8e6-584e36f1a052",{"id":175,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":176},"869bd101-b4f3-4ef6-99b7-aeffb194bb1a","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Famericas\u002F","Americas",{"_uid":179,"link":180,"label":183,"component":32},"5fc3e140-ef59-4467-be36-edf30539e8f7",{"id":181,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":182},"522bcfc3-baa4-49f3-9403-8a65dc026d65","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Fafrica\u002F","Africa",{"_uid":185,"link":186,"label":189,"component":32},"af7c3323-096e-4eb2-a0d3-e3ce3a41d313",{"id":187,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":188},"9c79c139-575e-48ee-8138-b26efe313f6a","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002F","All destinations","Destinations",{"_uid":192,"items":193,"title":200,"component":58},"bb82266a-cfdd-407d-a157-0072051f2228",[194],{"_uid":195,"link":196,"label":199,"component":32},"4ce71de8-1754-4a12-ba25-520eb1c2e279",{"id":197,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":198},"a8814b43-4a19-4ed2-9002-41ea88f575d6","nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002F","Norsk","Language","Inspiring and exciting experiences",{"id":203,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":204},"a9877681-b62b-4eae-8125-e96847aca2b1","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fsearch\u002F","Where to?...","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Fheader",null,10,[],false,167377332,"5ce8deff-b415-4f40-bb4b-c82a15584076","2022-07-28T21:11:26.000Z","default",[216],{"id":217,"name":5,"slug":18,"published":218,"full_slug":219,"is_folder":210,"parent_id":220},187661765,true,"nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Fheader",187661764,["Reactive",222],{"name":223,"created_at":224,"published_at":7,"updated_at":225,"id":226,"uuid":227,"content":228,"slug":284,"full_slug":286,"sort_by_date":207,"position":287,"tag_list":288,"is_startpage":210,"parent_id":211,"meta_data":207,"group_id":289,"first_published_at":290,"release_id":207,"lang":214,"path":207,"alternates":291,"default_full_slug":207,"translated_slugs":207},"Footer","2022-08-01T10:17:45.534Z","2026-10-09T14:45:35.849Z",170410593,"a3c27be4-5ddf-4376-9917-39ec88c6de35",{"_uid":229,"logo":230,"text":234,"columns":235,"component":284,"copyright":285,"strap_line":201},"aa4a67f6-5d8d-423e-b53f-a4c6411af5e0",{"id":231,"alt":232,"name":14,"focus":207,"title":14,"filename":233,"copyright":14,"fieldtype":16},5439798,"Picolo","https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F166375\u002Fx\u002F377c9060a6\u002Fpicolo_logo_black.svg","Picolo gives you lesser-known stories about the best destinations and experiences around the world.",[236,257],{"_uid":237,"items":238,"title":256,"component":58},"6a300a87-a4c4-4643-9b24-1928696fcb77",[239,242,246,250],{"_uid":240,"link":241,"label":190,"component":32},"72634048-c738-4699-9680-b44f47d6b3ff",{"id":187,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":188},{"_uid":243,"link":244,"label":245,"component":32},"175aaac6-aab6-44c8-ac79-4e0b025e273c",{"id":65,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":66},"Hotels",{"_uid":247,"link":248,"label":249,"component":32},"89c14a67-b335-4516-9ace-d532414548bb",{"id":135,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":136},"Experiences",{"_uid":251,"link":252,"label":255,"component":32},"0d5b99cc-091c-42e4-9f9c-90705b181a16",{"id":253,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":254},"e33d1592-d92e-4d10-9fc5-bcd5d9a5fc47","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Foffers\u002F","Offers","Be Inspired",{"_uid":258,"items":259,"title":232,"component":58},"0c687126-87ed-4cb2-9072-be77225de293",[260,266,272,278],{"_uid":261,"link":262,"label":265,"component":32},"b9bedb2d-0db0-4467-bfd6-513146efcc43",{"id":263,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":264},"fdbc39a5-b257-491d-bb4f-dd2e97b0757d","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002F","About