Sri Lanka, one of the most colorful countries in the world, has something to surprise its guests. Interesting history, unique culture, unusual traditions and rituals - all this is complemented by the most beautiful sights and opportunities for an excellent vacation on the coast of the Indian Ocean.
The country has long realized its potential as a tourist paradise, therefore, all conditions have been created for the convenience of visitors. The list of sightseeing tours alone can impress even the most discerning traveler. Here you can walk along beaches with golden sand under piercing blue skies, and breathtaking cascading waterfalls, and an amazing variety of tropical flora and fauna.
How to get to Sri Lanka on your own - read our article.
Of course, special attention is paid to the visiting card of Sri Lanka - tea plantations. It is this product that the country is most proud of, and every local resident can describe the process of growing and producing a flavored drink for a long time and colorfully.
This country is an ideal destination for a vacation at any time of the year, because Sri Lanka is incredibly lucky with climatic conditions - almost all year round the air temperature is kept at around 27 degrees. Lovers of water sports are advised to plan their visit in November-April: it is at this time that the weather is wonderful here, which is most suitable for active entertainment on the water.
What to do if you missed your plane - read our article.
To list all the resorts of Sri Lanka is a thankless task, there is always something, but it will be forgotten. The most popular are Hikkaduwa, Bentota, Nuwara Eliya, Negombo and others. All of them have one thing in common - these places seem to be created for an excellent beach holiday. The beaches in these cities delight with the purest golden sand, the water is clear and warm, and in the shade of tall coconut trees you can perfectly wait out the midday heat. A distinctive feature of these particular latitudes is the unique coral gardens under water, teeming with colorful fish.
Hotels and resorts vying with each other offer all kinds of attractions: diving, already loved by many, snorkeling (snorkeling), interactive safaris, surfing and windsurfing, kayaking and canoeing tours. You can also admire the marvelous landscapes from a bird's eye view by ordering a helicopter tour.
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Paradise, tea and waterfalls - Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya resort is recognized as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. Located high in the mountains (1884 m above sea level), the city has a particularly mild climate. The temperature here always fluctuates between 15-20 degrees Celsius. Like any highland area, the surroundings of Nuwara Eliya amaze with picturesque landscapes: majestic mountains on the horizon, bright green meadows, shady valleys.
For years, tourists have been flocking here, tired of the heat in other cities. The locals also began to follow this tradition, laid down by the British during the time of colonization. Waterfalls irrigate the slopes of the nearby mountains, creating a unique microclimate for growing the world's finest teas.
Nuwara Eliya will not offer you a hectic nightlife, the whole city falls asleep with the last rays of the sun leaving. However, during the day there is a clear revival - people take to the streets, relax in restaurants, a large number of entertainment programs are provided for tourists. For fans of gambling and horse racing, the hippodrome functions throughout April. Not far from the hippodrome is the picturesque Lake Gregory, a distinctive feature of which is a farm for breeding a special type of brown trout, brought here in 1882.
Adam's Peak
If you go outside the city, you will see Adam's Peak - a must stop for photos, included in all excursions. There are constant pilgrimages to the top of the peak, as believers go there to worship the sacred footprint. According to legend, it was here that God expelled Adam, after the latter dared to disobey God's orders. The largest number of pilgrims tend to climb the peak in December. Steep steps are illuminated for convenience.
The way up is very difficult and tiring, however, having got there at a certain time, you can enjoy the unique spectacle of the sunrise and a bird's-eye view of the city itself.
Tea
It is in this region that the best varieties of Ceylon tea are grown. This plant was introduced to Sri Lanka from China back in 1824. A little later, in 1839, Indian varieties appeared here. The first tests were carried out at the state level by the staff of the Peradeniya Botanical Garden. Tea from Nuwara Eliya has a special taste, thanks to the unique growing conditions - at an altitude of about three thousand above sea level, surrounded by eucalyptus and cypress trees.
For lovers of sun and water - Bentota
Not far from the capital of Colombo, there is another wonderful resort - Bentota. The city is located in a unique place - between the sea coast and the mouth of the river that flows into it. The climate here is pleasant: the air temperature is in the range of 25-30 degrees, the water temperature is about 25-26 degrees all year round. Experts advise planning a trip to Bentota for the period from October to April.
Masquerade
If you are lucky and choose the right time to visit, you will have a unique chance to see the annual masquerade held on the streets of the city and in the open theater. Festival participants dress up in costumes of fabulous creatures and arrange real shows in the open air. Theatrical performances, puppet shows and colorful masquerades are also part of the daily entertainment program at many Bentota hotels.
