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 actually 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 living on this amazing 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. For those who haven’t guessed, I’m speaking about Sri Lanka! According to CN Traveler, Sri Lanka is tipped as top-of-the-line 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 square km in measurement), 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 japanese coasts. I spent a month residing in a tiny village close to Mirissa and explored many of the seashores in that space.
One in all my private favorites is a tiny secluded cove known as Abimanagama Beach. You may solely attain it on foot which implies it’s quiet and unspoiled. It’s beautiful, 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 historic cities and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Sigiriya is among the most well-known – and spectacular – historic sights in South Asia. This historic 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 nicely well worth the hike to the highest, this entire place blew my thoughts.
The highland metropolis of Kandy, dwelling 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 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 underneath Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule.
3. Wildlife and Ecotourism
Sri Lanka is a hotspot for biodiversity, making it a super vacation spot for ecotourism and recognizing wildlife of their pure atmosphere. The island has no fewer than 26 national parks dwelling to a various vary of species.
Yala National Park, particularly, has one of many highest densities of leopards wherever on the planet. Different animals you may spot right here embody elephants, buffalo, sloth bears, crocodiles, monkeys, and an enormous vary of birdlife.
For these fascinated by marine life, the waters off Sri Lanka are simply as spectacular. Mirissa and Trincomalee are widespread 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 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 similar to pufferfish, lionfish, octopi, and even reef sharks.
4. Scrumptious Meals
Sri Lankan delicacies is scrumptious. There are lots of totally different typical dishes, however most function fragrant spices and loads of recent native elements similar to coconut, pumpkin, greens, and seafood.
For those who’re a vegetarian, the excellent news is that a number 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 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 local cooking class. You’ll learn to make a variety of basic dishes that you may replicate at dwelling, 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 out of doors actions on supply.
It’s top-of-the-line browsing locations in Asia (I realized 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.
For those who’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 unbelievable!) and the Knuckles Forest Reserve within the mountains close to Kandy.
6. It’s Finances 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.
For those who’re a price range traveler, you may cross the nation on public buses or trains for a number of {dollars}. And should you eat in native locations, you don’t have to spend a lot cash on meals both.
For those who’re a surfer, you’ll discover board rental and classes in Sri Lanka value a fraction of what they do in most different components 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 lots of luxurious resorts and fancy inns, particularly alongside the south coast. Nonetheless, 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 outdoors a temple or on a prepare, or just stopping me on the street to say “Hiya, 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 a living out of you, however simply to make you are feeling welcome. It’s a unbelievable place.
In Conclusion
There are many the 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 limitless listing of the 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 wonderful it was. For those who’ve by no means been earlier than, perhaps 2024 is the yr you need to. I hope to e book my very own flight again very quickly!
