THE BEST 20 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN SRI LANKA

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Sri Lanka is known as the tear of india due to its shape and its location, although throughout its history it has had several reasons to cry that it could perfectly have given it this name. But don't expect a gray country, sad and enclosed in itself: Sri Lanka is a kaleidoscope of colors, aromas, smiles and surprising places. And a little chaotic too, why fool you. So if you are looking for a cultural destination, beach, mountain, safari, surfing, diving, and really everything you can think of ... look no further: Sri Lanka is, for us, one of the most complete countries in the world, and All this without leaving an island! In this post we will tell you what they are Top 20 things to see and do in Sri Lanka.

1. Most likely, you will go through Colombo, even if only one day. The truth is that we did not have a very good feeling with the capital (a matter of taste) but it is also true that, being the most important city, it deserves a visit to begin to permeate you with its environment. Here we tell you what to see and do in Colombo.

2. Of course, as soon as you can, run away! The first stop we recommend is one of the cultural capitals of Sri Lanka: Sigiriya. The great protagonist is the immense Lion's Rock, one of the symbols of Sri Lanka. They say that this huge volcanic stone was inhabited thousands of years ago, and that because of its extraordinary shape, it was chosen as a place to build ancient temples. The truth is that in its upper terraces you can still see the ruins of these buildings. To get there you will have to walk along a walkway perched on the cliff, not suitable for medical purposes. Here we tell you our experience "climbing" its rock.

3. Leave some time and reserve energy to climb another rock (and very large): Pidurangala. You will not have to go far as it rises just in front of the Sigiriya Rock. And yes, once up you will get the best views of Sigiriya. It's a pass * _ *. It may be that the last section is complicated but believe us, if we succeed, anyone can.

4. The Dambulla Caves, not too far from Sigiriya, are another essential stop in Sri Lanka. It is a series of cave-caves on top of a mountain, with peculiar paintings on the walls and sculptures of Buddha. The most incredible thing is that they are over 2,000 years old and perfectly preserved.

5. Another cultural capital to visit absolutely is Anuradaphura. It was the first capital of the country (long before it was called Sri Lanka, when its name was Ceylon), and it is still considered a sacred city. It is best to hire a tuk tuk and let yourself be guided among its immense white dagobas dressed in colorful fabrics and Buddhist temples. Without forgetting to visit the Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred tree born from the tree branch where Buddha received inspiration. Here we talk about our day in Anuradhapura.

SIgiriya Lion's Rock

6. The third cultural capital of Sri Lanka, and which together with the others form what is known as Cultural Triangle, it is Polonnaruwa. Our advice is that you rent a bicycle and pedal quietly among the ruins at your leisure. The tour is truly inspiring, although it can be suffocating. From ruin to ruin, from buddha statue to buddha statue, you can learn a little more about the history and culture of this amazing country. So we did and here we tell you.

7. Does your body ask you for some fresquete? We have the perfect plan: go to the Highlands from the heart of Sri Lanka (some points over 2,000 meters high), one of its great treasures. It was the best kept secret of the English settlers, who as soon as they could escaped to this area fleeing the overwhelming heat of the rest of the country. Ideally, start the visit at Kandy (one day is enough) and get on the “Highland train”Until you reach She. They say it is one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, and we cannot disagree. As you ascend, you will pass through incredible landscapes, tea plantations and mountain villages. Life on the sides passes almost as slowly as the train itself. But beware, because it is the most requested route, so it is recommended to buy the ticket as soon as you arrive at Kandy!

  • Departure times from Kandy to Badulla: 08:47 and 11:10
  • Prices: first class: 1,250 RS / second class: 600 RS / third class: 400 RS

8. Once in the Highlands We based two sites: Ella and Haputale. From there there are several visits, among which we recommend: visit a tea plantation (such as those around the famous Lipton Seat), climb the Ella Rock and the Little Adam's Peak, reach the Bambarakanda Waterfall, the highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, and the Rawana Falls, and take advantage to eat western in their restaurants.

9. Before leaving the interior of Sri Lanka you can fulfill one of the adventurous dreams of every traveler: climb to Adam's Peak. We unfortunately still have to cross it off our list, but we were very envious (except the laces) to follow Carmen de Trajinando's pilgrimage to the top of this sacred peak. If you want to go, make sure you are in good shape: no more or less than 5,000 steps await you!

10. If you prefer the seabed to the mountain, you have to go to the Pigeon Island, a national park that offers an immense variety of aquatic life (turtles and small sharks included). It is easily reached from Trincomalee, although beware: in the low season (October-April) there are often no boats due to the state of the sea, the best time to go is June. Here we tell you our passage through Trincomalee.

