Joanna James
Mount Lavinia, the seaside suburb of Colombo has plenty to see and do for the curious visitor. If you are in Colombo, read on as we list the top things to do in the area.
One of the oldest zoos in the continent, the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens was opened in 1936 and is famed for its well manicured grounds that echo a more natural surrounding for animals. The zoo houses plenty of endemic and non-endemic animals such as sloth bears, jungle cats and big cats like lions, jaguars and cheetahs. The aquarium has over five hundred marine species while the reptile house contains a host of crocodiles, snakes and other ancient predators. With Wallabies, kangaroos and tapirs, the list of animals under its roof is endless. A major highlight of the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens is its evening elephant show. Starting at 5.15 PM, it involves many elephants partaking in a series of activities that display incredible agility for an animal of its size. Close to most Colombo hotels, the likes of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, getting there shouldn't be a difficult task.
While Mount Lavinia's beach is incomparable to the glorious and unpolluted beaches further south of the country, it is still a pretty sight that attracts hordes of visitors. The area tends to get pretty active during the weekends as most of the city dwellers drop by to frolic around in the Indian Ocean. The long line of hotels and seaside shacks allow you to enjoy a drink or a meal. Speaking of meals, the restaurants on the beach serve an exhausting array of seafood cuisine, both local and foreign. Come dusk, the beach is home to a vibrant nightlife with plenty of parties and other events going on until late night or even early morning.
A lesser known attraction in the area, diving in the seas off Mount Lavinia is a delight to say the very least. The Indian Ocean does have a range of marine life but its main attraction would be exploring the multiple shipwrecks just off the shore. These shipwrecks are now a budding ecosystem and make for great adventures. For avid divers, a dive in these waters is a must. There are plenty of diving schools with experienced instructors who can teach beginners and help advanced divers get the maximum out of their dive.
With a large number of department stores in and out of Mount Lavinia, one is never short of choices when it comes to shopping. Mount Lavinia has plenty of clothing lines and souvenir shops that sell authentic handmade items right in the heart of the city. If you are looking for something else, the neighbouring region of Dehiwala has plenty of bazaar-esque stores that are worth a peek. Travel a bit further and you will come across massive shopping malls like Majestic City and Liberty Plaza that house retail stores of every kind under their respective roofs.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
