Visit Sri Lanka: 10 Reasons Why the Emerald Island Should Be Your Next Destination

With so many diverse landscapes bottled up into one small island, a traveller could be riding the waves at dawn and admiring the green-carpeted tea mountains by dusk.

Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural society—a beautiful reflection of the island’s encounter with successive historic influences. No matter their background, the smiles and hospitality of Sri Lankans are legendary and truly worth experiencing.

Despite its size, this small island is proud to host eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, all of which can easily be visited within a single week.

Nearly all of the world’s major religious denominations are represented in Sri Lanka. Add to this a plethora of ethnicities and social groupings, and the result is a vibrant, crowded festival calendar celebrated throughout the year.

Buddhism has become extremely popular worldwide. In Sri Lanka, visitors can experience the pure teachings of Buddha and connect with local Buddhists at sacred places of pilgrimage like the Temple of the Tooth.

Well-being for all senses is deeply rooted in Sri Lanka’s tradition. Ayurveda, the 2,000-year-old traditional medicine, is still highly practiced today. Visitors coming to the island for authentic ayurvedic treatments and wellness retreats are very often repeat guests.

Sri Lanka is a paradise for nature lovers. From whale watching at the southernmost point (Dondra Head) to unforgettable elephant encounters in the Minneriya National Park, or an expedition through the Sinharaja Rainforest—the biodiversity is stunning. In fact, 13% of Sri Lanka’s landmass is conserved as national parks, reserves, sanctuaries, and jungle corridors.

With over 1,600 km of coastline, Sri Lanka is an ideal location for windsurfing, water-skiing, surfing, sailing, snorkeling, and scuba-diving (including wreck-diving). Additionally, the island possesses over 100 rivers, lagoons, and "tanks" (ancient irrigation lakes), offering plentiful opportunities for year-round white-water rafting, kayaking, and canoeing. The varied landscapes are also perfect for hiking and trekking.

Brilliant white sand and palm-lined shores: the choice of beaches along the azure-blue Indian Ocean is inexhaustible. Whether you prefer well-connected trendy coasts or secluded, lonely bays—Sri Lanka’s coastline bathes in diversity.

No trip to Sri Lanka is complete without tasting the rich, aromatic Sri Lankan curries and fresh seafood. As the proud home of world-famous Ceylon Tea, foodies and tea lovers can tour lush green tea plantations and experience authentic culinary traditions first-hand.