A dreamy island in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is perhaps considered one of those honeymoon beach destinations by many, but it is so, so much more than that. Below are just five reasons why Asia Inspirations loves Sri Lanka and would highly recommend it for a holiday packed with culture, wildlife, tasty bites and beach time. And anyway, if it’s good enough for Marco Polo, it’s good enough for us!
1. Heritage
Ancient kingdoms. Tick. Colonial architecture. Tick. Old palace on top of a large rock with huge lion paws at the gate. Tick. As you can see, Sri Lanka has a wonderfully rich history, 3,000 years’ worth in fact, and 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites to boast alongside it. Handily, the most popular historical sites are nicely bunched up in the ‘Cultural Triangle’, or more traditionally ‘The King’s Land’ – here you’ll find the remains of the ancient civilisations of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the lion palace of Sigiriya, cultural hub Kandy, the cave temples of Dambulla and much, much more. All this sits in Sri Lanka’s heartlands, but on the coast you’ve got a whole different kind of heritage. Fought over by the Dutch and British and a hugely important trade post, Sri Lanka’s west coast is full of colonial architecture – the port of Galle is a particularly beautiful example. As you can see, Sri Lanka has a whole lot of past to explore, so best get started!
2. Tea Plantations
It is for tea that Sri Lanka is best known, that cup of hot, golden Ceylon. As one of the world’s biggest producers of tea, the lush green expanses of tea bushes are one of Sri Lanka’s most striking sights, often dotted as they are with the jewel-coloured saris of the tea pluckers. If you interest in tea is more than just admiring the natural beauty of the rolling green hills, many offer the opportunity for you to tour their operations to learn about the process, and some places even let you create your very own batch. Due to the climatic conditions needed for tea growth, the tea plantations are located in the highlands, a cooling respite from the heat of the lower regions, and also offer some great hiking opportunities.
3. Elephants
Sri Lanka is home to elephants galore, it has the highest density of them in Asia, but also to a huge range of other wildlife – it is one of the planet’s most biodiverse destinations! There are plenty of national parks in which to meet the local creatures, which could lead to you spotting leopards, a load of different types of monkey, sloth bears and so on. If, though, it was purely elephants that you’re after, and who could blame you, it has to be Udawalawe National Park and the adjoining Elephant Transit Home. Here even the most ardent jumbo-aholic would be satisfied – in the National Park you are virtually guaranteed to see at least one elephant, and at the Born Free Foundation-supported Elephant Transit Home you can visit young orphaned elephants being prepared for a return to the wild.
4. Beaches
There is a reason that ‘the beach’ has come to represent Sri Lanka, in fact there are a load of them! No matter what sort of beach bunny you’d care to be, Sri Lanka will have a beach for you. Beautiful, golden sand or soft, white sand? Sure, take your pick. Beaches where you can dive, surf, feel like you’ve just discovered them? Of course, there are a few actually. Super convenient, chic hotel-backed stretches of sand or wild, surf-battered, empty expanses? Now come on, silly question! As you can see, it’s choosing which one to park yourself on that’s the hard bit. As a general rule, the west coast is the most westernised, with plenty of hotel choices and entertainment, whilst the south coast gives a more authentic glimpse of Sri Lanka coastal lives, and emptier beaches.
5. Food
Sri Lanka’s food combines local produce and ingredients with flavours introduced to the island from all over the world during its time as a trading post. Spices, of course, feature prominently in all dishes and there is lots of delicious, fresh seafood as well. Rice and curry are the staple foods, and flavours tend towards the fiery, but it is no problem to ask for them to be adjusted to more suit your palate. Must try dishes? Kottu – a roti-based dish with a curry sauce, kukul mas curry – a typical oft-consumed chicken curry and Lamprais, a dish with Dutch roots.
How is it possible to resist the charms of Sri Lanka? We don’t think it is! To start work on your dream Sri Lanka itinerary give the Asia Inspirations team a call now or click here to see an example itinerary.