A tour of the southern-coast of Sri Lanka is an experience that will leave beach bums enamored. One is spoilt with choice, as each destination has its own unique beaches and surf, across the sleepy coastal cities that have dotted the coastline.

As you depart Colombo and head down south, stay at some of the finest beach hotels in Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama, Mirissa, Matara, and Dickwella.Each destination has its ownuniquegolden sandy beaches and turquoise waters reaching into to the expanse of the Indian ocean.Spend the day unwindingat the beach at your own star-class hotel, or try-out activities like surfing, snorkeling and boat tours to witness marine mammals such as the mighty blue whale in their natural habitat, there is something for everyone. Don’t forget to try out some of the mouth-watering seafood specialties prepared by world-class chefs while you enjoy sundowners by the beach. Don’t forget tohave a taste of an authentic Sri Lankan coconut beverage (alcoholic).

On route to and from the southern tip of Galle, various destinations offer water-sports and boat rides to view corals in glass-bottom boats, dolphin and whale watching tours in Mirissa, as well as visits to turtle hatcheries.Don’t missthe ramparts of the 17th century Galle Dutch fort(UNESCO world heritage site), as you enjoy some rare photography moments along the paved streets within the walled perimeter of the fort.

A country so rich in cultural heritage, a world of discovery awaits the eager tourist keen to journey into the past and walk in the footsteps of the ancient kings predating the common era. The central cities of Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla (Kandy included) make up the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.

Within just a couple of hours journey from the airport by road, visit King’s country “Anuradhapura”. The city “Rajarata” as it was formerly known, was the first capital of Sri Lanka’s ancient Sinhalese civilization, dating back to the 5th Century BCto its first king who ruled over Sri Lanka between 437 to 367 BC.Tour the well-preserved ruins of Kingdoms past and religious monuments such as “Ruwanweliseya” built by King Dutugemunu in 140 BC. The stupa is the tallest ancient man-made monument in the world. Also located in the sacred city of ruins, a must-see when visiting Anuradhapura, is the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, said to be a living branch of the oldest planted sacred Bodhi Tree (meaning tree of awakening) under which the Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

The second most ancient Kingdom of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa was the seat of the Chola dynasty in the 10th century AD and one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. It is also important to the country’s ancestry as it was the second capital of Sri Lanka under King Parakramabahu in the 11th century. Typical visit to the ancient city involves a cycle tour visiting the ruins of ancient temples, irrigation tanks still in operation today and palaces of the golden era of the Kings who once ruled the land.

Next stop is the city of Sigiriya and Dambulla, where the most iconic monolith of Sri Lanka “the Lion’s Rock” stands. Considered the 8th Wonder of the World, and a UNESCO world heritage site, the climb up to the summit, takes you to the palace of King Kashyapa (5th century AD). An absolute must-do on every tourist itinerary.

Welcome to arguably the most serene and picturesque locationsinSri Lanka. The south-central part of the island is commonly referred to as the hill country which has a localized climate much cooler than the flat land regions and coastal cities.

The highland plateau of Nuwara Eliya commonly known as “little England” by tourists visiting the island, is the coldest region in Sri Lankawith a mean annual subtropical temperature of 16oC. It is a town overlooked by the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka “Pidurutalagala” and also an ideal base for visiting the Horton Plains a UNESCO world heritage site.

A short drive from Nuwara Eliya takes you to Hatton which is yet another town in the hills famous for the world-renowned Heritance Hotel Tea Factory. The train station in Hatton is a popular destination for tourist wishing to visit the sleepy little town of Ella, to begin their journey by train. This is arguably the most iconic train ride in the country and makes for some memorable photography opportunities as you wind through the hills and tunnels bored through the mountains and over rivers flowing beneath the valleys. The scenic beauty will leave you with nostalgic memories of a tropical holiday in paradise.

Ella is by far the most contemporary tourist hotspot in the island. The mountains region iscovered by cloud forests and a cool climate year-round, and if hiking is your thing, the most scenic mountain treks andclimb up little Adams peak will be definitely an awe-inspiring adventure to be cherished. Explore the history of the land as your guide leads you to the Ravana Ella waterfall and caves and explain its symbolism as you discover some of the natural monuments of the ancient kingdoms’ past with evidence of human inhabitation 25,000 years ago.

