We visited Sri Lanka back in the summer of 2013. It was a country that we didn’t really know much about back then. Mr ESLT had work colleagues who hailed from Sri Lanka. They spoke very highly about the country and thoroughly recommended we visit. Sri Lanka has had a turbulent past with a history that dates back thousands of years. Even in recent years has seen unrest. However, if you are a traveller or have an interest in travel, you will know that certain events can happen anywhere in the world at any time. Therefore, such occurrences shouldn’t put you off travelling. Sri Lanka is a stunning and extremely unique country and growing in popularity year after year. Here are 10 reasons why you should visit The Pearl of The Indian Ocean.
Beaches
Sri Lanka has lots of tropical beaches. Therefore making it the perfect place to head if you are looking for a beach destination and want to dip your toe in the Indian Ocean. There is a beach for everyone. Some of the ‘best’ beaches on the island are Hiriketiya for lively nightlife, Bentota for watersports, Arugam Bay for its laidback charm, Mirissa for sealife and Uppuveli for its unspoilt charm.
Cave Tours
A unique experience and one that you should not miss is taking a cave tour while in Sri Lanka to discover the mysterious caves on the island, which date back 500 million years. You can find the majority of the caves in the central and southern hills of Sri Lanka. Some of the most popular caving locations include Andirilena Caves, Udagama, Batatotalena Cave, Sudagala and Batadombalena Cave, Kuruwita.
Cultural Heritage
Sri Lanka has rich cultural heritages with seven sites across the country being recognised by UNESCO. These are the sacred city of Anuradhapura, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the golden temple of Dambulla, the ancient city of Sigiriya, the sacred city of Kandy old town of Galle and its fortifications (cultural) together with the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (natural).
Festivals and celebrations
As Sri Lanka is a multicultural country there are numerous festivals, events and celebrations held throughout the year. Many showcase the culture of the country together with traditions and history, usually in a colourful way. The Vel Festival is one of Sri Lanka’s most important and celebrated Hindu festivals, Other celebrations include Nallur Festival, Sinhala and Tamil New Year and Diwali (Deepavali).
Food
A great reason to visit the Pearl of the Indian Ocean is to sample the amazing food. Sri Lankan cuisine is fantastic and very tasty. The main element of most Sri Lankan dishes is boiled/steamed rice. It usually accompanies a curry (many are made from vegetables, lentils, or fruits which are great for vegetarians), meat or fish. It’s important to note that several curries in Sri Lanka are extremely hot.
People
Of all the countries we have visited, we found the people of Sri Lanka to be the kindest and welcoming. Of course, like all countries in the world, there are underhand people. However, if you keep your wits about you, you will be fine. You will be greeted with friendly smiles wherever you go and as they are very hospitable, the likelihood is you will be invited to at least one Sri Lankan’s home during your stay.
Rainforests
There are several rainforests in Sri Lanka. The 3 most famous are Peak Wilderness, Knuckles and the Sinharaja World Heritage Site. All 3 rainforests offer amazing trekking opportunities with an amazing backdrop of flora and fauna. Together with wildlife including the Adenomus kandianus, the world’s rarest toad, thought to be extinct before being (re)discovered in the Peak Wilderness in 2009.
Rock Climbing
Another great reason to visit the Pearl of the Indian Ocean is to experience the range of rock climbing options available. There are many natural rock formations in the Central lands of Sri Lanka. These include Sigiriya and Dambulla, Adam’s Peak, the Knuckles mountain range etc. Don’t worry you don’t need to take your gear with you, there are several companies that offer guided climbs and equipment hire.
Scenic Beauty
If you are looking for a destination that offers scenic beauty, look no further than Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka offers a diverse landscape. Considering it is a relatively small island you can find beautiful central highlands and lush greenery. Together with amazingly beautiful beaches and unique rock formations. The scenery is breathtaking and exploring the different areas is a great reason to visit the Pearl of The Indian Ocean.
Train Travel
A thing on many people’s ‘must-do’ list in Sri Lanka is to travel by train. We’re sure you’re familiar with the hanging off train photos! The scenery especially between Colombo and Polonnaruwa and Kandy and Ella is beautiful and allows you to see the country from a different perspective. Train travel is also cheap in Sri Lanka, making exploring on a budget possible. The trains do get packed and hot so be prepared.
Weather
Sri Lanka is an all-year-round destination. Somewhere on the island is always warm and dry. The best time to visit the west and south and Hill Country (the mountainous regions of central Sri Lanka) is from December to March, with the south-western monsoon hitting the southwest of Sri Lanka between May and September. Whereas, on the east coast you will find the best weather from April/May to September.
Wildlife
Another great reason to visit the Pearl of the Indian Ocean is for the wildlife. Sri Lanka has many National Parks. The most popular is Yala National Park. Here you can see over 40 mammals including leopards and elephants and 200 types of birds. During the dry season (September/October) the park is closed. Wasgamuwa National Park is also a big hit with nature lovers. Here you can see wild elephants, especially during the evenings.
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