Sri Lanka termed as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ gets its name due to its natural beauty and incredible biodiversity that sets it apart from the rest.

You will be hard pressed to find an island of this size with such an array of attractions, natural and scenic beauty, cultural diversity and exotic and spicey delicacies and smiles of hospitality that Sri Lankans are famous for.

Sun kissed golden beaches, green capped misty mountains, stunning landscapes, acres and acres of resplendent tea plantations, a rich and proud history of over 2500 years with 8 UNESCO protected heritage sites, wildlife that boasts of herds of mighty elephants, stealthy leopards, giant whales, are a few of the attractions Sri Lankan has to offer.

The many cultures living in harmony gives rise to the many colourful festivities throughout the year, an ideal recipe for fun and leisure.

Here are 10 of the must see and do activities in Sri Lanka       

1. Golden Beaches

Being an island nation Sri Lanka is blessed with large stretches of unspoiled and charming beaches with rich and spectacular marine life. The outpost of Galles with its Dutch colonial past, Hikkaduwa,  Bentota, Unawatuna , Weligama and Mirissa in the South coast to Kalpitiya in the South East to Trincomalee , Arugambay in the East are the most famous of them.   

Just relax under your sun umbrella in solitude or indulge in a wide range of water sports such as snorkeling, white-water rafting, surfing, scuba diving, jet skiing, deep sea fishing and many more readily available in most hotels and sport centers. Hikkaduwa to Tangalle in the South of Sri Lanka and Arugambay in the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka are the ideal settings for surfing.

Sri Lanka’s coastline is rich with marine wildlife and is well-known destination for whale and dolphin watching. The coastline is also a vital habitat for sea turtles, sharks, among other species, and has a number of healthy coral reefs.

2. Rich Cultural Heritage

Sri Lanka’s history dates back to 2500 years with remains of ancient buildings and majestic cultural sites. The cities of Anuradhapura, Pollonaruwa, is rich with dagobas, statues of the buddha carved in rock and palaces of the Royal kingdom, the countries largest and best-preserved Rock cave temple in Dambulla which houses 157 Buddha statues and the frescos of heavenly maidens in Sigiriya are a sight to behold and marvel at the amazing architecture and engineering fetes.

The city of Kandy which has a deep spiritual significance completes the cultural triangle, which houses the tooth relic of the Buddha in the Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth.    

Sri Lanka boasts of 8 UNESCO world heritage sites and Anuradhapura, Pollonaruwa, Dambulla, Sigiriya and Kandy house five of them.

3. Fascinating Wildlife

Although small in size Sri Lanka boasts of one of the highest rates of biological endemism in plants and animals and one of the best places in Asia to see wildlife. Sri Lanka’s Big Five consist of the leopard, the Asian Elephant, Sloth bear, Blue Whale and the Sperm Whale. In addition, the Sambar, Wild buffalo, the rare red Slender Loris, Toque Marcaque and purple faced Langur also get equal attention. Most of these animals can be found the many wild life parks of Sri Lanka where safaris could be organized with trained and experienced guides.  

The bird life of Sri Lanka is also very rich with a mammoth 528 species being recorded with 34 species being endemic to the country. In addition to the many resident birds, a considerable number of migratory species can be seen during the winter period.

In addition, Sri Lanka is home to 245 species of butterflies with 23 of these being endemic to the island.

4. Tea Plantations

Tea cultivation was introduced to Sri Lanka by James Taylor a Scotsman in 1867. Today Sri Lanka is one of the largest tea producers and Ceylon Tea is considered one of the best. Whilst driving to the hill Country of Sri Lanka you will be amazed to see the beautiful and resplendent emerald green tea plantations stretching across every mountain. A visit to Sri Lanka will not be complete unless you visit a tea plantation and witness the processing of the tea leaves in one of its factories and finally brewing and having a good cup of tea with its rich aroma and taste.      

5. Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation

Sri Lankas native healing system Ayurveda has been perfected over 3000 years with its indigenous knowledge base. Ayurveda loosely translated as the Science of Life is based on harmonizing the body, soul and mind. This traditional form of treatment not only promotes positive health but also helps cure ailments.

Herbs and other plants, including oils and common spices, are used extensively in Ayurvedic treatment.

The treatment is available at most hotels and dedicated Ayurvedic centers throughout the country.

Those visiting Sri Lanka should consult Ayurvedic doctors who prepare them prepare their carefully curated treatments or a relaxing and healing Ayurvedic massage based on your health requirements.

Yoga, a spiritual and ascetic discipline which brings harmony between mind and body and is practiced for improving health and fitness levels.

Several hotels in Sri Lanka conduct Yoga sessions with trained practitioners for its inhouse guests.

A Yoga session is highly recommended for visitors.

Meditation, which is the practice of focused concentration, bringing yourself back to the moment over and over again, helps reduce stress, anxiety, chronic pain, depression, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Meditation sessions too are conducted in many hotels and Buddhist centers and is highly recommended during your stay.

6. Local Cuisine

Sri Lanka known for its spices and herbs has a variety of local cuisine which is traditional and also inspired by the various ethnic groups and neighboring countries.

Coconut and the extract from the nut are used generously in the everyday preparations.

Seafood plays a significant role and being an island nation Sri Lanka is blessed with an abundance of seafood.

Those visiting the nation should take a gastronomic adventure and savour the local cuisine inspired by the various ethnic groups. A word of caution would be to go light on the chili and certain spices if you are not used to it. 

The tropical fruits and the king coconut are a must have for all visitors. 

7. Scenic Adventure

The multitude of roads winding through expanding mountain ranges, lush green forests, paddy fields, rivers and water falls, and laid-back villages offer a plethora of opportunities for hikers, trekkers and bikers.

Some of the more popular attractions that pump that extra adrenaline would be the Elephant safaris ( with the Elephant Gathering in particular) , Whale watching, Climbing the Sigiriya Rock to get that breathtaking view from the top, Hiking in the Knuckles Range for the more adventurous , Horton Plains National Park and World’s End , Climbing Adams Peak to watch the sun rise, River Safari in Bentota ,Hot Air, Ballooning, Diving and Deep Sea fishing  to name a few.

8. Tropical Climate

Sri Lanka is blessed with a warm sunny weather throughout the year except for the monsoon seasons. Sri Lanka’s climate is tropical and consists of distinct wet and dry seasons. The coastal areas of Sri Lanka enjoy temperatures averaging 28°C (82°F) while the highlands  are cooler and more temperate, with a yearly average around 16-20°C (60-68°F).

The best time to visit Sri Lanka is between November to April in the south-west and February to September in the north-east part of Sri Lanka

9. The friendly people

Whatever their economic situation in society, the people of Sri Lanka are incredibly warm and friendly. This disposition is reflected in persistent smiling faces eager to help, especially the tourists who travel to the island.  

Sri Lanka is defined by its gentle Buddhist culture which espouses compassion to all beings, and laid-back way of life. Hospitality is also one of the prominent characteristics of the Sri Lankan culture, making Sri Lanka one of the friendliest nations.

In the villages visitors will be often invited to partake in a meal in their modest homes. Visting and experiencing the village life is a novel feeling which will leave you amazed at how content people are with so little. 

10. Accommodation to suit your budget

Sri Lanka has a wide range of accommodation ranging from Star Class Hotels, Boutique Hotels, Villas · Bungalows, Guest Houses · Heritage Bungalows and home stays in most of the tourist locations.

Most hotels also provide international and local cuisine, entertainment, pools and other forms of recreation, travel desks, yoga and meditation centers and much more. Most staff speak English with a few speaking foreign languages.

Special meals such as halal, and other dietary requirements too could be catered for.