SRI LANKA'S BEACH LOCATIONS Sri Lanka is a year-round beach destination; it is encircled by sandy beaches that align the coast towards the horizon into the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Beautiful golden beaches on the West, the South and the East coasts of the island are real tourist attractions on this paradise island, the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean'. They provide visitors with the ideal conditions for sunbathing, swimming or water sports like wind surfing, diving. The beauty of the beaches is enhanced by coral reefs, serene bays and lagoons.
NegomboNegombo is a characteristic traditional Roman Catholic fishing village (30 km north of Colombo) in the close proximity to Sri Lanka's international airport. Negombo is renowned for its pristine beaches and delicious seafood from both the sea and the lagoon. The lagoon and the Dutch period Hamilton Canal enhance the beauty of the town.
In earlier days in history, Negombo was a rich source of cinnamon spices. In the 17 th and 18 th century it was ruled by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. Reminders of these European days can still be found in Negombo, such as the Old Dutch Fort, which was built in the 17 th century and is situated close by a cricket green where matches are a big attraction.
Due to large catholic population here, and the churches belonging to many orders, it is also known as ‘Little Rome'. One of them is ‘St. Mary's Church', where beautiful ceiling paintings can be seen. Furthermore, the Buddhist Temples like the ‘Angurukaramulla Temple' is worth a visit. The town is set in lush groves of coconut palms; it breathes the spirit of the sea and is an ideal location to spend the first few days and the last day of the holiday on the island. Around the lagoon local fishermen are at work with their dugout canoes or ‘oruvas'. The robust ‘KaraWa' fisher folk bring their daily catch of crabs, prawns and sea fish to the markets.
Marawila The small town of Marawila is located north of Negombo and offers a beautiful and quiet beach, surrounded by coconut plantations and palm trees.
Mount LaviniaThe Mt. Lavinia beach resort area is situated just south of Colombo. It derives its name from the love story of British Governor Sir Thomas Maitland who was amazed of Lovina Aponsua at his welcoming ceremony in 1806. Lovina was a daughter of the Performer troop manager from a low caste and was not allowed to cover her breast. Sir Thomas Maitland selected this area to build his holiday mansion, because it was on rock at a higher elevation than the surrounding areas. Apart from this mansion, he also built a tunnel from the vine cellar of his house, (which is now the main kitchen of the Mt Lavinia Hotel), up to the cottage of Lovina where their courtship started. Although they remained faithful to each other, he was unable to marry Lovina, since the Governor was from a famous Aristocratic family in Britain. At the time of his departure he named this area after his lover, and passed a law that no matter what cast they belong to, all damsels should cover their breasts. In 1877 this mansion was turned in to Mount Lavinia Hotel. The beach at Mount Lavinia is pleasant, considering the proximity to the Colombo City and being just 5 minutes walk to the main road. There are many beachfront restaurants serving both international and local dishes.
Kalutara and WadduwaThe village of Kalutara is located 40 km south of Colombo, and is separated from Wadduwa by 8 kms of beach. Nowadays, Kalutara has a good reputation for its basket weaving, and also for the best mangosteens seasonal available in Sri Lanka.
In earlier days, it was ruled by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. During that period Kalutara was a very important trading centre for spices. On the main road, south of the Kalu Ganga Bridge, the popular Buddhist Temple named ‘Gangatilaka Vihara' can be visited. This temple has a hollow ‘dagoba' (shrine), which is painted on the inside. Furthermore, there is a small Bodhi Tree along the road, where offerings can be made to ensure a safe trip.
Beruwela The village of Beruwela is situated 60 km south of Colombo. Beruwela is well-known for its fine golden sandy beaches. In the year 1808, the first Muslims of Sri Lanka settled down in this village. On the place where they landed, on a headland situated a little north of the hotel area, a mosque was built: the ‘Kechimalai Mosque'. Every year, at the end of the Ramadan, it is an important site to celebrate the ‘Id-ul-Fitr' festival.
Bentota One of the best golden beaches on the West Coast can be found in Bentota. The village is close to the Bentota River. A boat ride on the river is worthwhile. In Benthota many possibilities for water sports exists.
InduruwaIt is a village that offers a stretch of nice beaches and is located along the Galle Colombo Highway, close to Bentota. Sea Turtle projects are common in this area of Induruwa, Kosgoda, and Bentota. Turtle eggs are protected in coast side hatcheries. The tanks contain hundreds of on to three days-old turtles. You may find a few large ones too, including an Albino. You can release a few baby turtles back to the sea from the hatchery.
