Lazing Out At Sri Lankan Beaches

Beaches with sands and the Ocean as far as you can see, historical sites and museums that take you to a journey of the past, a cultural that’s been brewed by the coming together of diverse ethnic communities, riches of biodiversity well preserved in its parks and reserves – all this and more on the total of 64,740 square kilometers including the 870 square kilometers of water area that the Island of Sri Lanka has attracts tourists from everywhere.

This Island Country with Colombo as its capital is in the Indian Ocean, separated from the southern tip of India by the Palk Strait.

When to visit

Located just above the equator, Sri Lanka has a tropical climate. The Plains and coastal areas are hot and humid with temperatures on an average being 27 degree Celsius here. In hills, it’s pleasant with a temperature around 20 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is abundant in its different parts almost throughout the years.

November to April is apt to visit the region within the south west coast and to the hills and in May to September, tourists flock the eat coast of this Islands.  These are the driest months in these respective areas.

How

As a gateway to South Asia and as a major tourist destination by itself, Sri Lanka is well-connected by direct flights from across the globe like UK and other European countries and from Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and India. From Los Angeles and New York, your journey would be via Bangkok or Singapore.

Within the Island too, flights and seaplanes are the best way to make your journey. Locally, you can use the three wheelers known as Tuk-Tuks. Otherwise, there are buses and cars. Sri Lanka also has an extensive railway system, except in its north and east parts.

Alternatively, you can consult one of the many tour operators who can arrange for your tour.

Attractions

Encircling the Island is about 1000 kilometers of majestic beaches with ample of scope for water sports like snorkeling, surfing, swimming etc, where you will be happy to be lost. Among the vibrant beaches here are Ambalangoda known for devil dancing and mask making; 86 kilometers from Colombo, the fishing village of Arugam Bay, 314 kilometers to Colombo’s east, the quaint lagoon of Batticaloa with a Dutch Fort, the Bentota Beach Resort, Beruwala beach that’s an hours drive from Colombo and Hikkaduwa beach, home to a marine sanctuary.
The Kalkudah and Passekudah beaches on the east coast, Mt. Lavinia Beach resort, the Negombo beach that’s just 37 kilometers from Colombo, the Nilaveli beach on the east coast, the Trincomalle harbour with its hot well and Pigeon Islands and a Dutch Fort, the Unaawatuna beach near Galle and the Weligama beaches too are worth visiting.

Adding to the wonders of nature here are the waterfalls commencing from some 103 rivers and streams here. Most of these are hidden in thick forests and tea plantations.

The 263 meter high Bambarakanda Ella water fall is the highest one in Sri Lanka. Another pretty cascade here is the Diyaluma waterfall close to Wellawaya. Other scenic falls here are the Duhinda Falls, the Galagediyana falls, the Ravan Ella one of the widest waterfalls here, the Bopath Ella close to Colombo, the two falls of Saint Claire Waterfall and the Alupolla Ella.

If you are an animal lover, the national parks and sanctuaries here are sure to leave you satisfied. In the National Parks here, the wildlife that you can spot include elephants, sloth bear, spotted deer, toque monkey, mongoose, reptiles, jackals, civet cats, wild boars and amphibians among a variety of species of flora and fauna.

The biggest one here is the Yala National Park with an area of 1259 square kilometers, on the southeast of the Island. Yala west or the Ruhana National park is home to a large number of animals, including 35 leopards. Yala East is a habitat of water birds. In the Inginiyagala district here is the Gal Oya National Park known for its elephant population, about 150 of them. Within the Ratnapura and Monaragala districts is the Uda Walawe National Park. About 200 kilometers away from Colombo is the Wasgamuwa National Park, with Mahavweli River and Amban River on its eastern and western borders respectively. In the Nuwara Eliya district is the Horton Plains National Park.

Besides natural attractions, a number of museums and historical sites speak of era gone by.

You can explore the royal city of Anuradhapura founded in 500 BC, walk through the Brahmanic Chola monuments and the ruins of 12th century garden built by Parakramabahu in Polunnaruwa city, the Sigriya ancient city built by King Kasyapa during 477-495 AD, visit the sacred Buddhist site of Kandy with the Temple of Tooth or Dambulla with the Golden Cave temple dating back to 1st century BC, the fortified city of Galle reflecting European and South Asian architectural styles and the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, the last of tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka. All of these have been listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Preserving its cultural heritage are several museums. Major among them are the Oldest and the largest National Museum built in 1877, National Museum of Natural History, the Dutch Period Museum, the Bandarnaike Museum, the National Maritime Museum in Galle and the Gems Museum in Ratnapura.

That this Island country has is religious is substantiated by the number of religious places it has. Among the major ones are the Temple of Tooth, the pilgrimage of Adam’s Peak; the conical mountain that’s sacred for Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and Muslims alike, the Bogoda Bridge and the Temple, the Buduruwagala complex close to Wellawaya, the Dowa Cave Temple, the Maligawila and Dambegoda temples  and the religious place of Muthiyangana.

All the cities of Sri Lanka have a distinct charm of their own. Colombo is a financial metropolis and a blend of old and new. Matara is known for its sandy beaches. Other cities, as mentioned above have historical and archaeological sites you cannot afford to miss out on.

You will never find a reason to say no to a tour to Sri Lanka, even of you have visited the Island once. With a favourable season throughout the year, an easy access, and of course with attractions of all kinds, Sri Lanka is definitely a charming place to visit.