6 Things You Must Do in Sri Lanka
Our heart loop journey of Sri Lanka
With a similar charm & spice to Southern India, the exotic & unspoiled landscapes of Sri Lanka will feel like a scene from the Jungle Book.
Sri Lanka is a bio-diverse country with so much to offer. From surf on pristine beaches, to wildlife safaris, to epic train rides through verdant tea plantations, & to historical Buddhist sites - there’s something for every type of traveler to enjoy.
We made a loop around the country to experience a little bit of everything, & it satisfied our broad travel interests. Planning to travel Sri Lanka one day? Here are 6 things to do in this tropical haven.
1) SURF IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
View from Main Reef Guesthouse
We’re always on the look out for the next best place to surf & practice yoga. On many of our recent surf trips, fellow travelers raved about Sri Lanka so it became high on our radar.
The white sand coast of Sri Lanka is a surfer’s paradise. Overlooking the Indian Ocean we stayed at the small surf town of Hikkaduwa. Sri Lanka has a plethora of family-run guesthouses to choose from. Since we wanted to be as close to the ocean as possible we chose Main Reef Guesthouse for our stay. The beachfront guesthouse is conveniently located in between two main surf breaks. Sri Lankan dishes are served daily at Main Reef’s restaurant so you’ll never have to leave the beach even in between surf sessions.
Surf or sunbathe - Hikkaduwa is for all beach bums
2) Go on a Wildlife Safari
Female elephants walk in packs while male elephants stroll solo
From elephants to leopards, don’t leave Sri Lanka without experiencing a wildlife safari in one of the many National Parks in the country. Only a few hours north from Hikkaduwa is Udawalawe National Park. We booked a morning elephant safari through our boutique hotel & the package included a private guide, 4x4, & packed lunch.
We woke up bright & early, with our sunblock & binoculars in hand, ready to search for wildlife at Udawalawe National Park. It was blissful observing elephants bask in their natural habitat. After the safari, our guide also brought us to the local elephant orphanage. Our hearts bursted even more watching baby elephants chug milk with their slender trunks.
Pure bliss
3) Hike in Ella
Catching the view before the fog
The more north we travelled, the greener Sri Lanka became. From the the top of the mountain to our guesthouse’s terrace, Ella’s 360 panoramic views of lush green scenery & unique rock formations are breathtaking.
Once you’ve settled & drank mid-afternoon Ceylon tea, take a hike up to Adam’s peak. After burning calories hiking, reward yourself with a delicious Sri Lankan meal at the un-assuming Matey Hut. We asked our tuk-tuk driver to bring us to the best Sri Lankan restaurant in town & he didn’t disappoint us. It was the best Sri Lankan meal we had on the trip & we wished we had more time for the their cooking class!
More dhal curry, coconut roti, & parata, please!
4) Ride the Train from Ella to Kandy
View of tea farmers hand-picking leaves
I never felt so alive in an old, run down train. Hanging in between the train doors with my feet dangling in the air, & head out with my hair in my face - it’s pure freedom. Felt like we were going back in time when seat belts were non-existent & hitchhiking trains were perfectly normal.
No need for 1st class; although the cars are air-conditioned, you can't open the windows & feel the crisp mountain breeze like you can in 2nd class (that’s the best part of the train ride). But 1st class is great if you have lots of luggage & valuables with you since it’s highly monitored. You can still experience the true essence of the train walking in between train cars.
Tickets are extremely cheap so “splurging” on a train ride means more or less $20. Our hospitable AirBnB host in Ella helped us book our train tickets in advance - if you can, have your host or hotel do the same.
People hanging out of every train car (definitely not in America)
5) Go to a Tea Plantation in Nuwara Eliya
Black, green, & white tea all come from this same leaf
Before Lipton Tea was manufactured in Pepsi factories, the famous tea leaves were founded in the verdant tea fields of Sri Lanka. You can even visit “Lipton’s seat” which pays homage to Sir Lipton Thomas himself.
If tea isn’t your thing (which I’m more the confident it is), the beautiful scenery at any tea plantation is a sight to see. Learn about the history of Ceylon tea & have tea time overlooking the lush green tea plantations. Tea time is always the best time!
Tea happy at Damro tea plantation
6) Immerse in Sri Lankan Culture in Kandy
Lotus flower offering in the Temple
Kandy is a different vibe from the rest of Sri Lanka - noisy streets with lots of hustle & bustle. If it wasn’t for the cultural attractions I would say skip Kandy but this historical city is a must for at least 1 day.
The majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhists, & one of the most significant Buddhist pilgrimage sites, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, is located in Kandy. Since ancient times the tooth relic has played an important role in Sri Lankan politics. Wherever Buddha’s tooth relic is located is where the governance of the country takes place.
Not too far from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the Kandy Lake Club Cultural Show. It’s an entertaining performance showcasing a variety of Sri Lankan cultural dances. There’s a performance almost every day & supports the local community in the city. If you’re into history & culture, be sure to check out the performance!
Flowers in front of the Buddha’s tooth relic
As mentioned above, there is a plethora of family-run guesthouses (or homestays) in Sri Lanka. It’s the most affordable accommodations & the best way to meet local Sri Lankans. Be sure to experience a guesthouse during your travels to fully immerse yourself in the culture!
Fire dance attended by locals & tourists
Double Rainbows in Ella
Sri Lanka is truly a tropical playground & deserves its title as the “Wonder of Asia”. The country’s diversity is hard not to love, & one of the best parts about Sri Lanka is its proximity to the Maldives. After adventuring it up in Sri Lanka, completely disconnect in the Maldives - it’s only an 1 hour flight away for more or less $100.
Is Sri Lanka on your bucket list? If you’ve been to Sri Lanka already, how was your trip? What are other things you recommend doing in the country?
