Breath-taking landscapes, centuries old heritage, spectacular culture and incredible food; Sri Lanka is a land blessed in every way, and for centuries it has been a travellers’ dream destination.
STAY
The Hilton Colombo
Located in the center of Colombo’s Business District, The Hilton is an oasis in the heart of the city. A variety of specialty cuisines can be found in the hotels’ six restaurants and bars. The Dutch Hospital Shopping and Lifestyle Complex is less than 5 minutes away and the hotel is under 2 kilometers from Galle Face Green, an esplanade overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Grand Oriental Hotel
An iconic building at the heart of Colombo Fort offering spectacular views of Colombo Harbour, The Grand Oriental Hotel was officially opened on the 5th of November 1875. Famous guests who visited the hotel included Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Joze Rizal, the Phillippines national hero and famous Russian author, Anton Chekhov.
SHOP
Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Exchange
Located at level 4 and 5 of the World Trade Center in Colombo, the gem and jewellery exchange comprises a variety of boutiques specializing in brilliant colored stones from Sri Lanka, the sapphire capital of the world. Sri Lanka is one of the top gem bearing countries in the world and was known as “The Island of Gemstones” since time immemorial. The Blue Sapphire at the heart of the engagement ring from Prince William to Duchess of Cambridge is one of the most notable Sri Lankan sapphires.
Laksala
Laksala is the state-owned gift and souvenir shop established in 1964 to promote Sri Lankan handicrafts locally and internationally. The traditional handicraft products that can be purchased here are sourced from the most authentic manufacturers and include hand-made jewellery, ornaments, Ceylon tea, and handloom textile products. Laksala recently opened franchise outlets in the USA, the UK, China, Japan, and Dubai.
Explore BBC’s Top Choice of Good Food Trends for 2019
Given the countless assortment of flavours and textures of Sri Lankan food, there is no doubt that Sri Lankan cuisine is a gastronomical adventure. One of the reasons why Sri Lanka is an ideal destination for travellers and food enthusiasts is the multicultural nature of the country. Each ethnic community in Sri Lanka offers their own unique contribution to Sri Lankan cuisine.
Ceylon Tea, Sri Lanka’s Gift To The World
For more than 150 years, Sri Lanka and tea have been linked together in the minds of people all over the world. A visitor to Sri Lankan home rich or poor is served with an aromatic cup of Ceylon Tea anytime of the day. Ceylon Tea is popular for its bold flavor and it varies in taste, depending on the region, climate, soil and altitude where it is grown. It is also a popular base for iced tea drunk in many parts of the world.
The Global Destination for Spices Since Time Immemorial
Situated in a restored 1890s Methodist church, The Chapel Cafe offers a quaint and welcoming atmosphere with the fresh aroma of roasting coffee wafting through the air and an all-day breakfast and lunch menu. Feel Australia’s generous hospitality and enjoy live performances by local artists every Friday night at The Chapel.
Unique and Flavoursome Food Experience
Filled with hand-made chocolate truffles, chocolate oranges, fudge, and pralines made with fresh Tasmanian cream and butter, single-origin chocolate, fruits, nuts and liqueurs, the Anvers Chocolate Factory in Tasmania’s north is a chocolate lovers’ heaven. The factory was started by a Belgium chocolatier and now offers a selection of tempting tastes for visitors to enjoy.
DO
Catch the Next Big Wave at Arugam Bay
The gentle swell of the Indian Ocean provides excellent opportunities for surfing, diving, jet skiing, sailing, and numerous other water sports. Aruga Bay on the east coast is a popular surf destination attracting pro surfers from around the world. Mirissa and Matara on the South Coast are also good waves to catch. For the underwater explorer in you, the ocean around Sri Lanka offers one of the best diving experiences in the world.
Sri Lanka is a Hot Spot For Hiking in South Asia
Trekking, hiking, and rock climbing are excellent ways to explore a country and to get to know the people too. Sri Lanka offers opportunities to keen hikers and trekkers with a multitude of roads winding through mountains, lush green forests, paddy fields, parks and sleepy villages. Horton Plains at an altitude of 2,134m is a refreshing high altitude trek which leads to the world’s end, a sudden drop covered in mist and cloud, an attraction you wouldn’t want to miss on your trek.
Premier Golfing Locations
Sri Lanka offers a variety of golfing locations, from the Manicured Lawns of the Royal Colombo Golf Club which was established in 1880 to Victoria Golf & Country Resort high in the hills of Sri Lanka, which was named World Golf Awards winner 2021 and Shangri La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka’s first and only golf resort set amid a vast coconut palm plantation beside the majestic Indian Ocean.
