If you’re an avid traveler, you may have seen Sri Lanka popping up on a lot of “hot destination” lists over the last few years, and for good reason. The island nation off of the southern tip of India went through a long and trying civil war that spanned more than two decades and only just came to an end in 2009. But a lot has changed over the last ten years, and Sri Lanka has proven itself to be an extremely tourist-friendly destination. In fact, it’s been making a name for itself as an in-demand honeymoon spot.
For a small country, travel to Sri Lanka holds the promise of endless adventures and countless beautiful sights for any traveler. You won’t find a lot of nightlife or opportunities to connect with solo travelers outside of the big city of Colombo, but all across the island you will find friendly people, intimate guesthouses, amazing food, and incredible history.
A few things to keep in mind when visiting Sri Lanka: First, don’t overbook yourself. While new highways are popping up everywhere to make room for the growing tourism industry, traveling can take two to three times as long as you might expect thanks to tiny, winding mountain roads.
You should also keep in mind which season you’d like to travel in. Sri Lanka has two separate monsoon seasons. If you’re heading to the southwest side, visit between December and March. If you’re heading to the east coast, plan to visit between May and September.
Without further ado, here are some of the best highlights Sri Lanka has to offer:
- Wildlife
Head to Yala National Park to see some of the 5,800 wild elephants wandering around Sri Lanka. The island is also home to the highest concentration of leopards anywhere in the world, and if you’re by the beach, you could find yourself swimming with blue whales or spinner dolphins.
- Adam’s Peak
This mountain in the center of Sri Lanka has been an important and beloved pilgrimage site for the primarily Buddhist population of Sri Lanka for the last 2,000 years. Doing the two- to four-hour hike during pilgrimage season (December to May) means you’ll be surrounded by other local hikers and countless tea shops along the path to the top.
- Sigiriya
Also known as Lion’s Rock, this ancient fortress sits atop a beautiful hill and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a guided tour of this amazing fortress and see why it is considered the eighth wonder of the world.
In order to travel to this multi-faceted country, you will need a Sri Lanka travel visa. Fortunately, Sri Lanka visas are easy to obtain online through Swift. Contact us anytime to get started!
