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 yr, I used to be lucky sufficient to spend greater than 4 months dwelling on this superb 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 the most effective 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 dimension), Sri Lanka has an enormous quantity of pure magnificence.
The island has greater than its justifiable share 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.
Certainly one 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 gorgeous, with its golden sands, wrap-around cliffs, jungle, and crystal-clear waters filled 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, supply 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 historical cities and UNESCO World Heritage Websites.
Sigiriya is among the most well-known – and spectacular – historical sights in South Asia. This historical fortress is perched on the prime of a towering rocky outcrop and as soon as served as a palace for Sri Lankan royalty. It’s effectively well worth the hike to the highest, this complete place blew my thoughts.
The highland metropolis of Kandy, house to the sacred Temple of the Tooth, is usually thought-about to be the cultural coronary heart of Sri Lanka. However the cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are additionally filled with temples and ruins that provide wealthy glimpses into the island’s historical 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 perfect vacation spot for ecotourism and recognizing wildlife of their pure atmosphere. The island has no fewer than 26 nationwide parks house to a various vary of species.
Yala Nationwide Park, particularly, has one of many highest densities of leopards wherever on the planet. Different animals you possibly can spot right here embody elephants, buffalo, sloth bears, crocodiles, monkeys, and an enormous vary of birdlife.
For these serious about marine life, the waters off Sri Lanka are simply as spectacular. Mirissa and Trincomalee are fashionable spots for whale watching, with frequent sightings of blue whales, dolphins, and numerous different sea mammals.
Or just seize a snorkel and see what you possibly can spot nearer to the shore. I misplaced observe of the variety of turtles I noticed whereas snorkeling in Sri Lanka, to not point out the opposite species resembling pufferfish, lionfish, octopi, and even reef sharks.
4. Scrumptious Meals
Sri Lankan delicacies is scrumptious. There are various completely different typical dishes, however most function fragrant spices and loads of recent native components resembling coconut, pumpkin, greens, and seafood.
If you happen to’re a vegetarian, the excellent news is that a few of the tastiest Sri Lankan dishes are meat-free. Many are additionally vegan.
A few of my favorites embody 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 most likely simply be known as “Rice and Curry” on the menu.
One other factor I’d advocate doing in Sri Lanka is taking a native cooking class. You’ll learn to make a spread of basic dishes that you may replicate at house, and also will get to feast in your creations afterward. It’s an amazing expertise.
5. Tons of Outside Actions and Adventures
Sri Lanka is an adventurer’s paradise, with an enormous variety of outside actions on supply.
It’s the most effective 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 lots of locations with glorious trails. Two of my favourite locations for mountaineering in Sri Lanka are Ella (the Ella Rock hike is improbable!) 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 lately. 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 possibly can cross the nation on public buses or trains for just a few {dollars}. And when you eat in native locations, you don’t must 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, if in case you have a big price range, you possibly can spend much more cash in Sri Lanka too, and there are lots of luxurious resorts and fancy lodges, particularly alongside the south coast. Nevertheless, no matter your price range, it’s simple to have a cushty and thrilling journey with out bankrupting your self.
7. Welcoming Native Individuals
The heat and hospitality of the Sri Lankan individuals is known.
I used to be blown away by how many individuals went out of their method to make me really feel welcome, whether or not it was sharing their meals outdoors a temple or on a practice, or just stopping me on the street to say “Hi there, welcome to Sri Lanka”.
In my expertise, many individuals in Sri Lanka are eager to share their tradition and traditions with guests. To not earn money out of you, however simply to make you’re feeling welcome. It’s a improbable place.
In Conclusion
There are many explanation why Sri Lanka is a prime place to go to in 2024. Right here, I’ve described simply 7 of my favourite issues concerning the nation, however there are lots of different nice issues about it too, and an nearly infinite listing of explanation why I can’t wait to return.
I’ve by no means met a single different one who’s visited Sri Lanka and never raved about how superb it was. If you happen to’ve by no means been earlier than, possibly 2024 is the yr you need to. I hope to guide my very own flight again very quickly!
