Destinations - Explore Sri Lanka

Down south (Galle, Unawatuna, Mirissa, Hikkaduwa, Bentota)

The southern coast of Sri Lanka is dotted with golden sandy beaches, vibrant villages and exciting excursions. Its close proximity to the capital city Colombo makes it a perfect destination for short trips packed with a lot of fun. Whether you want to simply get a good dose of sun and sand, catch some great surf waves, visit turtle hatcheries, enjoy fish therapy or watch dolphins and whales, down south promises to offer all this and more. A spectrum of accommodation options is also available in this area. These include a number of backpacker-friendly hostels, luxury hotels, villas and holiday homes.

Colombo

The commercial capital of Sri Lanka has all the amenities sought out by a modern traveler. The city is filled with great hotels, diverse dining options, exciting nightlife, museums, libraries, parks, markets and a fusion of other elements of an urban landscape. Colombo is currently in the process of transforming itself to a wetland city with its network of urban wetlands that offer refuge to a number of wildlife species and flora. In addition, Colombo is also home to a range of religious monuments that include churches, temples, kovils and mosques with unique architectural characteristics. Situated in the west coast of Sri Lanka, Colombo is also minutes away from the ocean.

Anuradhapura – Polonnaruwa

Situated within the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, the two cities Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were home to the ancient Kings of Sri Lanka. The cities still stand true to their heritage with extensive areas covered by ruins of old palaces and forts. Mammoth tanks and irrigation systems built centuries ago are still present in the area. A few of the oldest and largest stupas, bodhi trees and Buddhist statues can be easily spotted during your visit to these ancient landmark cities. The weather is warm and humid and a lot of walking is required if you want to explore their true wonder. Therefore, hydration and sun cover are essential!

Sigiriya – Pidurangala

Built by King Kashyapa for refuge from his enemies, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress is famed as the eighth wonder of the world and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The two rocks Sigiriya and Pidurangala are situated just a few minutes away from each other about half an hour away from the Dambulla Town. A hike up Pidurangala offers a stunning view of Sigiriya, while the journey up Sigiriya promises to leave anyone awe-struck with its frescoes adorned with beautiful paintings, mirror walls, ponds and stone carvings. The area is dotted with large wasp hives, monkeys and a lot of friendly dogs.

Kandy

Claimed as the hill capital of Sri Lanka and the home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy is a city that has a very unique charm to offer. Anchored by a vast lake, the Temple of the Tooth, locally referred to as the ‘Dalada Maligawa’ is one of the country’s most iconic monuments with impressive architecture, a range of colorful paintings and a museum complex. The city is also in close proximity to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. The weather is cooler than Colombo, but the sun still shines brightly during the day.

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is a quaint town situated in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. It is an area filled with extensive tea fields, strawberry farms and charming houses. Commonly referred to as Little England, the city offers cool temperatures and a constant drizzle. A few of the common attractions in Nuwara Eliya include Gregory’s Lake, the Ambewala Dairy Farm, Haggala Botanical Gardens and the Nuwara Eliya town itself. The old post office and police station that is at the very heart of the town has a charm inspired by European architecture. Additionally, the golf fields, the racecourse and beautifully landscaped parks make Nuwara Eliya a great place for relaxation and enjoyment.

Ella

The train journey to Ella from Nuwara Eliya offers one of the most picturesque views in the entire country. The light green tea fields, the nine arches bridge that looms in the distance…all seem like they are a part of a postcard. The Ella Rock is one of the many places that you can explore while in Ella. This is a great destination for nature lovers and those who enjoy hikes along beautiful landscapes. You can find a range of beautiful waterfalls, forests and gardens during the hikes and enjoy the taste of true authentic Sri Lankan food from the homes of the locals who are always happy to welcome you.

Yala

Yala is situated in the southern part of Sri Lanka close to Kataragama and Tissamaharamaya. The main destination in Yala is the National Park which is a protected area in the country. It is sought after by wildlife enthusiasts for its high abundance of leopards, elephants, deer, bears, wild boar and other types of fauna. The park offers accommodation within its premises which increases your chances of actually sighting the rare leopard. There are bungalows that are situated within the park as well as in the bordering area. The park also offers safari rides for both locals and foreigners which involves a tour around the entire park with a few stops to admire the flora.

West Coast (Kalpitiya, Negombo)

The West Coast of Sri Lanka is home to golden sandy beaches and a range of exciting water sports from parasailing, kite surfing and jet skiing. Negombo is also one of the most tourist-friendly towns in the country, with a large range of hostels, tourist-friendly shops, markets and excursion activities. The coast is dotted with fishing villages where fresh seafood can be enjoyed in abundance. The Kalpitiya beach is a favorite camping location for local campers during the dry season where a beautiful sunset can be experienced which is later followed by the perfect opportunity to watch the stars.

Wilpattu

Situated along the Northwest coast of the island, Wilpattu is the largest wildlife sanctuary in the country. It is home to the elusive leopard and a number of other important wildlife species. The sanctuary is situated in close proximity to the Puttalam lagoon and estuary which is home to the largest and richest mangrove patch in Sri Lanka. The area is also a designated Ramsar site where a large number of migratory birds land on the sand dunes each year. A trip to the sanctuary and surrounding areas promises a sunny experience filled with the wonders of nature. If time permits, a visit to the nearby fishing villages will offer tourists the opportunity to witness the lives of the local fishing community and maybe even share a meal with them.

Udawalawe

Udawalawe is a town situated towards the southern part of Sri Lanka and is recognized mostly for the Udawalawe National Park. This park is well renowned for its high density of wild elephants. Other than the elephants, it is home to various kinds of mammals including the Leopard and the Water Buffalo. If you are a bird lover you should know that the park plays host to many birds of prey. At the center of the park is the Udawalawe Reservoir which is the main source of water for most of these animals. Therefore make sure you experience a safari in the park to witness these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.

Jaffna

To get to the city of Jaffna you would have to travel to the northernmost part of Sri Lanka which is a long drive from Colombo. This ancient city is home to many alluring Kovils and other sights such as the Jaffna Fort built during colonial times. Majority of Sri Lanka’s Tamil population live in this beautiful landscape scattered with Palmyrah trees. Jaffna, being situated in the Northern peninsula gives visitors access to lagoons, white sandy beaches and many islands to explore. The people of Jaffna faced hard times during the civil war that lasted for many years on the island. The ruins of war are still visible in the city. However, it is quite remarkable to see how the people have rebuilt.