Sri Lanka—A Southeast Asian Country with a Rich History

If you’re looking for a place to experience history, diversity, and rich culture, Sri Lanka may be a vacation destination that you want to consider. Many travelers overlook this somewhat remote destination, but the country has beautiful beaches, affordable accommodations, and over 2,000 years of history to explore. Here’s some information about the country to consider for your next trip to this part of the world.

What Sri Lanka offers you and what you can expect?

Sri Lanka is one of South Asia’s most beautiful and fascinating country. It is a tropical paradise that offers a wide range of exciting activities, including surfing, hiking, diving, and sightseeing. Whether you’re looking to explore ruins or visit wildlife sanctuaries, Sri Lankan culture has something for everyone!

The long history of Sri Lanka makes it a gold mine for people who want to experience ancient sites, temples, and other things that seem lost in time (like the oldest living human-planted tree). It also has an abundance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and you can probably visit almost all of them during your trip because the country’s small size makes it easy to get around.

The country is relatively uncrowded with tourists as many opt for more well-known Southeast Asian destinations. However, if you are a more “off the beaten path” traveler, you’ll find many exciting things to do and see here and various land and water activities.

Sri Lanka is one of the top tourist destinations in the world

Sri Lanka is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, and it stood in the third position in 2019. It is a tropical island situated about 2,000 kilometers from India. The country has many beautiful beaches, wildlife reserves, and historical sites such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and Trincomalee Harbour.

The country has numerous wildlife sanctuaries home to elephants and leopards along with other animals like deer or birds of prey such as eagles or vultures. You can even spot dolphins on a boat ride through these waters!

This area, known as the cultural Triangle, is rich in archaeological treasures and stunning views.

Located in the north-central part of Sri Lanka, the Cultural Triangle is home to many archaeological sites and monuments. It also has an affluent wildlife population and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka.

The Dutch presence in Sri Lanka dates back to the early seventeenth century

The Dutch presence in Sri Lanka dates back to the early seventeenth century when they started to take over the country’s coastal areas. They were the first Europeans to visit Sri Lanka, and they were also the first Europeans to establish a colony here.

The Dutch were also responsible for building some of the earliest European structures on this island. In 1638, with assistance from local Sinhalese workers, they constructed Fort Gustavus, or Galle Fort, as it is now known. This fort remains one of the most significant landmarks on this island today, thanks mainly to its role during World War II when Allied forces used it against Japanese troops occupying Sri Lanka during World War II (1939-1945). During colonialism, many colonial officials lived there for the rest of their lives until 1948, when it was restored as a full control seat after independence from British rule.

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Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage at Kaudulla National Park

From visiting their elephants at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage or admiring them at Kaudulla National Park, elephants are a must-see when traveling to Sri Lanka.

You may have heard about the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Kaudulla National Park is also nearby, so you can easily visit both places in one day. This elephant orphanage is well known for caring for many elephants that were separated from their mothers or injured in the wild.

If you don’t want to visit an elephant orphanage, there are plenty of places where you can see wild elephants while traveling through Sri Lanka! They are considered the national animal here! Elephants are also the largest land animals in Sri Lanka—so if visiting this place wasn’t already on your bucket list before reading this article, then now might be a good time to consider adding it.

Other activities in Sri Lanka

If you want to hit the beach and relax, visit the area of Trincomalee, located on the east coast of Sri Lanka. You can snorkel here at the famous Pigeon Island or relax on the white sands of Nilaveli Beach. You can also join a whale-watching tour, deep-sea dive, or enjoy cocktails at a beachfront bar.

If you’re looking for wildlife and birds, you can check out Yala National Park. Here you can take a safari where you’ll most likely see an abundance of elephants, leopards, and many different types of birds. There’s also Udawalawe National Park which also boasts incredible wildlife viewing adventures. Did you know Sri Lanka is the number one safari destination outside Africa? 

When it comes to popular food, Sri Lankan cuisine is unbeatable!

