5 Reasons why Sri Lanka should be your next vacation destination – A little bit of paradise

The ancient "Serendib" may be small in size but it is packed with many flavours, sights and sounds. The coastal areas of the island will beckon visitors to find a treasure trove of bliss. You could visit the famous Arugam Bay on the East Coast to surf or visit the serene beaches of Mirissa and catch glimpses of dolphins and whales. Or you could go to one of the more secluded beaches to escape the world. Many Sri Lanka beach resorts offer a combination of luxury, close proximity to picturesque coves and bays and an excellent service level. Once you go further inside the country you will be greeted with an ever changing landscape including lush green forests, arid and sub-tropical scenery as well as misty mountain ranges where temperatures drop to welcome visitors to the cooler climes deep within.

From the famous elephant gathering in Minneriya to the stealthy leopards of Yala, Sri Lanka is blessed with plenty of wildlife that roams free within the national sanctuaries. There are 14 national wildlife sanctuaries scattered around the island and you will be able to see many indigenous and non-indigenous creatures within the bounds of these parks. Leopards, sambar deer, barking deer, sloth bear, porcupine, loris and giant squirrel are some of the many species of mammals that you will be able to see in Sri Lanka. As you enter many of the wildlife parks, birds sporting vibrant plumage including peacocks in their brilliant sheen will greet you. If you pick a guide and a safari vehicle carefully, they will take you to the areas where more stealthy animals roam.

While you can visit the beaches of Sri Lanka at any time of the year, for all practical purposes the best time to visit the south coast falls between the months of December and April. The East Coast comes alive from April to September. Whether you simply want to lounge in the lap of luxury on a sunbathed, soft beach or you prefer the rush of adrenaline that comes with water sports, Sri Lanka has you covered. Many resorts in the country such as Anantaya Resorts & Spas provide spa facilities as well. You could try out an ayurvedic or even a European style massage preceded by a herbal bath.

Many ancient voyagers such as Marco Polo visited the paradise isle in the olden days and sang its praise in their recounts. A hydraulic civilization with knowledge about advanced engineering techniques lived on the island for thousands of years and left remnants of their civilization largely intact. You can visit the ruins of ancient cities such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to marvel at ancient architecture and climb the majestic Sigiriya rock fortress to see the remains of an ancient palace of art, beauty, luxury and seclusion.

Sri Lanka offers shopaholics plenty of options as well. You could visit the recently erected luxury shopping spaces in the heart of Colombo to buy branded items or visit reputed gem and jewellery shops to purchase exquisite precious and semi-precious stones. The island boasts of a number of ethnic wear and handloom garments and other items as well as brass, stonework and wooden sculptures and carvings.