Other popular destinations in the hill country include the towns of Bandarawela, Haputale & Balangoda which offer their own unique experiences while on tour. En route, visit Bambarakanda waterfalls in Haputale, the tallest waterfall in the country, the Balangoda caves, location of the discovery of earliest origin of homo sapiens “the Balangoda man” dating back 28,000 BP, and the Belihuloya falls.

The western coastal belt of the island of Sri Lankacomprises ofsome of the finest beach destinations south of Colombo CBD up to Galle in the south. The coastal cities of Beruwala, Bentota, Kosgoda, Ahungalla, Balapitiya, and Hikkaduwa are idyllically set over a span of 136 km’s from Colombo towards the south within just a couple of hours drive by road along the coast.

A common holiday choice for tourists as well as local holiday-makers due to its close proximity to Colombo, the individual destinations have carved out their own unique niche as a preferred beach destination based on some unique highlights and offerings for visitors wishing to spend an activity-filled day on the beach at some of the finest beach hotels that have dotted the coast.

While browsing through a selection of some of the luxurious star-class beach hotels on offer to spend your holiday at, take the time to select your destination based on some of the activities and excursions on offer that may interest you.

The western coast which has been visited by the Portuguese and Dutch from the 17th Century is known for its Cinnamon trade and handicrafts which are still commonly sold along the coast at souvenir shops and make for some interesting shopping for tourists.Visit turtle hatcheries at Kosgoda and learn how the locals protect the endangered sea-turtles caught in nets or the eggs laid by spawning mothers on the beach at tourist friendly conservation centers. Enjoy a day at the luxury beach hotels on offer in Bentota while you take part in fun-filled water sports like Jet skiing, Boat rides, water-skiing and many more.

Do not miss out on a lagoon boat-ride at the city of Balapitiya as you survey the mangrove forests and Cinnamon island by boat on a 2-hour journey along the Madhu Ganga. The final destination on the western belt takes you to the vibrant beach destination of Hikkaduwa. Popular amongst budget as well as individual travellers, the destination has a lot to offer. From pristine beaches ideal for snorkeling and glass-bottom boat rides to survey the corals and marine life, the city has some of the finest restaurants that serve up some mouth-watering seafood dishes as well as local delights like chocolate rottis. Usually attracting the younger tourists, this hip beach destination promises more than sun & sandas it comes alive at night while you party the night away at some of the beach-side pubs that do not sleep.

Ideally the best time to visit the East Coast of Sri Lanka is during April to September when the rest of the island is experiencing the South West monsoon rains. Arugam Bay which is the most popular surf destination in Sri Lanka enjoys a rather short season from June to August only. However, as the island is situated on the warm shores of the Indian ocean in the tropics, the country enjoys a year-round tourist season.

The blue waters and sandy beaches of Nilaveli, Uppuveli and Marble beach makes Trincomalee the most popular beach destination on the east coast further north of the island. The east coast by and large is fast becoming a hot-bed for visitors as the white sandy beaches are largely untouched and unlike the popular beaches of the south, they are not overly commercialized with traders selling handicrafts and fairs at the popular beach spots. Amongst others activities and sight-seeing opportunities, the east coast beaches in Trinco are popular for scuba diving, snorkeling and its natural harbour (which has attracted sea farers as early as 500 BCE) making it a destination ideal for either a day at the beach or exploring the towns rich heritage.

Short day tours to Fort Fredrick, a fort built by Dutch invaders in 1660 and the Koneswaram Temple also known as “the temple of a thousand pillars” built in 205 BC during the reign of the Chola dynasty are also regular to-do’s when visiting Trincomalee.

Nilaveli is the most popular NE coastal village in Trincomalee and its white sandy beaches is synonymous with other South Asian destinations like the Maldives. Take the time to visit Pigeon Island, a marine national park just 1km off the coast.

Just south of Nilaveli along the east coast, Pasikudah bay is a popular up-market beach destination. Known to have one of the longest stretches of shallow reef line in the world, Pasikudah is popular amongst locals and foreign tourists alike and has seen huge investment and growth in recent years from foreign resort chains.
Arugam Bay SE coastal city, is well known as a popular surf holiday destination, and hosts International surfing events and attracts large crowds making it a vibrant little town during its short season.