Picolo",{"_uid":267,"link":268,"label":271,"component":32},"094480ff-71fb-4df7-a5c1-bf3ab81cda3e",{"id":269,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":270},"4873e643-35c6-43ae-951c-9fee3b82596c","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002Fprivacy-policy","Privacy Policy",{"_uid":273,"link":274,"label":277,"component":32},"00851bfe-b5bd-4153-8110-822904a67d47",{"id":275,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":276},"0b522400-1ca4-43e2-aba3-c05be57bec77","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002Fterms-conditions","Terms and Conditions",{"_uid":279,"link":280,"label":283,"component":32},"a419e3c8-e0ed-4ef6-8e4c-bb88839fae2a",{"id":281,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":282},"35c57c05-32a6-4878-a541-59c7e9d650e9","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002Fcontact-us","Contact Us","footer","© Picolo 2026","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Ffooter",0,[],"235946ca-f453-4f27-9755-dad13461f1b9","2022-08-02T09:14:29.527Z",[292],{"id":293,"name":223,"slug":284,"published":218,"full_slug":294,"is_folder":210,"parent_id":220},187661766,"nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Ffooter",["Reactive",296],{"name":297,"created_at":298,"published_at":299,"updated_at":300,"id":301,"uuid":302,"content":303,"slug":814,"full_slug":815,"sort_by_date":207,"position":816,"tag_list":817,"is_startpage":218,"parent_id":818,"meta_data":207,"group_id":819,"first_published_at":820,"release_id":207,"lang":214,"path":207,"alternates":821,"default_full_slug":207,"translated_slugs":207},"Sri Lanka","2026-10-09T12:04:00.685Z","2026-10-09T20:15:46.960Z","2026-10-09T20:15:46.985Z",228793715471818,"8adadb48-022e-4ed6-992c-3f2e68646a4a",{"SEO":304,"_uid":312,"body":313,"tags":14,"no_index":210,"component":813,"canonical_url":14,"transparent_header":210},{"_uid":305,"title":306,"plugin":307,"og_image":308,"og_title":309,"description":310,"twitter_image":308,"twitter_title":309,"og_description":311,"twitter_description":311},"bf676a06-6094-48e9-97ca-233ba5f00350","Sri Lanka holidays: itinerary, beaches and hotels","seo_metatags","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FCountry\u002FSri-Lanka\u002Fsigiriya-rock-jungle-sri-lanka.jpg","Sri Lanka: a small country with everything","Planning Sri Lanka holidays? Our guide to Sigiriya, Kandy, the train to Ella, safaris and the south coast, with a two-week itinerary and hotels we love.","Rock fortresses, tea plantations, leopards and beaches with stilt fishermen. Sri Lanka packs it all into a short distance.","a34b9a2f-2d78-4a90-8960-7083c0dfa979",[314,320,324,339,389,401,521,534,549,562,642,652,680,693,731,753],{"_uid":315,"text":316,"theme":14,"title":317,"cta_link":318,"overline":14,"component":319,"cta_label":14,"align_text":14,"reduced_width":210},"fd0950c2-1d2b-4f41-be03-fda2f09bd0b1","Sri Lanka is an island you can tour in two weeks and still fit in rock fortresses, temple cities, tea plantations in the clouds, leopards on safari and a week on the beach.","Sri Lanka holidays: our travel guide",{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},"CategoryHeading",{"_uid":321,"content":322,"component":323},"33f8157a-9816-4a7d-a673-bb3baa9c275b","\u003Cstyle data-picolo-spacing>.blok__page>div:not(:first-of-type){margin-top:3rem;margin-bottom:3rem}@media (min-width:1024px){.blok__page>div:not(:first-of-type){margin-top:4rem;margin-bottom:4rem}}.blok__block-listing>.pb-40{padding-bottom:2.5rem}.blok__article-footer .grid{row-gap:1rem}.blok__page>div:has(style[data-picolo-spacing]){display:none!important}\u003C\u002Fstyle>","Embed",{"_uid":325,"image":326,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":336,"caption_text":337,"caption_title":338,"image_caption":14},"7955a027-0961-472e-8aab-6bf48fdf7ee1",{"id":14,"alt":327,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":328,"width":329,"height":330,"source":331,"filename":308,"copyright":331,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":332,"public_id":333,"aspect_ratio":334,"content_type":335,"is_external_url":210},"Sigiriya rock above the jungle in Sri Lanka","Klippen Sigiriya over jungelen på Sri Lanka",3840,2512,"Yves Alarie \u002F Unsplash",{"alt":327,"title":328},"Picolo\u002FCountry\u002FSri-Lanka\u002Fsigiriya-rock-jungle-sri-lanka",1.5286624203821657,"jpg","FullImage","Lion Rock, with the ruins of a royal fortress on top. Photo: Yves Alarie \u002F Unsplash","Sigiriya",{"_uid":340,"body":341,"card":386,"layout":387,"component":388,"article_rounded":210},"ae7aaab3-1c76-44d3-8081-e7ecdbd1f17c",{"type":342,"content":343},"doc",[344,352,358,363],{"type":345,"attrs":346,"content":348},"heading",{"level":347,"textAlign":207},2,[349],{"text":350,"type":351},"Sri Lanka: a tour with a beach at the end","text",{"type":353,"attrs":354,"content":355},"paragraph",{"textAlign":207},[356],{"text":357,"type":351},"Sri Lanka is small enough to drive from the mountains to the sea in a day, yet varied enough to feel like several countries. In the north is the Cultural Triangle, with ancient royal cities and rock temples. In the middle is the hill country, with tea plantations and cool nights. In the south and west are the beaches, the national parks and the old fort town of Galle.",{"type":353,"attrs":359,"content":360},{"textAlign":207},[361],{"text":362,"type":351},"Most people book a tour with a driver, which is common and affordable in Sri Lanka, and finish with a few days by the sea. The food is a reason to go in itself: rice and curry with many small dishes, hoppers for breakfast and fresh fish on the south coast.",{"type":353,"attrs":364,"content":365},{"textAlign":207},[366,368,375,377,384],{"text":367,"type":351},"Sri Lanka lies in ",{"text":171,"type":351,"marks":369},[370],{"type":371,"attrs":372},"link",{"href":373,"uuid":169,"anchor":207,"target":374,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Fasia\u002F","_self",{"text":376,"type":351},", just south of India. Many combine the island with a few days in the ",{"text":378,"type":351,"marks":379},"Maldives",[380],{"type":371,"attrs":381},{"href":382,"uuid":383,"anchor":207,"target":374,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Fasia\u002Fmaldives\u002F","e8767a66-c426-49b1-92e8-b9491b773d95",{"text":385,"type":351},", a short flight away.",[],"0","BodyBlock",{"_uid":390,"image":391,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":336,"caption_text":399,"caption_title":400,"image_caption":14},"18251364-797d-4a29-96ff-3756b5f07392",{"id":14,"alt":392,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":393,"width":329,"height":394,"source":331,"filename":395,"copyright":331,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":396,"public_id":397,"aspect_ratio":398,"content_type":335,"is_external_url":210},"A blue train through green hills in Sri Lanka's hill country","Blått tog gjennom grønne åser i høylandet på Sri Lanka",2560,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FCountry\u002FSri-Lanka\u002Fblue-train-through-green-hills-sri-lankas-hill-country.jpg",{"alt":392,"title":393},"Picolo\u002FCountry\u002FSri-Lanka\u002Fblue-train-through-green-hills-sri-lankas-hill-country",1.5,"The train through the hill country is often called one of the world's most beautiful. Photo: Yves Alarie \u002F Unsplash","The train to Ella",{"_uid":402,"body":403,"card":520,"layout":387,"component":388,"article_rounded":210},"8d2e0110-de67-464c-ad4a-8299d68bad28",{"type":342,"content":404},[405,410,470,475],{"type":345,"attrs":406,"content":407},{"level":347,"textAlign":207},[408],{"text":409,"type":351},"Suggested