Sri Lanka travel is like a mix of Thailand and a quieter version of India. It is quite a small country but getting around can be a bit difficult if using public transport. Travelling by a car or taxi is the best way to get around, although you will find some tourist buses about too.
There are quite a diverse range of places to visit in Sri Lanka, from cooler mountainous regions, to warm and sunny beaches. Here are some of my Sri Lanka travel tips for the best places to visit…
Explore the Prominade at Galle
The old city of Galle was originally founded by Portuguese colonists back in the 16th century and the area is known for its fort. Walk along the stone promenade running along the edge of the ocean, which definitely has that European type feel about the place.
Explore the lighthouse, fort, and maritime museum, before heading to the town to enjoy some shopping in the cute shops. There are many cafes, restaurants, and ice cream parlours here. I even saw the kid’s theatre company filming on the harbour, which was pretty interesting!
Visit Hikkaduwa Beach and Town
Hikkaduwa is very much a backpacker’s town South-western Sri Lanka. It has a palm tree lined beach, with rows of cafes, bars, and restaurants, all very touristy. Even so, the beach was never really packed out.
The town is where you will find the nightlife, souvenir shops, and more places to eat and stay. Whilst there are a couple of clubs, which are fun and a good night out, please remember to go with a good group of people and stick together. This area can be a little dangerous, particularly at night and if walking around alone. Please read my previous post on safety tips for females in Sri Lanka.
Hunt for Wildlife at Yala National Park
Another great place for Sri Lanka travel ideas is to visit Yala National Park. December to April is the peak season and the best time to visit. Here you can see leopards, elephants and crocodiles, monkeys, buffaloes, birds and more. It is also one of the best chances to see a leopard in the wild, in the world.
Although, as it can be hard to spot these shy creatures, you still may be left empty handed (like I was). February and March are the best time to view leopards at Yala.
Hike to the Great World’s End Drop
The Worlds End hike was one of my favourite Sri Lanka travel destinations. It is situated in the Horton Plains National Park, somewhat near Kandy. I got up super early to do this and be warned, its super cold in the morning, as it is a mountainous region. However, it soon warmed up with the sun!
The hike is not too difficult and will take you around a variety of terrains, over grass fields, and to a lovely waterfall named Baker’s Falls. I loved how the landscape looked in the early morning mist that was rising from the ground.
When you get to the edges, and the mist drifts away, you will be left of beautiful views over the mountains and forests. Although you will not want to get here too late either, as the clouds usually start rolling in from after 9/10am.
Help at the Turtle Sanctuary
You can either visit or volunteer at the turtle sanctuary in Ambalangoda, a local coastal town on the Southern end of the island. I was volunteering at a school at the time but had a chance to visit and release some baby turtles back into the sea- such a fun experience. I also got to watch the nests at night, as the turtle eggs were starting to hatch!
Watch a Cricket Match in Colombo
Ok so I am not into cricket at ALL, but all of the volunteer group decided to go and watch a match (you kind of have to in Sri Lanka, right?!). In the capital of Colombo, I watched England vs Sri Lanka, so it was a big game!
And it was far more exciting than I had imagined too- so if you get a chance, grab yourself some tickets!
Relax on Akurala Beach
This was a local beach, close to where I was staying in Ambalangoda. It is much quieter than nearby Hikkaduwa and still has a few cafes to grab a bite to eat. Relax on the beach, sip a cocktail, or go for a dip in the ocean. Also, be careful in the ocean as there can be dangerous rips about.
Climb Sigiriya (Lions Rock)
This is a popular Sri Lanka travel destination, and many travellers come here to climb the huge rock that is Sigiriya. Situated in central Sri Lanka, Sigiriya (otherwise known as Lion’s rock), dramatically stands out from the flat land around it.
Climbing up will include many stairs, but it is worth it for the view! Along the way you will see carvings in the rock going back thousands of years. At the top, you will find the ruins of an ancient civilization, on the flat surface. This is one of the best Sri Lanka travel attractions, and worth the hike!
Visit a Spice Plantation
There are many spice plantations dotted around the country and it can be great to book a tour, where they will explain about each plant, what spice it produces, and how you can use that in cooking, medicine, or beauty products.
They also have a range of products you can buy that have been made with the natural ingredients from the rainforest.
Watch a Traditional Dance Performance
This was in the mountainous town of Kandy, another popular tourist place to visit. The traditional dance performance was really good, with colourful and creative costumes, and after they had a fire walk, which you could try if you are daring enough! The small venue made it quite intimate and a much more enjoyable experience.
Look Around the Tsunami Museum
Close to the town of Ambalangoda is the Tsunami Museum, which is situated alone the seafront and the place where one of the worst tsunamis hit back in 2004. You can still see some damage to the buildings along this road too.
Situated in a small hut, it shows images of the day, as well as drawings by children and short descriptions by the locals of their experience. An incredibly sad visit but interesting to read about peoples experiences and what it was really like for the people living there at the time.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is located in Kandy and holds the tooth of the buddha. The complex has a number of different temples and shrines, and many locals will come here to worship. Ceremonial offerings are done in the morning an evening, so a good time to visit to watch that. Remember to cover your legs and shoulders before you go, as this is a holy place.
Hope you enjoyed this read on Sri Lanka travel and some of the places you can see in this beautiful country. Please do share or save to Pinterest for future reading!
3 Comments
All of this sounds absolutely amazing but I don’t know if anything would compare to being able to help the turtles and hold them. The Worlds End hike might come close though – what a view. I can see why you liked it so much
Sri Lanka is such a beautiful country! The mix of beaches and then inner landscapes really makes it a stand out destination
Helping out at the turtle sanctuary sounds like such a unique experience! The landscape here looks incredible too – I would love to hit up some hiking trails and take in the views.