Ciao - for people with opinions

Latest reviews Latest questions
Write a review Latest videos
Special offers
Home > Travel > Asia > Sri Lanka > Sri Lanka Experience > General: Sri Lanka

User Reviews

for General: Sri Lanka

Rating Summary based on 28 reviews

  • 5 Stars
    		22
  • 4 Stars
    		6
  • 3 Stars
    		0
  • 2 Stars
    		0
  • 1 Star
    		0

Detailed rating

  • Ease of getting around
  • Family Friendly
  • Nightlife
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing
  		• 4.0
  		• 4.0
  		• 3.4
  		• 4.3
  		• 5.0

Review attribute filters

Previous page Next page Page 1 of 3 | 1 to 10 out of 28 Review(s)
  • 97 of 97 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of torr

    Level 9 torr

    Member since 29/08/2002

    Reviews written: 347

    5 Stars Serendipity do da zippity-ay Review with images 25/03/2004
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages A little bit beautiful, interesting and friendly

    Disadvantages Disadvantages A little bit unchallenging

    “I can see we’ve come at the right time of year,” my wife said, for once letting her enthusiasm run ahead of her horticultural expertise. She was gazing out at the flame-trees and bougainvillea as we were driven away from Colombo Airport. Having left a bare-branched February behind in England, perhaps she could be forgiven for being momentarily dazzled by the tropical luxuriance. “April is a little bit more the right time for blossom,” our driver corrected her diplomatically, “or May.” “I see you drive on the left, like we do,” I observed, changing the subject. “Yes, but here it is a little ... more
  • 20 of 20 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of Muffin_the_Mule

    Muffin_the_Mule

    5 Stars Nine Lives Of Matthew Hoggard And Other Revelations. 06/11/2009
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Brmmmmmmmmm! Woo!

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Screech! Wah!

    I'm currently as inoculated as I've ever been against all manner of disease through a series of Honeymoon injections administered in May this year, and not wanting to waste this fact on our next holiday, we scoured the malaria and rabies world hotspots, with special points awarded for a high stray dog count and any sort of lackadaisical approach to locking up cows championed, especially around busy village roads. We seriously considered Kerala in India but the flight connections were beyond horrendous before we eventually settled on Sri Lanka, the fact an actual proper war had only recently ... more
  • 13 of 13 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of pbryer

    pbryer

    5 Stars Never smiled at a crocodile - Never saw one 15/05/2008
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Sensory overload of light and heat, colours and smells and myriad other things

    Disadvantages Disadvantages High probability of getting wiped out in a car crash, war in the north and east

    Like a teardrop falling from the Indian subcontinent, the island of Sri Lanka is, despite its history of internal conflict, as vibrant and as diverse a slice of paradise as you're likely to find in the sparkling Indian Ocean. When Rufus, our driver for the day, overtook a car, which was overtaking a bus, which was overtaking an elephant, I caught sight of an approaching truck, swiftly closed my eyes and told myself that this was all part of the rich experience of old Ceylon. Feeling no impact, I flicked my eyes open to see Rufus grinning at me in the rear-view mirror, I managed to return a ... more
  • 19 of 19 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of Cargill

    Cargill

    5 Stars Unawatuna; a getaway 15/11/2004
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Cheap, friendly, unspoilt

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Poor roads

    "Sri Lanka, A land like no other" is the slogan of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. I can't endorse or deny this, as I was only there for two weeks. But in those two weeks I discovered a beautiful country, met some friendly and helpful people, and came away with some great memories. You can see ads for packages to Sri Lanka in the weekend papers, and you can also pick from a choice of oversized featureless resorts from the glossy brochures. Before you visit your High Street travel agent, let me tell you about my experience of the Island, and in particular; Unawatuna. Looking at the map, Sri Lanka ... more
  • 37 of 37 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of Pauley123

    Pauley123

    5 Stars Serendipity, Island of Delights 12/10/2001
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Steeped in culture and history, Beautiful equatorial climate , Amazing sights sounds and experiences

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Heat can get oppressive, Water undrinkable - use bottled at all times. Terrorist incident at airport unfortunate, but likely to be a one off.

