12 Great Reasons to Visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka may be a small country but the number of things & experiences that you can find in this small piece of land will overwhelm you. The physical diversity itself is mind-boggling. From amazing sandy beaches to amazing wildlife parks, from cold mountain tops to arid salt lake flats, from green tea plantations to amazing marine wildlife; all of these can be found within a couple of hours of journey.

The Sri Lankan community is made up of people from very different ethnicities and religions. This is mainly due to the different influences this island has had for millennia from numerous parts of the world. Sinhalese are the main ethnic group in the country while the Tamils are the second largest. On The Muslims and Burghers make up the other two main communities.

With a written history of 2000 years and an actual history running back millennia, Sri Lanka is so rich in culture that it has no less than six archeological World Heritage sites, recognized by UNESCO in this small island. With the influence of Buddhism and the kingdoms that grew around it, there are some amazing ancient marvels for you to visit such as Anuradhapura & Kandy.

Due to the millennia of culture and the multi-ethnic & multi-religious nature of the country you can find amazing & colorful festivals all around the year. Some of the religious festivals such as the Kandy Esala Perahera are world-famous.

Sri Lanka has been known to be a place where you can relax and unwind and this is one of the main reasons to visit Sri Lanka for some. This has been mostly due to the many different ways to restore and re-energize the mind and body that have been handed down from generation to generation in the country. The Ayurvedic medicine and Spa plus the yoga relaxation methods have been trusted treatments to weary minds and bodies.

There are quite a few places in Sri Lanka to enjoy some amazing wildlife. There are many wildlife sanctuaries that you can see Sri Lankan animals such as Elephants, Leopards & Sloth bears. There are bird sanctuaries that are home to Sri Lankan as well as migratory bird species. The seas around the island are home to some amazing marine life such as blue whales and dolphins as well.

On the island, there are plenty of adventure sports to keep you occupied during your holiday. You can do scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, speed-boating, wind-surfing, water-skiing & sailing in the seas around the island and you can go rock-climbing, hiking, camping and mountain biking inland.

Sri Lanka has an assortment of accommodation options. Colombo features not only a host of modern five-star hotels but also iconic colonial-era hotels with the charm and romance of a bygone era. There is also an increasing number of boutique hotels around the country as well to accommodate the ever-increasing visitors coming into the country. This means that you will be able to find the perfect places for you to stay, that meet your budget when you are traveling.

Sri Lankan cuisine is filled with a variety of spices and flavors that will overwhelm your senses. There various different dishes originating from all around the country and there are some left behind from colonial days. This all adds up to a savory sensation for your taste buds.

As a tourist, you can leave with suitcases worth of stuff on your way home. And it’s not just souvenirs. There are things like local hand-loomed garments, batiks, handicrafts, gems and jewelry, fresh local produce, the famous Ceylon tea, etc. the options are endless.

Sri Lanka is world-famous for its lovely sandy beaches. With the Eastern province opening up in recent years has only added to that number of beaches. You can enjoy the sun on the white sand while the waves lap up around you until the sun goes down. There is no better stress reliever than that. There can be no other greater reason to visit Sri Lanka than this.

With its Buddhist core, Sri Lanka offers a great opportunity for people who come looking for spiritual enlightenment. With meditation and Buddhist teachings, people can easily find the inner peace that they are looking for. This is why some visitors from abroad return to Sri Lanka every year to keep that connection alive.