Joanna James
From birdwatching to watching sunsets here are some of the must-do activities in and around Mount Lavinia.
Sri Lanka is a famous beach holiday destination loved by many travelers across the world. Amongst the many beach holiday spots in the island, Mount Lavinia is located closest to the main city of Colombo. Most of the tourists who visit the island also make sure to spend some time around the area to get the taste of local culture and enjoy the night life by the beach full of bars and restaurants. This list takes you through some of the activities that can be done when you are in Mount Lavinia while vacationing.
One of the most bustling beaches in the suburbs of Colombo. This is a great place for a nice dip in the ocean, subject to current weather conditions. Always make sure to check the weather before you go for a swim in the ocean as a safety precaution. As you stroll along the beach, you can find many restaurants and bars serving food in different cuisines. Staying at one of the beach hotels in Colombo around the area such as Berjaya Hotel Colombo will make it easier as it's only a few meters away from Mount Lavinia beach. When in Mount Lavinia, you can catch the sunset on a beautiful evening to end your day on a high note.
The place is famous for preserving Puppet Art, which has a strong link to the local culture. Take pleasure in enjoying a puppet show here to understand the rich culture and heritage of Sri Lanka in its own unique way.
One of the most religious places around Colombo suburbs, this Buddhist temple attracts thousands of visitors daily. Specially during Esala Perahara Festival that takes place in August and September, the number of visitors increase drastically. The temple is well known for the Bodhi tree that is respected by the locals with utmost devotion where they seek blessings.
Known as the largest natural lake and the freshwater lake in the island, this lake covers two-third of Kalutara District. The history of this lake runs back to British colonial era in the country where the lake used to be a popular hunting ground for the British. Bolgoda lake is ideal for a boat ride or safari to catch spectacular sights, flora and fauna. As you stroll along the lake, don't forget to visit some of the islands in it to sit back, relax and enjoy.
Take some time to catch the sight of both local and migratory species of birds in this bird sanctuary. You also can see butterflies, water monitors and insects at this place. Although the sanctuary is opened throughout the day, the best time to visit is in the morning as you can catch the view of many migratory birds.
Being one of the oldest Zoological gardens in Asia, this place is a great spot to get to know the wildlife animals upclose. The Zoo has over 3000 animals which includes over 65 species of birds and 2 species of mammals. It is open from Monday to Sunday from 8.30 am till 6 pm
Maintained by Sri Lanka Air Force, this museum showcases a number of historic vehicles, aircrafts, weapons and uniforms with historic significance. You also will be able to see remains of the Japanese aircraft that was shot down over Sri Lanka during the World War II. The museum is open to public and open every day except Mondays.
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