If you’ve been to Sri Lanka, you know you don’t really need any particular reason to visit, because it’s all good. However, if you’ve yet to place your feet on these beautiful lands, keep reading to find out why you must:
1. The pristine beaches
Head toward the coast and you’ll be greeted with fresh air, warm tropical waters, and stunning, palm-fringed beaches. Sri Lanka has many beaches along its 1,340-kilometre coastline, and they don’t disappoint. Some of the most popular ones are Negombo, Hikkaduwa, and Unawatuna, which are on the more developed and touristic west and south coasts of the island.
If you’re looking for seclusion, visit the country’s east coast, and dig your toes into the warm, soft sand along gorgeous golden-white stretches of pristine beach. Grab a surfboard and ride the waves from sunrise to sunset, or catch rays on the beach in a setting that seems like paradise.
2. The flora and fauna
Sri Lanka is one of the best places outside of Africa for safaris, due to its vast areas of unspoiled nature. Many visitors opt for a safari in either Yala National Park or Udawalawe National Park, two of the country’s best. Visitors to Yala are often keen to see one of the park’s 30 or so wild leopards, and can also look for sloths, monkeys, buffalo, and jackals. Udawalawe’s main draw is undeniably its 500 wild Asian elephants — much smaller than their African relatives, but still giant and majestic.
3. The Hill Country
Sri Lanka is famous for its rolling, bright green, tea-covered hills in the centre of the country. The Hill Country, as the area is known, is home to astonishing views of thundering waterfalls, emerald peaks, and one tea plantation after another. Getting from town to town provides an on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of fun, as buses endlessly wrap around the hillsides.
The region is home to many scenic hikes if you want to get as close to nature as possible. Consider hiking to The World’s End, where Horton Plains comes to a drastic end, dropping 880 metres and offering a surreal panoramic view of Sri Lanka’s highland beauty. And don't forget to sip on some delicious Ceylon tea.
4. A rich culinary history
Sri Lanka’s culinary scene has been deliciously shaped by many forces. South Indian influences in the food are most evident. Stapes of Sri Lankan fare include rice, lentils, coconut, and aromatic spices. Most dishes are richly flavoured with a variety of locally grown spices, and Sri Lankan food certainly doesn’t hold back on the chili.
Getting there
Ready to see Sri Lanka for yourself? G Adventures can get you there. Check out our small group tours to Sri Lanka here.
