As travelers travel the world with nothing but their own company, the world is becoming a safe haven for those who want to explore the world, on their own. Sri Lanka is also one of the much safer countries and offers several places to discover. The country is predominantly Buddhist and it may also remind you of places in its neighboring country, India.
As the country boasts of an ancient civilization and heritage, it has its own culture that requires you to dress conservatively and appropriately. The locals are friendly, respectful and helpful and will be more than happy to suggest good hotels to stay and restaurants to enjoy delicious food.
ABOUT THE COUNTRY
With ruined temples, ruins, and sacred Buddhist sites, Sri Lanka is also the best place in the world to eat coconut pancakes and banana fritters soaked in a generous amount of honey at a roadside food joint. A permanent testament to ancient civilizations, this is the land where the Sinhalese dynasties set foot along with their first capitals.
Sri Lanka, home to incredibly constructed temples, is a country that supports massive artistic and architectural endeavors.
A country with 3,000 years of history and eight UNESCO World Heritage sites was formerly known as Ceylon. Despite the political unrest and civil wars, it is a land that dazzles and never takes you over to seduce you. Sigiriya, Kandy, Yapahuwa, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Buduruwagala, and Anuradhapura are the oldest cities in the country.
PLACES TO VISIT
Not only the temples, but the country also has many beaches and waterfalls that attract the globetrotter. Negombo Beach is located in the north of Colombo and is also known as the commercial city of Sri Lanka. Their past successors, the Dutch, the Portuguese and the British, have left a legacy such as several notable colonial architectures and a Dutch canal that makes Negombo an interesting site full of various activities.
Take a day off in Sigiriya, near Dambulla, which is also known as Lion’s Rock. The rock fort is located in the Matale district of Sri Lanka. Climb the iconic stairs that have withstood harsh weather conditions but still stand proud. Glide through the huge hornet’s nests to reach the top of the oldest remaining site built in the 5th century. Delve into a mythical world of legendary tales as you ascend to the top of the citadel.
Your expedition to explore the country will remain incomplete if you do not visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Nestled amid the serene oasis of tea plantations, its impeccable architecture is reflected in the lake. The temple is sacred to the locals as it has a tooth that is enshrined in a caskate that belongs to Lord Buddha. Locals and tourists gather in the evening to offer prayers and eat. There are other important temples that are a must for every tourist. Gangaramaya Temple, Vajiramaya Temple, Raja Maha Vihara Temple, Isipathanaramaya Temple, Koneswaram Temple, Kandaswamy Temple, and Murugan Temple to name a few.
POPULAR BEACHES TO VISIT
Sri Lanka is nothing short of a natural beauty. Those who want to witness the passing of the day on the beach or want to enjoy various sports activities, there are many beaches in the country that they can visit. Unawatuna, which is one of the best beaches in the country, is famous for its calm, blue waters. You can also spot a whale shark if the day is your lucky day.
Head to Bentota, if you are looking for a complete beach vacation! The beach has several good resorts that specialize in authentic Ayurvedic medicine and spa centers. Perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and want to feel rejuvenated, the beach is an ideal getaway.
Mirissa attracts people from all over the world. Famous for its views of aquatic wildlife in their natural habitat, it is ideal for both ecological purposes and holidays. If you want to see dolphins and whales, visit the place in December. There are many centers that also offer various Ayurvedic therapies. For staying in luxurious resorts, Dickwella is the beach to go. This is one of the best secluded beaches in Sri Lanka that offers serendipity.
Marvel at wild elephants in the national park
The country has several national parks that are home to various species. Depending on the city and where you are staying, you can visit these national parks to enjoy the natural habitat of animals in the wild. Yala National Park has about 40 reptiles and animals and more than 200 species of birds. Those who love bird watching can head to Bundala National Park or join the tourist crowd at Uda Walawe National Park, while Sinharaja Forest Reserve is home to some of the rarest bird species.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY
One week is enough if your purpose of visiting the country is a beach vacation combining it with Kandy. For a couple-week itinerary where you want to explore the top attractions and UNESCO sites, spend 3 nights in Galle, 2 in Rekawa, 3 in Tissa, 3 in Kandy, and then 3 in Bentota.
HOW TO GET A VISA
Like any other country, Sri Lanka also required its visitors to carry a valid visa permit. Although the process is not that complicated for this country, one can simply fill out an online ETA application form for Sri Lanka with personal details. After the verification process, you can simply receive the Sri Lanka ETA online via your email. A tourist visa allows double entry and is valid for 30 days.
FROM THE AIRPORT
You can pre-book a taxi from the airport, which is a very simple, easy, reliable and safe service for all tourists, especially female travelers. Or you can hop on a bus that goes to Colombo city center, which costs around LKR 150 and allows 2 pieces of luggage. For any other place, take a taxi. A taxi to Negombo Beach will take 30 minutes and cost around LKR 862. For bentota, galle or kandy the fee is approximately 4500 lkr.