Why Sri Lanka?

Awesome scenery with endless beaches, roaming wildlife, spicy curry and Sri Lankan crab – it is easy to fall in love with Sri Lanka!

Sri Lanka is now undergoing a stunning updating and establishing itself as the up-and-coming holiday destination, particularly for outdoor loving and adventure loving travellers.

Why pick Sri Lanka for a beach holiday?

Well, not all of Sri Lanka beaches are spotless. But let’s be honest, which country doesn’t face a litter problem at one place or another? Beaches like Hikkaduwa, Madiha, Mirissa, Weligama and Unawatuna in the Southern Province, as well as Arugam Bay, Tangalle and even Nilaveli in Trincomalee are very pretty indeed. You will find uncrowded shores, warm waves lapping at your feet and spectacular sunset views. Even the locals can be seen every evening to admire the sunset and end of the day.

Do animals of many species roam free everywhere?

You can expect to see lots of wildlife on the island – Sri Lanka is one of the top five biodiversity hotspots in the world. You need to go to one of the many national parks if you’re hoping to catch sight of some deer, elephants or even leopards, Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park or Sinharaja Forest Reserve all make for fantastic options.

Can we see sea turtles in the wild?

Sea turtle hatcheries and conservation centres abound in Sri Lanka, especially along the West, Southwest and South coasts. In a number of such hatcheries, turtles are kept in concrete ‘tanks’ instead of spending their early days swimming free in Sri Lanka’s clear waters. These hatcheries usually retrieve eggs from nearby beaches and care for new hatchlings in carefully controlled conditions, as they are prone to attack by predators if left to hatch in the wild.

Keeping baby turtles in the hatchery maximises their chances of surviving the critical stages of their early lives. The turtles are released when they reach an appropriate age and size. Depending on which hatchery you visit, you might even get to help release baby turtles back into the sea

Hatcheries and conservation centres like the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Galle hope to familiarise the public with different turtle species and raise funds and awareness for conservation efforts. Your donations and support are welcomed.

Is Sri Lankan weather balmy, with sunshine all day long?

Generally, most days enjoy great weather. To keep the scenery so green and beautiful we need some rainfall and that can come quite often. Usually, the rain only lasts a short while apart from the rainy season when it can rain for a couple of days at a time. In any case, the rain is warm and things dry our fairly quick – especially on the beach.

There is always a coast on the island that is fine and you can plan your location on the island according to the season. South and West during the winter and East coast during the summer. Upcountry in the hills is always nice, but somewhat cooler.

What clothing shall I bring for Sri Lanka?

Summer beach wear is fine if you’re planning to hang around the beach. More conservative dress is appreciated in the towns and temple areas.

Some of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful sites and popular attractions are in the cooler central “up country” provinces like Nuwara Eliya: check out the tea hills (Sri Lanka is famous for its Ceylon tea!), Horton Plains National Park and the picturesque Devon Falls, among others.

At the high-altitude sites, it can get cold and foggy, with January temperatures hovering around 13°C and going as low as 5°C during the dry season. It would be wise to pack track pants and comfy sweaters if you’re planning to do some hiking. A folding umbrella or a light rain coat are useful to carry.

Do you need to hire a driver if you want to make the most of your trip?

Well, yes and no. It really depends on how comfortable you are driving in chaotic road conditions. For your first day, it is good to arrange a driver to get from the airport to your accommodation. You can book a relieble and fixed price driver through our website. After you get settled in you can use local tuk tuks to visit the beach or shops.

For a tour and sightseeing visit – book one of our guides and you will see so much more than getting lost yourself and wasting time. Many tourists in Sri Lanka hire a driver to take them around to see the sights for a fixed fee, because it seems difficult to navigate the roads when you’re unfamiliar with the language and traffic conditions.

Conclusion?

Sri Lanka is the perfect place for an unconventional yet idyllic getaway. Rich in biodiversity, culture and ravishing natural landscapes, combined with charming locals, this truly is a magical island.

Now that you have a better idea of what to expect, it’s time to see it for yourself.