    Sri Lanka, land of Serendipity, Ceylon. I have always wanted to go to Sri Lanka since seeing Duran Duran on top of Sigirya rock in Save a Prayer. In September 2000 I got my chance. And it was, quite simply, the best holiday I have ever had. No contest. Me and my partner travelled to Sri Lanka for two weeks, with Kuoni, on the “Sri Lankan highlights tour” – One week travelling round and sightseeing, and one week on the beach. Before you go it is necessary to get vaccinations for Typhoid, Hepatitis B and Tetanus. You also need to take malaria tablets, one week before you go and then for another ... more
  • 20 of 20 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of sympatic

    Level 6 sympatic

    Member since 06/05/2012

    Reviews written: 535

    5 Stars A diamond and a pearl 02/07/2012
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages So much to enjoy

    Disadvantages Disadvantages The flight

    It was suggested that I write something special for my 2500th review on Dooyoo by one of the guides on the site, I had not even realised that I had reached that amount of reviews and had no plans however I decided to write about a special destination, in fact probably the best holiday destination that I have ever visited and that is the beautiful country of Sri Lanka. Described at the Pearl of the Indian Ocean it was perhaps better described by a local that we met as the Diamond of the Indian Ocean because of the many layers and colours that it posseses, a country that despite its recent ... more
  • 8 of 8 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of jan007

    jan007

    5 Stars Great place for an exotic holiday and cheap 30/01/2010
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Lots to see, variety

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Nobe really, heat gets tiring

    The Hilton Residence Apartment in Columbo, Sri Lanka is a fabulous place to stay. The Hilton name usually means sky high prices but that is not the case here, yes, it's expensive, not too much so. LOCATION. The Columbo Hilton is set right in the middle of the business district and it's just 35 minutes drive from the airport. Attractions like the Dutch Period Museum and the famous Galle Face Green Park with its long walkway along the seafront and huge lusciously green lawn. This is a brilliant place to stroll along and it's right on the doorstep. FACILITIES. This hotel provides everything you ... more
  • 44 of 44 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of mandyhaley

    mandyhaley

    5 Stars Ceylon delights 24/05/2001
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Beautiful country, full of history

    Disadvantages Disadvantages High security presence

    In January we visited Sri Lanka, on a package tour from the Tradewinds brochure. We didn’t really know what to expect, but we found a country full of culture and history. This is our experience... Day 1 – travelling. An early morning (direct) flight from Heathrow took us to Columbo. We arrived early in the morning (03.30) and the heat and humidity hit us as soon as the aircraft doors opened. Immigration and Customs clearance were quick and efficient and we left the airport through a high security cordon. Lots of soldiers and military hardware were in evidence throughout the 15 ... more
  • 43 of 43 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of MJRules

    MJRules

    4 Stars A slightly confused yet positive view 09/04/2001
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Very Cheap prices. Beautiful Country full of historical sights and friendly people. Hotels are all excellent and reasonably priced

    Disadvantages Disadvantages It's great for laid back people but be careful if you are a very active person and not into the whole sightseeing gig

    Okay let’s start with being honest. My name is Mario JAYAWARDENA, so to most people I hope it is blatantly obvious that I have a Sri Lankan background (That's why I put Caps on for surname and also if your wondering, no I'm not related to the other famous Jayawardena who plays cricket for SL). My parents are both from Sri Lanka and our family go there every year. Now, I am definitely the Black sheep in the family, I claim to have nothing to do with Sri Lanka and actually quite detest the place (If any of my family out there is reading this, I detest the country NOT you, I love you guys!) ... more
  • 25 of 26 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of danieletheridge

    danieletheridge

    4 Stars A teardrop in the sea but a diamond in a boulder 13/03/2001
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Lovely country, beautiful.

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Dodgy roads and water.

    Ciao fellow Ciaoers! This report comes to you from Sri Lanka, the land of Sun, Sea, Sand… and tea! -UPDATE Updating this opinion involves reviving my, ltes say, rocky past. But I need to reenforce that Sri Lanka is safe. You will not get attacked - attacks like these are very rare in the main touristic areas. Please DO NOT desert Sri Lanka at the time it most needs you! Thanks... dan*e -INTRODUCTION Serendib, Silon, Ceylon, or what is now known as Sri Lanka is an island slightly larger than England that lies off the southern coast of India. It is still developing a little, and has a ... more
Previous page Next page Page 1 of 3 | 1 to 10 out of 28 Review(s)