The tropical climate, beautiful beaches and incredible food of Sri Lanka are just some of the many reasons to include the South Asian country on your travel wish list. In this island nation known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, you can study history by visiting the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, witness a giant gathering of Asian elephants in Minneriya National Park, or catch some waves at Arugam Bay or Hikkaduwa.
Sri Lanka is a great place to visit for water sport and wildlife enthusiasts and a haven for history buffs. As well as a guide to some of the best things to see and do in Sri Lanka, we’ve picked a selection of places to stay to help you put together your travel plan. Or, if you’d prefer not to have to think about constructing your own itinerary, consider this your very own itinerary to the island!
World Famous Sri Lankan Cultural Heritage
As a tiny island nation, Sri Lanka is among the smallest countries in the Asia Pacific Region and yet home to 6 amazing UNESCO-protected cultural heritage sites. You can visit the ancient Rock Fortress of Sigiriya where you will marvel at the magnificent palace remains and wall paintings dating back to the 5th century; head to the Sacred City of Kandy to discover the famous Temple of the Tooth which houses a tooth relic of the Buddha and feel the piety of the locals; explore Dambulla Cave Temple, the country’s largest and best preserved cave temple that holds 157 Buddhist statues. Every cultural site reflects a majestic past. If you are a culture lover, just enjoy your pace to explore more in this fascinating country.
Friendly Sri Lankan Diversity
Sri Lanka is a land of a multitude of religions, with the majority being Buddhists, which is reflected in the many Buddhist temples and statues across the country. You can also meet Hindus, Muslims and people of other religions. As the nation is also influenced by Hindu culture and colonial culture, you will have the chance to admire architecture of various cultures and styles, such as Hindu temples, and houses, churches, castles and towers left by the Portugal, the Dutch and the British.
Chilled Sri Lankan Vibes
Often referred to as ‘India lite’, Sri Lanka’s vibe is much more laid-back than that of its giant northerly neighbour. It’s smaller, easy to get around and the locals are relaxed and do take no for an answer. Though India might triumph in its diversity, vibrancy and sheer number of iconic cultural sites, Sri Lanka is the place to go for those who want to take things at a slower, more relaxed pace.
Wildest Sri Lankan Wild Life
Sri Lanka is a haven for nature lovers: from whale watching on the southernmost point Dondra Head to an elephant encounter in the Minneriya National Park or an expedition through the rainforest of Sinharaja – the biodiversity of the island is stunning and 13% of Sri Lanka are conserved as national parks, reserves, sanctuaries and jungle corridors.
A safari in one of the 14 national parks offers the chance to see some of Sri Lanka’s 91 mammals (16 endemic) – elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sambhur, spotted deer, hog, mouse- and barking-deer, wild boar, porcupine, ant-eater, civet cat, loris, giant squirrel, and monkeys such as the macaque, purple-faced leaf monkey and grey langur. The island is also an ornithologist’s paradise, with over 233 resident species, (33 endemic) – but migratory species stretch the number to an astounding 482. There are 171 reptiles (101 endemic including two crocodile species).
Green, hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback and olive ridley turtles live in the waters around Sri Lanka, coming ashore to lay their eggs. There are several organisations set up to protect the turtles from the many threats they face, such as pollution and being hunted for their flesh. To watch baby turtles hatch and flip-flop down the beach to the sea, pay a visit to the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, about an hour away from the Amangalla. Offer a generous donation to make the experience really count.
Another perk of visiting a country surrounded by water is seeing famous marine mammals in the wild. Watch spinner dolphins leap from the water off Kalpitiya or spot the world’s largest animal, the blue whale, at Mirissa, less than an hour from Koggala Lake. The whale watching season in Mirissa begins in November and ends in April.
A Rush of Sri Lankan Adventure
With over 1,600 km of coast, Sri Lanka is an ideal location for wind-surfing, water-skiing, surfing, sailing, scuba-diving (including wreck-diving), snorkeling and more. Sri Lanka possesses over 100 hundred rivers, together with lagoons and ‘tanks’ (irrigation lakes), so there are plentiful opportunities for year-round kayaking and canoeing.
The Kelani Ganga near Kitulgala has fast headwaters and rapids ideal for white-water rafting. Varied landscapes, wildlife, and archaeological sites offer excellent opportunities for hiking and trekking. Nature trails include the Sinharaja rainforest, the cloud-forests of Horton Plains, the Knuckles (mountain range), and Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve.
Succulent Sri Lankan Seafood
Being an island nation surrounded by rich waters, seafood is a highlight of Sri Lankan cuisine, and Colombo, the capital, is the perfect place to sample it. Dig into fresh, straight-off-the-boat produce at Ministry of Crab or Curry Leaf. At Seafood Cove in the Mount Lavinia hotel you can try jumbo prawns, squid, cuttlefish and lobster cooked any way you want it – grilled, fried, poached – with your toes in the sand at your table on the beach.
Amazing Island Luxury
The island is generally blessed with impressive hotels usually situated in stunning settings. The coastal areas, especially the west and south, have innumerable resort hotels. Several are designed by Geoffrey Bawa, one of the 20th-century’s foremost Asian architects. His vision encompasses a style referred to as ‘tropical modernism’ in which forms of modernism are beautifully softened and enriched by traditional influences and surrounding landscapes.
There are also an increasing number of boutique hotels on the west and south coast, mainly centered at Galle. Hill country towns such as Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Bandarawela feature colonial era hotels, and for those who venture farther afield, perhaps to indulge in adventure sports, there are beautifully converted colonial homes, tea and rubber plantation buildings, jungle cabins, tree-houses and eco-lodges, but also guest houses and home-stays offering economy deals for travellers on a budget.
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