Why Sri Lanka Should Be on Your Travel Bucket List

Sri Lanka – island surrounded by the Indian Ocean – is gifted with some of the best beaches in the world. Golden sands, crystal clear waters and the picturesque coconut fringed coastlines are features that make all beaches of Sri Lanka striking to all its visitors. As you travel from one beach to another you may notice that each beach offers a unique blend of picturesque vistas and experiences. 

The beach at Arugam Bay, for instance, may offer gigantic waves suitable for surfing while the beach at Trincomalee may offer pleasant and calm waves suitable for water sports such as jet skiing, banana boat rides, kayaking and wind surfing

Plus, if you are a sun seeker you can experience some of the best views of sunsets and sunrises at the beaches of Sri Lanka. That being said, there are beaches with activities specific to those beaches.

Here are some of the must visit beaches in Sri Lanka;

•     Mirissa and Trincomalee for whale watching experiences
•     Jaffna and Trincomalee for sun seekers
•     Arugam Bay and Weligama for surfing
•     Hikkaduwa to go on a coral reef exploration

If you are a nature lover Sri Lanka is one of the ideal countries for you to have on your bucket list. Sri Lanka is gifted with natural beauty, as Sri Lanka is a tropical country with the right amount of rain and sunlight, making it a favourable destination to visit at any time of the year. 

The presence of picture perfect landscapes is a striking feature of this tiny island. Sceneries of lush mountains with tea plantations at Nuwara Eliya and Lush jungles as you drive to Ella emphasizes the natural beauty of Sri Lanka. Botanical Gardens such as the Hakgala Botanical Garden and Peradeniya Botanical Garden are perfect locations to witness the rich soil and climatic conditions of Sri Lanka. 

Not only flora, the wide array of fauna seeking shelter in Sri Lanka is worthy of high praise. Sri Lanka owns several wildlife sanctuaries–Yala National Park, Wilpattu National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Horton Plains National Park and Sinharaja Rain Forest are only some of them.

These national parks provide shelter to hundreds of wild animals and thousands of birds. Elephants, monkeys, water buffaloes, leopards, wildboars, spotted deer, Sri Lankan bears and sambar deer are some of the animals and peacocks, Sri Lankan jungle fowl, thrush, Serendib scops owls are a few of many bird species found in these national parks.

Another striking feature that will fascinate you about Sri Lanka is its history which dates back to thousands of years. Starting from the arrival of Aryans from India to Sri Lanka, the era of kingdoms in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Gampola and Kotte, the Kandyan Kingdom, to the colonial empire in Sri Lanka–Sri Lanka still contains ruins of the marvels built those days. 

Ruins of monasteries, temples, stupas, architecture, paintings, sculptures, carvings done on pure granite rocks and archaeological evidence showcase the sophisticated creativity ingrained in ancient Sri Lankans. 

If you are a history enthusiast or an archaeologist adding Sri Lanka to your bucket list would be an ideal choice for you. Timeless stories embedded in each and every ancient city surely highlight the pride of Sri Lankans.

Apart from the aforementioned cities here are some of the other historical attractions you can visit in Sri Lanka;

•     Sigiriya
•     Dambulla Cave Temple
•     Galle Fort
•     Portuguese built Fort at Jaffna
•     Seetha Amman Temple in Nuwara Eliya
•     Adam’s Peak

Make sure to plan a trip to Kandy and other sacred destinations in Sri Lanka to witness the proud history of this island.

Sri Lanka is not rich with natural beauty, timeless stories in history and pristine beaches–this country also houses an abundance of places of accommodation offering comfort and a diverse range of facilities. Hotels, boutique hotels, resorts, chalets, lodges, Airbnb, camping sites, you name it, Sri Lanka has it all, thus making it a convenient country to include in your bucket list. 

Moreover all the accommodation spots in Sri Lanka are ecofriendly, and therefore these premises prioritize sustainability and the preservation of the environment. Supporting the local community is another aspect that these accommodation spots pay attention to. 

Also it is important to mention that this island contains accommodations that may suit visitors from different interests, likes and budgets.

Visit our page Hotels in Sri Lanka to find the best of the best accommodations in Sri Lanka.

So far we have spoken about the beaches, natural beauty, wildlife and man made wonders in Sri Lanka. Now let’s look at the recreational activities available in Sri Lanka that make Sri Lanka an interesting country to include on your bucket list.

Starting from beaches you have numerous activities to engage in. Water sports such as surfing, jet skiing, boat rides, banana boat rides, kayaking and wind surfing are a few of the activities mostly available in beach areas. 

Whale watching is another interesting activity you can experience in Mirissa and Trincomalee in Sri Lanka. You will get the chance to spot blue whales, sperm whales, dolphins and other water animals by taking a ride of few minutes into the ocean.

Since Sri Lanka has plenty of jungles and mountain ranges this island will be a favourite to all hikers and trekking enthusiasts. Horton Plains, Sinharaja Rain Forest, Knuckles Mountain Range, Pidurangala and Adam’s Peak are some of the must visit locations for hiking and trekking. 

There is more to what Sri Lanka can offer you. Here are some other fun and adventurous activities available in Sri Lanka;

•     Boat Safari Ride at Madhu River
•     Turtle Hatchery at Kosgoda
•     Ravana Pool Club and Ravana Zipline in Ella
•     Water activities at Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya

If you wish to experience all of the above recreational activities for your next vacation, opt for the 7-days Sri Lanka tour package tailored by Arabiers.

Another interesting aspect of Sri Lanka is its local cuisine–food that is made flavourful with the right amount of everything. The island can offer you food experiences ranging from indulging in high end dining experiences to binging on budget friendly street foods.

Whether you are a vegan or non vegan, healthy eater or junk food eater, a desert lover or a spice food lover, no matter what your food choices are, Sri Lanka can offer you what you like at all times. 

However, make sure to experience some of our staples such as milk rice with Maldive fish sambal, hoppers with sambal, Sri Lankan kottu and finally the most important combination–rice and curry. 

Finally yet importantly, one aspect that you will never miss in Sri Lanka is the friendliness of its local people and their humble hospitality. Being a multi ethnic, multi-cultural and multi religious country, Sri Lankans never hesitate to respect both locals and foreigners alike. 

Sri Lankans are genuinely happy to welcome visitors from other countries to this tiny island. From the time, you set foot on the paradise you will witness the faces with pleasant smiles welcoming you, thus displaying the generous hospitality Sri Lanka offers.

As you can see, Sri Lanka has a lot to offer to all its visitors and the aforementioned facts are only a few of what Sri Lanka occupies. Even these few facts emphasize how beautiful this island nation is. If you are a person who is in love with beaches, nature, wildlife, mountains, and food and if you want to experience all of these together by accommodating comfortably while enjoying the best hospitality, Sri Lanka will be the best option for you. Therefore, we would again say that this is why Sri Lanka should be on your travel bucket list.