Sri Lanka

by Philip Briggs

Overview

The new seventh edition of Bradt's Sri Lanka remains the most detailed and comprehensive guidebook to this alluring island nation. Written by Philip Briggs, one of the world's most experienced and highly regarded guidebook writers, this thoroughly updated guide provides detailed coverage of every aspect of this diverse and compact country, from idyllic tropical coastlines to mist-shrouded tea plantations and time-warped colonial homesteads. Alongside in-depth sections on all major beach resorts, archaeological sites, historic towns and national parks, it introduces adventurous travellers to intriguing lesser-known sites and emergent destinations inaccessible for decades prior to 2009, when the civil war ended.
Beach holidays are a year-round attraction, while fantastic Buddhist-affiliated UNESCO World Heritage Sites range from the massive dagobas of Anuradhapura, built in pre-Christian times on a scale rivalling Egyptian pyramids, to Dambulla's exquisitely painted cave temples. Wildlife-viewing opportunities abound, and this guide provides unparalleled, illustrated advice on making the most of these. Asia's densest elephant and leopard populations thrive in an extensive network of national parks, complemented by fine whale and dolphin-watching, and 450 bird species including 30 occurring in no other country.
Extensive hotel and restaurant listings, covering everything from exclusive boutique hotels to shoestring homestays, have been cherry-picked based on the author's personal inspection of hundreds of properties countrywide. Sri Lanka's increasingly renowned cuisine features strongly, as does its growing focus on wellness tourism including Ayurveda therapies. This guidebook differs further from competitors by catering for truly independent travellers, providing 70-plus visitor-focused maps covering all major towns and resorts, clear directions for public transport, and off-the-beaten-track information.
Following a tourist boom in the south, and the gradual opening of the north and east to independent travel, tourism jumped 15% in the two years to 2018. Following COVID-19 and a 2019 terrorism incident, Sri Lankan tourism is again welcoming visitors, with infrastructure benefitting from recent investment in trains, which provide comfortable, efficient and inexpensive public transport. Whether you're into wildlife, culture, beaches or cuisine – and whether you seek luxury or budget travel – Bradt's Sri Lanka will address your every need for an enjoyable visit to this bewitching and varied country.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784777029
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/01/2023
Edition description:	Seventh Edition
Pages:	600
Sales rank:	632,250
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 5.30(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Philip Briggs is one of the world’s most experienced and knowledgeable guidebook writers having been researching and writing guides for Bradt and other well-known publishers for over 30 years. For many years his focus was on Africa but recently he has turned his attention to both South America and Asia, authoring the Bradt guide to Suriname and now Bradt’s Sri Lanka. Of Sri Lanka, Philip says: 'Sri Lanka is a fantastic all-rounder. Most people know about the sumptuous palm-lined beaches that line the island’s tropical coastline. But this small Asian country has so much more to offer, from ancient Sinhalese capitals to the tea plantations of the Highlands where the hills roll down towards lush dense rainforests teeming with plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. A network of national parks supports Asia’s densest populations of elephant and leopard, while the forest reserves are home to 33 endemic bird species, and the offshore waters host blue whales, spinner dolphins, giant marine turtles and coral gardens swirling with colourful reef fish. Add to that a genuinely hospitable culture where English is widely spoken, a distinctive cuisine dominated by curries and seafood, and an ever-growing choice of accommodation to suit all budgets, and this safe and easy-to-get-around island nation easily ranks as one of the world’s most approachable and diverse travel destinations.'

Table of Contents

IntroductionPART 1 GENERAL INFORMATIONChapter 1 History and BackgroundHistory, Government and politics, Economy, National flag, People, Language, Religion, Education, CultureChapter 2 The Natural WorldGeography and climate, Natural history and conservationChapter 3 Practical InformationWhen to visit, Itineraries, Tour operators, Tourist information, Red tape, Getting there and away, Security and safety, What to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Media and communications, Cultural etiquetteChapter 4 Health and SafetyPreparations, Common medical problems, Other safety concerns PART 2 COLOMBO AND SURROUNDSChapter 5 ColomboHistory, Orientation, Getting there and away, Getting around, Crime and safety, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Bars and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia, Muthurajawela Wetland SanctuaryChapter 6 The Coast from Negombo to KalpitiyaNegombo, Waikkal, Chilaw and surrounds, Puttalam, The Kalpitiya PeninsulaChapter 7 Inland of ColomboThe A1 towards Kandy and Kurunegala, Kurunegala and surrounds, Avissawella and the Kelani Valley RailwayChapter 8 The Western Resort Coast: Bentota, Kosgoda and HikkaduwaKalutara and surrounds, Bentota and surrounds, The coast from Kosgoda to Ambalangoda and Madu Wetlands, Hikkaduwa, PART 3 THE CULTURAL TRIANGLE Chapter 9 Dambulla, Sigiriya and Surrounds Dambulla, Historic sites south and west of Dambulla, Sigiriya, Habarana, The elephant parks: Minneriya, Kaudulla and HuruluChapter 10 PolonnaruwaHistory, Orientation, Getting there and away, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, Tour operators and bicycle hire, What to see and do, Around PolonnaruwaChapter 11 Anuradhapura and SurroundsHistory, Getting there and away, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Mihintale Monastery, Thanthirimale Temple, Wilpattu National Park PART 4 NORTHERN AND EASTERN PROVINCESChapter 12 Northern ProvinceMannar Island, Jaffna Chapter 13 Eastern ProvinceWhen to visit, Further information, Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Batticaloa, Ampara and Gal Oya National Park, Arugam Bay PART 5 KANDY AND THE HILL COUNTRYChapter 14 Kandy and SurroundsHistory, Getting there and away, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Mahiyanganaya and surroundsChapter 15 High Hill Country: Adam’s Peak, Nuwara Eliya and Ella, Hatton, Adam’s Peak and Nallathanniya, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park, Haputale, Bandarawela, EllaChapter 16, Low Hill Country: Kitulgala, Ratnapura and SinharajaKitulgala, Ratnapura, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Kanneliya Forest Reserve PART 6 GALLE AND THE DEEP SOUTHChapter 17 Tissamaharama and the Southern Safari CircuitEmbilipitiya, Udawalawe National Park, Wellawaya, Buttala, Kataragama, Tissamaharama, Kirinda, Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, HambantotaChapter 18, The Southern Resort Coast: Tangalle, Matara and Weligama BayTangalle, Towards Matara, Matara and surrounds, Mirissa, Weligama and Midigama Chapter 19, Galle and SurroundsHistory, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Unawatuna and the Rumassala Peninsula, The coast east to Koggala Appendix 1 LanguageAppendix 2 GlossariesGeneral glossary, Annotated glossary of key historical, legendary and mythical figures Appendix 3 Further informationIndex