Winter is not the time for relaxation in Sri Lanka

Join UP! turns on our favorite ‘myth busters’ mode and invites you to explore the tropical paradise of our Winter Garden – Sri Lanka.

SRI LANKA WITH JOIN UP!

For 13 years, 250 thousand tourists have discovered the secrets of Sri Lankan easy living with Join UP!™. And this season, we continue to reveal them to tourists from Baltic countries.

What we offer: Direct flights on the wings of SkyUp from Vilnius (Lithuania), Riga (Latvia), and Tallinn (Estonia) with a refueling stop in Bahrain (1 hour, without leaving the plane). Just over 10 hours – and you’re in Sri Lanka!

Great news! From 8/01 all passengers will be provided with a free meal, which is already included in the fare. The meal package includes:

• hot dish (chicken or vegan dish of your choice);
• dessert;
• hot drink (tea or coffee);
• and 0,5 liter of bottled water.

Reliable DMC Delux Holidays, with over 15 years of experience in the market. 

English – and Russian speaking guides.

DEBUNKING MYTHS TOGETHER

Dangerous, boring, cold, and tasteless… We have gathered the most common stereotypes about Sri Lanka and are ready to prove that everything is actually the opposite. So, let’s begin.

Myth 1: In winter, Sri Lanka is cold, it rains, and there are strong waves at sea

Just the opposite, the key is to know where to go. Choose the western and southern coasts, and teleport to real summer is guaranteed! The period from December to March is considered ideal for exploring the island as there is a dry season with no winds or rain.

• The average temperature ranges from 25 to 30 °C,
• The water temperature is around 28 °C,
• The average daylight duration is 12 hours, 5 hours more than in Baltic countries!

So let`s fly towards the sun to warm up and soak up vitamin D in the southwestern resorts of Sri Lanka.

Myth 2: Sri Lanka is dangerous

When talking about danger, many mention the past military conflict on the island. However, since 2009, the warring Tamils and Sinhalese have agreed to a ceasefire, and since then, Sri Lanka has been absolutely peaceful. This is evidenced by the fact that in 2020, the country received the World Tourism Awards as the Leading Developing Destination in the world and in 2023 became a nominee in 9 categories. And some more statistics as a proof:

• In 2023, the crime index in Sri Lanka is lower than in France, Britain, Italy, Greece!
• Even solo female trips are safe here.

Myth 3: A complete set of vaccinations is required to enter Sri Lanka

There are no mandatory vaccinations for the Baltics. As with travel to many tropical countries, tourists are recommended to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and diphtheria. Just adhere to general personal hygiene and dietary rules, and the risks will be minimal. What about malaria and yellow fever?. The latter is not present here at all, and the number of malaria cases is very low and has been decreasing in recent years.

And a few statistics for reassurance: according to Numbeo1, the world’s largest database of city and country information, the health care index in Sri Lanka is one of the highest in Asia, on par with Qatar, Turkey, and Israel.

Myth 4: Sri Lankan cuisine is all about rice, curry, and spices

Yes, these three elements indeed form the basis of Sri Lankan gastronomy. And, of course, coconut in various variations. But besides this, the Sri Lankan menu offers numerous interesting delicacies that are not necessarily spicy or pungent. For example:

• Cashew curry,
• Kottu roti – a popular street food made with roti (traditional bread), vegetables, chicken, and spices,
• Hoppers (appa) – pancakes made from rice flour and coconut milk, often prepared with eggs,
• Indiappa – delicate dumplings made from boiled vermicelli,
• Jackfruit curry – curry made from jackfruit with minimal spices,
• Kola kenda – a Sri Lankan superfood soup with various herbs and greens, coconut milk, and a small amount of rice, often eaten for breakfast,
• Gotu kola sambola – a salad with greens, coconut, lemon, and minced Maldivian tuna.

Seafood in Sri Lanka is a separate delight. Did you know, for example, that the island is famous for a special breed of crabs, much larger than other types, with meat that simply melts in your mouth?