Water sports
Connoisseurs of water sports gather in Bentota all year round. It is here that the largest sports center in Sri Lanka and the world famous diving club are located. In addition to organizing excursions, fishing trips and cruises, the center provides services for renting catamarans, kayaks, canoes and water skis. The conditions of the Indian Ocean are ideal for sailing, and the richness of the underwater world is striking in its diversity, which could not but affect the popularity of underwater walks. Local instructors are always on hand to help beginners get familiar with diving equipment and techniques.
After completing a short course of training, you can make the first dive, since the absence of underwater currents and calm waters are only in the hands of beginners, and experienced divers can descend to a depth of 35 meters.
Churches, Fortress and Fishing - Negombo
Another wonderful resort, Negombo, is located forty kilometers from Colombo. This is where most sightseeing tours of Sri Lanka begin. The climate in Negombo is pleasantly constant - the air temperature rarely drops below 25 degrees. When planning your trip, you just need to remember that in October and November there is a high level of rainfall.
Old fort
The main attraction of Negombo is the old fort, built by the Dutch at the end of the seventeenth century. Little is left of it - just fragments of walls, a central gate and a moat connecting the fortress with the sea. In addition, the city is considered the center of the Catholic faith in Sri Lanka, although there are many representatives of other religions in the country. That is, in addition to a large number of Catholic churches, in Negombo, you can also see other sacred buildings.
Angunukaramulla temple
Especially interesting will be the large Buddhist temple of Angunukaramulla, which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over Sri Lanka and from neighboring countries. The Hindu temple of Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, in the vicinity of Negombo, annually becomes the center for a colorful celebration with parade processions with the participation of elephants, fakirs, acrobats and dancers. A visit to such a festival can leave an unforgettable experience even for those who have seen a lot of tourists.
Canoeing
In the city itself, it is worth renting a small canoe and taking a ride along the banks of the central city canal. On the way, you can stop at the largest fish market on the island. And if you want to fish, then go to Baikal - a small village where you can take part in fishing yourself and return home with a good catch of fish and shrimps. If you're lucky, a large lobster may also be caught among the fish.
Beaches and corals - Hikkaduwa
On the southern coast, tourists are especially fond of the city of Hikkaduwa. Its peculiarity is that it was here that foreign tourists were able to discover Sri Lanka for the first time. A well-developed infrastructure has been created for guests, which contributes to the further improvement of tourism in the region.
The resort boasts the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, coarse sand beaches and extraordinarily beautiful coral reefs. Coral is a kind of symbol of the city, its image can be found almost everywhere: in shop windows, in the details of the design of bars and restaurants, and, as you might guess, it is the most popular souvenir in local shops.
To enjoy the natural beauty of the coral gardens, you can book one of the many excursions to the underwater reserve. For this, it is absolutely not necessary to take a diving course - for these purposes, special boats with a transparent bottom are used. For those wishing to dive, there are centers for equipment rental and training in the basics of scuba diving.
The beaches of Hikkaduwa allow vacationers, if they wish, to hide in thickets of coconut palms, and the heavy sand will not clog under clothes or fall asleep in the eyes at the slightest breath of wind.
To a local monastery: studying the charter
Going to Sri Lanka, it will be useful to get acquainted with the local way of life and traditions. The locals are very friendly and cheerful people. They are especially fond of all kinds of holidays and festivities: they are celebrated almost every third day - 166 times a year. The main holiday is the Esa la Perahera festival, which program includes solemn processions with the participation of ornate temple elephants, dancers in colorful costumes, fakirs and fire-eaters. The celebrations continue for several days.
If fate brings you to the shores of the beautiful Lake Beira, then you can see how the Navam Perahera holiday is celebrated. These days, the god Skanda, the youngest son of Shiva, is worshiped. Thousands of people take part in the celebrations every year.
Sri Lanka is not distinguished by strictness in the choice of clothes, the realities of a tourist place make themselves felt. However, do not neglect the local hospitality, and it is best to choose clothes that cover your knees, shoulders and back when visiting temples and places of religious destination. When entering Buddhist and Hindu temples, you should take off your shoes, this rule also applies to mosques. There are also rules regarding clothing on the beaches - topless sunbathing is prohibited here. In addition, the restaurants of some hotels have a dress code - you will not be allowed in shorts, swimsuits and beach shoes.
Ayurveda is widely spread on the island - an ancient teaching about a healthy lifestyle and the art of healing. Followers of this system argue that if you follow all of its canons, you can live a long and healthy life. Some techniques are designed to heal a person not only physically, but also psychologically. A distinctive feature of Ayurveda is the complete absence of contraindications and side effects.
Hotels and hotels: excellent service, varied cuisine, entertainment program
The wrong hotel can spoil the experience of even an otherwise ideal holiday. In Sri Lanka, this has long been understood, so almost all local hotels compete for the right to please guests of the country with excellent service, varied cuisine and an interesting entertainment program.
