10 reasons to visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a country that is often overlooked due to its more famous bigger sister India. However, this teardrop shaped isle in the Bay of Bengal is a wonder on its own – it is called the pearl of the Indian Ocean for a reason -. Unlike other popular tropical destinations, Sri Lanka remains relatively unspoiled. In recent years, tourist interest in this country has risen but it is still much more pure than other destinations. However, do not wait much because it won’t stay this way forever!

1. Thrilling wildlife

Sri Lanka is one of the last remaining biodiversity hotspots in the world. This, as a Biologist, was the clear highlight of my trip. Wildlife watching is relatively easy all around the country, but the natural parks are packed with animals that are quite hard to see elsewhere.

Meet some wild elephants in Udawalawe National Park, find the elusive spotted leopard in Yala National Park, Dive with blue whales in Kalpitiya and play with some monkeys…well, basically everywhere, water buffalos, wild peacocks, deers, sea turtles, dolphins… The point is, if you are into wildlife, Sri Lanka will rock your world!

2. Impressive cultural heritage

Sri Lanka has a long history and diverse cultural heritage. Thousands of years of influence of Buddhism, Hinduism coming from India and the Tamil population and eventually the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial heritage have shaped the cultural identity of Sri Lanka into a singular masterpiece. Sri Lanka is home of 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and it is easy to travel from one to another.

One of the main attractions of Sri Lanka is Sigiriya, the Lion Rock. It is the ruins of a fortified castle on the top of a giant rock with caves covered in fresco paintings. You can find out more in the post from our experience in Sigiriya:

→ Sigiriya: climbing the Lion Rock

Other amazing sites include the sacred cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla, the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy or the fortified town of Galle.

Sinhalese (that’s the demonym of Sri Lanka inhabitants) people are true to tradition in a way I haven’t seen in many places. They managed to maintain ancient traditions through colonial times and they keep this traditions with fervor. This is very clear in the many festivals in Sri Lanka. A great example is the Kandy Esala Poya Perahera, paying homage to the sacred tooth relic of Buddha is celebrated with a procession of traditional dancers, elephants, lights and fire to the rhythm of drums that brings the most primal flush to your blood.

3. Welcoming people

One of the things that made me fall in love with this island country is its people. The Sinhalese are among the most welcoming people you’ll ever meet! We never found a single person that was rude, annoying or trying to take advantage of us. On the contrary! People seemed genuinely happy that we were visiting their country. They offered us tea, they greeted us with a wide smile and they made us feel at home from the first second.

4. Vibrant green jungles

My Biology geek jumps in again to write about the lusty jungles of Sri Lanka. The rainforests have a hot and humid climate and consist of densely packed vegetation of impossible green where most of the country’s wildlife resides. Sinharaja rainforest is one of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and it is a wonder of biodiversity, being home of elephants, leopards and the strange loris, to say a few. You can hike, you can swim in the waterfalls… just try not to get bitten by anything. Other important rainforests are Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and Knuckles.

If you want something off the beaten track, go to Kaludiya Pokuna, a forest next to lake Kandalama with amazing biodiversity and ancient ruins in the middle of the forest (very Jungle Book-style) that don’t even have daily visitors.

5. Delicious (and cheap) food

Sinhalese food is not very known, but it is a pleasure for any foodie. With great influence from India, the food is dominated by curries (milder than the Indian ones) and rice, tropical fresh fruits, seafood and a wide variety of spices. Fish, chicken and dhal curries, kottu roti (flat, crispy bread with toppings), string hoppers (Sinhalese version of pancakes), lamprais (steamed rice with toppings wrapped in banana leaf) and candied eggplants are just an example of the marvels of Sinhalese cuisine. Also, it won’t break your wallet, since a meal will cost around 1-3 $ (or 5 in a restaurant). So, try to avoid overpriced Western food and stick to local dishes!

6. Scenic train rides

The best way to move around in Sri Lanka is by train. Given the beautiful natural landscapes and the mountainous terrain, the routes that the trains take are usually very scenic, with views over the rainforest and tea plantations. Also, the railways often go through areas that do not have villages or roads, which gives you a very unspoiled view of the country. Also, it is allowed to just hang out the door, which makes it much easier to take better pictures!

There are many routes that offer scenic views. The most popular is the Eastern train route, from Kandy to Ella, which brings ou over the tea country and lush forests. If you continue on this line to Badulla you can visit the famous Nine Arch Bridge, a picturesque colonial rock bridge.

Another popular route, although less touristy, is the route from Colombo to Anuradhapura and further to Jaffna. This train is special for the diversity of terrain that it crosses. From the coast to the hilly Anuradhapura in the middle of the country and then north to Jaffna. It is also particular because it is used as a means of pilgrimage to the sacred city of Anuradhapura for Buddhists and to Jaffna for the Tamil.

7. Elephants 🙂

Yes, I know, I already talked about wildlife. But it is really something special to see wild elephants! Like, literally having to stop the car because a herd of elephants is crossing the road.

