Here are the top 10 reasons why Sri Lanka is perfect for your next holiday destination.
- Heritage and Historical Places
- The Beaches
- The Waterfalls
- The Agriculture
- Explore Religious Diversity
- Ceylon Tea
- Unique Luxury Resorts
- The Elephants
- Water Activities and Sports
- Rich Biodiversity
1. Heritage and Historical Places
The island of Sri Lanka is a popular tourist destination but there is more history and heritage attached than one can imagine. For example, the magnificent Sigirya Rock is a popular tourist spot but was once the place of refuge for King Kashyapa. King Kashyapa overthrew his father and usurped the throne, but feared revenge from the rightful heir and fled to Sigirya which rises to an elevation of about 600 feet. This is merely a sneak peek of what this country can offer in terms of its rich heritage. There are many other historical stories attached to attractions such as the Galle Fort, the Temple of the Tooth relic, the nine arch bridge, and the city of Kandy.
2. The Beaches
This might be one of the biggest attractions Sri Lanka has to offer, and we can assure you that its beauty is not overrated. Surrounded by water, this beautiful island is abundant with calm, breezy and ‘too good to be true’ stretches of beach. If you are yearning for some peace and quiet while you enjoy a book on the sandy shores, all you need to do is travel slightly away from the city, and after a bit of exploring you might even find your very own private beach spot. Some of the best beaches include the beaches at Mirissa, Unawatuna, Medaketiya, and Uppuveli. Even Lonely Planet raved about the beauty of the Sri Lankan beaches and compiled a list of the best beaches which you can read here.
3. The Waterfalls
Yes, the beaches are beautiful, but it’s not the only natural water-related beauty this country has to offer. Sri Lanka is home to more than 380 waterfalls across this small island, and each of them is completely different to the other. You can choose to experience really tall waterfalls like Bambarakanda falls which is in the world’s top 300 and has a height of 863 feet, wide falls such as Bomburu Ella that leave you awestruck, or falls that require a trek to experience and those that create cooling natural pools that make amazing bathing spots such as Laxapana falls and Knuckles waterfalls. Experiencing one of these beautiful waterfalls should definitely be a reason to visit Sri Lanka in 2022.
4. The Agriculture
If you are interested in Agritourism, it is a no-brainer that you should dive deep into an agro-based economy where agriculture and farming have played a prominent role from the times of the ancient kingdoms till now. You can experience many activities from milking cattle on a dairy farm, plucking tea leaves the traditional way, and witnessing the workings of the paddy cultivation systems and the ancient irrigation tanks.
5. Explore Religious Diversity
There is no better way to learn about different religions and cultures than actually experiencing it firsthand. Although the majority of Sri Lankans follow Buddhism, Sri Lanka is a multi-religious country with many Christians, Catholics, Hindus and Muslims. Religion is given much prominence across the island with special festivals and parades held throughout the year for the different religions. If you happen to miss any of these festivals, do visit some of the religious sites and places of worship such as the Kataragama Temple, Madhu church, or the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque in Colombo. However, make sure to respect and abide by the religious practices and views when visiting such holy sites.
6. Ceylon Tea
If you are a tea lover, you know how famous and sought after Ceylon tea is. Sri Lanka, which was known as ‘Ceylon’ pre-independence, is the birthplace of this tea that is very high in demand. There are many tours available on this island such as the one offered by the Ceylon Tea Museum, which gives you a sensory experience of the birth and story of Ceylon tea. Even if you are more of a coffee drinker, we assure you this experience and tour is not something you would want to miss.
7. Unique Luxury Resorts
If you are in need of a getaway, a holiday to rejuvenate yourself and allow yourself to truly relax with zero stressful thoughts, Sri Lanka has got many luxury resorts that will facilitate this calming holiday as well. Whether it’s a sunny vacation on a beach or a cooling holiday in the hills with an amazing view, there are many resorts and hotels across this island that you can choose from.
8. The Elephants
These majestic animals, the largest land mammal, are definitely a sight to see up close. The Sri Lankan Elephants, yes we have our own recognized subspecies, is 8-10 feet in height and weighs anywhere between 4,400-12,000 pounds. Unfortunately, in 1986 this species was considered endangered. However, the Pinnawala elephant orphanage or the Minneriya elephant gathering is great to visit if you want to interact and spend a day with the elephants.
9. Water Activities and Sports
If you require some excitement and adventure on your holiday and want to add some adrenaline to your time away, there are many exciting water-related sports and activities. You can catch the best waves at Arugam Bay from November to April, scuba dive or snorkel at Pigeon islands, go dolphin watching in Kalpitiya if you are in Sri Lanka during mid-October to May, go Whale watching in Mirissa (best sights are reported from March to April), or even take part in other activities such as kitesurfing, wakeboarding and Kayaking offered at various places along the coast.
10. Rich Biodiversity
Sri Lanka is considered to be one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots identified in the world and has the highest biodiversity per unit area of land amongst Asian countries! Plus there is plenty of opportunity for bird watching and rainforests and national parks for you to explore if you are interested. The Sinharaja forest reserve is included in UNESCO’s world heritage list and is home to over 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of mammals and butterflies and more than 60% of the trees in this forest are endemic. Knuckles mountain range, which is declared as a world heritage conservation area, is a nature lover’s paradise as it is not only home to endemic lizard species, 200 bird species and a range of mammals such as purple-faced leaf monkey and barking deer, but offers an amazing trek.
So if you are looking for a quiet, serene getaway, a holiday in Sri Lanka, away from the concrete jungle might be what you need.