Finding a suitable place to live is available to almost everyone - the choice is really huge. Hotels are located both on the coast and in the interior of the island. The Southwest Coast offers a large number of hotels ranging from two to five stars. A large number of hotels are also located in the central part of the country, the so-called Cultural Triangle.
Most hotels offer their own diving centers, equipment rental and a wide range of sightseeing tours. The northern coast cannot boast of a large number of places to stay, in fact, there are only a few hotels themselves, but they are always popular with the arrival of the tourist season.
The most popular beaches in Sri Lanka
There are a great many beaches in Sri Lanka, and each one seems to have stepped out of a picture depicting paradise. Let's dwell on a few of them in more detail.
Casuarina Beach
The northernmost beach in Sri Lanka. Suitable for young people who prefer active rest. This area has all the conditions for perfect windsurfing. However, there are also disadvantages, namely, some remoteness of the beach, the road to which will take some time.
Mirissa Beach
Located on the south coast. Here, in contrast to the noisy Casuarina, calm and relaxed atmosphere reign. The beach can be reached from the southernmost town of the island - Matara, the path will be about 25 kilometers.
Unavantuna Beach
One of the most beautiful places on the island. This beach is visited by a huge number of people, to a greater extent, because of its safety, because it is surrounded on all sides by a coral reef. Here are the best conditions for families with children. By the way, Unawatuna is in the twelfth place in the ranking of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Hikkaduwa Beach
Located in the city of the same name. The beach is perfect for those who like active nightlife. It is here that the most famous beach parties and discos are held. The length of the beach is about two kilometers.
Bentota Beach
The most famous beach in Sri Lanka, a favorite place for newlyweds as a romantic getaway. This place is not distinguished by its cheapness, so either wealthy people or those wishing to celebrate important events in life in a special way can come here on vacation.
The best bars
In Colombo, be sure to visit the luxurious nightclub The Blue Elephant. The bar of this club is considered the best in the country, but getting there is not so easy, sometimes you even have to stand in a long line.
Fans of dancing will surely appreciate “Mu Kind of Place” - an excellent disco with the most modern music of various styles. If you prefer good old jazz, then welcome to Echelon Pub, where world famous musicians of this genre perform. "Rock Cafe" offers its visitors a wide selection of cocktails, a modern stylish disco and an original interior with a waterfall. For those wishing to have a good evening and taste authentic Ceylon cuisine, Curry Leaf is highly recommended.
Sri Lanka travel guide
Mount Sigiriya
Each guidebook advises to start sightseeing from Mount Sigiriya and the fortress located at its top. Initially, the structure was intended for shelter and defense in the event of an attack.The fortress is adorned with eleven beautiful frescoes that have survived thanks to a special coloring composition.
Royal Botanic Gardens
The largest in Asia, the Royal Botanic Gardens, which covers an area of about 70 hectares, is worth a separate visit. Here is a huge collection of plants and trees from all over the world. A large number of exhibits have their own unique history, such as the spruce tree planted by Yuri Gagarin.
Turtle farms
At turtle farms in Kosgoda, you can watch miniature turtles hatch from eggs laid on the coast and collected by the farm staff. This is done in order to protect animals from predators, and when the young are strong enough, they will be released into their native ocean waters again.
State elephant nursery
Will not leave anyone indifferent - here you can closely observe the life of little elephants who were left without parents. Zoo staff nurture them and adapt them to later life on the island. These animals play an important role in the cultural traditions and agriculture of Sri Lanka, and the attitude of local people towards them is appropriate.
Temple in the caves of Anuradhapura
And the culmination of a visit to Sri Lanka will be a trip to the temple complex located in the caves of the holy city of Anuradhapura. Here is an ancient royal palace, a distinctive feature of which is an incredibly developed irrigation system and seven reservoirs. In addition, it is there that the oldest monastery complex still operates, and the second largest Buddhist stupa is located. There, according to legend, the sacred Buddha tree, brought from India, grows.
Possible travel route
If you want to see as many sights of Sri Lanka as possible within a certain period of time, then a good option would be to use the following route: Cultural Triangle - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Bentota.
During a trip to the Cultural Triangle, you can visit cave temples and see rock figures, striking in their size. You can stay in one of the many four- or five-star hotels. Be prepared that monkeys roam freely on the territory of many hotels.
It is worth stopping in Kandy to visit the Temple of the Tooth of Buddha, where a sarcophagus with, in fact, a tooth is shown to the public twice a day. On the way to Nuwara Eliya, visit the Botanical Garden. The city itself was described in detail earlier, you just have to take care of booking a hotel in advance, especially at the height of the tourist season.
At the end of your trip, spend a few days at one of the coastal hotels in Bentota, where you can have a great rest on the beach before the rather long flight home.