To put a spin on the coastal bliss, Kumana National Park is an eco-tourism destination just 35kms from Arugam Bay, having over 255 species of birds at this sanctuary. Partly due to the Kumana Villu, a 200-hectare natural swamp, birds are attracted to its wetland terrain. Kumana has grown in popularity as a site for bird-watching with pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, white ibis, herons, egrets and cormorants having been spotted.

The central hill city of Kandy, is the seat of Buddhism and home to the last monarch of Sri Lanka HM King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha (1798-1815), before surrender of the entire island to the British colonialists. Kandy, home to the Sri Dalada Maligawa or “Temple of the Tooth” as its commonly known, houses the most sacred relic of Lord Buddha and is a place revered by Buddhists the world over.

Kandy “Nuwara” as it is referred to in the local dialect, is one of the most popular destinations in the island on every tourist’s calendar. Just 120 km from the capital Colombo, the beautiful scenery of the hilly surroundings, the neo-colonial buildings and busy shopping precinct of the city coupled with the religious places of interest to visit, offers an interesting holiday destination for the family spoiled in relaxation& immersed inthe blissful surroundings of hills and valleys.

The sacred city, yet another UNESCO world heritage site, is built up around the Bogambara lake situated right in the heart of the town and is famous for the Kandy Perehera, a two week-long festival paying homage to the relic of Buddha usually held in July each year. Be treated to a traditional “Kandyan dance”, a purification ritual, commonly performed at the 1700-year-old Kandy Perehera.

Pay a visit to 14th century temples within an hours’ drive from Kandy, not forgetting a visit to the Royal botanical garden – Peradeniya (built in 1843) which boasts over 4000 species of plants including orchids, medicinal plants and palms.

The capital city and business hub of Sri Lanka, Colombo metropolis is the first destination for most tourists on visit to the island. Located just 30 kms from the Airport, Colombo is easily accessible by road and within an hours’ drive from the Bandaranaike International Airport – Katunayake, you arrive at the CBD, the heart of the tropical paradise.

The somewhat busy metropolis is strewed with luxury star-class city hotels, high rise buildings and office complexes, modest shopping malls, all of which keep the economy rolling while the city is geared towards sustaining its back-bone of tourism. Colombo is also home to some popular religious places of interest such as the Gangaramaya & Kelaniya Temple, Hindu Kovils and Cathedrals which gives testament to the island’s religious heritage.

Witness the rich history of the island as you take the time sight-seeing some of the neo-colonial buildings that still stand today in the heart of the CBD with origins from the Portuguese, Dutch,and British Colonialists. Sample the street food at the Galle-face green, in close proximity to many of the fantastic city hotels and indulge in fine dining at some of the islands most chic restaurants that cater to different pallets. Party the night-away at some of the popular clubs and bars in and around the city or visit the Mount-Lavinia beach if a sun downer at the city’s closest beach destination is something that you prefer when visiting the busy metropolis.

A typical day tour of the CBD could take 5 hours and can be organized from your hotel in Colombo, if it is your first port of call.

North of the Colombo CBD and located just 15 minutes from the Bandaranaike International Airport, is the coastal city of Negombo. A popular tourist destination, Negombo is a beach destination on the west coast that is ideal to begin your tour of the island or as a final port of call before departure. The golden sandy beaches, and shopping strips on the popular beach road are filled with luxury beach hotels and some of the finest restaurants serving up some mouth-watering dishes that is not to be missed. The old town of Negombo is an ideal base to explore life of the fishing community as you visit the fish markets and witness the catamarans that have populated the harbours. After a relaxing holiday on the beach your journey takes you up North along the west coast to Kalpitiya.

Travelling by road towards the coastal town of Kalpitiya for your next activity-filled beach stay, the cities of Chillaw and Puttalam are popular spots to break your journey and visit some ancient Hindu temples that have roots to the Indian epic the “Ramayana”. Kalpitiya, is famous for its white sandy beaches, dolphin and whale watching boat rides from December to April and is popular amongst activity junkies for Kite surfing.

