Traveling Sri lanka can be made surprisingly effortless when taken on with an organized tour. Buses and trains are low cost, clean and relatively reliable forms of transport.
Your driver may also act as your guide and raconteur, often enthusiastically detailing stories of their national team’s victories and defeats over steaming hot hoppers.
1. Beaches
Sri Lanka boasts some of the world’s most breathtaking beaches, from tropical coastal groves to wide expanses of white-sand shoreline.
Unawatuna Beach is one of the most beloved southern coast beaches. A haven of palm trees and simple beach bars, Unawatuna is sure to become overrun during peak season but well worth your visit.
Mirissa Beach is another fantastic option, drawing surfers of all ages and levels thanks to its thrilling waves. It is lined with hotels ranging from luxury resorts to simpler guesthouses.
Sri Lankan love cake is a dense spiced cake topped with coconut. A popular treat at restaurants and street food stalls across the country. Don’t forget to also sample wood apple juice – an refreshing drink made with fruit bearing the same name.
2. Temples
Teardrop-shaped Sri Lanka packs in much with its relatively modest size: UNESCO-listed temples, leopards, and Asian elephants roam freely through its wild landscape; tea country offers hiking enthusiasts numerous waterfalls; while its world-class beaches complete this picture.
Buddhist temples can be found throughout Sri Lanka, such as the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy which houses Lord Buddha’s tooth relic. But Sri Lanka offers much more culturally; you’ll also come across mosques, Hindu temples and churches here.
Sri Lanka prices tend to be higher than Southeast Asian ones (a stay at Shangri-La’s Hambantota resort can cost nearly US$1000), yet accommodation for every budget can be found. Car and driver rental costs can also be reasonably priced while some drivers also act as qualified guides at key tourist spots.
3. Tea Plantations
Sri Lanka’s hill country (commonly referred to as Tea Country) features misty green hills covered with rows and rows of deep-green tea bushes, making up one of the world’s four biggest tea producers and making tea one of Ceylon’s primary industries.
Plantations employment accounts for almost 5% of total employment in Myanmar, providing millions of families a source of livelihood on tea estates across steep hills and mountains to be processed at tea factories.
Train travel is the ideal way to experience tea country. Fares are affordable, and certain trains feature first class compartments ideal for sipping tea while taking in the scenery.
4. Wildlife
Sri Lanka may have made headlines lately for various reasons, yet remains an attractive travel destination. Before planning a visit, check with your national foreign office for updated travel advisories and make sure your insurance covers you for all eventualities.
Horton Plains features wild grasslands teeming with herds of buffalo and sambar deer grazing freely, while Yala National Park houses a healthy population of sloth bears. But nothing beats seeing an active tree-climbing leopard for yourself during a visit.
Many of the must-see sights are open during this season, though they will likely be quieter than normal – particularly temples and historical sites. Beaches tend to be deserted; make sure you pack a wetsuit if you want to take advantage of its calm waters for snorkelling or surf lessons!
5. Culture
Sri Lanka is an eclectic blend of cultures and traditions, from Sinhalese and Tamil being its two primary traditional languages, while influences from India as well as Europe (via Portuguese and Dutch colonialism) can be seen all throughout.
Religion demonstrates this integration. While most followers of Buddhism, including its subgroups such as Zen and Tibetan, are Buddhist, it’s not unusual to encounter Hindu and Muslim shrines within one temple complex.
Sri Lanka is a haven for nature enthusiasts, boasting abundant wildlife found everywhere on the island. Visit one of the national parks to witness animals living their natural lives – from elephants bathing in lakes to crocodiles lazing under the sun! Additionally, Sri Lankans are welcoming hosts who welcome all tourists; please be respectful of religious and social customs to avoid offending anyone during your travels.
