Famed as The Pearl of The Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is named ‘paradise island’ for many reasons. From turquoise blue waters to lush green mountains, the country is a wonderland of its kind. If you are considering Sri Lanka as your next vacation destination, here are some reasons to seal the deal and pack your bags to head to a blue lagoon of adventure.
Wildlife in The Forests
Since the 3rd century BC, Sri Lanka has been a sanctuary for wildlife. Following the establishment of the first wildlife sanctuary by the first Buddhist monarch of the country, Sri Lanka has been continuing its centuries-old tradition with 13% of the country’s land conserved as national parks. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a beautiful rainforest that is constantly blessed with showers from above is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a renowned tourist attraction, that can be reached in less than 3 hours from Anantara Kalutara Resort.
Culinary
The cultural diffusion in Sri Lankan cuisine is spread throughout the island. Whether you are exploring places to visit in Kalutara, Kandy, Colombo, Galle or Jaffna, the variation in the spices used, and preparation methods of different vegetables will take different forms, according to the geographical location. While rice is a staple, the signature rice and curry of the Sinhalese, the Lampris of the Dutch, the Thalis from Jaffna and the Muslim favourite biriyani are only a few of the appetizing meals that you can have.
Diversity in Land
If your thoughts wander away to the mountains high in the hill country while taking a stroll beside the crystal blue waters of the oceans, it only takes a matter of hours to take a ride to the mountains. One of the most distinctive features of vacationing in Sri Lanka is the ability to witness the wonders of nature in the forms of lagoons, rivers, wetlands, forests, mountains, waterfalls as well as the world-famous tea plantations, within the course of one day.
The People
Carrying a smile so wide and inviting, Sri Lankans are a society that believes in hospitality. While the country is home to groups of multi-ethnic communities, the people of the country share common interests and a deep affection for their home country. While the Sinhalese and Tamils were some of the early occupants of the country, Muslims, Burghers along with other minorities like Malays and Chetties too call Sri Lanka their home.
