Vacation time is something that we all look forward to with eager anticipation, and it is not only the trip itself that is thrilling. The excitement of choosing a good travel destination, planning your trip, planning where and what to visit, where to stay, are all included in the fun.
With so many beautiful destinations in the world, choosing a place to visit for your holidays can be a bit exhausting. However, there are some places that suit any kind of traveller. Whether you are single, a family, a couple or a few friends getting together, one such destination is exotic Sri Lanka!
Sri Lanka has diverse cultures and many beautiful locations and sites to see, whether you are a sun worshipper looking for the best beaches or culture buff who like to take in the historical and cultural sites and sounds, this little island nations has something for everyone. When visiting Sri Lanka however, there are a few things that you definitely should not miss!
Here are some not-to-be-missed things to do and places to visit while on your next family tour in Sri Lanka!
Visit a historical site
Sri Lanka’s history goes back many thousands of years, with evidence of prehistoric settlements dating back almost 125,000 years! With all history, there are some beautiful locations to visit while in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s ancient kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are some of the best locations to visit if you want to learn more about the country’s iconic kings and their endeavours of the past. Ancient temples, kings’ palaces and other revered buildings at these famous archaeological sites have been restored, and give a glimpse into the magnitude of power and talents that these people of old had. You will be amazed at some of the architectural designs of these ancient kingdoms, such as the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, where an entire city has been built atop a huge rock.
Other historical places to visit include the Dambulla Cave Temple, the Dutch Fort in Galle, the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy and the Yapahuwa Rock Fortress, among others.
Experience a scenic train ride
Travelling around Sri Lanka is both safe and interesting. You can use public transport, such as trains or busses (including air-conditioned ones) or get a car hire in Sri Lanka with a driver and guide to take you around. For short distances, a must experience mode of transportation is the tuk tuk!
However, for those who enjoy a more exciting adventure, a must-do when in Sri Lanka, is take a train rider to Ella. This train ride offers an exquisitely scenic route, passing lush tea estates, cascading waterfall and beautiful villages, as you travel to the rolling hillside that is Ella. This interesting train ride will also take you along the famous Nine Arches Bridge (also called the Bridge in the Sky), built during the colonial era in Sri Lanka. This bridge is nothing short of an architectural ingenuity which consents two mountains, and has stood the test of time for hundreds of years. If you love the wind in your hair, lush scenic views and a certain degree of magic, then this is one ride you wouldn’t want to miss!
Visit the exotic wildlife
This island nation is a wildlife lovers paradise, with many wildlife parks to visit, depending on what kind of wildlife takes your fancy. If you love the majestic Asian elephant, then must visit places include the Yala National Park, Minenriya National Park and Udawalawe. At Minneriya, if you visit it at the right time, you may even be lucky enough to see and photograph the famous elephant gathering!
For bird lovers, there are the Bundala and Kumana wildlife parks, and for all exotic wildlife in general, such as leopards, sloth bears and crocodiles, any one of these beautiful locations will do!
Worship the sun and bask in its glory
Being an island nation, Sri Lanka is lucky to have many beautiful beaches from the Southern coastline all the way up to the North and East. Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Rakawa beaches down south, and the white sandy beaches of Nilaveli in the east are not to be missed location for sun worshippers. Enjoy the beautiful sunsets while you sip on a delicious cocktail or king coconut water, and enjoy the glory of romance on your honeymoon tour in Sri Lanka!
Don’t forget to go surfing in Weligama and Arugam Bay, while also enjoying some exotic seafood dishes served at the many beach restaurants in those areas.
Pay a visit to the exotic marine life
It is not only sun worshippers who can enjoy this island, but also those who love marine life. Trincomalee and Batticaloa are some of the best places for scuba diving, with their exquisitely beautiful and colourful marine animals and unique coral reefs. The coral reef population of Sri Lanka was fast depleting, but the government and many other private organisations have made great efforts to both sustain and enrich them in recent years.
Trek through the jungles
No trip to this beautiful country will be complete without an adventurous trek in the jungles. Adams Peak, both a cultural and religious location for Christians, Buddhists and Muslims, is a must visit location. On clear days you can see this prestigious mountain from the capital city of Colombo, and it is a revered site visited by many every year.
You can also go hiking through Horton Plains in the hill country, or do a jungle trek through the beautiful Sinharaja Rainforest. There are many eco-friendly hotels located within the rainforest itself, so staying over for a few days is a must in order to have the full jungle experience.
Visit the Veddas of Dambana
The Veddas are an aboriginal people native to Sri Lanka, with their own language, culture and lifestyle. Dambana is located in the Badulla District, close to the town of Mahiyanganaya. Travelling to this beautiful area will take you along the 18-bends road, passing beautiful scenery and village life. The Vedda village itself is certainly a site to see. The residents will even take you on a traditional tour showing you how they forage and hunt for food, the way they live, and also let you sample some of their delicious and unique cuisine. Don’t forget to visit the museum when you are there.
Visit a local market
There are many local markets in Sri Lanka, but one of the most colourful has to be the Pettah Market in Colombo! What Pratunam Market is to Thailand, Pettah is to Sri Lanka. You will find street vendors selling all manner of items from clothing to souvenir items to street food, and many shops with varied goods. Each street in the Pettah area is famous for specific types of goods, like electronic items, stationery items etc, and the products are very reasonably priced.
Enjoy the cool climes of the hills and enjoy a good cuppa tea
If the hot and busy Colombo city is a bit too much to bear, then you can head on over to the lush green hill country and enjoy the cool climate and fresh air. Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela, Hatton, and Kandy are some of the more famous destinations, but there are definitely many more places to visit, with many historical and cultural sites to see, such as ancient churches, cascading waterfall and tea factories.
When visiting the hill country, don’t forget to try some Ceylon Tea, which is famous around the world for its unique and delicious flavour and aroma. Whether you like black tea, green tea or the unique white or silver tips tea, be sure to get a few samples to take back home with you.
Last but not least – savour the delicious food
Of course, the one thing you really must try is the delicious cuisine of Sri Lank! From unique hoppers (a type of crunch pancake) to Kottu Roti (street food you will not find anywhere else in the world), to delicious and spicy rice and curry, this island is a gastronomic journey all on its own. You can even participate in a cooking lesson and learn how to make these delicious dishes on your own, as many hotels and restaurant have cookery programmes for their guests. Don’t forget that Sri Lanka has some of the best spices in the world, so take a few home to try out!
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