Weekend getaway locations in Sri Lanka – Best way to spend your weekend.

Galle and its neighbouring towns such as Unawatuna, Dalawella, Hikkaduwa, etc are the perfect answer if you need to satisfy your beach cravings in the south of Sri Lanka! The shores are covered in soft golden sands and the waters are so perfect and warm that you'll want to spend the whole day simply soaking up the sun as you enjoy the waves beating your back. It must be known that due to numerous reasons, the beaches around the island vary, and swimming may not always be ideal or even recommended. Dalawella and Unawatuna beach, for example for ideal for snorkelling and leisurely swimming. The waters are good for children to run and wade in, due to the large reef surrounding much of the beaches here. Beaches like Hikkaduwa are best known for snorkelling and surfing, as the reef is located almost at the shore and further than the reef, the waves are massive and are popular amongst surfers!

Mirrisa is also located on the south coast of Sri Lanka and is well known for a different reason. The waters that surround Mirrisa are teeming with exotic marine life, from bottlenose dolphins to blue whales! Blue whales are known to be the largest marine mammal and they can be spotted in Sri Lanka! Sri Lanka is thus known to be the only country where you can spot the largest marine mammal and the largest land mammal in one place – both within a few towns away from each other. Isn't that pretty cool?! Do ensure to book your whale and dolphin watching tours before hand and also make sure you're visiting during peak season – which is from the months of November to March. The most ideal time however would be in December to January.

Also popular for its pristine, perfect beaches, Trincomalee has recently sprung to life after being warded off for many years due to the civil war that left the nation at the near edge of ruin. Trincomalee's beaches are thus perfect in every sense of the way, as much of it still lays untouched by the age of modernization and tourism. Popular activities include surfing, fishing and snorkelling. If you're looking for accommodation around the area, do check out properties such as Uga Escapes, which have hotels in some of the most ideal locations around the island.

The city of Kandy is famed to be one of the top and most famous places to see in Sri Lanka. The city is rich in history and culture and is the perfect weekend getaway. Hop on board a train and walk through the streets of Kandy, where you will come across the sacred Temple of the Tooth known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Immerse yourself at the roots of Buddhism and one of the most revered places on the island. You can also get a colourful and dramatic display of Sri Lanka's culture by visting the convention center and experiencing the local cultural performance that is sure to leave you at the edge of your seat!

The Minneriya National Park is THE place to go if you need to get your weekend fix of wild animals frolicking in their natural habitat. Watch Sri Lanka's gentle giants graze and play in the wide open spaces, as nature intended, or keep your eyes open for a leopard hiding in the thick buses. Book a wildlife safari tour to this national park if you want to get a glimpse of Sri Lanka's wild side.