Recently I had the chance to travel to Sri Lanka for the first time. TBC Asia invited me over for a travel award gala, I was nominated for Best Culture Travel Blog. I was thrilled, not only to be a finalist, also I was excited to finally explore Sri Lanka as this destination has been on my bucket list for a while now...

 

The Award Gala took place on the 30th October, there were about 60 bloggers and vloggers from all around the world. It was really cool to catch up and connect with so many creative people in the travel industry. The biggest surprise was that I actually won the award, something that I didn't even considered. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed and incredibly happy. 

 

After the event I took a train to travel across Sri Lanka, and this trip became my most memorable trip in 2018. Sri Lanka had everything I could have asked for: Beautiful endless beaches, friendly locals, the most fun train rides with incredible views, flavorful food (very veggie friendly!), loads of places for yoga, meditation and spa treatments, lush tea plantations, and a large diversity of wildlife.

 

And on top of all of that, Sri Lanka is extremely affordable! I was amazed how cheap it was to travel around and eat my way through. If you haven't been to Sri Lanka yet, put this country on top of your bucket list! Here are a few impressions of Sri Lanka!

 

 

Explore Sri Lanka by Train

 

There is no better way than exploring Sri Lanka by train! It's inexpensive, it's safe, you'll get amazing views, and possibly you meet a lot of locals! I highly suggest including a train ride between Ella and Kandy in your itinerary, it is one of the most scenic train rides of Sri Lanka - if not even the most impressive one - with fantastic mountain views and lush tea plantations.

 

 

Go Surfing

 

Sri Lanka is a fantastic destination for pro surfers and those who want to learn riding the waves. Each spot caters to different skill levels, making Sri Lanka a versatile destination for surfers!

 

Here are some of the best surf spots in Sri Lanka:

• Weligama - Beginner-friendly, long sandy beach break, ideal for learning to surf.
• Hikkaduwa - All levels, reef and beach breaks, best for intermediates and advanced surfers.
• Mirissa - Beginner to intermediate, gentle waves, great for learners and relaxed surfing.
• Unawatuna - Beginner-friendly, small waves, perfect for first-timers and casual surfers.
• Ahangama - Intermediate, known for its stilt fishermen and consistent, manageable waves.
• Arugam Bay - Intermediate to advanced, famous point breaks, best for experienced surfers.

You can go surfing all year long in Sri Lanka, the east coast is perfect from April to October, then head to the south coast from November to May for the perfect waves. 

 

 

Enjoy the Best Beaches in Sri Lanka

 

The beaches aren't only for surfing, they're also a great place to relax, get a tan, read a book, explore sea life, or fly your drone! All of the surf spots mentioned above have beautiful beaches, but there is plenty more things to do!

 

The best beaches in Sri Lanka are:

• Mirissa - Great place to snorkel with turtles or spot some whales in the early morning hours.
• Unawatuna - A beautiful beach to snorkel and explore the underwater life.
• Hikkuduwa - Very good for scuba diving.
• Bentota - River Safari is a must see here!
• Arugam Bay - Don't miss the Mangrove Watching in Pottuvil Lagoon!
• Matara - Less crowded compared to other popular beaches in Sri Lanka, offering a peaceful vibe.
• Trincomalee - You can see whales and dolphins here!
• Ahungalla -  Home to the world-renowned Heritance Ahungalla, a luxury resort designed by the famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.
• Nilaveli - Explore the mangroves with a Lagoon Boat Safari!
• Uppuveli - Perfect for snorkeling and diving, with vibrant coral reefs and a variety of marine life.
• Beruwala - Must do: Take a scenic countryside cycling adventure from Beruwala to Bentota
• Talalla - Popular for yoga and wellness retreats, if you're looking to rejuvenate your mind and body. 

 

Get a Taste of some of the World's Best Tea

 

Sri Lanka was formerly called Ceylon, you probably heard of ceylon tea which is popular all around the world, and one of Sri Lanka's top exports. Visiting a tea plantation offers incredible scenic views, the most impressive places are in Kandy, Dimbula and Nuwara Eliya. You can't leave Sri Lanka without a trip to a tea estate and get a taste of the country's famous tea!