One thing that makes Sri Lankan food special is its complex flavors. Sri Lankan cuisine has been influenced by South Indian, Portuguese, Dutch, and British, who ruled the country at different times. The result of these influences is a combination of sweet, spicy, and sour flavors that make for a unique taste experience. There are many types of Sri Lankan dishes, including:
Rice and curry – This is probably the most well-known type of food in Sri Lanka. Rice can be served with any number of curries, which are usually made from vegetables or meat.
Biryani – This dish is similar to Indian biryani in that it consists of rice cooked with spices and meat or vegetables. However, unlike Indian biryani, Sri Lankan biryani is not spicy.
All in all, Sri Lankan cuisine is unbeatable in flavor and diversity. It’s not just about rice and curry – there are many other delicious dishes to try!

What do you need to know about traveling to Sri Lanka?

You will need a visa before you can enter the country, and it is valid for 90 days. You’ll also need it to re-enter if you plan to stay longer than 90 days in on the island. Sri Lanka’s rupee is tied to the US dollar at approximately 130 rupees per dollar. The rupee has remained stable in recent years but fluctuates slightly from time to time.

Weather:

Sri Lanka, is an island country located off the coast of Southern India. It is separated from India by the Palk Strait and from the island nation of Maldives by the Indian Ocean. The weather can be quite warm from March through October (the hottest months are April and May).

During the 12 months, there are four distinct seasons in Sri Lanka.

• First, the Inter-monsoon Season (March – April) is characterized by high temperatures and heavy rainfalls.
• The Southwest Monsoon Season(May – September), with average rainfall, occurs next.
• Then comes the second inter-monsoon season(October – November ), which has low rainfall but is dry in most areas.
• Before ending with Northeast monsoons (December—February) bring more rains to coastal regions than inland ones.

In November, December, January, and February (the rainy season), temperatures drop significantly—down into the high 60s or low 70s Fahrenheit during the day and down into the 50s Fahrenheit overnight.

And while there may be rain showers each day during this period, they are usually short-lived and tend not to last more than an hour or two at any given time.

When to travel to Sri Lanka?

The best time to visit this island is between December and April when the west and south coasts are most pleasant. May through October is ideal for those exploring the east coast, although visitors wanting an experience of all four seasons should come any month.

You can find more information about weather conditions for your trip to Sri Lanka on the Department of Meteorology of Sri Lanka website.

The tropical paradise with a rich history, culture and wildlife

Sri Lanka is a tropical paradise with a rich history, culture, and stunning beaches. It’s also got one of the most vibrant economies in Southeast Asia and some of the best wildlife in the world.

The island nation has recently undergone a renaissance, with its economy growing at around 6 percent per year since 2011. Tourism has largely fuelled this growth.

Lonely Planet named Sri Lanka one of their top 10 countries to visit for 2016—and it’s easy to see why: its beaches are some of the best in Asia, while its cultural heritage means plenty of things to do off-the-beaten-track (and away from crowds).

You won’t miss some ancient sites, including Polonnaruwa, the Sacred City in the North Central Province of the country. It was once the ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka, dating back to 1070. In this fantastic city, you’ll see actual ruins of the palaces, stupas, and other places that existed during that historical time. There’s even a Buddhist temple built during the 12th century with many intriguing statues that remain many years later.

Why Should Be this island Your Next Travel Destination?

So if you’re planning on visiting Southeast Asia for your next vacation, don’t leave Sri Lanka off the places you consider. Though not as popular as The Philippines or Thailand, it still has so much to offer and is considerably less crowded. In addition, if you’re traveling on a budget, it makes an excellent option for you to look at, as the country is exceptionally affordable for tourists. This hidden gem of a destination boasts some of the world’s best beaches, fantastic wildlife, and incredible history and culture. Once you visit and experience it all, you’ll head home feeling renewed and changed.

When we visited Sri Lanka, we were amazed by its rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and delicious food. We hope our blog post helped you better understand this beautiful island nation and convinced you to visit it soon!