Avid followers of travel trends will have read all about this year’s upcoming trending destinations – the likes of Japan, Turkey, and South Korea have been getting a lot of column inches.
But another nation tipped to be one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in 2024 is the beautiful island of Sri Lanka – and so far, it seems like that prediction is coming true.
The latest figures from Sri Lanka’s Tourism Authority show that the country experienced a surge in international visitors for the first two months of 2024 – both January and February were more than 100% up in 2023.
If that trend continues, Sri Lanka will almost certainly be one of the hottest travel destinations on the planet this year—so why should you consider it?
Amazing Cities And Nature
It’s hard to find a traveler who’s been to Sri Lanka and hasn’t absolutely loved it – the country just seems to push all the right buttons and leave people with long-lasting memories.
From the chaotic and exciting streets of Colombo to the beautiful riverside temples of Kandy – Sri Lanka’s cities allow you to sample a culture that is influenced by South India and Europe.
Venture away from the urban jungles, and you will find lush green hills and the chance to encounter exotic wildlife, including elephants.
As a small island, Sri Lanka is also blessed with beautiful beaches on almost every coast with some of the most iconic being Bentota Beach in the southwest and Mirissa Beach on the south coast close to Galle.
Incredibly Affordable
One thing that makes those incredible sights and attractions even more appealing is just how affordable Sri Lanka is.
If you’re willing to backpack and use hostels, you can often find a place to sleep for less than $10 a night, or if you prefer a little more comfort, you should be able to get a decent hotel with a nightly rate of $50 (maybe even less).
Ideal For Digital Nomads
When Sri Lanka first announced it was launching a digital nomad visa, it got a heck of a lot of travelers excited.
The visa allows you to stay for a year, provided you earn the minimum required amount (around $2,000 per month), and can be extended fairly easily.
The latest info from Nomadlist shows that you live in popular destinations such as Galle and Kandy for less than $1,300 per month.
Great At Any Time Of Year
Sri Lanka’s location and unique geographical mix of coastal lowlands and hilly inner regions mean that it can be an all-year-round destination – you just need to make sure you visit the right place at the right time.
The country enjoys warm weather throughout the year.
However, there are two main monsoon seasons: the Yala, which is concentrated in the southwest from April to June, and the Maha, which is worst on the east coast between November and March.
Festivals And Culture
Sri Lankan life is punctuated with many colorful festivals celebrating religion and the country’s history.
February 4 is Sri Lanka’s national Independence Day, while Sinhalese New Year is celebrated on April 13 this year, while Diwali – another hugely celebrated festival in Sri Lanka – takes place on October 31.
Solo Travelers Seem To Love It
For many, Sri Lanka reminds them of what it was like to travel around Southeast Asia many years ago.
The country is still relatively underrated and is a place where you can make up plans as you go along, something that solo travelers will always find appealing.
Simple To Visit
Before you travel, you need to grab yourself a Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) visa, which will allow you double entry into the country for 30 days.
You apply for it online and there is a fee of $50 – the visa can be extended while you are in Sri Lanka for a further fee.
Sri Lanka is rated as a Level 2 travel advisory by the U.S. government, which means exercise increased caution.
While this is not the lowest level possible, Sri Lanka is generally safe for tourists provided you are sensible – the Level 2 is largely due to some civil unrest in the country back in the fall of 2023.
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