itinerary: Sri Lanka in two weeks",{"type":411,"content":412},"ordered_list",[413,426,437,448,459],{"type":414,"content":415},"list_item",[416],{"type":353,"attrs":417,"content":418},{"textAlign":207},[419,424],{"text":420,"type":351,"marks":421},"Sigiriya and Dambulla, 3 nights:",[422],{"type":423},"bold",{"text":425,"type":351}," climb Lion Rock early in the morning, see the cave temple at Dambulla and the ruins of Polonnaruwa.",{"type":414,"content":427},[428],{"type":353,"attrs":429,"content":430},{"textAlign":207},[431,435],{"text":432,"type":351,"marks":433},"Kandy, 2 nights:",[434],{"type":423},{"text":436,"type":351}," the Temple of the Tooth and the botanical gardens.",{"type":414,"content":438},[439],{"type":353,"attrs":440,"content":441},{"textAlign":207},[442,446],{"text":443,"type":351,"marks":444},"The train to Ella, 2 nights:",[445],{"type":423},{"text":447,"type":351}," the ride through the tea plantations and hikes to Ella Rock and Nine Arch Bridge.",{"type":414,"content":449},[450],{"type":353,"attrs":451,"content":452},{"textAlign":207},[453,457],{"text":454,"type":351,"marks":455},"Yala or Udawalawe, 1 night:",[456],{"type":423},{"text":458,"type":351}," a safari for leopards and elephants.",{"type":414,"content":460},[461],{"type":353,"attrs":462,"content":463},{"textAlign":207},[464,468],{"text":465,"type":351,"marks":466},"The south coast, 5-6 nights:",[467],{"type":423},{"text":469,"type":351}," Galle, Mirissa and Weligama, with whale watching, surfing and beaches.",{"type":345,"attrs":471,"content":472},{"level":347,"textAlign":207},[473],{"text":474,"type":351},"Things to do in Sri Lanka",{"type":476,"content":477},"bullet_list",[478,485,492,499,506,513],{"type":414,"content":479},[480],{"type":353,"attrs":481,"content":482},{"textAlign":207},[483],{"text":484,"type":351},"Climb the more than a thousand steps of Sigiriya before the heat arrives.",{"type":414,"content":486},[487],{"type":353,"attrs":488,"content":489},{"textAlign":207},[490],{"text":491,"type":351},"Take the train from Kandy to Ella, ideally by a window that opens.",{"type":414,"content":493},[494],{"type":353,"attrs":495,"content":496},{"textAlign":207},[497],{"text":498,"type":351},"Look for leopards in Yala National Park and elephants in Udawalawe.",{"type":414,"content":500},[501],{"type":353,"attrs":502,"content":503},{"textAlign":207},[504],{"text":505,"type":351},"Walk the walls of Galle Fort at sunset.",{"type":414,"content":507},[508],{"type":353,"attrs":509,"content":510},{"textAlign":207},[511],{"text":512,"type":351},"Go whale watching from Mirissa, where blue whales can be seen in season.",{"type":414,"content":514},[515],{"type":353,"attrs":516,"content":517},{"textAlign":207},[518],{"text":519,"type":351},"Taste fresh tea at a plantation in the hill country.",[],{"_uid":522,"image":523,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":336,"caption_text":532,"caption_title":533,"image_caption":14},"3c7bed15-8ece-49e1-bf83-afd3de0edcb3",{"id":14,"alt":524,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":525,"width":329,"height":526,"source":527,"filename":528,"copyright":527,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":529,"public_id":530,"aspect_ratio":531,"content_type":335,"is_external_url":210},"Stilt fishermen in shallow water on the south coast of Sri Lanka","Fiskere på påler i grunt vann på sørkysten av Sri Lanka",2563,"Daniel Klein \u002F Unsplash","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FCountry\u002FSri-Lanka\u002Fstilt-fishermen-shallow-water-south-coast-sri-lanka.jpg",{"alt":524,"title":525},"Picolo\u002FCountry\u002FSri-Lanka\u002Fstilt-fishermen-shallow-water-south-coast-sri-lanka",1.4982442450253608,"Photo: