Within the coronary heart of the Indian Ocean lies a stunning tropical island with a wealthy historical past, a vibrant tapestry of cultures, and a few really breathtaking pure surroundings. The place is that this paradise place, this dream journey vacation spot? And what makes it so particular?
Why This Island is a High Place to Go to in 2024
Earlier this 12 months, I used to be lucky sufficient to spend greater than 4 months dwelling on this wonderful island. From its mist-shrouded mountains to its pristine, sun-drenched seashores, I explored just about each nook and fell completely in love with it.
Okay, sufficient smoke and mirrors. If you happen to haven’t guessed, I’m speaking about Sri Lanka! In response to CN Traveler, Sri Lanka is tipped as among the best locations to go in 2024. I wholeheartedly agree with this, and right here’s why.
1. Breathtaking Pure Magnificence
For a comparatively small nation (it’s solely 65,600 sq. km in measurement), Sri Lanka has an enormous quantity of pure magnificence.
The island has greater than its fair proportion of breathtaking seashores, particularly alongside the southern and jap coasts. I spent a month dwelling in a tiny village close to Mirissa and explored a lot of the seashores in that space.
One in every of my private favorites is a tiny secluded cove known as Abimanagama Seaside. You may solely attain it on foot which suggests it’s quiet and unspoiled. It’s beautiful, with its golden sands, wrap-around cliffs, jungle, and crystal-clear waters stuffed with turtles and fish. Come right here for sundown!
Inland, the island has a wealth of various surroundings. The rugged mountains of the central highlands, with their lush tea plantations and misty hills, provide a stark distinction to the wetlands and inland waterways you’ll discover within the northeastern a part of Sri Lanka.
2. Wealthy Tradition
Sri Lanka’s cultural tapestry is as various as its landscapes. The island’s historical past spans over two millennia, evidenced by its quite a few historic cities and UNESCO World Heritage Websites.
Sigiriya is among the most well-known – and spectacular – historic sights in South Asia. This historic fortress is perched on the high of a towering rocky outcrop and as soon as served as a palace for Sri Lankan royalty. It’s effectively definitely worth the hike to the highest, this complete place blew my thoughts.
The highland metropolis of Kandy, residence to the sacred Temple of the Tooth, is commonly thought of to be the cultural coronary heart of Sri Lanka. However the cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are additionally stuffed with temples and ruins that provide wealthy glimpses into the island’s historic Buddhist civilizations.
Galle Fort, a walled metropolis and sea fort on the southwest coast is one other iconic vacation spot to not be missed, with its distinctive colonial structure developed beneath Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule.
3. Wildlife and Ecotourism
Sri Lanka is a hotspot for biodiversity, making it a great vacation spot for ecotourism and recognizing wildlife of their pure surroundings. The island has no fewer than 26 nationwide parks residence to a various vary of species.
Yala Nationwide Park, particularly, has one of many highest densities of leopards anyplace on this planet. Different animals you may spot right here embrace elephants, buffalo, sloth bears, crocodiles, monkeys, and an enormous vary of birdlife.
For these keen on marine life, the waters off Sri Lanka are simply as spectacular. Mirissa and Trincomalee are well-liked spots for whale watching, with frequent sightings of blue whales, dolphins, and varied different sea mammals.
Or just seize a snorkel and see what you may spot nearer to the shore. I misplaced monitor of the variety of turtles I noticed whereas snorkeling in Sri Lanka, to not point out the opposite species equivalent to pufferfish, lionfish, octopi, and even reef sharks.
4. Scrumptious Meals
Sri Lankan delicacies is scrumptious. There are a lot of totally different typical dishes, however most characteristic fragrant spices and loads of recent native elements equivalent to coconut, pumpkin, greens, and seafood.
If you happen to’re a vegetarian, the excellent news is that among the tastiest Sri Lankan dishes are meat-free. Many are additionally vegan.
A few of my favorites embrace dahl, coconut sambal, pumpkin curry, cashew curry, and spicy braised beetroot. Strive ordering the native specialty meals wherever you select to go to – it’ll in all probability simply be known as “Rice and Curry” on the menu.
One other factor I’d suggest doing in Sri Lanka is taking a native cooking class. You’ll discover ways to make a variety of traditional dishes you can replicate at residence, and also will get to feast in your creations afterward. It’s an amazing expertise.
5. Tons of Out of doors Actions and Adventures
Sri Lanka is an adventurer’s paradise, with an enormous variety of out of doors actions on provide.
It’s among the best browsing locations in Asia (I discovered to surf right here!), and the nice and cozy waters of the Indian Ocean imply there’s no want for wetsuits. You may surf in swimwear and a T-shirt, it’s nice!
For kitesurfing, head to Kalpitiya on the west coast. Over on the east coast, the calm waters of Pasikudah are perfect for water snowboarding, windsurfing, and kayaking.
If you happen to’re a hiker, there are a lot of locations with glorious trails. Two of my favourite locations for mountain climbing in Sri Lanka are Ella (the Ella Rock hike is incredible!) and the Knuckles Forest Reserve within the mountains close to Kandy.
6. It’s Funds Pleasant
Sri Lanka is among the most budget-friendly locations I’ve visited in recent times. There’s no scarcity of low cost (however nonetheless good high quality) guesthouses and different lodging.
If you happen to’re a price range traveler, you may cross the nation on public buses or trains for just a few {dollars}. And should you eat in native locations, you don’t have to spend a lot cash on meals both.
If you happen to’re a surfer, you’ll discover board rental and classes in Sri Lanka value a fraction of what they do in most different elements of the world.
In fact, you probably have a big price range, you may spend much more cash in Sri Lanka too, and there are a lot of luxurious resorts and fancy motels, particularly alongside the south coast. Nevertheless, no matter your price range, it’s simple to have a snug and thrilling journey with out bankrupting your self.
7. Welcoming Native Individuals
The heat and hospitality of the Sri Lankan individuals is famous.
I used to be blown away by how many individuals went out of their strategy to make me really feel welcome, whether or not it was sharing their meals exterior a temple or on a practice, or just stopping me on the street to say “Howdy, welcome to Sri Lanka”.
In my expertise, many individuals in Sri Lanka are eager to share their tradition and traditions with guests. To not make cash out of you, however simply to make you’re feeling welcome. It’s a incredible place.
In Conclusion
There are many the explanation why Sri Lanka is a high place to go to in 2024. Right here, I’ve described simply 7 of my favourite issues in regards to the nation, however there are a lot of different nice issues about it too, and an nearly countless checklist of the explanation why I can’t wait to return.
I’ve by no means met a single different one that’s visited Sri Lanka and never raved about how wonderful it was. If you happen to’ve by no means been earlier than, perhaps 2024 is the 12 months it is best to. I hope to e-book my very own flight again very quickly!
