Ideas for your next trip to Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, you can discover the splendid cultural heritage sites and the ancient temples, witness the dramatic landscapes and the spectacular countryside of the tea highlands, experience wildlife at the largest national park and have a memorable experience at relaxing beach resorts. 

Ancient Glory - Cultural Sites: 

The remains of the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa feature enormous dagobas (dome-shaped structures) and statues of the Buddha. Dambulla has an awesome stairway, while Sigiriya is a rock with the remains of a palace on the summit and sensual frescoes. These four World Heritage Sites are situated within a compact area called the Cultural Triangle. Visit Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy 

Capital: 

Colombo 

Eco-tourism - Wild-life Parks: 

There are 14 National Parks in Sri Lanka which offer the chance to see some of the 91 mammals (16 endemic) - elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sambhur, spotted deer, hog, mouse- and barking-deer, wild boar, porcupine, ant-eater, civet cat, loris, giant squirrel, and monkeys such as the macaque, purple-faced leaf monkey and grey langur.. The largest of the parks is Yala, where jeep safaris provide close encounters with leopards and also abundant bird-life. The best park to see elephants is Uda Walawe

Yala (Ruhuna) National Park 

Uda Walawe National Park

Wasgamuwa National Park 

Horton Plains National Park 

Gal Oya National Park

Sinharaja World Heritage Forest

Sea, Sand and Sun - Beaches

Beaches totalling 1,340km fringe the island, from the long-established tourist destinations of the southern coast, to the vast beaches of the deep south, and the less-visited expanses of the north and east. No matter what time of the year, you can find a beach that is in season and just waiting to welcome you to its warm sands.

Ambalangoda | Arugam Bay | Batticaloa | Bentota | Beruwala | Hikkaduwa | Kalkudah | Mt. Lavinia | Negombo | Nilaveli | Trincomalee | Unawatuna | Weligama

Natural Wonders - World Heritage Sites

Sri Lanka.s cultural depth is recognized by UNESCO, which has declared six archaeological World Heritage Sites. 

Sacred City of Kandy

Sacred City of Anuradhapura 

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa 

Ancient City of Sigriya 

Golden Temple of Dambulla: 

Old Town of Galle and its Fortification

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Places you should not miss to visit: 

Cultural Triangle - Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Sigiriya 

The hill country - Royal capital of Kandy, home to the Dalada Maligawa

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

Jaffna

Pinnewela Elephant Orphanage

Aquatic Sports

wind-surfing, water-skiing,  

jet-skiing,  

surfing, sailing, scuba-diving (including wreck-diving), snorkelling, speed-boating and banana-boating. 

In addition, there are plentiful freshwater opportunities in rivers and .tanks. (reservoirs), such as kayaking and canoeing, and most adrenaline-pumping of all, white-water rafting.