HikkaduwaThe exciting beach town for under water delights is Hikkaduwa, which is located 100 km south of Colombo. The coral reefs of Hikkaduwa are world famous. The coral reef garden can best be explored by glass-bottomed boat or scuba-diving. The water over the reef is only up to four meters deep. Beautiful reef fish and other exotic species can be seen, for example the Parrot, Lion, Unicorn, Porcupine, Moorish Idol, Emperor Angel, Powder-blue Surgeon, Clown fish, grouper, stingray, marlin, caranx, jack, tuna, snapper, barracuda, shoe-lobster, octopus, murray eel, and manta. There are plenty of shops that sell curios and ornaments. The Buddhist Temple ‘Gangarama Maha Vihara' is interesting to visit, because it has educational paintings. At the Hikkaduwa Lake, boat tours can be organized to spot birdlife and see monitor lizards.
There are also many water sports facilities available. The beach resort of Hikkaduwa has good surfing and traditionally attracts surfers from all over the world. The best time of the year to surf is from November to April. Swimming together with the sea turtles is also a wonderful experience. Furthermore, Hikkaduwa offers a variety of nightlife entertainment.
There are many small restaurants serving good international food and fresh seafood dishes. Pubs, discotheques and nightclubs are a very common sight by the road side in Hikkaduwa.
UnawatunaUnawatuna is a peaceful wide curve-shaped bay south of Galle, with beautiful golden beaches. There is a reef that protects the beach, which makes this a very suitable area for swimming.
The bay is popular for surfing activities. Snorkeling is a good way to explore the coral reef and view exotic fishes and other sea life. There are also mysterious old submerged ship wrecks, which are interesting to see during a wreck dive.
On the west side of the beach, the ‘Rumassala' rock can be found. The legend goes that Hanuman brought this rock from the Himalaya when he searched for medicinal herbs.
WeligamaThis place is a busy fishing village, situated in a sandy bay 30 km south of Galle. The name of Weligama means ‘sandy village'.
Nearby the coast, is the small island ‘Taprobane', which once functioned as the retreat for the writer Paul Bowles. In the 1950s, he wrote his book ‘The Spider House' on the island. Before that, Taprobane was owned by the Count de Maunay from France.
It is possible to see sharks and dolphins, when going for a boat trip with a catamaran or a motorized boat. Other activities that can be done are snorkeling and scuba diving. The village is renowned for its lacework, which is offered for sale along the coast.
Very interesting to view are the stilt-fishermen, whose unique style of fishing involves casting their lines from a perch on a sturdy pole 20-50 meters out to sea.
TangalleThe easy-going town of Tangalle is situated on the south coast, about 200 km from Colombo. Reminders of the Dutch presence can be seen, such as the Rest House, which was built in the 18 th century and is one of the oldest to be found in Sri Lanka.
On the west side of the coast there are small bays, while on the east side there are beautiful long stretches of white sandy beaches. Activities that can be done here are scuba-diving, to see coral fish, puffer fish, stingrays, and reef sharks at the coral reef. Furthermore, there is a steam ship wreck (150 years old), and a large cargo ship wreck (20 years old).
NilaveliNilaveli Beach is located 275 Km east to Colombo in one of finest tropical beaches and dive spots in Asia superior to the better known popular beaches of the South Coast. The East Coast offers a different holiday experience of Sri Lanka. And it is said, that Nilaveli is a paradise for surfers. Only a short drive from the Eastern Coastal town of Trincomalee, for years Nilaveli was the holiday destination of the selected few. A clean secluded beach is approached through a tangle of trees where there is white sand sloping gently with miles of picture perfect shores into a clear, shallow ocean.
Arugambay The Arugambay area offers world-class surfing, deserted beaches, a 2000 year old ruined temple, wild elephants, monkeys, an astonishing range of flora and birdlife in the jungles and wetlands and the Yala and Lahugala National Parks nearby.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
AnuradhapuraAnuradhapura is one of the earliest urban sites in Sri Lanka, dating back to the 5th century BC. It has been the first capital of the Singhalese kingdoms and a major religious center for nearly 1500 years. During this time Anuradhapura was the royal seat of more than 250 Buddhist and Hindu kings.
In its present from it consists of a citadel surrounded by several large Buddhist monastic complexes and four man made lakes. The three colossal stupas of the Mahaviharaya, Jetavana and Abhayagiri monasteries are of the same order of magnitude as the pyramids of Egypt. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, was rediscovered by the British during their colonial time and are now accessible once again. They also belong to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
At the crossroads of Sri Maha Bodi Mawatha Mihindu Road and Kurunegala Road the Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree) is situated. It is said to have arose from a layer of the holy Bo-tree from North India under which Siddharta Gautama (Lord Buddha) was enlightened and which was brought to Sri Lanka as a gift from the Buddhist Indian Emperor Ashok in the 3rd century BC . Therefore it has a claim to be the oldest tree in the world.
