Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean, is a perfect family holiday destination; it is a treasure of natural beauty. The idyllic scenery and tranquil atmosphere make this island a true paradise, with all the elements you could wish for from this ultimate beach holiday. With many exciting cities to explore, cultural hotspots, and stunning attractions, there is plenty to see and do.
Why Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country. It is the home of some of South Asia's most fascinating religious and cultural attractions, from elaborate art and architecture, revealing the essence of the island's fascinating history, to rich cultural heritage. The north-central plains of the county have many Buddhist temples, sculptures, stupas, and ancient monasteries; some are century-old. This ancient civilization flourished in Anuradhapura, the cultural capital of Lanka, for over a thousand years. Due to invasions from South India, the money was shifted to Polonnaruwa, and a new era started under the guidance and influence of Buddhism. Many monolithic rock formations that dot the north-central plains have been transformed into places of worship by expert ancient sculptors inspired by the Buddhist way of life.
Sri Lanka through my eyes
I went to Sri Lanka last year with my friend to enjoy the Christmas Holidays. I love to memorize those days and recollect an enjoyable experience. A small island country, Sri Lanka is an ideal destination to visit for anyone and any time. The government has something for everyone; here, you can find lustrous tea gardens, golden beaches, a chirpy environment, emerald forests, and a potpourri of chaotic and soothing places. This teardrop-shaped island country is one of my favorite holiday destinations, with no shortage of awe-inspiring sights to always keep one in high spirits.
Though there are too many reasons to choose Sri Lanka as a holiday destination, I am highlighting the top 10 reasons to visit Sri Lanka, a beautiful, exotic destination full of culture, nature, wildlife, and smiling faces.
- Pocket-friendly exotic holiday destination
If you are looking for an exciting holiday destination without making a large hole in your pocket, Sri Lanka is one of the suitable places to select. One of the most significant plus points of Sri Lanka is its affordability. Everything makes it a desirable destination, from the currency to cheaper flights to cities like Colombo and Kandy and affordable stays. Also, the tax slabs are far lower when compared to other countries. Getting a visa is also much easier, and the formalities are less tedious.
Even if you like to enjoy your trip a little luxurious way, Sri Lanka is a great option to save and extend your budget further. Indeed, in Sri Lanka, you will get many other ways to utilize your bucks, with an emerging market for affordable luxury tourism.
- Land of pristine beaches and surfers' paradise
Sri Lanka is renowned for the golden beaches that encompass the island. It has long attracted tourists seeking sand, sunbathing, surfing, swimming, different water sports, deep sea diving, and fishing fun. Another main attraction of Sri Lanka is spotting whales and dolphins on the southern and North West coast from January till the end of April. During this period, large pods of Dolphins can be spotted within a few miles offshore. In the oceans around Kalpitiya, the North-west region of Sri Lanka, Sperm Whales, Blue Whales, and Pilot Whales gather in large pods of fifty to hundred members.
If you are a surfer or want to try surfing, Sri Lanka is the best destination. This is a safe place to start surfing, and almost all hotels have surfing boats for rent. The coastal lineup of Sri Lanka is still relatively less crowded, so you can catch a wave and enjoy surfing. Apart from the suitable coastal line, the delightfully warm water for most of the year makes the place appropriate for surfers. Most importantly, one can enjoy surfing in Sri Lanka throughout the year; from November to April, the southern part of Sri Lanka is suitable for surfing, whereas May to October is the surf season in eastern Sri Lanka.
Travel makes one modest .You see what a tiny place you occupy in this world .
- Gustav Flaubert
- Experience the diversity of wildlife and Asian Safari
Sri Lanka is a land with a high degree of biodiversity. Conservation International has identified the island as one of 34 world biodiversity hot spots. The world's first wildlife sanctuary was established in this country by the country's first Buddhist monarch in 3rd c. BC. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being the last viable area of the primary tropical rainforest of the country, a secure place for several endemic species.
Sri Lanka's wildlife flourished with too many wild animals, from elephants and leopards to blue whales, sea turtles, and a wide variety of birds. Yala National Park is famous for having the highest density of leopards in the world. The national parks and bird sanctuaries of the southern and central zones of Sri Lanka have the best opportunities to watch animals in their natural habitat. Apart from that, monkeys are everywhere in Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, you should enjoy a safari in any 14 national parks that offer the chance to see more than 90 mammals. Those include elephants, leopards, sloth bears, sambhur, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boars, porcupines, ant-eater, civet cats, loris, giant squirrels, and many more.
- Adventure & Outdoor Activities
If hiking, trekking trails, or outdoor adventure awes you, then Sri Lanka's mist-covered central mountains in Ella offer marvelous opportunities. Trekking through the natural beauty of Horton Plains is a beautiful experience, an environment characterized by forest patches and grasslands along with steep mountain passes. There is no comparison of the trekking trails to Adams to witness the mystic shadow of the peak across the lowland plains. If you are in Kandy, the knuckles range wilderness area will take your breath away. If you aren't keen on uphill climbs, many lowland trails take you through mosaics of lush green paddy fields, rubber plantations, and coconut groves. In short, all adventure lovers must visit this lovely island at least once in their lifetime and enjoy the authentic flavor of Sri Lanka.
