Sri Lanka is home to a mesmerising coastal resort town in the northwest of Batticaloa known as Pasikuda. This highly popular tourist destination is famed for luxury beach holidays in an idyllic setting of crystal blue waters and golden dunes.
A Dutch Fort Visit
In a 50-minute ride from Pasikuda beach hotels the likes of Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa, guests can reach the Dutch Fort in Puliyanthivu, Batticoloa, rating it as one of the top places to visit during a vacation here. The old Dutch Fort was built during the rule of Ceylon’s first invaders, the Portuguese in 1628. You may wonder why it is called the ‘Dutch Fort’; the fort was then captured and taken under the control of the Dutch, 10 years later. It is bordered by the Lagoon on two ends and has four bastions and old canons.
Pigeon Island
A visit to the Pigeon Island National Park is significant in the wildlife and marine conservation of Sri Lanka, as it is one of the two marine national parks in the country. Located off the coast of Nilaveli, the park was named after the blue rock pigeon to which the island has become home. The island consists of fauna and flora so rich with 100 species of corals and 300 species of coral fishes.
A Wildlife Safari in Kumana
Set off on a wildlife adventure to Kumana National Park, Sri Lanka’s renowned bird sanctuary of 18,149 hectares. Most visitors of Pasikuda ensure to make a pit stop at this magnificent park of rare birds, mangroves and mammals. The black-necked stork is one such rare bird which had been spotted at the Kumana National Park.
Visiting Sigiriya and Dambulla
A 2.5-hour ride is all it takes to reach the magnificent rock formation of Sigiriya, located in the Dambulla area of Sri Lanka. While you may pay a visit to Sigiriya during your vacation in Pasikuda, it is advisable to dedicate one whole day to this trip, as there is so much to explore in this ancient rock fortress which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
