There’s no better moment to visit Sri Lanka. The moment is now!

Sri Lanka is a beautiful, welcoming and affordable destination that offers UNESCO sites, beautiful nature and captivating culture.

Plus, Sri Lanka’s government has taken measures that make traveling to Sri Lanka, easier than ever.

If you want to convince yourself to visit Sri Lanka, you’re in the right place.

10 Good Reasons to Visit Sri Lanka Now

Free visa

The visa fee has been waived by the Sri Lankan government since August 1st, 2019. This allows visitors from 39 nations (including USA, UK, Australia and European Union member countries) to get a 30 days free visa with double entry.

You’ll just need to fill this form online in advanced. Yay for Sri Lanka!

Discounted airfares

Sri Lanka’s government has decided to decrease ground handling charges for airlines as well as fuel and embarkation taxes in order to promote tourism. This way, ticket prices for tourists are now more affordable than ever. Double yay!

Wildlife

One of the best things about Sri Lanka is the chance of spotting animals in the wild. You can expect elephants, leopards, peacocks, turtles and whales.

Yala is the most famous safari park in Sri Lanka as it’s the only one that offers the chance of spotting wild leopards, however, it can get a bit crowded.

Other recommended parks for elephant safaris are Udawalawe, Minneriya and Kaudulla.

Disclaimer: avoid visiting Pinnawala or any other park that allows elephant riding. As responsible tourists we can make a difference if we actively decide not to join these activities!

Hiking

If you love hiking, then Sri Lanka is perfect for you!

The Central Province in Sri Lanka has some of the best hiking trails: the popular Sigiriya, the insta-famous Pidurangula and the hidden gem Mini World’s End in Knuckels mountain rage. All of them will leave you speechless!

None of them are too difficult (I visited them all in flip flops!) but it can get strenuous in the heat in Pidurangula or with the crowds in Sigiriya. Rest assured, you will always be rewarded at the top of the rock with gorgeous views.

Other cool hikes in Sri Lanka are Adam’s Peak and Little Adam’s Peak.

• Related post:3 Best hikes in Sri Lanka

Beaches

The south coast of Sri Lanka is home for a collection of long, golden sandy beaches surrounded by palm trees.

The most popular beaches in Sri Lanka are Negombo, Mirissa and Unawatuna.

Best beaches in Sri Lanka for surfing:

• Hikkaduwwa
• Unawatuna
• Weligama
• Arugam Bay

Best beaches in Sri Lanka for turtle spotting:

• Hikkaduwwa
• Wijaya
• Rekawa

Best beaches in Sri Lanka for whale watching:

• Trincomalee (May to September)
• Mirissa (November to April)

Best beaches in Sri Lanka for instagram photos:

• Dalawella (the rope swing)
• Mirissa (Coconut Tree Hill)
• Unawatuna (rocks and palm trees)

Temples & Festivals

There’s no shortage of temples and festivals in Colombo and all around Sri Lanka. With 4 major religions, a bank holiday every full moon (named pooja) and several other religious festivals, Sri Lanka is the place to go if you want to join the celebrations and learn more about other cultures.

We had the chance to join 2 festivals during our days in Sri Lanka: Nallur festival in Jaffna and Krapuk Pooja in Anuradhapura.

Nallur festival totally blew my mind. We joined the celebrations inside the temple and it was such a powerful experience! It was really impressive to witness it from the inside, getting to know more closely how they celebrate these festivals.

Disclaimer: we decided not to join the Esala Perahera in Kandy as they use decorated elephants for their celebrations.

Instagram spots

Sri Lanka is so photogenic!

If you love to travel and take beautiful instagram photos during your trips, I don’t blame you! So do I.

Some of the most instagrammable spots in the world are located in Sri Lanka, being the most famous ones the scenic train from Kandy to Ella and the rope swing in Dalawella beach.

Get that shot!

Ayurveda retreats

What about taking care about ourselves during our holidays?

We often dedicate our vacations to explore as much as possible, creating packed itineraries with loads of activities and rushing from one place to the other. Sri Lanka is perfect for that, but is also a great choice if you’re looking to pamper yourself. And what a better way than joining an Ayurveda and yoga retreat?

Sri Lanka has very good Ayurveda retreats that will help you reconnect your mind and body and relax while experiencing something new. I dare you to try it for a few days or at least to try one Ayurveda massage while in Sri Lanka!

Related post:What to expect from an Ayurveda retreat in Sri Lanka.

Tea plantations

Sri Lanka is world’s biggest black tea producer and Nuwara Eliya is where most of the tea plantations are located. It’s also known as Little England.

The landscapes in Nuwara Eliya are a pleasure to the eyes: it’s like a sea of tea plantations everywhere!

While in Nuwara Eliya you can get to know more about the tea making process visiting one of the numerous factories around the area – we visited Pedro Tea Estate.

If you have the chance, stop by the road to have a chat with the locals and enjoy the views.

Beautiful hotels

If you love a good hotel, then Sri Lanka is perfect for you.

There are so many pretty options: from luxury hotels in Colombo, to really nice properties by the beach and beautiful lodges in the middle of the nature. Most of them featuring amazing swimming pools that offer a nice refreshment after a day full of sight-seeing!

The service was always top-noch in every hotel I visited.

Where to stay in Sri Lanka

These are the hotels I can recommend in Sri Lanka:

• Colombo: Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo
• Habarana (Jaffna): Sorowwa Resort & Spa
• Kandy: Mahaweli Reach
• Nuwara Eliya: Araliya Green City
• Negombo: Jetwing Sea
• Waduwwa: Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort

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