Maldvies Travel
The East Coast of Sri Lanka, which was closed off due to the civil war, was opened up again in the 2009 with the end of hostilities. The East Coast is home to several hidden attractions and amazing destinations making a visit to these places absolutely worth it.
Trincomalee is one of the most famous coastal destinations in Sri Lanka. Trincomalee is probably the most popular of the East Coast destinations as it home to the renowned natural harbor of eastern Sri Lanka. Trincomalee has long been a great tourist destination as it is home to the pristine Nilaweli Beach, as well as several other popular beaches such as Marble Beach, Dutch Bay, and Malay Cove. Trincomalee is also famous for Pigeon Island; a pristine coral beach with great diving sites. Apart from these beaches and islands, Trincomalee is home to the stunning Fort Fredrick, within which is the sacred Koneswaran Temple. The rich culture and history of the area is further witnessed by the many relics and old Hindu temples in the area. Since of recent many luxury hotels have also sprung up in Trincomalee, including a seasonal golf course.
Although the city of Batticaloa was inaccessible for a long period of time, the city is now progressively becoming one of the top destinations in the East Coast of Sri Lanka. The city is predominantly a Tamil speaking area and there is a very strong Hindu and Muslim influence in the city. However, the city has a rich Dutch history, and if you explore the city you will see the Dutch influence more than still prevalent in the city. This is best witnessed at none other than the grand old Batticaloa Fort overlooking the Battocaloa lagoon. You can also visit 'Old Batti' and walk around and admire the Dutch relics and contemporary culture. With its culture and up and coming hospitality industry, Batticaloa is well worth visiting.
Located in close proximity to Batticaloa is the resort town of Pasikudha. Pasikudha is one of the destinations of the East Coast that is gaining popularity very fast owing to its pristine coastal features. Pasikudha is known for its stunning and untarnished white sandy beach. The beach stretches undisturbed for several miles and the waters are known to have several great coral reefs and hence are great for snorkeling. Many luxury hotels and resorts have sprung up along the coast of Pasikudha, so finding accommodation here is not really a problem. Oh, and Pasikudha is also one of the best places to watch the sunrise from. Pasikudha is now of such popularity that tour packages in Sri Lanka by reputed travel companies such as Jetwing Travels include Pasikudha in their packages.
Arugam Bay is a sleepy coastal village on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. It is known for its serenity, scenic beauty, and the fact that it is has somehow resisted urbanization. In fact, unlike most other East Coast destinations, one doesn't find many luxury developments here. But that's all part of the charm of Arugam Bay which attracts those who want to unplug from the hassle of day to day life and relax in bliss. Arugam Bay was put on the map because of its amazing beach. The Arugam Bay beach is, more or less, the hub of water sports in the East Coast, and is, in fact, one of the best places to go and surf in Sri Lanka. Many locals and tourists who are surfing enthusiasts come to Arugam Bay to ride the waves and have a good time.