Daniel Klein \u002F Unsplash","The stilt fishermen",{"_uid":535,"body":536,"card":548,"layout":387,"component":388,"article_rounded":210},"727598d0-f09e-4e1a-b10e-07e6ac942501",{"type":342,"content":537},[538,543],{"type":345,"attrs":539,"content":540},{"level":347,"textAlign":207},[541],{"text":542,"type":351},"Where to stay in Sri Lanka",{"type":353,"attrs":544,"content":545},{"textAlign":207},[546],{"text":547,"type":351},"Sri Lanka is known for the architect Geoffrey Bawa, who designed several of the island's most famous hotels, and for small, personal hotels along the touring route. The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.",[],{"_uid":550,"image":551,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":336,"caption_text":560,"caption_title":561,"image_caption":14},"6a30f7bb-ed68-4019-8ce2-c3b9062b0607",{"id":14,"alt":552,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":553,"width":554,"height":555,"source":556,"filename":557,"copyright":556,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":558,"public_id":559,"aspect_ratio":398,"content_type":335,"is_external_url":210},"Thatched villas at Jetwing Vil Uyana near Sigiriya","Villaer med stråtak på Jetwing Vil Uyana ved Sigiriya",2640,1760,"Hotels.com (Expedia Group)","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsri-lanka\u002Fthatched-villas-jetwing-vil-uyana-near-sigiriya.jpg",{"alt":552,"title":553},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsri-lanka\u002Fthatched-villas-jetwing-vil-uyana-near-sigiriya","Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)","Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya",{"_uid":563,"body":564,"card":641,"layout":387,"component":388,"article_rounded":210},"700a8fd5-6a1a-4264-96dc-ea326a24b994",{"type":342,"content":565},[566,572,577,594,599,604,617,622,627],{"type":345,"attrs":567,"content":569},{"level":568,"textAlign":207},3,[570],{"text":571,"type":351},"Jetwing Vil Uyana: villas in the wetlands near Sigiriya",{"type":353,"attrs":573,"content":574},{"textAlign":207},[575],{"text":576,"type":351},"Thatched villas set among paddy fields and wetlands near Sigiriya. A calm base for the Cultural Triangle.",{"type":353,"attrs":578,"content":579},{"textAlign":207},[580,584,586],{"text":581,"type":351,"marks":582},"Book your tour:",[583],{"type":423},{"text":585,"type":351}," ",{"text":587,"type":351,"marks":588},"See rooms at Jetwing Vil Uyana",[589],{"type":371,"attrs":590},{"href":591,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":592,"linktype":593},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.4pxEenx","_blank","url",{"type":345,"attrs":595,"content":596},{"level":568,"textAlign":207},[597],{"text":598,"type":351},"Heritance Kandalama: Bawa's hotel in the rock",{"type":353,"attrs":600,"content":601},{"textAlign":207},[602],{"text":603,"type":351},"Geoffrey Bawa's famous hotel, built into a rock face and covered in greenery, looking across a lake towards Sigiriya.",{"type":353,"attrs":605,"content":606},{"textAlign":207},[607,610,611],{"text":581,"type":351,"marks":608},[609],{"type":423},{"text":585,"type":351},{"text":612,"type":351,"marks":613},"See rooms at Heritance Kandalama",[614],{"type":371,"attrs":615},{"href":616,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":592,"linktype":593},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.IpDWekS",{"type":345,"attrs":618,"content":619},{"level":568,"textAlign":207},[620],{"text":621,"type":351},"Jetwing Lighthouse: by the sea outside Galle",{"type":353,"attrs":623,"content":624},{"textAlign":207},[625],{"text":626,"type":351},"A Bawa hotel on the rocks just outside Galle, with a pool facing the ocean and a short drive to the fort.",{"type":353,"attrs":628,"content":629},{"textAlign":207},[630,634,635],{"text":631,"type":351,"marks":632},"Book