To change gears on your coastal journey, Wilpattu, within an hours’ drive north of Kalpitiyais a wildlife sanctuary popular for camping out in the wilderness. The Wilpattu National Park is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka in extent of 1300 sq. kms and is popular for nature lovers for spotting sloth bears, the elusive leopard and Asian elephants in their natural habitat.

At the Northern tip of Sri Lanka is the untouched beaches of the Mannar basin. It is the location of the Adam’s bridge that once linked the island to India. Mannar is also famous for bird watching as the migrating flamingos are a popular site along the canals and waterways in and around the coastal town. Jaffna situated at the Northern tip of Sri Lanka is the home of the Tamil minority. It is a destination popular for tourists from India and for the avid tourist who are keen to discover the place that was once the center of the 30-year long conflict. Visit Casuarina beach and the Keerimalai hot springs as well as the popular Nallur Kovil (Temple) built in 948 AD which was the ancient capital city for the Jaffna Kings.

Just over a 3-hour drive from the capital city of Colombo, visit the Sinharaja National Park a UNESCO designated biosphere. Popular amongst tourists and locals for the popular nature trek through lush rainforests, witness wildlife up-close and survey some of the endemic vegetation unique to this sanctuary. Treks through thepark vary from 5 to 7 hour and involves negotiating some rough terrain, and as it is situated in a wet zone, be prepared with appropriate protective clothing. Sinharaja is home to over 50% of Sri Lanka’s species of mammals, amphibians, birds, insects and butterflies and there have been sightings of Leopards and even Elephants within the park.

The city of Kitulgala is an ideal destination for eco-adventure set within the expanse of the mighty Kelani river that flows from the central foot hills through the sleepy little town. Being amongst the wettest regions in the country, Kitulgala is a very popular destination for adventure-junkies with sports like white-water rafting, rain forest trekking, canoeing, water-fall abseiling and camping in the wetlands. Mountain treks and bicycle tours are also popular activities when visiting the destination. For white-water rafting, guests are equipped with necessary safety gear by experienced instructors and accompanied on their adventure.

Tissamaharama commonly referred to as Tissa (short-form)is a town in the southern province along the East coast. The town is mainly popular as it is the main access point for tours to the sacred city of Kataragama and visits to the Yala National Park. The ancient stupas built by the Sinhalese rulers of the Kingdom of Ruhuna dating back to 3rd century BC and the famous Tissa Weva (irrigation tank) built by King Kavantissa are still standing today and a popular item on any travel itinerary to the south.

Kataragamais a sacred town revered by the Buddhist majority of the island as well as Hindus alike. Muslims and the indigenous people (Veddas) too are known to visit the site as each religion has some roots to the sacred city.Kiri Vehera Dagobahas evidence of been built as early as 3rd century BC and is the main attraction along with the jungle shrine at Kataragama, built by the famous Sinhala warrior-king Dutugemunu(2rd Century BC) who was the son of Kavantissa. The shrine was built to pay homage to God Kataragama, a powerful deity who is said to answer prayers of devotees for favours in life and business and war.

Kataragama, meaning Village in the desert, is a popular pilgrimage destination for devotees of all faiths and hosts the Kataragama Perehera (religious festival) between July and August each year in honour of Skanda the warrior-god of Kataragama.

Yala National Park – the most visited national park in Sri Lanka has roots dating back to the1900’s when it wasfirst designated as a wildlife sanctuary. It is the second largest wildlife reserve in the country nearly 1,000 sq. kilometers in area. The park boasts a variety of animal species, across different terrains including wetland marshes, rocky terrain and aquatic habitats and is bordered by a sea-shore line along its southern perimeter. Two safaris run daily and it is advised to spend a couple of days in Yala and take full advantage of the migration patterns and get up and close to see the elusive Leopards, Asian elephants, crocodiles, sloth bears, deer, wild boar and many more mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds that are a common sight at Yala.

Udawalawe National Park is the 5th wildlife park in Sri Lanka and 3rd most visited safari park in the island. Spanning over 30,000 hectares, Udawalawe is another popular site for nature-lovers as this park is unique for its vast expanse of flatland and large reservoir which is the main reason Elephants are always spotted in large numbers at the park. As it is a dry zone the best times to visit this park is between May and September when animals gather by the reservoir for a drink.