When you think of an exotic escape to Southeast Asia, you probably think about relaxing on the beach in Thailand or Bali.
Both destinations attract crowds, and both could be considered victims of their own success.
So where to next? Well, there’s a new hot spot in town.
Sri Lanka is on track to record its highest-ever number of tourist arrivals.
Data up until mid-July showed that 1.1 million foreign visitors have already arrived in the country this year.
Sri Lanka is a breathtakingly beautiful destination. Here’s why you should consider visiting Southeast Asia’s next tourism hotspot.
Breathtakingly Beautiful Beaches
There’s no shortage of outstanding beaches in Sri Lanka, so if you’re looking for a traditional beach break, you won’t be disappointed.
The best beaches can be found on the western and southern coasts of the island.
One of the most famous Sri Lankan coastal cities is Galle on the southwest coast.
The first thing you’ll notice here is the imposing colonial fort, but the fishermen perched on narrow stilts are the iconic image of this hot spot.
The nearby beaches of Unawatuna, Thalpe, and Wijiya are the best spots if you’re looking for beach bars and restaurants, and the chance to relax on loungers under umbrellas.
Unawatuna also tops the list as being one of the best surf beaches in Sri Lanka.
Unawatuna is a 15-minute drive from Galle, but the best way to get between the 2 locations is by train.
This is just a 9-minute journey and costs about 20 LKR ($ 0.66 cents).
Awe Inspiring Wildlife Encounters
Sri Lanka boasts so much more than just epic beaches.
It’s also home to all kinds of fascinating animals and if you want to see wild cats in their natural environment then this is one of the best places to be outside of Africa.
Two of the standout animals to view here are leopards and Asian elephants.
Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most famous wildlife park and you can see both (plus a whole host of other animals) here.
The park spans nearly 130,000 hectares of protected land, encompassing a diverse landscape of light forests, scrublands, grasslands, watering holes, and lagoons.
This spectacular national park is home to 44 varieties of mammals and 215 bird species.
Many tourists choose to take a safari tour with a private driver as part of a small group.
However, you don’t need to be part of a tour group to visit Yala National Park. It is possible to take your own high car, provided this is a van with high ground clearance, or you can hire a safari jeep at the entrance.
If you do want the convenience of taking a tour then you can book this with Sri Lanka Ride.
The rate you pay depends on the number of people per vehicle. One person would pay $90, two would pay $135. If you’re travelling as a group of 4 this price drops again. You’ll pay $230 ($57.50 each).
What I love about Sri Lankan safari tours like this is that they can be enjoyed in just one day.
So, you don’t have to choose between a beach break and a safari break (if you don’t want to). You can enjoy both!
Scenic Natural Beauty
One of the things that makes Sri Lanka so unique is the diversity of its landscapes. You can chill on the beach one day and hike through the rainforest the next.
One area of Sri Lanka that’s especially popular with tourists (and for good reason) is known as the Cultural Triangle.
It’s time to get a little nerdy!
Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were the three great Sinhalese capitals during the time of ancient Sri Lankan civilization, and together they form the area known as the Cultural Triangle.
This is a historic region packed full of temples and monuments, as well as scenic natural beauty and epic hiking trails.
Now these are the sites of ruined cities, monuments, temples, and even monasteries.
If you only have time to visit one of these sites, then make it the epic palace and fortress complex of Sigiriya. It’s well worth the climb!
It’s worth noting that many of these ancient structures can’t be reached by car so you’ll have to hike or bike to see them.
But there is so much history concentrated in a relatively small area in this part of Sri Lanka, and it’s well worth making a part of your trip.
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