And, of course, it’s a paradise for fruit lovers: coconuts (Sri Lankans call the coconut palm the tree of life), the national gastronomic symbol – jackfruit, rambutans, mangoes, 29 varieties of bananas, limonia, wood apple, the export of which is prohibited. The list can go on.

Well, if you don’t want to experiment, or European cuisine is your passion, in our collection, many hotels operate on the AI or FB system.

Myth 5: It’s worth going to Sri Lanka only for the beaches; there’s nothing else to do on the island

Just take a look at the itinerary of our combo tours in Sri Lanka, and this myth will be dispelled immediately! Here are just a few activities that will prove how diverse this island is:

• Embark on excursions to historical and architectural landmarks in Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Anuradhapura.
• Arrange an incredibly beautiful photo session in the Orchid Garden at the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
• Immerse yourself in the culture of Sri Lankan tribes at an authentic dance show or at the Center for Traditional Crafts in Kandy.
• See the world’s largest collection of Buddha statues in the Dambulla Cave Temple.
• Stroll through the sacred lands of Ceylon – the tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya and spice gardens.
• Discover the secrets of the incredibly beautiful fabric – batik – at local factories.
• Hike up the famous Adam’s Peak, from where breathtaking views of the island unfold.
• Embark on a trek to Ramboda, Ella, or Ravana waterfalls.
• Treat yourself to a vibrant gastronomic experience with a tasting of Sri Lankan street food, for example, near the historic Galle Fort.
• Relax and rejuvenate at top-notch Ayurvedic centers.
• Hang out until dawn at nightclubs in Colombo or beach parties.
• Catch the perfect waves. During this period, the bays of the southwestern coast become a mecca for surfers.

Myth 6: Sri Lanka is not for family vacations with children

And this myth is absolutely unfounded. After all, Sri Lanka is all about jungles, exotic animals from favorite cartoons, and adventures! With such a lineup, every child will be thrilled. We’ve compiled a collection of ideas for a family vacation that will be memorable for both children and adults:

• Safari in Sri Lanka’s largest park – Yala, on the shores of the Indian Ocean. A place where everyone can feel like a Discovery Planet reporter, encountering elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, monkeys, peacocks, mongooses, and many other animals in their natural habitat.
• Cruise on the Madu River amid mangrove forests inhabited by exotic animals and birds.
• Whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa. Don`t miss a chance to see the largest creatures on earth emerging from the depths of the Indian Ocean. The period from November to April is ideal for this activity.
• Get acquainted with turtles at farms in Galle or Bentota. Meet all five species of sea turtles found near the shores of Sri Lanka!
• Snorkeling and diving. Sri Lanka boasts 29 PADI-certified dive spots with colorful coral reefs, sunken ships, underwater caves, and hundreds of species of marine creatures.

Myth 7: Sri Lanka lacks developed infrastructure

In recent years, Sri Lanka has consistently been among the top developing tourist destinations, and this wouldn’t be possible with poor infrastructure.

• In 2018, the quality of road and rail surfaces on the island was better than in almost half of the world’s countries2.
• As of 2021, almost all national highways and 67% of regional roads are paved3.
• The road accident rate is lower than the world’s average4.
• According to the International Telecommunication Union, 4G network coverage in Sri Lanka is 95%5.
• The government recently launched an additional infrastructure development program covering ports, roads, airports, telecommunications, and energy.
• In 2018, a partnership with Siemens began to transform the Western Province into a major smart city.

Myth 8: Sri Lanka has problems with drinking water.

Access to quality safe drinking water is a priority for the local government. Thanks to water supply systems and protected wells, almost 90% of the urban and 60% of the rural population have access to quality water6. It is chlorinated in the water supply and is mostly suitable for drinking, but it is still recommended to do so only after boiling or filtration. And, as in most exotic countries, it’s best to use bottled water. Then there won’t be any problems for sure.