your beach stay:",[633],{"type":423},{"text":585,"type":351},{"text":636,"type":351,"marks":637},"See rooms at Jetwing Lighthouse",[638],{"type":371,"attrs":639},{"href":640,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":592,"linktype":593},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.oNG9J19",[],{"_uid":643,"image":644,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":336,"caption_text":560,"caption_title":651,"image_caption":14},"7fd5c6d3-1676-4da0-95fa-aa1dd99c9dcc",{"id":14,"alt":645,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":646,"width":329,"height":394,"source":556,"filename":647,"copyright":648,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":649,"public_id":650,"aspect_ratio":398,"content_type":335,"is_external_url":210},"Cape Weligama on the south coast of Sri Lanka","Cape Weligama på klippene over sørkysten av Sri Lanka","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fevergreen\u002Fcape-weligama-sri-lanka.jpg","Expedia Group",{"alt":645,"title":646},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fevergreen\u002Fcape-weligama-sri-lanka","Cape Weligama",{"_uid":653,"body":654,"card":679,"layout":387,"component":388,"article_rounded":210},"53ab1357-2ee5-4c97-b801-ecd879c93c28",{"type":342,"content":655},[656,661,666],{"type":345,"attrs":657,"content":658},{"level":568,"textAlign":207},[659],{"text":660,"type":351},"Cape Weligama: villas on the headland",{"type":353,"attrs":662,"content":663},{"textAlign":207},[664],{"text":665,"type":351},"Villas on a headland above the Indian Ocean at Weligama, with a long crescent-shaped pool and views over the bay.",{"type":353,"attrs":667,"content":668},{"textAlign":207},[669,672,673],{"text":631,"type":351,"marks":670},[671],{"type":423},{"text":585,"type":351},{"text":674,"type":351,"marks":675},"See rooms at Cape Weligama",[676],{"type":371,"attrs":677},{"href":678,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":592,"linktype":593},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.CWZRztu",[],{"_uid":681,"image":682,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":336,"caption_text":691,"caption_title":692,"image_caption":14},"7006b65a-d32f-4fa5-ae6b-2adf399b7535",{"id":14,"alt":683,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":684,"width":329,"height":685,"source":686,"filename":687,"copyright":686,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":688,"public_id":689,"aspect_ratio":690,"content_type":335,"is_external_url":210},"Aerial view of green tea plantations in Sri Lanka's hill country","Grønne teplantasjer i høylandet på Sri Lanka sett fra luften",2880,"Jerry Kavan \u002F Unsplash","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FCountry\u002FSri-Lanka\u002Faerial-view-green-tea-plantations-sri-lankas-hill-country.jpg",{"alt":683,"title":684},"Picolo\u002FCountry\u002FSri-Lanka\u002Faerial-view-green-tea-plantations-sri-lankas-hill-country",1.3333333333333333,"Photo: Jerry Kavan \u002F Unsplash","The hill country",{"_uid":694,"body":695,"card":730,"layout":387,"component":388,"article_rounded":210},"aded76fc-ad20-49b6-ab7c-5e0198431c05",{"type":342,"content":696},[697,702,725],{"type":345,"attrs":698,"content":699},{"level":347,"textAlign":207},[700],{"text":701,"type":351},"When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?",{"type":353,"attrs":703,"content":704},{"textAlign":207},[705,707,714,716,723],{"text":706,"type":351},"Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so it is always in season somewhere. December to April is best for the west and south coasts, the hill country and the Cultural Triangle. May to September is best on the east coast, around Trincomalee and Arugam Bay. October and November can be wet across much of the island. See also ",{"text":708,"type":351,"marks":709},"where