2 min summary When to go Map & itineraries Things to do Beaches Buddhist culture Wildlife Northern Sri Lanka Sigiriya rock fortress Families Advice Responsible tourism

Things to do in Sri Lanka

You can’t really go to Sri Lanka and not touch one of the points on the Golden Triangle. That would be like going to Cairo and not bothering with the pyramids. You don’t have to take a tour bus there, however. You could cycle, or hike you could fit them in between wildlife safaris. Or between beach and ayurvedic spas. What ever tickles your fancy. One thing for certain, the likes of Anuradhapura, the ruins of Polonnaruwa and the citadel at Sigiriya make everyone ticklish.

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Things to do in Sri Lanka

Gorge on culture

Don't panic about which site to see in Sri Lanka. Follow the example of the Buddhist pilgrims who come in their thousands, and get more Zen about it.

Tourists love to debate over which archaeological site is the best in Sri Lanka. But they are all amazing in their own way really. The Cultural Triangle is the starting point for most people on cultural tours in Sri Lanka, which is the ancient artery of Sinhalese civilisation, with the vast palaces of Anuradhapura, the ruins of Polonnaruwa and the citadel at Sigiriya, the three main points.

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Immerse yourself in Ayurveda

This ancient art of healing the mind and body is part of Sri Lankan life and there are Ayurvedic pharmacies everywhere. An ancient Hindu form of traditional medicine, it is not considered alternative medicine as it is in the Europe. Brought to the island in 6th century BCE from India by Prince Vijaya who then went on to become the first king of the island. As it merges philosophy, psychology, spirituality along with plant and herbal medicines you can immerse yourself totally at retreats that not only offer escape from the world landscapes, but greet you with yoga experts, healers, meditation masters and nutrition experts, all of whom play important roles in Ayurveda. You can have a ‘drop in’ Ayurvedic massage at many places in Sri Lanka, as well as other traditional therapies such as steam baths, saunas and herbal baths.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Sri Lanka or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

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Toll free 1-866-821-6866

Calling us from outside the US?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Ride bikes not elephants

It feels less invasive arriving at Sri Lanka's sacred sites on a bike somehow.

Sri Lanka is famous, now sadly infamous, for being a place to ride elephants. Stick to vehicles designed to be ridden and cycle your way around tropical backroads, up through tea plantations around Ella or through cultural highlights such as Anuradhapura. There is nothing like approaching Sigirya Rock by bike. Pootle along coastal wetlands of Bundala National Park, with cool off sessions on Sri Lankan beaches such as Mirissa.

Ride bikes not elephants

The Big Blue

Although Sri Lanka is not famous for its whale watching, it's the icing on the cake for many visitors. You can see up to ten different species including fin whales, Bryde's whales, minkes, humpback, sperm whales, long-nosed spinner dolphins, long-beaked common dolphins, common bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins and, best of all, blue whales. Whale watching is becoming big business here, especially around Mirissa and Galle, so be careful whom you go out on the seas with, as it is important for you and the whales that your whale watching experience is a responsible one. See, for example, if the trip is accredited by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) and if it has a responsible tourism policy.

At the moment there is almost no government regulation in place with regards to whale watching, so the more people who ask for responsible whale watching, the better. See our guide to whale watching for more details. The best time for whale and dolphin watching is late November to mid-April – with blue whales closest to shore from late February to mid-March.

More about Sri Lanka

Best time to visit Sri Lanka

When working out the best time to visit Sri Lanka, you need to work around its two monsoons, or just not worry about it and bring a brolly.

Sri Lanka responsible travel guide

Whether you are following in the footsteps of Paul Theroux and traveling by train, discovering the former colonial world of the tea plantations, wildlife watching in rainforests, or just blissing out at the beach, Sri Lanka has something for everyone. And as for the food – that just ticks everyone’s boxes.

Sri Lanka highlights

The most glimmering Sri Lanka highlights are the ancient archaeological and sacred wonders of the Golden Triangle. But this teardrop island has so many other glittering gems too.

Sri Lanka beach vacations

White sands, swaying palms and all year round heat in the high 20s makes Sri Lanka beach bliss. There are, in fact, 1,600km of beaches here.

Blue whale watching in Sri Lanka

As if Sri Lanka didn’t ooze magic from every pore already, blue whales are jumping out of the ocean to upstage the other natural wonders for a few weeks between February and mid March.

Buddhism & cultural tourism in Sri Lanka

Buddhism is at the heart of cultural vacations in Sri Lanka, whether you are visiting the ancient sites, a contemporary temple or just just meeting local people.

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

From the Sri Lanka blue magpie to the Sri Lanka leopard, the great Asian elephant to the ginormous blue whale, Sri Lanka has stupendous wildlife.

Cooking & food vacations in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a culinary paradise, where fresh local ingredients, sizzling spices and recipes bequeathed by a history of colonisation create a diverse and delicious culinary scene.

Things to see & do in Northern Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka translates as ‘resplendent island’ in Sanskrit and after years of conflict both north and south are now united and gloriously resplendent.

Sri Lanka tea plantations

The British introduced tea to Sri Lanka in 19th century and visiting plantations today is like returning to a slightly archaic genteel age. Where everything is solved with a cuppa.

Sigiriya rock fortress

Not for those with vertigo, Sigiriya is a 200m-tall rock fortress that sprouts out of the plains of northeast Sri Lanka.

Holidays to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Vacations to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Yala National Park steals the show on many a Sri Lanka vacation.

Sri lanka leopard safaris

Yala National Park is the key destination that big cat safaris in Sri Lanka focus on, as it's home to a higher concentration of leopards per square kilometre than anywhere else on the planet.

See Sri Lanka & the Maldives together

If you want a trip to the tropics that combines culture, history, nature and incredible Indian Ocean vistas then look no further – Sri Lanka and the Maldives are your perfect twosome.

Sri Lanka with kids

Traveling in Sri Lanka with kids is not only a journey through ancient culture, wildlife central and beach bliss, it is also a wonderful island of wonderfully welcoming families.

Sri Lanka travel advice

Our experts give great where, when, who and why Sri Lanka travel advice. Where to cycle, when to go, whom to meet and guide you and safari wisdom too.

Responsible tourism in Sri Lanka

There are many issues to take into account, sadly, when it comes to responsible tourism in Sri Lanka, and we encourage you to read on for more details.

All our Sri Lanka guides

Find all of our Sri Lanka guides in one place, for particular types of vacation we offer such as culture, cycling, wildlife or more. Choose from all our Sri Lanka guides

More relevant guides

Written by Catherine Mack

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: chuvipro] [Gorge on culture: Indi Samarajiva] [Immerse yourself in Ayurveda : Amila Tennakoon] [Ride bikes not elephants: Amila Tennakoon] [The Big Blue: kwan kwan]

Things to do in Sri Lanka