For years, I’ve been entranced by images of palm trees gently swaying on white-sand beaches, elephants by the roadside and a backbone of hills ready to be hiked. I’ve had Sri Lanka on my list for a long time, and it’s going to be my next destination.
I’m heading on a media trip to Sri Lanka next month, and I’m excited for numerous reasons! Here are all the reasons I’ve been wanting to visit Sri Lanka over the last decade; and why I think now is the perfect time to go.
The food
I’ll admit, while I love to eat, food isn’t usually my main motivation to travel.
This is simply because I’m vegetarian, so often the national dish or main cuisine of a country isn’t suitable for me!
The national dish of Sri Lanka is simply “rice and curry”. I’ve read that this can come in many forms – rice (of course) with daal, vegetable curries or fish or meat curry. But it’s entirely possible to have this as a veggie only option!
I’m also a fiend for spice, and I’ve heard that there’s plenty of chilli in Sri Lankan curries!
Affordable luxury
Sri Lanka’s starting to make a name for itself as an idyllic destination for affordable luxury hotels and establishments. And I love a bit of affordable luxury!
The best hotels in Kiribathgoda Sri Lanka start at around $60 USD and many are home to infinity pools, luxury rooms and high-end restaurants.
In Colombo, sip cocktails by a rooftop pool as the city buzzes beneath you.
Or there’s Mirissa Beach, home to resorts sprawling out on the sand with bright turquoise pools, cocktail bars on the beach and sleek, modern rooms.
I’m hoping to check out a few of these incredible hotels on my trip!
Trains
If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that train travel has always been my thing.
I’ve heard that Sri Lanka is packed full of interesting and beautiful train journeys.
The Kandy to Ella train is the most famous, but I’m keen to try some lesser visited trains as well, including the sleeper train from Colombo to Jaffna in the north!
Then there are trains that were built to transport tea that weave through the highlands, and vessels that transport locals and tourists from hectic Colombo to chilled out towns and villages.
I want to try them all!
Culture
Sri Lanka seems like a unique, culturally rich country and I can’t wait to explore more of its customs and its religion.
In fact, there’s a Cultural Triangle in central Sri Lanka that’s home to Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, each of which is an ancient monument and site of pilgrimage.
- Anuradhapura – sprawling city of stupas, reservoirs, and the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree; quieter and more spread out than other sites
- Polonnaruwa – compact, bike-friendly ruins with detailed moonstones, statues, and well-preserved carvings
- Sigiriya – dramatic rock fortress with frescoes, symmetrical gardens, and sweeping views from the summit
- Pidurangala Rock – cheaper, less crowded alternative to Sigiriya with a direct view of it at sunrise
- Dambulla Cave Temple – five caves filled with statues of the Buddha and intricately painted ceilings
- Mihintale – believed to be the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, with stone steps leading to panoramic viewpoints and shrines
Wildlife and nature
While I mainly cover culture on my channels, I love to see wildlife whenever I travel!
Sri Lankan elephants are world-famous, and I’ve been told by tonnes of people that yes, they do just casually appear by the side of the road!
Safaris are also popular (and very affordable) in Sri Lanka as well.
Plus, there’s a multi day hiking trail, the Pekoe Trail, which traverses some of Sri Lanka’s very best terrains as it explores the highlands and “tea country”.
Beaches
You can’t write a post about Sri Lanka and forget the beaches!
I live by the beach (in England, so it’s a bit different!) and I firmly believe that life is just better by the ocean. And an ocean lining a tropical beach? Yes please!
Sri Lanka’s beaches look postcard-perfect, there’s no doubt about it. There’s also excellent surfing (not my personal favourite activity, but I know many people love it) and scuba diving (much more up my street!).
While I know Mirissa is largely thought of as the best beach in Sri Lanka, I’m keen to see some more off the beaten track beaches too. Watch this space for those!
It’s not too touristy yet
Honestly? I don’t think this is going to last for that long. But Sri Lanka is not at the same level as Bali and Thailand, and while the south is getting busier (it’s becoming a more popular digital nomad destination), all accounts I’ve read point to it still being chilled out and authentic.
But I’m glad I’m getting there now – and I will report back when I return!
