Beauty, diversity, and richness give birth to Sri Lanka, a heavenly retreat from the daily exhaustion of life. This South Asian island is not just a popular tourist destination for its vibrancy but also the friendly and welcoming people who open their hearts and home to everyone and invite you to a trip you will never forget. If you are planning to visit Sri Lanka, keep in mind one thing, once you visit this breathtaking place, you’ll love to go back again.

Sri Lanka is a beautiful amalgamation of the cities of Colombo, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Moratuwa, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Negombo, Kandy, Kalmunai, Vavuniya, Galle, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Katunayake, Dambulla, Kolonnawa, Anuradhapura, and Ratnapura. Be prepared to visit Sri Lanka, but before you do, keep in mind below information that will help you decide better:

Know The Cities

Colombo

Colombo is arguably the busiest city; an Indian Ocean port is situated on the west coast of the island. You’ll probably see this economic capital full of tourists because there is so much to do.

Dehiwala

Dehiwala is commonly affiliated with Mount Lavinia because of a very interesting story; it is said that the British Governor Thomas Maitland fell in love with a local woman called Lovina, giving way to a very cute etymology.

Moratuwa

Moratuwa is the industrial capital of Sri Lanka; you could get your hands on some really great furniture and wooden handicrafts when you visit: the perfect place to buy knick-knacks.

Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte

Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, or mainly Kotte, is the official capital of Sri Lanka. Interestingly, Sri Lanka has two capital cities: Colombo and Kotte. This decision was made to reduce environmental damage and traffic between the two cities. This eventually led to an impressive infrastructure.

Negombo

Negombo is a vibrant city; the small and often peaceful piece of the island hosts lively festivals and brings you closer to its inviting culture.

Kandy

Kandy is a really gorgeous city nestled between mountains and plateaus and is one of the most exciting cities in Sri Lanka. The romantic ambiance, the jovial environment, and the cooperative people make Kandy a thriving tourist spot.

Kalmunai

Kalmunai is the place to go if you’re looking for something more along the lines of calm and amicable. The serene place is perfect for a simple vacation to take a load off. It’s also family-friendly, so you can take your kids on the trip they have been begging you about.

Vavuniya

Vavuniya has an interesting historical background. If you’re a history buff, then you’ll love the various landmarks like the Grand Jummah Mosque and Archaeological Museum of Vavuniya. But enough about technicalities; if you’re traveling to Sri Lanka, you’ll need to know more about where to go, what to do and what not to do, so keep scrolling to read this complete travel guide:

Exploring Nature In Sri Lanka

Gosh, where do we even begin? There are so many natural reserves in Sri Lanka which you would love to go to, but here’s a few we recommend. These are must-see places when you visit Sri Lanka:

Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains National Park: This park is a wildlife reserve and is the best place to go if you want to experience nature in Sri Lanka. Water cascading down stones creating enthralling waterfalls is just some of the mystical sceneries you’ll witness in Horton Plains National Park.

Mirissa Beach

Mirissa Beach: Luckily, Sri Lanka is surrounded by water, so you won’t be short on beaches. Do make a short excursion to Mirissa Beach, an enchanting place with pristine blue waters and golden-white sand.

Knuckles Mountain Range

Knuckles Mountain Range: Spice up your vacation at the Knuckles Mountain Range. Here white clouds coming to greet you make up for the challenging hikes and trails.

Viharamahadevi Park

Viharamahadevi Park: This spiritual park gives you a glimpse into history. You’ll notice several statues of deities stationed here where thousands of tourists and locals gather to marvel at the monuments.

Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak: This is one place you’ll hear about a lot in Sri Lanka. Extremely sacred to the country, Adam’s Peak has thousands of pilgrims visit the mountain to see the footprint on the peak. Christians and Muslims believe the footprints belong to Adam; Buddhists believe they belong to Buddha, whereas some Hindus think it originates from Lord Shiva. What a captivating mystery!

There’s just so much to do and unpack when you visit Sri Lanka; just hold on tight!

Shopping Sprees And Malls

Who’s mad enough to go to an industrial and economic hotspot and not shop till they drop? Surely not anyone. Definitely, you won’t want to miss out on Colombo because it has the hottest shops. Jewels, clothes, handicrafts, and souvenirs are plentiful in Colombo. Below are some places to shop from when you visit Sri Lanka:

Crescat Boulevard

Crescat Boulevard: Try out Crescat Boulevard, where you’ll find lots of authentic deals and local brands to cater to your shopping needs.

