Only 66,000 square km in area, yet a treasure trove of diverse and astonishing surprises, Sri Lanka is a cornucopia of magnificent beaches, rain forests, charming villages, hill country tea plantations, centuries old ruined cities, emerald green paddy fields, fascinating cultural traditions, spectacular pageants and festivals, spicy, exciting cuisine and so much more.

All this is contained in a compact, tropical island whose people have been justifiably renowned for their warmth and hospitality.
Discover the amazing diversity of our culture, the natural beauty of the landscape and a complex history stretching back to 543 BC. Choose between a variety of experiences from lazing on the beach to diving in coral reefs, observing wildlife, mountain hikes through tea estates or wandering through the ruins of ancient temples and palaces. Welcome to the isle of serendipity.

The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C. probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced in about the mid-third century B.C., and a great civilization developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (kingdom from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The coastal areas of the island were controlled by the Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th century. The island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972.

Sri Lanka is often referred to as the pearl of the Indian Ocean. It has earned this name appropriately because of its exotic beauty, unique culture and popularity as a tourist destination. For many years, tourism was hindered as a result of the civil war which tore apart the country for almost thirty years. Now however, it is once again a safe and peaceful place to visit with its tourism industry flourishing more than ever.

Most countries have removed travel warnings and indicated that it is once again safe to travel to this enchanting country. For a small island the number of activities offered are almost limitless, below are the top 10 reasons to visit Sri Lanka. If there are still doubts about visiting, consider that Sri Lanka is chosen as one of the top 31 places to visit by the New York Times, and chosen second as a top travel destination by National Geographic. Sri Lanka tourism is becoming exceedingly popular due to these reasons.

Sri Lanka is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Being an island floating in the calm blue waters of the Indian Ocean with plenty of sunshine throughout the year, it is gifted with over a thousand miles of golden beaches lined with Palm trees. Most of these beaches are perfect for sunbathing and utmost relaxation, others for snorkeling and surfing. A large percentage of Sri Lankan hotels and resorts are located along the coastline as the beaches are a major tourist attraction.

A few coastal towns are quiet with a sensation of historical heritage or exciting nightlife. Batik factories and turtle hatcheries are also excellent places to visit in these areas, along with paying respects at the local temple or sampling tropical fruit.

With several beautifully maintained nature reserves and wildlife parks, Sri Lanka is certainly a green paradise and an excellent place to see wildlife. The most famous dry zone reserves are Yala, Wasgamuwa and Udawalawe which are bestowed with acres of thorny scrub jungle and grasslands.

Yala is famous for its high leopard population, Wasgamuwa for sloth bear sightings and Udawalawe for its large elephant population. Safari rides are available and there are a few secluded camping spots located within the parks, allowing guests to reside among abundant species of birdlife, monkeys, crocodiles, spotted deer, wild boar and various other animals.

Horton Plains is situated in the highlands among rolling hills and dense montane forests. It is acclaimed as one of the World Heritage sites of Sri Lanka and is a beautiful place to explore and see wildlife, including the rare sambar deer and leopards of Sri Lanka.

Shopping is Sri Lanka is one of the most worthwhile and entertaining activities to enjoy. The government has recently cut down taxes for a range luxury items resulting in cheaper shopping.

Colombo has many shopping malls where you can get just about anything and a wide range of smaller boutique shops. It is truly a bargain when it comes to comparing the prices of items here to the ones that they would be sold at in other countries such as Europe and the United States.

The best deals are found in clothing which you can find anywhere and everywhere in Sri Lanka. Exporting clothes is one of the main income streams of Sri Lanka and here visitors can buy them for a fraction of the cost. Jewelry is another great buy and come as great bargains! Some of the price tags attached to the gem embedded jewelry are simply unbelievable.

Nightlife is greatly encouraged by the government with streets specially allocated for this purpose being filled with food stalls, music and other entertainment. The diverse nature of Sri Lanka is highlighted by the assorted range of nightspots which come alive as dusk approaches. Whether it is the beach you are looking for or the heart of Colombo, a vibrant nightlife can be found, if you know where to look for it!

Tourists can watch the sunset on the beach while enjoying a light beverage or meal then head out to start their evenings sipping cocktails at bars to dancing the night away at the hottest clubs in Colombo. The bars and clubs stay open till dawn, so you are guaranteed a complete night of fun! If that’s not enough and you want more partying, Sri Lanka offers remarkable 24 hour beach parties, perfect for raves. If you fancy something different, then try your luck at the local casinos which offer just as much amusement.

Sri Lanka is extremely rich in terms of culture. With festivals taking place all throughout the year, there is a never ending stream of joyful occasions filled with song, dance and laughter. There is full year long calendar of religious and social events. Nearly all major festivals take place or are celebrated on full moon days. Full Moon days are especially significant for this Buddhist country and every month on the day of the full moon (Poya) there is a public holiday.

The Esala Festival is usually held in July/August in the ancient hill capital of Kandy. Great processions parade the roads of this beautiful city which was the last standing kingdom of the country, magnificently garbed elephants, fire walkers, Kandyan dancers, spinning plates, all to honor the Sacred Tooth Relic of The Buddha. Crowds throng the parade routes and for a tourist the experience can result in a kaleidoscope of different rituals, customs and colors. Vesak is another prominent festival which is celebrated with high enthusiasm and careful preparations. It is a religious festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.

There are many other cultural celebrations to be experienced in this tiny island, all of which will leave you with a fantastic, memorable experience.