 

 

Try Ayurveda: Relax, Rejuvenate and Connect with Yourself

 

Sri Lanka is an excellent place to experience Ayurvedic treatments. Ever since my first experiences with Ayurveda in Bali, I'm hooked! Ayurveda heals your body and mind, and brings back your inner balance. It's a holistic experience, starting from eating the right foods, to spa treatments and detoxification with herbs.

 

Here are some of the best places to experience Ayurveda in Sri Lanka:

• Barberyn Beach Resort and Barberyn Waves Resort, both in Weligama
• Heritance Ayurveda in Bentota
• Karunakarala Ayurveda Resort in Wayikkal
• Ayur Ayur Ayurveda Retreat in Negombo
• Siddhalepa Resort in Wadduwa
• Villa Velmarie Yoga & Ayurveda in Beruwala
• Thaulle Ayurveda Resort in Yala
• Sanjee Home & Lanka Ayurveda in Bentota

 

 

Wander Through Ancient Temples

 

One of Sri Lanka's popular highlights are the ancient temples and ruins, thousands of years of heritage can be found in these temples, dedicated to Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu and Christian religion. 

 

If you have limited time, make sure to check out some of the most enchanting temples of Sri Lanka:

• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa
• Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo which is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the world
• Dambulla Cave Temple, a World Heritage Site in Matale

 

Get Close to Wildlife

 

Sri Lanka is one of the best places to get close to wild animals, a perfect destination for safari lovers. If you're into big cats, head straight to Yala National Park, it contains the highest density of leopards in the world. I went on a Yala National Park Safari Tour, and within 30 minutes I spotted one! They're absolutely breathtaking, I wish I could have gotten much closer. Bring a good zoom lens, you'll need it!

 

There is plenty of more wildlife to see at Yala National Park, including elephants, peacocks, water buffaloes, crocodiles, an abundance of colorful birds, monkeys and many more. I stayed at Cinnamon Wild Yala, the hotel is located in front of a water hole and offers some spectacular views, you'll see a diversity of wild animals passing by. The staff was fantastic in organizing tours for me, I highly recommend staying at Wild Yala if you're planning a safari at Yala National Park.

 

 

Go Hiking

 

If you're into trekking adventures and scenic views, Sri Lanka offers some incredible mountains to explore! From easy walks to intense hiking treks, there is something for everyone in Sri Lanka.

 

Traveling to the hillside of the country will offer you breathtaking mountain sceneries, with rain forests, 

refreshing waterfalls, lush tea plantations, and endless rice terraces. 

 

The best hiking trails in Sri Lanka are:

• Ella - Scenic trails, lush greenery, and iconic views. Perfect for an early sunrise hike. 
• Haputale - Misty mountains, tea plantations, and breathtaking views from Lipton’s Seat.
• Horton Plains - Unique highland ecosystem, dramatic cliffs, and the famous World’s End viewpoint.
• Meemure - Off-the-beaten-path with waterfalls, tranquil trails through forests and rural landscapes.
• Sigiriya - Historical climb, ancient rock fortress with stunning panoramic views during sunrise/sunset.
• Bandarawela - Cool climate, rolling hills, and trails through tea estates and pine forests.

Make sure to go with an experienced trekking guide!

 

 

Fall in Love with the Local Cuisine

 

Little did I know, that Sri Lankan food is sooooo good. First of all, if you're vegetarian or vegan, you'll gonna love it, there is an insane variety of veggie dishes and tropical fruits. If you want to learn more about the local cuisine, I recommend to do a cooking class in Sri Lanka!

 

The Sri Lankans love their spices, literally in every restaurant you can smell curry leaves, cardamon and turmeric, each meal I tried was flavorful and tasty. Curries and dhal are a stable in Sri Lanka, together with coconut, which is a big part of their cuisine (and also one of my favorite things ever), you'll find parts of coconut in many dishes, either coconut milk to create a rich stew, or in a grated version for sambal.

