Sri Lanka: A Country with More than 25 Centuries Worth of History


Located in South Asia, Sri Lanka is formerly known as Ceylon. This island country is situated in the Indian Ocean to the south of India, and Sri Lanka is a nation with 2,500 years of continuous written history behind it.  The New York Times dubbed it as one of the best places to go in 2010, what with its gorgeous beaches, animals roaming freely and charming hideaways.  

Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of those unique places which can be considered as a tropical/historical getaway.  Being the tropical country that it is, the country's climate is simply divided into the dry and wet seasons. Basically, deciding which months to book a flight to Sri Lanka would depend on the region that you wish to explore more of. Generally, however, the best seasons to visit the west coast is from December to March, while April to May is the best time to check out the historical places on the east coast.

5 Most Popular Tourist Destinations in Sri Lanka

Whether you're a first time or a return visitor to Sri Lanka, the highlight of your trip would be visiting some of the top destinations in the country. To get you started, take a look at the top five most popular - and beautiful - tourist attractions in Sri Lanka:
1.    Anuradhapura
In 380 B.C, Anuhadpura was turned into the royal capital of Sri Lanka. Currently, the city is home to some of the grandest monuments in the country. It is located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka and it is home to the second most sacred place here: the Bodhi Tree Temple or the Sri Maha Bodhiya. It is said that the Bodhi Tree is a cutting from the original tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. Other must-see attractions in this city include the Ruwanwelisaya, the Archaelogy Museum, the Citadel, the Moonstone and the Western Monasteries.

2.    Colombo
If you're looking for something a bit more modern, check out Colombo which is the commercial center of Sri Lanka. It used to be a small trading post which is currently protected by an impressive fortress. This is a city where the streets are lined up with old churches, the old parliament, temples, the National Museum and the Independence Building.

3.    Kandy
Interestingly enough, Kandy is a place on Central Sri Lanka which is home to a tooth of the Buddha. More than that, Kandy made it to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is recognized as the cultural capital of the country. Here is where you can ride tuk-tuks or three wheelers, visit the Temple of the Tooth, mingle with semi-tame elephants and visit other great sites like the Royal Botanical Garden or the Bahirawakanda temple.


4.    Nuwara Eliya
Situated 2,000 meters above sea level, Nuwara Eliya is known as the premier hill resort in Sri Lanka. The landscape is filled with lush tea plantations, mountains, excellent drives and walkways, fruits and vegetation.

5.    Negombo
There's also Negombo, a 17th century city that is filled with amazing churches and forts. This is mixed with a smattering of hotels and restaurants along the beach, as well as a lagoon and a former fishing village.

Other Must-Do Activities

You should definitely not miss out on riding a tuk-tuk while in Sri Lanka. Visiting the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela, indulging in a massage at a Colombo spa, sampling what the local cuisine has to offer and dancing the night away at one of the trendy clubs in the city are the other must-do activities in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Holiday Rentals

You should definitely book your Sri Lanka holiday accommodations in advance, especially if you are touring it during the peak tourist seasons. You can make accommodation arrangements by renting a property directly from the owner. Those who would like to be in the familiar environment of a hotel have numerous budget and luxury rooms that they can book. You can also look for holiday rentals, vacation rentals, holiday rentals, holiday cottages and holiday apartments.  If you are staying on a particular city for a long time, check out the self-catering villas or holiday rentals in the area.

Going on heritage tours, exploring the wildlife, learning more about the local history and immersing yourself in the culture are the general activities that you can indulge in while visiting Sri Lanka. Learning the basics about the place and booking your accommodations in advance are a must if you wish to explore this part of the world. With its natural beauty, centuries-old history and amazing landscape, there's no doubt that Sri Lanka is one of the most amazing places to visit, giving other top tourist destinations in the world a run for their money.

Beira Lake

Sigiriya

University of Colombo

Presidential Secretariat

Nallur Kandaswamy temple

Temple of the Tooth

Yala National Park

World Trade Center (Colombo)

Horton Plains National Park