Joanna James
Tipped to be one of South Asia's most underrated vacation destinations, Sri Lanka is a gem of an island waiting to be discovered by the travelling masses. Packing quite a punch for its minute geographical size, the island nation with a 2500-year-old culture is home to some of the region's most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From deciding when to travel to choosing destinations to explore, here's how to plan an unforgettable getaway in the Emerald Isle.
The first step in planning a glorious holiday in Sri Lanka is deciding when to travel to the island. Although Sri Lanka is promoted as a year-round travel hub, there are certain months of the year that are more suitable for outdoor activities and excursions. It is best to steer clear of the monsoon season, which lasts from May to October, as the torrential downpours can make water sports activities and hiking tours impossible. The peak travel period for Sri Lanka, which falls between December and April, however, is perfect for every conceivable type of activity. Dry and sunny, this is the time of year when Sri Lankans based overseas also come home for the holidays. Alternatively, visitors may want to plan their Sri Lankan trip to coincide with the Kandy Esala Perahera or the Vesak Festival if they are religiously inclined.
Unless one is spending three weeks on the island, it is difficult to explore all that Sri Lanka has to offer travellers on a single trip. This is why it's important to narrow down the cities and villages that one hopes to visit on the holiday based on personal preferences and the vacation budget. Those who are interested in enjoying a relaxing beach holiday, for example, can choose to spend time in southern beach towns such as Galle, Unawatuna and Bentota while west coast beaches such as Negombo and east coast beaches including Pasikudah and Arugam Bay are also great pit stops to add to a beach itinerary. Nature lovers, in contrast, may want to explore the national parks and tea estates of Nuwara Eliya or Hatton whereas culture buffs must visit Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa on a tour of the Cultural Triangle.
Although Sri Lanka is a relatively small island where the greatest distance between two destinations is less than 10 hours, it is crucial to reserve accommodation at every pit stop on one's itinerary. When researching Sri Lankan hotels such as Dolphin Beach Resort and others, it's prudent to consider the locations of the property and their proximity to local attractions. Resorts that offer exciting Sri Lanka excursions should be considered above hotels that do not have outbound tour options for guests.
A trip to Sri Lanka would not be complete without enjoying a safari adventure in the country's lush wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. The Udawalawe National Park and Yala National Park are two of the best locations for safari tours as these reserves boast impressively large populations of various mammals and hundreds of bird species. The Wasgmuwa National Park and the Minneriya National Park are other must-visit hotspots for elephant enthusiasts as herds of gentle giants are known to occupy the sanctuaries.
Sri Lanka is ranked among South Asia's best destinations for whale-watching and a wide variety of water-based activities, so holidaymakers with a passion for diving, snorkelling and surfing should not miss out on the idyllic conditions accessible in Sri Lanka. Dedicated water sports centres provide water sports packages that not only include jet skiing and kayaking around the coastline but also waterskiing and banana boating excursions. Most seaside resorts in Sri Lanka also offer water-bound activity programmes although these tend to cost more than those on offer by independent tour organisers.
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.
