It has been a while since we travelled and likely to be some more time before travel resumes. Still, there is nothing stopping us from reminiscing on all the great times we have had in Sri Lanka in our many years of living, working and travelling there. And even though travel is restricted right now, we have not stopped travel dreaming and indeed we are researching and planning to bring you the best possible options for travel in Sri Lanka when the time is right.
Sri Lanka – one of the first places to travel post COVID-19
In fact, we believe Sri Lanka will be in a strong position for travellers post COVID-19 and there’s every possibility it will be one of the first places travellers return to. With that in mind, here are our suggestions for some of the best things to see and do in Sri Lanka when travel resumes after COVID-19.
Many of the ideas presented below we have put together based on what our travellers are telling us now – that when travel resumes people will be looking for options away from the crowds, private experiences, smaller hotels and more time spent outdoors. We are hoping that it won’t be too far away before we can all travel in Sri Lanka again! And when we can here are some of our recommendations for things to see and do in Sri Lanka:
Hikes in Knuckles Mountain Range
Things to do and do in Sri Lanka
#1 Explore Sri Lanka’s lesser-known places
Hikes and walks in Sri Lanka
We expect there to be a focus on Sri Lanka’s lesser-known places. It will be a time to explore and discover beautiful Sri Lanka away from the crowds. Sri Lanka is blessed with a largely rural countryside with few townships and cities – this makes Sri Lanka an attractive place to travel during these times and certainly delightful. Some of the experiences to enjoy off-the-beaten track include hikes, walks, wildlife safaris, ancient ruins that are lesser-known plus remote beaches. These activities are gentle and doable for all travellers including families and older couples.
We customise your travel arrangements to give you the most suitable experience. For hikes and walks we recommend places closer to the central highlands including the beautiful Knuckles Mountain Range and walking in and around Ella and the surrounding tea country. We also suggest village walks where you can stay in accommodation surrounded by natural beauty and local villages. This will allow you to explore beautiful landscapes on gentle walks and discover the countryside and villages.
Rural Sri Lanka
Wildlife safaris in Sri Lanka
There’s also Sri Lanka’s national parks to discover. Safaris in lesser-explored national parks are a must on your holiday in Sri Lanka. Our top picks to to experience Sri Lanka’s unique wilderness are Gal Oya National Park, Kumana National Park and Wilpattu National Park. View some of our favourite back road itineraries here
Wildlife safaris in Sri Lanka
#2 Take some time for a wellness stay
Making the time for self care as wellbeing is important, more so now than ever. Sri Lanka boasts many options for places to visit and stay where you can pause and spend a few days relaxing, indulging in health treatments and pampering yourself just a little (or a lot!).
Indulge in spa treatments
Indulge in spa treatments and massages, breath fresh mountainous air and taste wholesome and delicious cuisine. Our Sri Lanka tours can be designed to benefit you with wellness treatments and gentle activities coupled with stays in boutique hotels away from crowds. These stays are customised to give a diverse range of wellness treatments including age-old Ayurvedic treatments, yoga and meditation.
While we are happy to create a personalised itinerary, do click below to get an idea of wellness tours with us.
https://srilankaunbound.com.au/get-itneraries-individual/wellness-sri-lanka
Spa treatments in Sri Lanka
#3 Discover amazing wildlife
Sri Lanka is blessed by wilderness that’s unique and easily discoverable. With over 20 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries this is the place to be. Being a small island around the size of Tasmania, it is easy to explore and travel within the island to discover stunning landscapes and impressive wildlife while staying in unique accommodation.