Sri Lanka Highlands Train

11. One of the things we enjoyed most on our first trip to Sri Lanka was to spend several days in a tree house in the Yala Park, and the safari to see leopards. This park is located in the southeast corner of the country, and hosts an important population of leopards, as well as elephants, buffalo, crocodiles and countless birds. Here we tell you more about the safari in the Yala National Park. Another place to see leopards is the Wilpattu National Park, To the northeast. If you go, do not hesitate to contact our friend Amila, who has accommodation and organizes safaris. You can contact him here: [email protected] 🙂

12. If you want to see elephants released, write these names: Minneriya National Park Y Udawalawe National Park, two national parks where you can see dozens of pachyderms in their habitat. Goosebumps guaranteed!

13. Very close to Wilpattu Nationa Park there is a little corner that we will keep in our memory for the rest of our lives. This atypical place, which leaves from any typical tourist route, is Kalpitiya. It is a destination known worldwide among kitesurfers for offering excellent conditions to gallop the waves hanging from a super kite. And when you're there, stop by to say hello to our friend Anais, a Catalan girl who is an amazing cook and has a small guest house, with a restaurant: the Kite House Café. And also to Rubén, another Catalan who got tired of his life in the city and opened his accommodation in this part of the world: the Margarita Village.

14. Both Kalpitiya and Mirissa South of Sri Lanka, there are two points from which to go out to see Whales on freedom. Although find out very well about the type of visit and company that the tour offers: many seem to be chasing them rather than watching whales. A good company is Raja & the Wales. Always remember to travel responsibly 🙂

15. Point 15 and we still haven't talked about beaches? We already told you that Sri Lanka is a very complete destination! Come on, let's start with Tangalle, which was one of the first beach we visited in Sri Lanka. We stayed in a super coquettish hotel, with a beachfront pool, a wild beach, with huge waves and a kilometer row of palm trees. It was very cool!

Lepardo in Yala National Park

16. Although, the truth, if we had to keep a beach site, that would be Unawatuna. Ok, it is neither unknown nor less frequented, but if you explore the surroundings and do not focus on its most touristy part, you will find paradisiacal corners such as Wijaya Beach, with natural pools that are formed at low tide very beautiful, and surrounded of rocks with algae that look like a meadow!

17. A few kilometers away there is Galle, of the great surprises of the trip to Sri Lanka. It is a colonial city, with vestiges of the Portuguese, Dutch and English times, full of delicious restaurants (it is where we ate the best of the trip) and with boutique hotels where you can treat yourself. This is what we had in Galle.

18. When you are touring the southern coast of Sri Lanka you will not be able to overlook one of the most famous prints in the country. We talk about the mosquito fishermen. Of course, now it seems that not only are they engaged in fishing from the top of their wooden platform ... they also ask for tips in exchange for photos: - /

19. Sri Lanka is a very good destination for surf and if going on board surfing the waves motivates you, you will find your personal paradises in Aurgam Bay me in Hikkaduwa.

20. We didn't do it but we know many travelers who they rented their own tuk tuk and they toured the island in this way. The guys from Conmochila, for example, explain it very well in this post. It is an alternative plan to the typical trip through Sri Lanka, and a good way to avoid very long and uncomfortable trips by local buses. If we returned to Sri Lanka, we would do it without a doubt!

Lighthouse in the old city of Galle

We leave you a map where we have indicated the best places to see on your trip to Sri Lanka:

Surely we leave the odd thing to see and do in Sri Lanka, but we believe that these 20 are a very good start ... If only for a first trip. If you know more tips and places, do not forget to share them with us in a comment: they are grateful!

* Photocredit: Shutterstock

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Articles about Sri Lanka

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  • MOVE THE COLITA!
  • "SICKING" BY TANGALLE
  • WHERE TO SLEEP IN TANGALLE, GOOD KARMA
  • OF SAFARI BY THE YALA NATIONAL PARK
  • WHERE TO SLEEP IN TISSA, YALA ECO TREE HOUSE
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  • WHERE TO SLEEP IN HAPUTALE, GREEN VALLEY HOLIDAY RESORT
  • POLONNARUWA: BICYCLE BETWEEN RUINS
  • SCALING AND SCALING ... SIGIRIYA AND PIDURANGALA
  • THE BUDDHIST CAVES OF DAMBULLA
  • WHERE TO SLEEP IN DAMBULLA, GOVIPALA COTTAGE
  • ANURADHAPURA: AMONG GARDENS, ROCKS AND DAGOBAS
  • WHERE TO SLEEP IN ANURADHAPURA, THILAKA CITY HOTEL
  • MOTORING FOR TRINCOMALE
  • WHERE TO SLEEP IN NILAVELI, CRYSTAL BLUE HOTEL

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Video: 12 things you shouldn't miss in Sri Lanka - Lonely Planet's Best in Travel (March 2024).