There are more than 100 waterfalls located in the hilly area of the country. Some of them are manufactured but still don't stop short of being breathtakingly beautiful. Several unknown waterfalls are still there, waiting to be discovered. All these water bodies add special significance to the natural diversity of Sri Lanka and allow visitors to enjoy different outdoor activities.
- Get ready for some sunshine.
Sri Lanka is for you if you want to get soaked in the tropical sun. Sri Lanka is a low country with abundant sunshine and blue skies year-round, except for the monsoon season, when it can contact a little more humid and rainy. With all respect, December to mid-April is the best time to visit Sri Lanka to enjoy every part of the country.
- Temples & Buddhist Culture
Sri Lanka will satisfy you if you are fascinated by temples and Buddhist culture. This small country owns six archaeological and cultural sites and World Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO. Sri Lanka is one of the most enriched. There is no comparison between the enormous dagobas and the remains of ancient buildings in the ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. You will find the awesome stairway to the temple at Dambulla and the sensual frescoes of heavenly maidens at the palace at the rock of Sigiriya. I was really surprised by the architecture of the Dalada Maligawa, or Sacred Temple of the Tooth, which houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha.
Apart from temples and Buddhist cultural sites, Sri Lanka is also enriched with colonial heritage. The Dutch fort at Galle is one of the best-preserved forts in Asia. The defense has 14 massive bastions, a grid system of streets, and some original Dutch bungalows; to date, the fort is as lively as it was when Galle was the country's principal port. And there is no doubt why this is one of the most unique attractions in Sri Lanka.
- Road-tripping through the Countryside
The landscapes of Sri Lanka are incredibly diverse, and it is impossible to cover real Sri Lanka with tourist buses. To get the actual essence of a country, I prefer to roam around with local vehicles. In Sri Lanka, I found that a local tuk-tuk or auto is the best option to explore the towns along the coast to a laidback country lifestyle through Kandy and the various tea plantations in the highlands. You have to sit back in a comfortable tuk-tuk escorted by an English-speaking chauffeur guide and discover Sri Lanka's unparalleled royal city of Kandy. A great way to see the country is by road-tripping it along with shopping, sightseeing, and food-tasting events.
- Food
Sri Lanka cuisine is typically wholesome; it is a mixture of many cultures, tastes, and food habits. As many foreign cultures have accumulated here and mixed with the original Sri Lankan or South Asian food culture, they all enhance the flavor of Sri Lankan Cuisine. This cuisine is relatively healthy and features a wealth of spices and flavors. Sri Lankan meals consist of colorful curries, rice, roti, string hoppers, kottu, tons of fresh seafood, and an abundance of incredible tropical fruit. And another thing that I can't miss about Sri Lankan dishes is the diversity of their coconut-made foods. They prepare a lot of cuisines with coconut milk and raw coconut.
Sri Lanka also offers delicious snacks, such as cutlets, patties, malu pang, and kimbula bunis. The delightful fruit bucket of Sri Lanka includes the favorite mango, pineapple, banana, and papaya, but also many lesser-known but notable examples such as sapodilla, mangosteen, rambutan, wood apple, custard apple, and beli.
- The locale
I always love to meet new people. I was impressed with every Sri Lankan's lukewarm response and warm response from the tuk-tuk drivers, the village farmers, and the restaurant owners. Sri Lankans are proud of their country and culture. Whatsoever their social status, they possess a warm and friendly nature that reflects in their persistent smiling faces and eagerness to help those unfamiliar strangers with aspects of local life.
- Shopping
Last but not least is 'SHOPPING.' No trip is complete without shopping. Here is a critical tip for you: include at least a day in your itinerary to check out the fantastic handicraft collections of Sri Lanka. Go for the government handicraft shops and familiarize yourself with traditional designs such as Makara, lion, swan, elephant, and lotus-shaped designs, which are most evident in brasswork and silverware. You can collect special boxes, trays, lanterns, vases, ornately carved and filigree jewelry, tea sets, and many more as excellent souvenirs for this trip.
Also, Sri Lanka has the most comprehensive range of precious stones among the world's gem-producing countries. The inventory of blue sapphires, star sapphires, rubies, cat's eye, garnets, moonstones, aquamarines, and topazes is just a dazzling handful. And as evident, Sri Lanka naturally has a tradition in jewelry-making, so you can choose an excellent piece for yourself.
Why are you waiting? So, Pack your bag and let Etravego do the rest for you! If you are into cooking, pick up some local spices to add a dash of Sri Lankan flavor to your dishes.
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