PolonnaruwaPolonnaruwa was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to the 13th century. The ancient remains consist of a walled inner and outer city, surrounded by monasteries and temples, with palaces, gardens and man made lake, the "Sri of Parakrama". The Gal Vihara is a Buddhist rock-cut temple containing four great masterpieces of world sculpture.
Mihintale13 km east of Anuradhapura, the "Missaka Pabbata" is situated, which is 305 m in height and is one of the peaks of a mountainous range. Nowadays it's known as Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is the place to which Thera Mahinda came from India on the Full moon Day of the month, to meet King Devanampiyatissa and the people and to preach the doctrine of Lord Buddha.
From ancient times a large number of steps were constructed to climb Mihintale. At Mihintale a number of Buddhist viharas was built, they consist of all the dependent buildings characteristic of monasteries of that period.
AukanaIn Aukana the tallest Buddha statue of Sri Lanka is situated, it is also said to be one of the most important of the Asian continent. It is carved out of the granite stone. It was built during the period of King Dhatusena (459-477 AD). The statue has been very well preserved over the years and it is a unique creation to visit and appreciate.
HabaranaHabarana is a friendly hamlet within the Cultural Triangle and located centrally to depart for visiting the capitals of the early kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnruwa.
SigiriyaSigiriya, the "Lion Rock", is one of Asia's most important archaeological sites, dating from prehistoric times to the 18th century. It is a 5th century city complex, with ramparts, moats, gateways, a palace on top of a 200 meter rock, ancient royal gardens, well-known paintings of the Sigiriya Damsels, the only secular art to have survived from the early Sinhalese kingdoms, "Lion Stair case" and graffiti containing poetry written by visitors to the site in early times.
The ancient water gardens and boulder gardens are the oldest surviving historic gardens in Asia. The painting on the rock-face the classic realist style characteristic of the school of Sigiriya.
DambullaThe ancient monastery at Dambulla is best known for its rock temples and well-preserved 18th century paintings. It is one of the largest cave temple complexes in south Asia with about 2000 square meters of rock and wall paintings. The monastery was established in the 3rd century BC and has remained until today one of Sri Lanka's major religious and historical sites, with a history of more than 2000 years.
MataleMatale is a City known for the Alu Vihara Temple where the Tripitaka was translated in 1938. In the evening the Hindu Temple in the heart of the city is illuminated with colorful lightning's. The main street (2 km) is the longest along a city centre. The rich cultivation of the famous Sri Lankan Spices around Matale makes our dishes aromatic with the proper flavor. The limestone formation provides the burn lime for coloring the houses and the crystal clear water for the consumption.
KandyThe picturesque city of Kandy, the “Garden City”, is situated in Sri Lanka's scenic hill. It was the last Sinhalese kingdom, and the Temple of the Tooth – one of the most significant Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka – can be visited here. The Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, nearby Kandy has a rich collection of flora. The Colonial rulers called it Kandy for “Kanda” in Sinhala, meaning a hill. The capital of the Kandyan Kingdom in the 16 th century and the seat of much of Sri Lankan's culture, this royal city fell into the hands of the British in the 16 th century.
Pinnawela In Pinnawela, on the way to Kandy, from Colombo , the Elephant Orphanage is situated. The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was originally founded to save young elephants that were orphaned or abandoned. When it started in 1975 there were 5 baby-elephants. Nowadays, it is a home for over 65 elephants, including babies. During a visit, you can observe the elephants bathing in the Maha Oya River and working at the orphanage. Feeding is thrice a day, where you can see how the baby-elephants are fed with milk in a bottle.
DambanaIt is the village where the settlers from the descendents of Kuveni and Wijaya (the veddhas) went into to hide after the tragic death of the parents. They still protect their traditional rituals and values and maintain the limited community with their equal rights, symbolized by the Bow and Arrow for their protection as well as hunting animals. They are tee-totallers and do not wish to be westernized and affected by the globalizations.
Nuwara EliyaNuwara Eliya, well-known as “Little England”, is situated in the magnificent central highland of Sri Lanka, where cascading waterfalls and mountains covered with tea plantations are abundant. The pleasant cool climate was very much appreciated by the British colonists, who resided in Nuwara Eliya in the past, and heritage can still be experienced. This beautifully maintained town gives access to places of interest such as Horton Plains, Nature Reserves and Adam's Peak. The drive up to Nuwara Eliya is considered one of the most scenic routes in Sri Lanka, especially by train coming from Kandy.
