Joanna James
Sri Lanka is a country, which has a lot to offer; from beautiful blue beaches, hilly countrysides, and plenty of history. If you're heading to this beautiful island for the first time, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Planning ahead is crucial when visiting a country such as Sri Lanka. Although the island is not geographically huge, there's plenty to see and experience, which can be overwhelming to do so all at once. Another reason to plan ahead is so that it suits your budget, likes, and dislikes. When looking at your accommodation options, you can look into properties that belong to Minor Hotels, which is one of the major hotel chains. You can even look at local options. Travelling during a pandemic is also different; therefore, you may have to get a couple of things in order before you head over, such as vaccination cards, visas, PCR test results, and much more.
It doesn't matter whether you're a foodie or not, the food culture in Sri Lanka is particularly interesting. When you're in larger cities and towns, such as Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Negombo and the likes, you're gifted with a plethora of choices in terms of food. However, no matter which part of Sri Lanka you visit, nothing beats traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, the most famous being rice and curry. The street food culture in major cities is also a vibrant experience, with all types of pastries and meals ready to be eaten in minutes. The best part about Sri Lankan cuisine, especially rice and curry, is that it is inherently vegan/vegetarian, so those with dietary restrictions can easily be accommodated.
Sri Lanka is a country enriched with culture and heritage; therefore, no trip to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean is complete without experiencing this culture once and for all. With plenty of temples and ancient sites to visit, predominantly located within the cultural triangle, you're going to want to learn more and more about the history and culture of this stunning island. In fact, Sri Lanka has 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with six of them being cultural (The ancient city of Polonnaruwa, ancient city of Sigiriya, Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple, old town of Galle, sacred city of Anuradhapura, and sacred city of Kandy) and two of them natural (Central Highlands of Sri Lanka and Sinhajaraja Forest Reserve).
Sri Lanka is no stranger to the partying culture and certain areas, mainly the South, is ideal for travellers looking to let loose and have some fun. Colombo is home to many bars and pubs, which also have live music and bands playing all night long, a vibe that is unmatched!
While Colombo is lively and vibrant, there's so much more to this tiny island than the city life. For those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the business of the cities and towns, consider going North, East or to the central highlands for some peaceful and serene landscapes and life.
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.
