In addition to tropical beaches, Sri Lanka offers a beautiful variety of landscapes, a rich cultural heritage, the best conditions for numerous sports and a colorful festival calendar. Another plus:the distances are pleasantly short on the island. Here are ten good reasons for a holiday to Sri Lanka.
Diversity
Dance on the waves in the morning and marvel at the green mats of the mountains at dusk – Sri Lanka offers a colorful potpourri of holiday options in the smallest of spaces. Beautiful beaches abound, but the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” also has a lot to offer active holidaymakers:culture vultures can explore ancient temple cities, health holidaymakers can be pampered in Ayurvedic, and divers, kite surfers and hikers will also find their paradise here. . The island's variety of landscapes is unique - you can hike through a spectacular mountainous area of rainforests, mountains and waterfalls, see elephants, leopards or crocodiles in national parks, or watch dolphins and whales offshore or float through mangrove forests on lagoons and rivers.
People
In Sri Lanka, peoples and religions have mixed over the centuries. Sinhalese and Tamils, the two main ethnic groups, immigrated from India. Muslim immigrants such as Malaysians and Chinese came as traders. The Portuguese and British brought with them Kaffirs from Africa and European settlers intermarried with local women forming the Burgher ethnic group. A fascinating mix of cultures. And whatever ethnic group the people belong to – everyone welcomes visitors to the island with a warm smile.
Cultural Heritage
The small island boasts eight UNESCO cultural and natural heritage sites that can be visited within a week. This includes the historic old town of Galle in the south of the island with the fortress from the Dutch colonial era. At the heart of the island is Kandy, a former kingdom and religious capital in the mountains. Finally, in the cultural triangle, the rock of Sigiriya, the ancient royal cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa and the cave temple of Dambulla are the cultural highlights. The natural highlights under UNSESO protection:the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and the Central Highlands.
Festivals
Almost all world religions are represented in Sri Lanka – no wonder the events are busy on the festival calendar. A highlight is Aluth Avurudda – the Hindu and Buddhist New Year celebrations in April. For two days there is a party with music, fireworks and delicious food on the street. The Vesak festival in May is the most important festival for Buddhists, ushering in the first month of the Buddhist calendar. Streets and houses are decorated with lanterns and the whole island is glowing with light. During the Kandy Esala procession (July/August) colorful costumes, spirited dances and elephants in festive attire inspire.
Spirituality
Buddhism is inspiring more and more people in the West to experience the pure teachings of Buddha in Sri Lanka. Spiritual experiences await visitors at pilgrimage sites such as The Temple of Tooth in Kandy, where the relic of the sacred tooth is venerated. Visitors can participate in the daily poojas. No less fascinating is the climb to Adam's Peak, which is sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike. At the top you can enjoy the sunrise with local believers.
Ayurveda and Spas Ayurveda, the 2000-year-old Indian natural medicine, has been continuously practiced in Sri Lanka since the 5th century BC. Ayurveda cures for health tourists enjoy a high reputation and are very popular with people who often return at regular intervals. For those who can't afford a two or three week cure, many hotels can enjoy Ayurveda massages, meditation and yoga classes, or simply indulgent moments at the spa. One thing is certain:Sri Lanka is a perfect destination to relax.
Nature and wildlife
Sri Lanka is a nature lover's paradise:the repertoire ranges from whale watching to meeting elephants in the national park or exploring the Sinharaja rainforest. The island is one of the biodiversity hotspots and 13 percent of Sri Lanka's land area is protected as a national park or reserve. A safari in one of the 14 national parks offers the opportunity to observe Sri Lanka's 91 mammal species (of which 16 are endemic), including elephants, leopards, sloths and sambar deer. The island is also a bird watcher's paradise. The 233 species (33 endemic) are joined in winter by numerous migratory birds, bringing the number of species to 482.
Sports and adventure
With over 1600 km of coastline, Sri Lanka is a perfect place for windsurfing, water skiing, surfing, sailing, diving, snorkeling and more. The island's more than 100 rivers, along with lagoons and “tanks” (irrigation lakes), provide the best conditions for kayaking and canoeing all year round. The Kelani Ganga at Kitulgala is an ideal terrain for rafting trips. Hikers can explore the Sinharaja Rainforest, the cloud forests of the Horton Plains, the Knuckles or the Hakgala Nature Reserve on numerous trails.
Beaches
White, palm-fringed dream beaches without end – the choice of the azure blue Indian Ocean is enormous. Whether families, honeymooners or active holidaymakers – here everyone will find their own personal favorite beach.
Hotels
In Sri Lanka you can relax in beautiful hotels in unique landscapes. On the coasts, especially in the west and south, you are spoiled for choice from numerous seaside resorts. Some of them were designed by Geoffrey Bawa, one of the most famous Asian architects. His style of tropical modernism combines clear shapes and a tropical atmosphere. Numerous boutique hotels have sprung up around Galle, and stylish colonial hotels beckon in highland towns such as Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Bandarawela. The repertoire is complemented by colonial-style accommodations on tea and rubber plantations, jungle camps, tree houses and eco-lodges, as well as guest houses and homestays for travelers on a budget.
