Things to Do in Sri Lanka
There are plenty of things to do in Sri Lanka, the beautiful country with over 2000 years of history. Sri Lanka is the best place to visit in any time of the year, situated in the Indian Ocean, the island nation provides a vast range of activities to do and sights to see. Sri Lanka is a tropical climate and remains warm all year around and the spectacular sights and sounds of the country can be enjoyed at any time of the year. There is plenty of variety in the landscape ranging from the warm, sandy beaches of the South, to the cool mountainous regions of the Central area, all the way to the green plains in the North. With a rich history that spans over hundreds of years and cultural diversity, Sri Lanka provides an unique, cosmopolitan experience that no other country can provide, with pristine, modern buildings existing side by side with older colonial mansions from the past. Indulge in some exquisite local cuisine that will light up your taste buds, and wash it down with the finest tea in the world. Whether you wish to relax and unwind in five star hotels, indulge in your adventurous spirit by exploring the national parks, teeming with unique wildlife, or enjoy the crystal clear, blue water of the beach by surfing, or exploring the marine life underwater by snorkelling, or simply experiencing the local life and culture.
The local population are friendly and you will feel welcomed almost as soon as you step out of the plane. Sri Lanka is the perfect place for you to visit and it is time for you to prepare a check-list on things to do in Sri Lanka and enjoy your holidays in Sri Lanka, one of the beautiful country in the world, the mango shaped greenish nation, where mother nature decorated herself with the pride and the beauty. Check out the beaches in coastal areas all over the island from down South to North & west to east, explore the wild life, feel the cool in hill country which is covered up with beautiful mountains & waterfalls and dig out the history of Sri Lanka in ancient cities of the nation and so on.
Things to do in Sri lanka's Beaches
Sri Lanka has over thirteen thousand kilometres of beach front with a host of maritime activities for tourists in Sri Lanka. The beaches in the south such Hikkadwua, Bentota, Unawatuna, Tangalle, Nilaveli and Beruwala are popular destinations, while beaches in the East are slightly more remote but provide spectacular, pristine scenery, making it the perfect place to relax. There are variety of things to do on these beaches, including:
- Snorkelling
- Dolphin and whale watching – There are over three locations, Mirissa, Kalpitiya and Trincomalee.
- Surfing – A popular activity to do at Arugam Bay
- Jet ski riding
- Boogie boarding
- Kite surfing
Visit The Rich And Diverse Sri Lanka's Wildlife
With its incredibly rich bio diversity, when you visit the wildlife parks there are plenty of things to do in Sri Lanka's wild life parks (if you are a great fan of wild life you will definitely satisfy with the wild life of the nation) . Sri Lanka boasts some of the best nature parks (wilpattu national park, kumana national park, minneriya national park, Udawalawe national park, Bundala national park, Somawathiya national park, Singaraja forest etc) where it is possible to view some spectacular wildlife such as elephants, monkeys, crocodiles, leopards, sambar deer, chital deer, water buffalo, kingfisher, sloth bear, jackal and the Sri Lankan jungle fowl. There are dozens of animal species that are unique only to Sri Lanka and cannot be found anywhere else in the world, such as the Sri Lankan whistling thrush and the Sri Lankan bush warbler. Sri Lanka's wild parks feature several different species of animals and birds which are endemic to the country. There are several different national parks to choose from, here is a brief introduction to some of the best.
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage – The elephant orphanage which allows tourists to interact directly with the friendly elephants. Tourists can watch elephants bathing and even feed the younger elephants.
- Yala West National Park – The largest wildlife park in Sri Lanka and is perfect for seeing a host of animals such as elephants, langur monkey, toque monkey leopards, sloth bears, Indian palm civet, golden jackal, wild pig, spotted deer, purple heron, old world flycatchers, orange-breasted green pigeon, black stork and ruddy mongooses
- Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve – The reserve is situated in the south-west of the island and is the largest rainforest in the country. The reserve features unique species of birds which cannot be found anywhere else.
- Uda Walawe National Park – This park was created to protect the watershed of the Uda Walawe reservoir, and contains extensive reaches of grass land and jungle. The park has become a hot bed for spotting elephants and other animals such as monkeys and flamingoes.
- Wilpattu National Park – The largest wildlife park in Sri Lanka that is situated in the north west of the country. The park consists of both lakes and villus, and is perfect for spotting rare animals such as the barking deer and the muntjac.
- Horton Plains National Park – This park is situated on the highest plateau in the country and is perfect for tourists who love bird watching. The park is also rich with flora and fauna that are unique to the region because the species have adapted to the colder environment.
Visit Colombo For Old And Modern Scenery
Colombo is the commercial centre of the country, however, the city is also a fantastic tourist destination in its own right, due to diverse mix of lifestyles thriving within the city, with people from different cultural and religious backgrounds living side by side. In Colombo, the most iconic monument to see is the Galle Face, created by Dutch in the 1700's to create a clear view for their canons. Galle Face is now one of the most popular locations in Colombo due to its spectacular sea front view and lush green lawns. Fort is another urban wonder to visit in Colombo, constructed by the Dutch for defensive purposes, the area now boats a number of contemporary buildings such as the World Trade centre, presenting a unique blend of historical and modern architecture for tourists to admire. There are a number of local eateries and fine restaurants throughout the country, such as Pilawoos, where you can try fantastic local food such as kottu rotti and other mouth watering delicacies.
Visit The Hill Capital Kandy
Kandy is the most prominent city in the country, after Colombo and boasts a lot of places to visit and things to do. The journey alone is a memorable experience, for tourists will encounter green hills, tea plantations and natural scenic wonders on their way to the Hill Capital. Situated in the interior of the island, Kandy has a cool and moderate climate, which would be a welcome contrast for those who are looking for a break from the warm, humid weather of Colombo. There are plenty of special places to see in Kandy, such as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, along with a number of Buddhist monasteries and the Kandy lake around which the entire city is built, take a walk around the lake and admire the city which blends architecture and nature effortlessly. Kandy has a rich history and tourists who wish to know more about the city should visit the Kandy Museum, the museum includes the audience hall where the Kandyan chiefs seceded rule to the British in 1815. The museum even contains the copy of the agreement when he Kandyan Kingdom ceded to British rule. Another significant place to visit in the Central regions is Nurwa Eliya, also known as little Switzerland, because the town bears a strong resemblance to the Switzerland. Nurwa Eliya which is well known for its cool weather, lush green environment and long stretches of tea plantations. Tourists can visit the tea plantations to see how the finest tea in the world is made. Reside in hotels that were former colonial mansions, and play golf along the lush green courses, or relax indoors and play billiards.
These are just are some of the places that you can visit while in the island nation of Sri lanka, the peralr of Indian ocean, however there are several places that you can visit in Sri Lanka. Unlike most countries, Sri Lanka is blessed with waterfalls, rocks, mountains and different natural terrain, making it the perfect country to explore. Visit fishing villages along the coast and watch fishermen hurl in their catch in the early hours of the morning. Visit ancient ruins of Anurdahapura and Polonnaruwa, that gives us a glimpse of the past and reveals how Sri Lankans lived centuries before the Portuguese visited the shores. Climb historical monuments such as Adam's Peak and Sigiriya mountain, which will provide a thrilling, memorable experience for all those who climb the tall mountains.
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