My Personal Sri Lanka Travel Guide 

Sri Lanka is a tropical paradise yet is surprisingly still off the travel radar. Indeed, most sun seekers opt for nearby Maldives (it’s only a 45 minute flight away) and culture hounds escape to India. Yes, you can easily add both to a custom Sri Lanka journey.

However, for me, Sri Lanka is a standalone destination. One could spend at least two weeks here and not experience it all.

Here are the many Sri Lanka bucket list experiences for those looking for humble hospitality and cultural delights. 

Beach Paradise

As a tropical island, Sri Lanka boasts plenty of paradise-like beaches lapped by aquamarine water. They therefore top my Sri Lanka travel guide. But what entices me the most are the palms fringing the endless sandy stretches, perfect for long strolls. 

While it feels impossible to pick a favorite, especially on the east coast, one in particular caught my attention. 

Located on the country's southern coast, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort seems ripped out of a postcard. As I sink my feet into the hotel's salty surf, I know I would come back to this picture-perfect beach in a heartbeat. Indeed, its golden sands come fringed by coconut palms with the Indian Ocean extending as far as the eye can see.

What's more, the blissful property features a spa with Ayurvedic treatments and delicious meals. Private villas rest between tropical paths overflowing with hibiscus. And strutting peacocks on manicured lawns extend plumes of feathers, revealing a jewel box of hues. 

Culture and Faith

During my journey, I pass many cultural sites and places of worship offering a spiritual respite from daily life.

To the southeast in Kataragama, my guide tells me pilgrims of all faiths from across the country and southern India flock here. Buddhist, Hindu, and even the indigenous Vedda people come to worship.

The cultural triangle, situated in the center of the island, boasts several World Heritage sites. This includes the Sigiriya rock fortress (or lion rock), the sacred city of Kandy, and several cave temples.

One of my favorite cultural moments comes during a visit to Kandy's Temple of Tooth, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Outside the complex, I witness a line of vendors selling a Garden of Eden’s worth of purple lotus flowers. Indeed, Sri Lanka is a gardener’s dream, and their people wear them proudly.

Upon entering the temple, I remove my shoes. Inside the sacred space, I witness pious devotees lost in prayer before a golden mound. Many believe it enshrines Buddha’s sacred tooth. 

The scent of jasmine fills the air, and women in sarees light tiny candles. Incense adds to the already ethereal experience, fully immersing every visitor in the faith-filled setting.

Mouth-Watering Food

One of the best parts about traveling is digging into the local cuisine. Fortunately, as a vegetarian, I feel right at home in Sri Lanka. Indeed, the flavors seem familiar to my Indian tastebuds, yet altogether different too.

Each morning instead of ordering toast or oatmeal, I ask for a fresh king coconut and hoppers-fluffy pancakes. Prepared with rice and coconut milk, they also feature curried potatoes drowning in coconut milk and curry leaves. (By the way, there's no shortage of coconuts in Sri Lanka!) 

My Sri Lanka food tip: Don’t be afraid to use your hands as the locals do. The food tastes better that way! 

What's more, Sri Lanka benefits from a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Bustling markets and roadside stalls sell the most vibrant array of produce I’ve ever seen. I quietly wonder how I’ll ever return to the bland grocery stores back home. Especially after witnessing Sri Lanka’s astounding palette of color and flavors.

National Parks and Wildlife

Visiting Sri Lanka also involves visiting several protected national parks like Minneriya National Park. Many of these host leopards, sloth bears, and other wildlife. As such, I cannot wait to see them up close.

After a warm cup of cinnamon tea, I freshen up in my private Uga Chena Huts cabin. The resort sits just a stone’s throw from a dramatic beach dotted with massive boulders. A plethora of wildlife wander nearby in Yala National Park. 

As the day transitions to evening, I head out on a short game drive with a guide wearing a taupe Indiana Jones-style hat. He shows us an elephant barely visible munching on some foliage. My eyes adjust in the waning light as the elephant turns and wanders right up to our jeep.

“The males have a round shaped spine,” he explains. That is how he identifies the majestic creature’s gender. 

We finally enjoy a sundowner stop. We then watch the sky transform into an inky blanket as the Milky Way reveals its sparkling treasures. Yet another once-in-a-lifetime Sri Lanka bucket list moment. 

Tea Time

Despite its geographic size, Sri Lanka is blessed with many a landscape. Before hopping on board the iconic train from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy, explore the town the British enjoyed for its noticeably cooler temperatures. Exquisite rose gardens, green lawns, and colonial style mansions dot the picturesque town.

Prior to boarding, we stop at Seetha Amman, a Hindu temple connected to the Ramayan. The holy place sits on the spot where it's believed that King Ravana once hid Sita. As I enter the sacred temple, my eyes overflow with grateful tears. A curious monkey glances at me as I received blessings.

After, we hop onto the train, passing through the hill country's rolling tea plantations, only interrupted by small villages, bubbling streams, and waterfalls.

"Sri Lanka is pure paradise," I utter in awe at all of this natural beauty. My guide's eyes fill with tears: "I humbly accept this praise of my home."

Put This Sri Lanka Travel Guide to Use

Travel in Sri Lanka is ideal for anyone seeking sun, culture, oh so yummy cuisine, and natural beauty. They say travel changes you. My trip to Sri Lanka certainly did that for me. 

Contact a Ker & Downey Travel Professional to discuss your personal Sri Lanka bucket list. They will create a custom journey just for you. For even more travel inspiration, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.