 

Besides curries, one of the most famous dishes is kottu, it's similar like fried rice, but instead of rice they use flat bread, mixed with vegetables and an array of spices. Sri Lankan food is a feast and one of the main reasons for me to go back!

 

 

Connect with the Locals

 

I was pleasantly surprised how friendly the people of Sri Lanka were. Everyone I met along the way was welcoming and helpful, most people spoke English well, and it was easy to start a conversation with locals pretty much anywhere. Many of them also wobble their head like they do in India, so don't be surprised when you ask them something, and their reply is a head wobble and a smile. All good. Just smile back.

 

 

If you haven't been to Sri Lanka, I hope this blog post encourages you all to put Sri Lanka on top of your bucket list! I spent only two and a half weeks in the country, and honestly it wasn't enough. I could have easily extended for another month or two, there is so much to discover in Sri Lanka and I can't wait to see more!

 

If you have been to Sri Lanka, please tell me about your favorite places and experiences, I'd love to hear more about it! Happy travels!

 

 

TRAVEL Tips Sri Lanka

 

Are you ready to fly to Sri Lanka? Here are some quick booking links and resources that I use myself for travel planning. These websites will help you to get started with your Sri Lanka itinerary!

 

 

How to get to Sri Lanka

 

Bandaranaike International Airport is the main hub in Sri Lanka, also known as Colombo International Airport. More than 30 airlines are serving this airport include many budget airlines making travel to Sri Lanka affordable. 

 

I flew with SriLankan Airlines and my experience was throughout positive, from the check-in procedure, to the food and the flight itself. The crew on board was extremely accommodating, fun and friendly at the same time. They even let me take a picture of the entire crew (see pic above).

 

 

Cheap Flights to Sri Lanka

 

Skyscanner is my favorite search engine for finding cheap flights to Sri Lanka, from anywhere in the world. I always start my flight search here! The main Airport for International flights is Colombo.

 

 

Transport within Sri Lanka

 

Bus, boat, and trains: 12Go is one of the most reliable websites in when it comes to booking buses, ferries and railway. Get an instant seat confirmation and start your overland travel worry-free.

 

Taxis: Indrive is my go-to app to call a cab. No more hassles with taxi drivers who don't like to use the meter! 

 

 

Find a place to stay in Sri Lanka

 
Hostels, hotels and resorts: Agoda is excellent if you're looking for hotels from budget to luxury! It's one of the largest hotel booking websites in the world. Plenty of options to book now and pay later, or even pay at the hotel. Risk-free booking, many with free cancellation. My other go to is Booking.com.

 

 

Fun Tours and Activities in Sri Lanka

 

Get your Guide has plenty of fun activities in Indonesia, such as island hopping, hiking tours and city sightseeing trips. There is plenty of choices to keep yourself entertained!

 

Klook is similar than the one above, but offers additional options such as airport transfers, SIM cards, and food & dining experiences. It' a great way to meet other travelers while exploring a new place!

 

 

eSIM - Stay connected with Internet

 

Get an eSIM before you go and have Internet available from the second you arrive! I highly recommend Roamless or JetPac -  they're both highly ranked, inexpensive and reliable. 

 

 

Travel Insurance

 

Never go adventuring without travel insurance! Here's a list of some of the highest ranked and Best Travel Insurances for Digital Nomads and Long-Term Travelers, starting from $33/month!

 

 

Do I need a Visa for Sri Lanka?

 

You may need a visa to enter Sri Lanka. Most travelers need a visa to enter Sri Lanka, unless you are a national from Singapore, Maldives or Seychelles. All other nationals need to apply for an ETA. The process is easy and straight forward, you can apply online here or simply check on iVisa whether you need a visa and how long you are permitted to stay.

 

 

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Thanks to Cinnamon Hotels and SriLankan Airlines for making this trip possible!

 

 

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