is hot in January",[710],{"type":371,"attrs":711},{"href":712,"uuid":713,"anchor":207,"target":374,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fwhere-is-hot-in-january","bf4487b4-f5a6-4a5b-a7aa-50cf3e7a67c6",{"text":715,"type":351}," and ",{"text":717,"type":351,"marks":718},"in March",[719],{"type":371,"attrs":720},{"href":721,"uuid":722,"anchor":207,"target":374,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fwhere-is-hot-in-march","f69a5b5f-d0ca-4e51-8ade-58933484b825",{"text":724,"type":351},".",{"type":353,"attrs":726,"content":727},{"textAlign":207},[728],{"text":729,"type":351},"Check the current entry and visa rules before you travel.",[],{"_uid":732,"body":733,"card":752,"layout":387,"component":388,"article_rounded":210},"55456db5-5e91-4230-bbda-0e2c3aab8455",{"type":342,"content":734},[735,740],{"type":345,"attrs":736,"content":737},{"level":347},[738],{"text":739,"type":351},"The hotel the jungle took back",{"type":353,"content":741},[742,744,751],{"text":743,"type":351},"Geoffrey Bawa's overgrown hotel by the Kandalama reservoir is an experience in itself. Read more about ",{"text":745,"type":351,"marks":746},"Heritance Kandalama",[747],{"type":371,"attrs":748},{"href":749,"uuid":750,"anchor":207,"target":374,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Fasia\u002Fsri-lanka\u002Fheritance-kandalama","81e4b9ac-c28e-4715-8f0e-7dab14259f0f",{"text":724,"type":351},[],{"_uid":754,"body":755,"card":812,"layout":387,"component":388,"article_rounded":210},"86f4345e-a20f-48be-9326-69dadd5909d7",{"type":342,"content":756},[757,762,767,772,777,782,787,792,797,802,807],{"type":345,"attrs":758,"content":759},{"level":347,"textAlign":207},[760],{"text":761,"type":351},"Frequently asked questions about Sri Lanka",{"type":345,"attrs":763,"content":764},{"level":568,"textAlign":207},[765],{"text":766,"type":351},"When is the best time to go to Sri Lanka?",{"type":353,"attrs":768,"content":769},{"textAlign":207},[770],{"text":771,"type":351},"December to April is best for the south and west coasts, the hill country and the Cultural Triangle. May to September is best on the east coast. October and November are often wet.",{"type":345,"attrs":773,"content":774},{"level":568,"textAlign":207},[775],{"text":776,"type":351},"How long should you spend in Sri Lanka?",{"type":353,"attrs":778,"content":779},{"textAlign":207},[780],{"text":781,"type":351},"Two weeks gives you time for a tour and a few days on the beach. With ten days, choose either the Cultural Triangle or the hill country as well as the coast.",{"type":345,"attrs":783,"content":784},{"level":568,"textAlign":207},[785],{"text":786,"type":351},"How do you get around Sri Lanka?",{"type":353,"attrs":788,"content":789},{"textAlign":207},[790],{"text":791,"type":351},"Many hire a car with a driver, which is common and affordable. The train through the hill country is an experience, but book a seat in advance.",{"type":345,"attrs":793,"content":794},{"level":568,"textAlign":207},[795],{"text":796,"type":351},"Where should I stay in Sri Lanka?",{"type":353,"attrs":798,"content":799},{"textAlign":207},[800],{"text":801,"type":351},"Stay near Sigiriya for the Cultural Triangle, in Kandy or Ella in the hill country, and around Galle, Weligama or Mirissa on the south coast.",{"type":345,"attrs":803,"content":804},{"level":568,"textAlign":207},[805],{"text":806,"type":351},"Can you combine Sri Lanka and the Maldives?",{"type":353,"attrs":808,"content":809},{"textAlign":207},[810],{"text":811,"type":351},"Yes. The flight from Colombo to Malé is short, and many finish their tour with a few days in the Maldives.",[],"page","sri-lanka","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Fasia\u002Fsri-lanka\u002F",-20,[],228793714910664,"0fd9bdab-4015-42bc-bf62-e9dbf8861efe","2026-10-09T13:41:16.779Z",[]]