Our Favourite wildlife parks in Sri Lanka
Some of our favourite wildlife parks include Gal Oya,where you can look for elephants swimming in the large reservoir and endemic birds and mammals, Kumana National Park, which is ideal for birders as well as sightings of leopards, and Wasgamuwa and Maduru Oya National Park with their diverse wildlife including birds and elephants. Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest park, is also a great place for sightings of leopards, birds and smaller mammals. Read more here on Sri Lanka’s unique wildlife
Leopards in Sri Lanka
#4 Surfing and snorkelling in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is superb for active holidays. The best part of these Sri Lanka holidays is that the activities do not necessarily have to be based on an adrenalin rush. In other words, they suit those who like gentle, but active experiences. If you are someone who enjoys the sunny side of things including beaches and salty waters, there are great options to snorkel, dive and surf throughout the year in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka – Year round surfing destination
Best Surfing spots in Sri Lanka
For surfing, Arugam Bay in the east coast is the undisputed queen. This small, laid-back town attracts surfers from around the world. You don’t need to be an expert surfer to enjoy the waters as there are plenty of options for beginners as well as skilled surfers, with local trainers aplenty offering surfing lessons. Further north on the east coast is Passikudah, Kalkudah and Trincomalee – famous for its stunning quiet beaches and ocean beds that are fantastic for snorkelling and diving. The best time to explore this area is from May to October. During the rest of the year head to the west and south coasts for the best beach conditions. Talalla, Hikkaduwa and Weligama are great for surfing while Kalpitiya on the north west is fantastic for kite-surfing. The South Coast can get quite busy during the season, so if you are looking for something rustic and quiet, we suggest you head to Kalpitiya. The ideal times to explore waters here is from November to April. Read more about surfing in Sri Lanka here
Arugam Bay
#5 Stay longer at the beach
Beach stays in Sri Lanka need not be a crowded affair. In fact, we know some lovely quiet beaches that pair with interesting accommodation for a relaxed holiday at the beach. Some of the beaches are so quiet that they are almost always yours and private.
Best Beach accommodation in Sri Lanka
Some beach stays give you the opportunity to catch a glimpse of local life, discover local markets or indulge in freshly caught seafood. Either way there is plenty of accommodation to suit your style and budget. Some of our top picks for beach stays on the south coast are Mawella Beach (close to Tangalle), Tangalle, Mirissa and Talpe. We also recommend Kalpitiya and the surrounding beaches. On the east coast we have a couple of favourite places starting from Kuchchaveli, Uppaveli, Passikudah, Kalkudah and Arugam Bay. Read more about the best beaches in Sri Lanka
#6 Splurge on a luxury boutique hotel
One of the things we love and enjoy about Sri Lanka holidays are the upmarket boutique hotels. There are number of options across Sri Lanka from Colombo to the Cultural Triangle, to the coast and wildlife parks. These accommodations are stylish, provide the best of service and are in many cases, are known for their meals and hospitality.
Best luxury accomodation in Sri Lanka
Some of the places we like to splurge on in Sri Lanka include Ulagalla by Uga Escapes, Water Gardens Sigiriya in the Cultural Triangle, Kandy House and Ellerton Bungalow in Kandy, Goatfell Bungalow, Camellia Hills, Nine Skies Bungalow, Ceylon Tea Trails and SinghaGiri in the tea country. We also love Leopard Trails, Ceylon Wild Safaris and Gal Oya Lodge to experience wildlife. Along the south coast we recommend Fort Bazaar, Taru Villas Mawella, The Last House, Why House, Taru Villas Rampart Street, Cape Weligama, Amangalla and Kumu Beach, while Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes is one of our favourite places to splurge on for a luxury stays on the north eastern coast of Sri Lanka. Discover more of our favourite hotels here
#7 Discover ancient ruins at your own pace
Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
Sri Lanka has a rich history going back over 2 millenniums. While most tourists rush to the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress (a must see for sure) there are some lesser-visited heritage sites to enjoy at your own pace with fewer visitors. One such place is Polonnaruwa where you can experience a cycling tour to explore the backroads of the area as well as cycling among the ruins. This medieval kingdom is a fascinating place to discover history and see the architectural and artistic marvels of ancient Sri Lanka.
In Anuradhapura, you can cycle through the ancient city and be amazed by the large stupas that were built by the ancient kings. For those who seek quieter places, Ritigala archaeological monastery is the place to explore. These are just a handful, but there is a lot more to discover in Sri Lanka. Read more here
#8 A private cooking class in Sri Lanka
The delicious and aromatic cuisine of Sri Lanka is best discovered in a private cooking class. Sri Lankan cuisine is simple and easy to prepare. Rice and curry, consisting of rice coupled with a 4-to-7 curries and accompaniments, is staple meal in Sri Lankan households and a meal you are likely to savour many times during your holiday in Sri Lanka. As daunting as it sounds to prepare, it is relatively easy to cook Sri Lankan meals and your taste buds will delight in the flavours. As such we highly recommend a private cooking class for you on your Sri Lanka holiday. Read more here
Sri Lankan food
Those are just some of our travel tips for the must see and do experiences in Sri Lanka when travel returns. Read our latest travel advice and learn about our special, flexible booking terms and conditions here and read more about post-Covid travel in Sri Lanka on our blog here
We certainly are looking forward to visiting this beautiful island nation when we can! Speak with us for more details and suggestions about travel in Sri Lanka https://srilankaunbound.com.au/enquire
