A city with a rich and vibrant history, Colombo boasts of a long list of historical, modern and natural attractions. From ancient temples and buildings to beautiful parks and beaches, Colombo is sure to offer fascinating sightseeing options to travelers from all around the globe.

Gangaramaya Temple:Located in Colombo area 2, the Gangaramaya Temple houses a wonderful library and a museum with spectacular antiques. This interesting destination also features a century-old Bodhi tree, along with meditation classes that are held inside the premises.

National Museum:Located close to the Viharamadevi Park, the National Museum is housed inside a 19th century British mansion. Displaying fine antiques from various eras in the form of scriptures, paintings, carvings, pottery, furniture and masks, the National Museum is the largest museum in Sri Lanka.

Viharamadevi Park:Viharamadevi Park is the largest and the oldest park in Colombo. Located in Colombo area 7 near the Town Hall and National Museum, the park also has a zoo of baby animals and a small train track for children.

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara:According to a legend, Lord Buddha himself preached here thousands of years ago. Before entering the temple, Buddhists take seven rounds of the sacred tree in the premises. The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is also thronged by travelers for its splendid collection of Buddhist art.

Colombo welcomes a slew of business visitors and leisure travelers from all around the country and the world. As a result, the city is home to a wide array of accommodation options that are suitable for travelers with varied budget categories. Be it cheap guest houses and inns or luxury hotels and resorts, travelers would find no dearth of appropriate accommodation options in Colombo.

Luxury Hotels:The city houses a large number of hotels that range from budget to five stars. Safe, beautiful, lavish and comfortable, these hotels provide excellent amenities and facilities to their discerning guests. Hotel Hill Top, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, Hilton Colombo, Ceylon Continental Hotel, Mount Lavinia Hotel, Taj Samudra, Global Towers Hotel, Cinnamon Grand and Ramada Colombo are some of the best luxury hotel options in Colombo.

Boutique Hotels:Boutique Hotels are ideal lodging options for the budget-conscious travelers. CASA Colombo, Talalla Retreat, the River House, Serene Pavilions, Manor House, Mirissa Hills, Galle Fort Hotel, the Park Street Hotel and Tintagel Hotel are few of the most notable boutique hotels in Colombo.

Guest Houses:For travelers on a shoestring budget, guest houses act as great lodging options that are comfortable and affordable at the same time. Habarana Rest House, Dambulla Rest House, Hanwella Rest House, Medawachchiya Rest House, Kitulgala Rest House, Sigiriya Rest House, Water Garden Guest House, Neederlanka Rest House and Ambepussa Rest House are some of the best options amongst the affordable and inexpensive guest houses in Colombo.

All nationals visiting Colombo, Sri Lanka must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of departure.

Proof of sufficient funds, along with an onward or return journey ticket is also required by all travelers. Nationals of USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Australia and South Africa can acquire a visa on arrival for touristic stays of up to 30 days. Nationals of all other countries should check about the visa requirements from their consulate or embassy.

The dry period between the two rainy seasons is the best time to visit Colombo. November to April is the driest and the peak tourist season in Colombo.

Being in close proximity with the equator, Colombo experiences a typically tropical rainforest climate with a fairly temperate climate all through the year. The average temperature from March to April hovers around a warm 31 degree Celsius. Heavy rains can be expected in the city during the monsoon seasons from October to January and May to August. The city receives an average annual rainfall of 2,400 millimeter. With an average temperature of 2 degree Celsius, the winter months in Colombo are quite cool and dry.

Currency:Sri Lankan Rupee is the official currency of Sri Lanka. Foreign currency and travelers checks can be exchanged at various hotels and commercial banks in Colombo. Credit cards are widely accepted at all major establishments in the city.

Language:Several languages are spoken all through Sri Lanka, but the official status has been accorded to Sinhala and Tamil. English too is widely spoken and understood, more so in the urban areas. It is mainly used for official and commercial purposes in Colombo.