There are other ways of seeing elephants besides meeting them in the jungle. A very popular option, very exploited by influencers all over the world, is the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Regardless of what they make you believe, these are not wild elephants they just woke up to. You can visit the orphanage or wait for them to bring the elephants to the river for a bath. Although it is a very impressive sight to see all of those elephants bathing together in the river, this orphanage has become a touristic attraction in the last years and I cannot really vouch for the well-being of the elephants.

Instead, visit one of the many National Parks like Udawalawe, Yala, Kaudulla or Minneriya.

8. The Tea Country

One of the names that Sri Lanka has had (this one given by the British) is Ceylon. Sounds familiar? Yes, Sri Lanka is home of the Ceylon Tea. Due to the good soil and the temperate climate provided by the hill region of the country, this black tea has become one of the most popular kinds of tea.

Not only the tea is good, but the region where it is cultivated is of paramount beauty. The deep green colour and geometric appearance of the tea plantations in the hills, the subtle mist that crawls into the region and the touch of colour provided by the clothing of the hand-pickers make for a very scenic view.

The two main centers of the Tea Country are Nuwara Eliya and Ella. Both are fantastic places to visit the tea plantations, the first one more authenic and local, the second one more bohemian and branded to tourists. In any case, the cooler weather, the colonial constructions and the beauty of the tea plantations will be one of the highlights of your trip. If you visit a tea plantations, you will also learn how the tea is cultivated, hand-picked, processed and distributed. Also, there are many trekking trails that will lead you to fantastic views of the mountains.

9. Relaxing beaches

The beaches in Sri Lanka are postcard-ready. Deep blue waters, golden sand and tropical palm trees swaying will give you the ultimate relaxed experience! Also, the wonderful climate of the island won’t hurt. With warm weather year-round and rains mostly during the monsoon seasons (summer in the west coast and winter in the east coast, not a problem generally) it can be considered a beach destination. However, it is not so exploited that way, which allows for mostly empty beaches.

You should choose the beach according to the experience you’re looking for. If you’re looking for adventure. Here’s a little summary of the beaches according to the activities you want to do:

• Surf: Mirissa, Hirikietiya, Weligama, Hikkaduwa, Arugam Bay.

• Scuba diving: Mirissa, Hikkaduwa & Unawatuna, Trincomalee (Nilavelli), Kirinda. Find the best diving spots in the PADI Travel website.

• Relaxing & Sunbathing: Wijaya, Mirissa + Secret Beach Mirissa, Trincomalee (Uppuveli, Nilaveli), Tangalle, Koggala.

• Beach resorts: Bentota, Tangalle, Weligama.

Travel tips: some of these beaches are quite lonely, while others are touristy. That being said “touristy” in Sri Lanka means a very different thing than in Thailand. In the most touristy beach you will have your space, so don’t pay too much attention to that.

10. Quirky cities

Sri Lanka is not what I would call a city destination. However, some of its cities are very special and different to what you are probably used to. Here are some examples:

Colombo

Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and the only city that has a more urban vibe. While it is not among the most beautiful sights of the country, it has some interesting sites to visit and it’s likely that your flight will depart from there, so why not visit it? Spend your last night in Colombo and get back in touch with modern life.

Kandy

The sacred city of Kandy is a haven of tradition and its focal point is the Temple of the Tooth, a temple holding a relic from the Buddha which is one of the most sacred sites in Buddhism. It is also the location of the Esala Perahera, one of the biggest religious festivals of the country.

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is a colonial town in the Tea country, so expect colonial buildings, coller temperatures and a magical mist crawling down the hilly tea plantations. Cool down from the high temperatures of the coast, enjoy some tea go trekking for amazing views from the hills and tea plantations. Nearby towns of Ella and Haputale are great additions to your route.

Galle

Galle is a coastal fortified town originally built by the Portuguese and then by the Dutch colonialists. It is one of the best preserved sea-forts in South Asia. The Old Town is beautiful and it is a great stop before heading to the beaches. Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Koggala and Weligama are really close.

Closing statement

When I first arrived to Sri Lanka I did not know what to expect. We really just ended up there because our trip to Vietnam was cancelled last-minute. And what a pleasant surprise we got! Sir Lanka is one of those places you don’t know much about and then you have no choice but to love them for everything they are. It is a very complete experience, since you have city, beach, mountain, ancient culture, exoticism and amazing food. If you are thinking on what could be your next destination, stop thinking and choose Sri Lanka. But hurry up! It won’t stay unspoiled for long.

Continue reading about this wonderful country in our post about Sigiriya:

→ Sigiriya: climbing the Lion Rock

If you’re interested in Sri Lanka, you may also find these interesting:

→ What to do in Myanmar: the top 8 attractions of Burma

→ Myanmar: the gem of Southeast Asia

→ Bangkok: top 10 things to do

→ Thai food: Miss Chel’s thai cooking class in Phuket

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