Be it ancient cities or wildlife preserves, beaches or fortresses, Sri Lanka has them all.
Colombo is the start and finsish of every trip to Sri lanka since it houses the only international airport. So spend some time getting to know the city. It's easy to find to find you way around it. There's a clock tower, a lighthouse, fort district, colonial buildings, Queen's House, a seafront expanse called the Galle Face Green, the Pettah bazaar filled with fruits, gems, scents and the Dehiwala zoo and national museum.
While the capital is charming, the rest of Sri Lanka has far more on offer. The ancient cities are well worth a day each of your time, so they've been covered in the Day Trips section.
The Sinharaja Rain Forest is a nature lover's delight. With tall trees joining together, there are still winding paths that you can walk through. There's a strong and happily twittering bird life - coucals, parakeets, spurfowls, junglefowls, barbets, hornbills, babblers, drongos - thrown in with squirrels and torque macaques, purple faced leaf monkeys and leopards!
Nature lovers can further venture into the Yala or Ruhuna National Park, Wilpattu National Park, Gal Oya National Park, Maduru Oya National Park, Uda Walawe National Park, Wasgamuwa National Park, Horton Plains National Park, and Bundala National Park. For ornithologists, the sanctuaries at Kumana, Wirawila, Bundala, and Kalametiya are all worth a visit. These are all lagoon locations in Sri Lanka's extreme southeastern coast.
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a must. A home for rescued, injured and abused elephants, Pinnawala now even has some babies. You can walk around the orphanage looking at the 70 odd elephants and even help in washing them as they play in the river in the afternoon.
At Rekawa on the south coast, you can be a part of a conservation program for marine turtles. Under the aegis of the rangers you can even watch the turtles lay eggs at nights.
Adams Peak is the destination of many a pilgrim, with legends abounding of a footprint belonging to Adam, Lord Budhha, Lord Shiva. Whichever footprint inspires you, if you're fit make the trek up for an awesome view of the rising sun. And to view a place where Sri Lankans believe butterflies go to die.
Walk across the eerie, silent Horton plains near Nuwara Eliya to see World's End - a 700 meter drop. Nuwara Eliya is a one-time hill sation that still etians its air of peace and elegance.
On the West Coast of Sri Lanka are the beaches of Negombo, Mount Lavinia, Beruwela, Bentota, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa, Galle and Weligama that are worth spending some time on.
Negombo is the beach closest to the airport and often the last stop tourists make on their way out. It's a narrow and long beach with many restaurants, reasonable prices and Sri Lanka's first beach resort.
Mt. Lavinia is one of the softest and calmest beaches alongside a windswept headland jutting into the Indian ocean. This beach has a slightly colonial feel.
Bentota is an ideal beach for water sports.
Ambalangoda has an ecological mangrove enironment and is home to devil dancing and mask making with various shops offering antique masks and souvenirs.
The Unawatuna Beach to the southeast of Galle is well protected and boasts a strong surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling scene. Similarly, Hikkaduwa is also an underwater delight... whether you rent a glass bottomed boator goggles and slippers, make sure you catch a glimpse of the famed coral gardens.
Along the north coast, one can visit Jaffna.
In the east coast, the prominent ones are Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Kalkudah, Nilaveli, and Arugam Bay.
Trincomalee is for the beach addict with its natural harbor and many fine beaches.
Arugam Bay is good for water sports and underwater photography. Its many ship wrecks are a lure for divers.
Batticola is famous for its 'singing' fish and picturesque lagoon.
Kalkudah on the way to Batticola is one the clearest and calmest beaches - perfect for bathing.
So with beaches and wildlife, history and lazy hillstations, make the most of your Sri Lankan vacation.
Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com
Leave a comment