The Runaway Guide

Run Away & Travel The World

Duration On The Road:

6062 days

Countries Visited:

86

Current Location:

Stockholm
  • HOME
  • START
    • START A BLOG
  • DESTINATIONS
  • TOURS
  • RESOURCES
  • RUNAWAY GEAR
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT

Top Destinations In Sri Lanka

December 30, 2014 by The Runaway Guide Leave a Comment

featA gigantic granite cloud carries me over leopard jungles, emerald rice paddies and peaceful elephant plains. I soar along a turquoise coast, past surfers, beach bars and fishermen on stilts. Suddenly I’m speeding next to a young man dangling from a train by one hand. And before I know it I’m back in Colombo, the city streets singing with tuk tuks and smelling of sweet curries.

Thanks to Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Cvisit & Sri Lankan Airlines, I got the chance to explore Sri Lanka like a prince of ancient Ceylon. I seemingly soared over Sri Lanka from the top of Lion’s Rock, and I literally soared over the Southern Coast with the wings of Cinnamon Air’s sea plane. I discovered an island not only full of incredible destinations but also full of wonderful people with warm and welcoming smiles.

Colombo: A Thriving Capitol

If you’re heading to Sri Lanka you’re bound to start in Colombo. This city brilliantly blends a colonial history with a rapidly developing economy. On one block you’ll find a luxurious hotel and office high rise. While on the next, there’s a pub dating back to British colonial times. It’s charming, intriguing, and truly allows one a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s past.

Colombo isn’t just a layover destination before heading to the southern beaches but a great introduction to Sri Lanka at large.

P1060381

Habarana: Roam Among Wild Elephants

Sri Lanka is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, and Habarana and nearby Kaudulla National Park is where you can find it. But among all the wild life here, the main attraction are it’s Elephants. There are literally hundreds of Elephants roaming free in the wild. We actually got so close to them that they nearly charged out jeep. For the full story check out Charged By Herd Of Wild Elephants In Kaudulla National Park.herd of wild elephants in sri lanka

Sigiriya: A Castle City In The Sky

Sigirya aka Lion’s Rock could easily be considered one of the ancient wonders of the world. It’s essentially an ancient castle fort soaring 180 meters into the sky. On the climb to the top you’ll see incredibly well preserved paintings from the 5th century, followed by the original intact lion paws which mark entrance to the main fort. And when you finally summit, you’re mind will struggle to grasp the sheer beauty of the 360 degree view over the Sri Lankan plains. It’s an experience on par with but much cheaper than Peru’s Machu Pichu. For a full guide, check out the Ultimate Guide To Sigiriya.

view from the top of lions rockKandy: The Heart / Tooth Of Buddhism

Kandy is a quaint city nestled among jungle covered hills. It’s famous for The Temple Of The Tooth, fittingly named as it holds what is believed to be one of Buddha’s teeth. Because of this, Kandy is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also a place of pilgrimage for thousands of Buddhist’s every year.

P1060680

Galle: A Colonial City By The Sea

Galle epitomizes a seaside colonial city. From the moment you step inside the walled fort, you get the feeling that you’re back in colonial times. Many of the British and Dutch built buildings date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Today many of these have been converted into charming hotels and cafes. Protected by the high stone walls, Galle is one of the best preserved colonial forts in the world.

galle

Unawatuna: Beach Bums & Backpackers

Unawatuna sounds like some Hawaiian beach bum hangout, and it kind of is. Although it’s full of rich Russians on holiday and upscale resorts, it’s also got a lot of cool backpacker hostels and hangouts. There’s a decent night life with a few bars and clubs, and some excellent food, especially the Tuna steak at Kingfisher Restaurant. Whether you want to go whale watching, surfing, sun bathing or exploring Galle, Unawatuna is the perfect place to base yourself.

P1060998

Conclusion

I didn’t know. I just didn’t know how special Sri Lanka really was. It’s not the miles of beaches or bio-diverse jungles. And it’s not it’s ridiculously stunning resorts, and budget friendly hotels and meals. But more than anything it’s the people and their heart felt smiles that seem to extend across this unique South Asian island.

Now that I know, I’ll definitely be back soon. Thanks Sri Lanka!

83
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

Filed Under: Country Guides Tagged: sri lanka

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Who Is The Runaway Guide?

When I was 16 I ran away from home and traveled the world with nothing but the clothes on my back. Over 10 years later and I'm still "on the run," surviving in style, thriving off adventure, searching for that elusive road to enlightenment, and cultivating the life of travel that I want to live. More...

Run Away To Guatemala!

Nov 4th - Nov 12th, 2019

Sign Up For Airbnb & Get...

More Runaway Resources






All Runaway Resources

Best Countries For Backpacking
Visa Requirements World Map
Top World Travel Experts
Best Travel Blogs
Runaway Tours
Resources

FEED ME

Budget
Prepare
Illicit
Work
Hideouts
Gear
Books

Contact / Partnerships

If you have any questions about traveling, Runaway Tours, or anything surrounding The Runaway Guide, send me a message through my Facebook page.

If you're interested in working with The Runaway Guide in any travel related capacity, please view the Partnerships page or email me at TheRunawayGuide (at) yahoo.com

Connect With Me On:

YouTube Twitter Pinterest Facebook

LinkedIn RSS RSS RSS

© Copyright 2012 The Runaway Guide · All Rights Reserved · Terms of use · Contact