5 Top Reasons To Visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an incredibly diverse country, in more ways than one. There are plenty of things to see and do on this unique island, but here are just 5 of the top reasons to visit:

1. Cultural heritage

Sri Lanka has an awesome cultural heritage, with 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites to explore. These include the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, the Golden Temple of Dambulla and the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications. The island’s natural heritage sites include Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a national park and rainforest which is home to many rare trees and amphibians.

The documented history of Sri Lanka spans over 3,000 years, and it is home to some of the world’s most ancient cities. The island is famous worldwide for its exotic exports of cinnamon and Ceylon tea, making it a great place to visit for its food, drink and markets. Make sure you try some of the local curries, and don’t miss wattalapam – a rich pudding made of coconut milk, cashew nuts, eggs and cinnamon.

2. Diversity

Sri Lanka is home to many different religions and ethnic groups. The majority of the population is Sinhalese, but the island is also home to a number of other groups, including Sri Lankan and Indian Tamils, Moors and Kaffirs. There are a number of religions practiced in Sri Lanka too, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Buddhism is the country’s main religion though, and it has a rich history – the first known Buddhist writings on the island date back to 29 BC.

The island is diverse in many other ways too. It has a wide range of physical and geographical features – you can find tropical rainforests, lagoons, waterfalls, wetlands and rivers. There are even 7 different types of forest!

3. Spas

Sri Lanka is famous for its spa resorts which provide both Eastern and Western therapies, including Thai massage, beauty treatments, reflexology and herbal baths. You’ll also find Ayurveda treatments – a traditional Hindu alternative medicine designed to refresh both body and soul. It is 2,000 years old and people travel from all over the world to experience it. If you’re after some relaxation, you can find meditation and yoga lessons in many spa retreats, alongside Ayurvedic massages.

4. Wildlife

Sri Lanka is a great place to visit if you want to see wildlife. The unique climate of the island has given it a range of species you would normally find across a whole continent. It has a whole host of national parks, which you can visit to see wild elephants, leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles and birds. That’s not all – the ocean around the island is home to whales and dolphins, and Sri Lanka is one of the best places to spot them. If you want to go whale and dolphin spotting, Dondra Head is a good place to go.

5. Festivals

There are colourful festivals all year round in Sri Lanka. Most of them are religious in nature, and are linked to the Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian religions. Buddhist festivals revolve around the lunar calendar. Every full moon there is a festival called Poya, which is an official public holiday, and the sale of alcohol, meat and fish is prohibited.

The best festival for tourists is the Kandy Esala Perahera – it’s held towards the end of July and beginning of August. You don’t want to miss watching the incredible procession of dancers, drummers, acrobats and decorated elephants. This is held to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, which is kept at the Sri Dalada Maligawa Temple in Kandy.

Here at Direct Traveller we love Sri Lanka. Are truly magical destination with natural beauty and landscape everywhere. Have you visited Sri Lanka? If so what are your top tips and reasons for visiting it in the first place? Please comment share and discuss below.