Joanna James
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia is a suburb found in Colombo – the metropolitan hub of Sri Lanka. Over the past few decades, it has slowly developed into a bustling region that's full of sights to see and attractions to visit. Here are 5 exciting things you can do while you're there.
The Mount Lavinia beach is one of the most popular attractions in the area, this is on top of it being one of the most famous strips of coastline found in Sri Lanka. Located at the very heart of this busy suburb, it is almost always got a fair share of visitors. The beach itself is surprisingly spacious, making for an excellent location to just sit, relax and bathe in the tropical sun. You can also try your hand at a host of water sports such as jet-skiing, surfing and para-sailing while you're out there. And of course, when the tropical sun starts to get a little too warm, you can always take a refreshing dip into the water. Now, when deciding on where to stay in Colombo, if you chose a centrally located hotel such as the Cinnamon Red, reaching the beach is a trivial matter. All it takes is a quick 30-minute drive down the main road and you're there!
The Dehiwala Zoological Gardens is the place to visit if you want to spend a day surrounded by picturesque scenery, a calm atmosphere and of course, a variety of fantastic animals from all over the world. The establishment houses well over 300 different species of mammal, reptiles, bird and fish. Highlights include roaring lions from Africa, jaguars that hail from the Amazon rainforest and gentle elephants from Sri Lanka itself. The park also has an extensive aquarium and serpentarium. In the former, you'll be able to observe all manner of fish species – from the giant red-tailed catfish to flesh-eating piranhas. The reptile house showcases a wide variety of species, from crocodilians such as the gharial and venomous snakes like Russell's viper.
Bolgoda Lake is one of the most serene and picturesque locations to visit in the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia region. Considered to be the largest natural lake found in Sri Lanka, Bolgoda Lake is perfect for a daytime picnic or an evening stroll. You can even hire yourself a boat and go riding across the lake's waters. There is also a small island located in the middle of the lake that's often used by ferrymen and fishermen as a rest stop – it might just make for an exciting exploration opportunity.
Watching a puppet art show at the Traditional Puppet Art Museum can be quite the treat by itself. This is one of the few places in Sri Lanka known for preserving the lost art of puppet dancing and theatre. As such, don't pass up this unique opportunity to enjoy some traditional Sri Lankan art.
What better way to bookend an exciting time in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia that with a delicious pizza! There are several fantastic dining options to be found in the region. At places like Arthur's Pizzeria, you can enjoy all your favourite Italian classics with a flavourful Sri Lankan twist!
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.