Ella and BandarawelaSituated within the marvelous hill country of Sri Lanka the beautiful landscape of Ella and Bandarawela are definitely to be admired and enjoyed. At Ella Gap one has a wide view over the countryside. Around Ella hundreds of fantastic and breathtaking waterfalls could be visited.
Bandarawela is a small town up in the hill country surrounded by tea plantations and a fabulous mountain scenery. Due to the height of app. 1500 m many TV stations are located in Bandarawela.
BadullaBadulla is the capital of the province of Uva, it is the seat of a government agent and district judge, besides minor courts. In Kandyan times it was the home of a Sri Lankan prince who ruled Uva as a principality. Badulla counts 680 m above sea-level, it is a marvelous town surrounded by mountains.
KitulgalaIn Kitulgala the well known motion picture “The Bridge on the river Kwai” was shot in 1956. Due to political reasons it was not possible to shoot the film at it's original scene, so Kitulgala was chosen. Kitulgala is a pleasant small town, situated on a particularly delightful stretch of the Kelani River. For there are rock-strewn sections and rapids, often enclosed by high banks of tall bamboo, The second largest river of Sri Lanka, flows by Kitulgala and is famous for white-water rafting.
KataragamaKataragama is a well known pilgrimage city, in the deep south known as Ruhuna, named after the kings of the Rohana, where the kingdom was abandoned after the invasion by the Tamils in the 16th century. Kataragama accommodates the best known Hindu Temple of our island, where people from most religions and races come here as pilgrims to appeal for divine aid. The shrine stands among woodland on the banks of a holy river, the Menik Ganga (river of jewels), surrounded by seven low, conical hills.
NATIONAL PARKS
Wasgamuwa National ParkThe Wasgamuwa National Park is situated within the Polonnaruwa and Matale Districts, around 200 kms far from Colombo. The Mahaweli River and the Amban River are the boundaries of the sanctuary. The environment is predominated by tropical intermediate dry mixed evergreen forest.
Uda Walawe National ParkThe Uda Walawe National Park was designated in 1972 to offer a refuge to migratory elephants, during the time it has also become a sanctuary for many other mammals, including spotted deer, toque monkey, wild pig, grey langur, leopard and sambar, as well as numerous birds. Nearly 100 bird species may be spotted here in a single day. Uda Walawe is particularly rich in raptor species, among them white-bellied sea eagle, changeable hawk eagle and crested serpent eagle. The park is situated around the Uda Walawe Reservoir, a man-made lake (tank) and a variety of terrain (open grassland, teak plantation and jungle) can be found.
Yala National ParkThe Yala National Park covers almost 1000 km 2 and is Sri Lanka's most popular national park. It is also called Ruhuna National Park. Well known especially for observing mammals living in the scrub jungle, the riverine woodland, the open savannah and being along the coastline. A part of the national park is open for visitors and safaris by jeeps are offered. But one also has to have some luck to spot the game living in the Sanctuary.
Bundala National ParkBundala National Park is the latest addition to the National Parks and is situated 260 km away from Colombo. It is a home to all species of water birds resident in the country and also migrant birds.
Bird SanctuariesThe bird sanctuaries at Kumana, Wirawila and Kalametiya are all situated in Sri Lanka's extreme south eastern coast near lagoons. These coastal sanctuaries are exotically picturesque with combinations of lagoon, swamp, jungle, river, lake and plain. Large flocks of resident and migrant aquatic birds can be observed here. The highland sanctuaries at Udawattakele are haven for some rare flora such as our unique Vesak Orchid and for hundreds of very colorful butterflies as well as for the birds. The Udawattakele Sanctuary is situated in the suburbs of Kandy.
Kaudulla National ParkThe
 Kaudulla National Park was opened in September 2002. It is situated near Habarana and the size is 6,656 hectare. At Kaudulla it is possible to hire a catamaran to sail on the tank and look out for the rich wildlife e.g. elephants, leopards, sambar deer, fishing cats and the rusty spotted cat. Or hire a Jeep and make a safari in the jungle to see the wild life, mainly herds of elephants.
RAIN FORESTS
Udawatte KeleThe Udawatte Kele Forest is situated in the suburbs of Kandy. The forest is about 257 acres in area and is a home for a large number of birds, animals and butterflies, belonging to various species. The most common animals living in Udawatte Kele are monkeys, porcupines, and a deer specie.
Sinharaja Rain ForestThis 20 km long, lowland rainforest is the oldest rainforest in Sri Lanka. In 1988 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A rich biodiversity of flora and fauna can be found here. It is possible to observe the Sri Lanka spur fowl , Sri Lanka jungle fowl, Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, Sri Lanka mynah and Sri Lanka blue magpie, as well as more than 20 other mammal species. The leopard, although very rarely, can be seen here.
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