Pettah Floating Market

Pettah Floating Market: The Pettah Floating Market has literally everything you can think of; it stands on wooden bridges on a charming body of water: the environment makes the whole experience attractive.

Oh, and don’t forget to head over to Galle to buy some appealing antiques from the Dutch Gallery. Get the local spices from Galle Fort and get clothes, tea, juices, jewelry, spices, and even books and tiny handicrafts from local workers and artists from the Orchid House.

The Scrumptious Cuisine

God, the thought of Sri Lankan cuisine alone will make you drool! Indulge in some of the tastiest foods you will ever eat. Also, enjoy a wide range of dishes that will make your tastebuds dance on your visit to Sri Lanka. Below are some of the most popular dishes you must try:

Ambul Thiyal

Ambul Thiyal (Sweet and Sour Fish Curry): Let’s plan an itinerary of the food alone; start with a mouthful of Fish Ambul Thiyal, one of the most popular dishes in Sri Lanka. This sour fish curry is sauteed in a mixture of sensational spices and curry leaves. The cherry on the top is the dried Goroka fruit, which gives the fish the tanginess it needs.

Lamprais

Lamprais (Rice and Meat Wrap/Balls): Then take a short trip to Lamprais, a dish of meat and rice made into a lump and wrapped in banana leaves. This dish is one of the best foods you’ll be able to eat, and this isn’t even the end of it. It can even be a really great chaser for drinks!

Polos Or The Young Jackfruit Curry

Polos or the Young Jackfruit Curry: The Polos will make you rethink fruits; the star of the dish is unripened jackfruit glazed and simmered in spices and served as a small couscous-salad.

Gotukola Sambol Or The Pennywort Salad

Gotukola Sambol or the Pennywort Salad: Don’t underestimate the Gotukola Sambol for just a salad; it’s a light and hearty garnish prepared by mixing the pennywort vegetable with onions, coconut, meat (sometimes), and seasonings.

Don’t think the country of curries will disappoint you with the food; each bite will feel like an explosion of flavors in your mouth!

Transport To Sri Lanka

Confused about what’s the best way to travel to Sri Lanka? You could fly by plane or by sea; whichever is more comfortable for you! Sri Lanka has some safety restrictions in place, so you’ll have to be a little compromising, but it’s only for your own safety!

Via Plane: Most of you will go for the plane, but there are a few restrictions to follow; you will have to get a negative PCR test and will only need to undergo quarantine if you are not vaccinated or are presenting a positive test result. The most probable airport you’ll land at will be Colombo airport. It is a good thing since the airport handles direct flights, and you won’t have to reconnect planes.

Via Sea: Yes, you can visit Sri Lanka via sea. It’s entirely possible you’re traveling through the sea or will be interested in cruising some waves. Luckily, Sri Lanka houses some of the best cruise lines and ships. Keep a lookout for the weather, though, as it could get rough, and make sure you follow the safety protocols, which are the same for the sea.

A Little More About Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is fascinating enough, but here are some fun and historical facts about the country:

• Sri Lanka is teardrop-shaped. This makes it really easy to spot on maps, and it is why it has been called the Pearl of the Ocean or the Teardrop of the Indian Ocean.
• The tea of Sri Lanka is one of the best in the world, so you are going to find a variety of tea on the menus. Sri Lanka truly is your cup of tea 😉
• People of Sri Lanka love to shake their heads. Don’t get confused by this as it is a common expression of saying “yes” and “no”.
• The Sri Lankan flag is among the oldest flags in the world. But what does the golden lion mean? According to historians, the first King of Sri Lanka introduced the golden lion imprinted on the red flag. Even though Britishers removed the flag when they took over, the lion came back roaring after independence.
• The world’s first female prime minister was none other than a Sri Lankan! Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the sixth minister of Sri Lanka and held office as the first female prime minister in the world!
• Sri Lanka houses the world’s oldest tree that is Sri Maha Bodhi, in Anuradhapura. The tree has been cared for over 2000 years and is a venerated place.
• Sri Lankans generally speak Sinhala and Tamil, but most of the general population knows English, making it one of the most accessible destinations for tourism.

So that was all about this beautiful country. Keep everything above in mind when you visit Sri Lanka, and we assure you will have an unforgettable time there. Visit Sri Lanka now and get ready to enjoy all the thrill this country has in store for you. Have a nice trip!