6 reasons to touch down in Sri Lanka

By Clair Morton
Published: Thursday, September 26, 2019

From the bustling seaside cities of Colombo and Galle to the relaxed village of Ella in the hill country, Sri Lanka is a land of contrasts.

There are so many reasons to jump on a plane and head straight for Bandaranaike International Airport that I could go on forever, but I’ll stick to 6 major drawcards.

The journey’s a destination in itself

Of all the Asian countries I’ve been to, Sri Lanka is one of the easiest to get around. Public transport is reliable, tuk tuks and Ubers are plentiful, and the country even has its own rideshare service called Pick Me.

Train journey through Sri Lanka.

But the real gem is the train ride from Kandy to Ella, which traverses lush green landscapes and is considered one of the world’s most beautiful rail trips. Just make sure you book your tickets well in advance, as word’s been out for a while now and trains book out quickly. If you can’t get the train all the way from Kandy to Ella (about a 7 hour ride), the shorter leg between Nuwara Eliya – a small city in the heart of the tea plantations – and Ella has more availability, and is just as scenic.

You can explore thousands of years of history

Atop a 200m high rock plateau in the country’s central province lies what locals call the eighth wonder of the world – the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sigiriya served as a royal palace and city from about 477CE and later as a monastery, before being rediscovered by a British explorer in 1831. Today, it’s one of the most visited attractions in Sri Lanka. To see it from a different angle, climb nearby Pidurangala Rock at dawn for a 360-degree view of the surrounding area.

Sigiriya Rock, Sri Lanka.

There’s an abundance of wildlife

Think you have to travel to Africa to go on safari? Think again. The national parks dotted around Sri Lanka are filled with Asian elephants, mischievous primates, crocodiles, water buffalo and a plethora of bird life, including wild peacocks. If you’re really lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a leopard from your Jeep – your best bets to see one are at Udawalawe and Yala National Parks. While Yala’s leopard population is higher, there are more visitors to contend with, so my pick is Udawalawe.

Elephnants in Udawalawe, Sri Lanka. Image: Clair Morton.

It might also surprise you to know that Sri Lanka has its own species of bear, the Sri Lankan sloth bear, which can be seen at Yala and Wilpattu National Parks at dusk and dawn.

Plus there are giant squirrels that hop from tree to tree, blue whales breaching off the coast of Galle and Mirissa, and blinking fireflies which light up the night sky – this country truly is a wildlife watcher’s heaven.

You can indulge your tastebuds in a veritable feast

Scents of cardamom, chilli, cinnamon, and brewing tea waft from busy corners of Kandy, the country’s second largest city. At the market in the centre of town, you’ll find coconut sweets, fresh roti and carefully stacked tropical fruit.

Down at the beach in Hiriketiya Bay, on Sri Lanka’s south coast, a vendor sells kottu roti and samosas from an old yellow bus.

Spice market, Sri Lanka.

Traditional Sri Lankan cuisine draws its influence from several sources, but predominantly southern India, Indonesia and Holland.

Must-tries include the sweet and sour fish curry and the famous ‘hopper’ – a crispy, bowl-shaped rice flour pancake that can be sweet, savoury, or even filled with a fried egg. You’ll find street vendors spruiking these just about everywhere you go.

The scenery is simply breathtaking

From palm-fringed beaches with clear turquoise water, to safari plains and dramatic, mountainous terrain, Sri Lanka’s scenery changes constantly as you move through the country. With such a compact diversity, you could theoretically travel through the plains from the mountains to the ocean, all in one day.

Ella, Sri Lanka. Image: Clair Morton.

For an awe-inspiring view, follow the stream of Sri Lankan pilgrims to the top of Adams Peak before sunrise, or head to Weligama on the south coast for a surf lesson in a picture-perfect setting. Be mindful of traditional customs though – Sri Lankan society is quite conservative, and locals will appreciate you covering up before leaving the beach.

Any time’s a good time to visit

Recent tragic events shouldn’t stop you visiting this fascinating country. Travel to Sri Lanka is now reasonably safe. The State of Emergency has eased, security has been increased and Australian Government advice has been downgraded to ‘exercise a high degree of caution’.

Tropical Sri Lanka has two distinct monsoon seasons, each one affecting a different part of the country. So the weather’s likely to be fine somewhere, no matter when you travel.

Tea fields, Sri Lanka. Image: Clair Morton.

December to March is the best time to visit the west and southern coastlines, go wildlife spotting in the southern national parks, or spend time hiking and chasing waterfalls around the villages of Ella and Nuwara Eliya.

From April to September, you’ll want to head to the east coast beaches of Arugam Bay and Trincomaleee, or make your way to Minneriya National Park for a chance to see the famous elephant gathering – thought to be the largest in the world.

Surely that’s plenty of good reasons to visit this wonderful island gem.

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