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Top 11 Things to Do in Sri Lanka

Deepa Kartha
A small, teardrop island on the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is one of the most gorgeous countries in the world. A tropical nation, Sri Lanka offers an array of interesting experiences to travelers.

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Known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is home to the 2,300-years old tree Sri Maha Bodhiya, the oldest tree planted by humans in 288 BC.

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Go on a Wildlife Safari

Popular for its biodiversity, Sri Lanka is home to some of the best national parks. The Yala National Park houses the largest population of leopards, while you would get to see around 500 elephants at the Minneriya National Park.
Apart from leopards and elephants, you can see sambars, langurs and a wide variety of tropical birds during a wildlife safari. Kumana National Park, Bundala National Park and Uda Walawe National Park are some of the most popular ones for wildlife safari.

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Take a Tea Plantation Tour

Famous for its tea, you would find several tea plantations in Sri Lanka. Most of them are located in Colonial Nuwara Eliya and would you educate on the process of tea making, right from plucking the tea leaves to the preparation of the delicious tea.
Handunugoda Tea Estate, Pedro Tea Factory and Bluefield Tea Gardens are some of the most popular tea plantations. You also get to taste some deliciously divine teas after the tour.

Relax at the Beautiful Beaches

Being an island, Sri Lanka is blessed with stunning beaches. Be it adventure-driven or the peaceful, secluded ones, there are beaches for everyone here.

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Relax and unwind at the beaches of Induruwa, Bentota, Trincomalee, Galle, Weligama, Mrissa and Hikkaduwa, where you would get beautiful views, sound of the waves and gorgeous sunsets for company.

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Enjoy the Water Sports

Right from the fun beach sports like parasailing, banana boat riding, yachting, speed boat riding, kayaking and canoeing to more serious stuff like snorkeling, surfing and scuba diving, Sri Lanka has something for all water sports lovers.

Go Temple Hopping

Fascinating and beautiful Buddhist and Indian temples dot the country of Sri Lanka, making temple hopping a serious tourist activity for believers and non-believers.
Enjoy the beauty, architecture and history of the Temple of Tooth Relic, Seetha Amman Temple, Dambulla Cave Temple, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Manavari Temple and Muneeswaran Temple in Sri Lanka.

Pamper Yourself with Ayurvedic Spa

An Ayurvedic massage is not just relaxing but therapeutic too. Sri Lanka is the perfect place to book yourself into an Ayurvedic resort to indulge both your body and mind.

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Explore a Hiking Trail

Magical waterfalls and majestic views are what await you on the hiking and trekking trails of Sri Lanka. Explore the natural beauty of the country with hiking tours at Adam's Peak, Meemure, Horton Plains, World's End Nuwara Eliya, Ella Rock, Knuckles Mountains and Sinharja Rainforest.

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Climb Onto Adam's Peak

Adam's Peak is a sacred site, believed to be the place where Adam set his foot on earth. Apart from being a spiritual place, Adam's Peak also offers a piece of paradise, and the sunsets here are to-die-for.

Indulge in Sri Lankan Cuisine

The tropical land is home to the most exotic curries served with rice. While seafood dishes are the best here, do not forget to try the vegetarian delicacies offered in Sri Lanka. To try authentic dishes and flavors, opt for family-run guesthouses, home stays or local roadside restaurants.

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Travel by Train

In the world of super fast and bullet trains, the slow moving trains in Sri Lanka are purely nostalgic. Plus, the view of the green landscapes and lush tea plantations and mountains make it even more appealing.

Enjoy the Nightlife of Ella

Dotted with hotels, restaurants and bars, Sri Lanka's Ella promises a great nightlife to visitors. Visit any restaurant or bar for amazing food, deals on drinks and peppy live music.