Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
Sacred Buddhist temple holding a relic said to be a tooth of the Buddha. Drum-led ceremonies take place daily. Visitors should dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
Kandy
The last Sinhalese kings ruled from this hill capital, which has a scenic lake and its Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Attractive locations
Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
Large botanical garden near Kandy with orchids, spice plants, giant bamboo and an avenue of tall palms. Shady lawns and a river bend make for a relaxed day.
Kandy Lake
Artificial lake in the middle of the city, created in the early 19th century. A path circles the water, with views of the Temple of the Tooth.
Royal Palace of Kandy
Former palace of the kings of Kandy beside the Temple of the Tooth. Its old halls and courtyards recall the last Sinhalese royal court.
Embekka Devalaya
Shrine near Kandy admired for its finely carved wooden pillars, dating from the 14th century. The detailed patterns are the main reason to visit.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
An elephant orphanage in the hills west of Kandy where rescued and orphaned elephants are cared for. Visitors watch the herd walk to the river to bathe.
Ceylon Tea Museum
A museum in a former tea factory in the hills above Kandy, showing the history of Ceylon tea with old machinery and photographs. A tasting room serves fresh tea.
Airports
Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport CMB
It is about 84 km in a straight line from Kandy.
Colombo Ratmalana International Airport RML
It is about 98 km in a straight line from Kandy.
Batticaloa International Airport BTC
It is about 124 km in a straight line from Kandy.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Sri Lanka page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan22.9 °C116 mm
- Feb23.9 °C89 mm
- Mar25.7 °C96 mm
- Apr26.9 °C155 mm
- May26.4 °C133 mm
- Jun25.7 °C73 mm
- Jul25.5 °C62 mm
- Aug25.6 °C70 mm
- Sep25.7 °C101 mm
- Oct25.3 °C228 mm
- Nov24.3 °C279 mm
- Dec23.4 °C243 mm
Driest months: Jun, Jul, Aug. Wettest months: Oct, Nov, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 29% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
religious
Kandy Esala Perahera
Processions featuring decorated elephants are held for ten nights.
Who can help
Emergency
Police 119. Ambulance 1990. Tourist police hotline 1912.
local government
Sri Lanka Tourist Police
Helps with: Sri Lanka Tourism's emergency page lists a Tourist Police number in Colombo for visitors, alongside the national police emergency hotline 118 / 119.
Who qualifies: Tourists and other visitors in Sri Lanka.
Phone: 011-2421052
local government
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA)
Helps with: Sri Lanka's national tourism authority. Its tourism hotline 1912 gives visitor information, and its website links to a tourist complaints page.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Sri Lanka or planning a trip there.
Phone: 1912
Email: info@srilanka.travel
Address: No. 80, Galle Road, Colombo 03
local government
Suwasariya ambulance service (1990)
Helps with: A national ambulance service that Sri Lanka's tourism authority lists for tourists. Dial 1990 for an ambulance.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Sri Lanka, including tourists, who needs an ambulance.
Phone: 1990
ngo
Sri Lanka Red Cross Society
Helps with: Sri Lanka's national Red Cross society. Its national headquarters is in Colombo, with contacts for 25 district branches listed on its site.
Who qualifies: People in Sri Lanka who need to reach the Red Cross national headquarters or a district branch.
Phone: +94 11 2694487
Address: 106, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Sri Lanka
Helps with: The UN migration agency's country office in Colombo. Contact it about migration matters in Sri Lanka.
Who qualifies: Migrants and organisations working on migration. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +94 11 2112 600
Email: iomcolombo@iom.int
Address: 9th Floor, Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka Building, No. 80A, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 08
embassy
Foreign embassies and high commissions in Sri Lanka (official list)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or high commission. The Sri Lankan foreign ministry's Diplomatic Corps page lists missions in Colombo with addresses and phones.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or high commission.
local government
Disaster Management Centre (DMC)
Helps with: Sri Lanka's national disaster management centre. Its call centre 117 is the public line for disasters, and it runs an emergency operation centre.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Sri Lanka affected by a disaster or reporting one.
Phone: 117