Why Sri Lanka

The pearl of the Indian Ocean

A small island of extraordinary diversity — golden beaches, misty mountains, ancient heritage, abundant wildlife and a warm, welcoming people.

A small miracle

So much, in so compact a space

Few destinations pack so much variety into such a small island. Here is what makes Sri Lanka one of the world's most rewarding places to explore.

Diversity

Sri Lanka is a small miracle, partly due to the compact physical diversity of this pearl-shaped island — but this diversity extends to virtually every aspect of life. Fringed by sublime beaches, from straight expanses to rocky coves, the island possesses a coastal plain rich with lagoons, wetlands, rivers and wildlife-filled jungle.

The plain ends in the central area where the land ascends into mist-shrouded mountains, covered in forests of wind-stunted trees, plains known as patanas, and rolling tea plantations. The hillsides are punctuated by dramatic waterfalls — for its size, Sri Lanka has perhaps the largest number of waterfalls of any country.

People

Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural society — a reflection of the island's encounter with successive foreign immigrants. It all began with the indigenous Veddahs, hunter-gatherers who exist to this day. The main ethnic groups are the Sinhalese and Tamils, alongside Muslims, Malays, Burghers, Chetties and more.

Whatever their place in society, the people of Sri Lanka possess a warm and friendly nature, reflected in smiling faces and an eagerness to help. Sri Lankans are wonderfully hospitable and take great pride in inviting people into their homes — so don't be surprised if a driver, guide or stranger requests the pleasure of your company. And don't decline: Sri Lankan hospitality is taken very seriously!

Cultural Heritage

Sri Lanka's cultural depth is recognised by UNESCO, which has declared six archaeological World Heritage Sites: the sacred city of Anuradhapura, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the golden temple of Dambulla, the rock fortress of Sigiriya, the sacred city of Kandy, and the old town of Galle with its fortifications.

From enormous dagobas and ruined cities to the awesome stairway at Dambulla and the sensual frescoes of Sigiriya, visitors experience these wonders within a compact area known as the Cultural Triangle. In the hill country lies Kandy, home to the Sacred Temple of the Tooth, while the south holds the magnificently preserved 17th-century Dutch fort at Galle.

Ayurveda & Spas

Sri Lanka has always been a place that refreshes not just the mind and body, but also the soul and spirit. For thousands of years, the most popular method of restoring tired bodies and weary souls has been Ayurveda — the oldest and most holistic medical system in the world.

A centre of spiritual and physical healing for 2,000 years, the island offers herbal treatments, baths and massages, together with cleansing and revitalisation through yoga, meditation and special diets. Spas — mainly on the west coast — also provide Thai massage, hydrotherapy, reflexology and beauty treatments.

Wildlife

The need to conserve the environment was deeply ingrained in traditional Sri Lankan society: in the 3rd century BC, the country's first Buddhist monarch established the world's first wildlife sanctuary. Today 13% of the island is conserved as national parks, reserves and jungle corridors.

Sri Lanka possesses a high degree of biodiversity and is recognised as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. A safari in one of the 14 national parks offers the chance to see leopard, elephant, sloth bear, deer, monkeys and more, while over 233 resident bird species make the island an ornithologist's paradise.

Adventure & Special Interest Sports

With over 1,600km of coast, Sri Lanka is ideal for wind-surfing, water-skiing, surfing, sailing, scuba-diving, snorkelling and more. Prime water-sports sites stretch from Negombo on the west coast down through Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna and Tangalle in the south.

Over 100 rivers, lagoons and irrigation tanks offer year-round kayaking and canoeing, while the Kelani Ganga near Kitulgala provides thrilling white-water rafting. Varied landscapes also make for excellent trekking — from the Sinharaja rainforest to the cloud-forests of Horton Plains and the Knuckles range — plus para-gliding, rock climbing, cave treks and mountain biking.

Hotels

Sri Lanka offers an assortment of accommodation. Colombo features modern five-star hotels alongside iconic colonial-era hotels full of charm and romance. The island is generally blessed with impressive hotels in stunning settings, many designed in the 'tropical modernism' style of celebrated architect Geoffrey Bawa.

Hill country towns such as Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Bandarawela feature colonial-era hotels, while farther afield you'll find beautifully converted plantation buildings, jungle cabins, tree-houses, eco-lodges and boutique stays — as well as camping under canvas.

Shopping

Shopping in Sri Lanka takes many forms: haggling with a handicraft-seller on the beach, choosing fruit from a village kadé, or browsing bargain-priced international fashions in a luxurious Colombo shopping centre.

Visit handicraft shops for traditional brasswork, silverware, ritual masks, lacquer ware, batik, handloom textiles, lace and wood carvings. And don't forget gems — Sri Lanka has the widest variety of precious stones among the world's gem-producing countries, from blue sapphires to moonstones, with a proud tradition in jewellery-making.

Food

The cultivation of many types of rice, spices, vegetables and fruit, coupled with past foreign influences, ensures a varied and select cuisine. Rice is consumed with an assortment of colourful curries that range from delicately-spiced to near-dynamite.

Other staples include hoppers, string hoppers and pittu, while the Dutch-derived lamprais and Malay-derived wattalapam delight the palate. Seafood lovers rejoice at fresh fish, prawns and crab, and 'short eats' such as cutlets and patties are perfect for trips. Delectable fruit ranges from mango and pineapple to mangosteen, rambuttan and woodapple.

Festivals Year-Round

Sri Lanka's ancient civilisation endows the island with a legacy of colourful festivals relating to the Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian religions — commemorated with the flair of a people with a genius for pageantry and ritual.

Every full moon day is a public holiday known as poya; the most important is Vesak in May. The most spectacular festival is the Kandy Esala Perahera, a magical nightly procession of drummers, dancers, whip-crackers, acrobats and robed elephants, climaxing with a caparisoned tusker bearing the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha.

Ready to experience Sri Lanka?

Let us craft a tailor-made journey across the island, designed entirely around your interests.

Explore inbound tours Enquire now