Encounter Electrifying Rapids at Kitulgala
Whitewater rafting travel experiences are very accessible in Sri Lanka, especially on the Kelani river starting from Kitulgala. What was previously best known as the location for the filming of ‘Bridge over the river Kwai’ is fast gaining a reputation of a far more thrilling nature. There are numerous companies operating rafting trips down the river with high quality equipment and experienced staff.
The Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic
With a history spanning over 3000 years, Sri Lanka has eight UNESCO world heritage sites which include the ruins of palaces, temples, and ancient cities such as Kandy, the last capital of Sri Lanka and the site of the temple of the tooth relic (the sacred tooth of the Buddha). The Kand Perahera, a historical procession held annually to pay homage to the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is a cultural extravaganza including hundreds of caparisoned elephants, drummers, and fire dancers.
Ancient Cities of Sri Lanka
Of all the ancient cities of Lanka, the most exquisite is the city of Anuradhapura which was established in the 4th Century BC and one of the grandest monastic cities in Asia. Sri Lanka’s first and the longest serving capital and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world is also one of the most sacred cities of World Buddhists. Polonnaruwa, the second most ancient kingdom of the country, boasts some of the most complex irrigation systems of the ancient world.
One of the Best-Preserved Dutch Forts in Asia
The Galle Dutch Fort was constructed by the Portuguese in the course of their rule in Sri Lanka and was later renovated by the Dutch. With 14 massive bastions, a system of streets, and some original Dutch bungalows, the Fort is still bustling with life as it did when Galle was the main passenger port. Galle is a favorite spot for tourists visiting Sri Lanka who enjoy the quaint shops selling arts and crafts and cozy cafes.
Colombo Red Mosque, an Architectural Wonder of the World
Colombo Red Mosque, also known as Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid, is literally an architectural wonder of the world that would stun you with its unusual colour patterns and unconventional yet amazing design. A popular tourist site in the city, this mosque with its exquisite tall minarets and one of the oldest mosques in the country, towers over the buildings and streets in the Pettah neighborhood and has been a reliable landmark for sailors entering Colombo port over the centuries. The mosque’s designer and builder was Habibu Lebbe Saibu Lebbe (an unlettered architect) and the red mosque was based on details/images of Indo-Saracenic structures.
Catch the Sri Lanka’s Big Five
Despite its small size Sri Lanka boasts of one of the highest rates of biological endemism in the world whether in plants or animals and is included among the top five biodiversity hotspots in the world. Of the ninety-one species of mammals found in Sri Lanka Asian elephants, sloth bear, leopards, sambar and wild buffaloes are considered Sri Lanka’s big five amongst safari lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
The World’s Capital of Wild Leopards
The Sri Lankan leopard is larger than other leopards. However, they’re solitary creatures and tend to keep out of the spotlight. You’re certainly not guaranteed to see one on every safari you take. Nevertheless, in Sri Lanka’s ala National Park, it is reported that there is one leopard per square kilometer, an incredibly high number compared anywhere else in the world. The Sri Lankan leopard is considered as Endangered in the IUCN Red List. The leopard population is estimated to number around 646 individuals in protected areas and 163 animals in unprotected regions.
Where the Largest Mammals on Earth Congregate
Whale watching is one of the most exciting water activities travelers can enjoy during their holiday in Sri Lanka. The most exciting species of whale for whale watching in Sri Lanka is the blue whale, the largest mammal in the sea, which can be observed off the coast of Mirissa between December and March, and off Trincomalee between March and July. Aside from the tons of krill around Sri Lanka that the whales feast on, there’s an annual migration of blue and sperm whales between the Bay of the Bengal and the Arabian Sea, via the coast of Sri Lanka. Originally plotted by British marine biologist, Charles Anderson, back in 1999, the migration is now hailed as one of the greatest cetacean migratory routes in the world.
A Top Wellness Tourism Destination in the World
Sri Lanka had continued to inspire and heal many who travelled to its shores ever since its existence was known to the world. The country’s native healing system, Ayurveda dating back to the 3rd Century BC has been perfected over more than five thousand years. At the heart of Ayurveda is the theory of three vital forces-wind, fire, and earth, which need to be in sync for the perfect balance. Improve your quality of life at a variety of wellness retreats located around the island providing natural healing therapy.