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Places to Visit in Sri Lanka

If you are planning to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life then St, Clair Falls is the perfect option for you. Also, known as the Little Niagara of Sri Lanka this is one of the wildest waterfalls here. It is one of the famous Sri Lanka tourist places visited ample of tourists every year.

There are two waterfalls namely Maha Ella " Maha Ella " (Sinhalese "The Greater Fall"), (260 ft) high and "Kuda Ella", (Sinhalese "The Lesser Fall"), which (160 ft) high and located immediately downstream of the main fall. These breath taking waterfalls are located along the Kotmale River.

Highlights: This cascading waterfalls falls under one of the six waterfalls affected by the Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project.

Location: The St Clair’s Waterfalls are located at Tawalantenne - Talawakele Rd, Sri Lanka

Price: Free entry for the waterfalls.

This time while you are in Sri lanka don’t miss a chance to visit the Ruwanwelisaya which is famous for its stunning architectural qualities. Sacred to the Buddhist all over the world this stupa was built by King Dutugemunu. The stupa was an ancient ruin in the 19th century but was later renovated after the fundraising by Sinhalese bhikkhu in the early 20th century.

Highlights: Standing tall at an elevation of 338 ft this stupa is one of the world’s tallest monuments. This stupa took 33 years and 3 months to complete.

Location: Ruwanwelisaya is located at Abhayawewa Rd, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Price: The entry is free while entering this stupa.

Mark it on your bucket list to visit this one of the most tranquil place while you are in Sri Lanka. With a sheer drop of waterfall from a height of 263 meters Bambarakanda Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka. The dazzling waterfall lies in the Badulla District among evergreen forest in the Kalupahana Area.

Highlights: The fall is framed by the Uduweriya Haputale Mountain and Kuda Oya, a tributary of Walawe River.

Location: The Bambarakanda Falls is located at Kalupahana - Ohiya Rd, Sri Lanka

Price: The entry is free in the waterfalls

Kandy Lake is an artificial lake built by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1807. The lake, also called Kiri Muhuda or Sea of the Milk, is situated in the heart of the Kandy city. It covers an area of 6,544 sq. m. with a circumference of 3.21 km. The lake boasts of a small island at its center. A building, together with some earliest ruins is also located at the center of the lake.

The iconic serene lake is one of the greatest attractions for visitors for its lush green settings and pristine blue waters. It has several rest zones, where tourists can sit, breathe fresh air, and catch the glimpse of scenic beauty around them. Nature lovers and tourists can enjoy the picturesque surroundings and soothe their jittery nerves by taking a stroll around the 2.1 km pathway.

People generally stroll or jog the pathway in the evening, when the mercury drops considerably. It presents a beautiful sight at night. The palm trees in the middle of the lake add charm to the entire surroundings. Tourists can opt for boat rides and relish the experience.

One can hire the boat either for their party or join other passengers for a ride. The boat ride costs approximately Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2000 for a 20-minute boating experience around the Lake. Visitors can look forward to gratifying their senses, by buying products ranging from balloons to cashew nuts from vendors roaming around the lake.

Owing to the pollution and other factors, which led to shrinkage of the lake, the management has declared it as a protected area and banned fishing at this spot. However, animal lovers and ornithologists can revel in watching birds, fishes, and huge monitor lizards.

Relax your senses in the sparkling waters well complemented with a lazy sandy idyll in Unawatuna beach. It was once named the world's best beach by Discovery Channel. One and a half hour drive from Colombo makes it easier for people to reach this beach.

Highlights: You can indulge in water sports such as diving and snorkelling which will leave you completely thrilled. If you are a keen whale watcher then join the exciting journey of Whale Watching Cruise from Galle to Mirissa fishery port where you will witness the mighty Blue Whale, Humpback Whale, Sharks and Turtles too, which will leave you completely awestruck.

Remember, there are no ATMs in Unawatuna, the nearest one is Holcim Cement Factory-Commercial Bank.

Sri Lanka shelters a good count of endangered species across the globe, and one of the most exciting species amongst them is the sea turtle. The hatcheries along Sri Lanka’s western coast regularly witnesses a good count of sea turtles. Swimming all their way through the mighty Indian Ocean, the Sea Turtles reach hatcheries during their hatching period. To protect these frequent Galle sea coast visitors, the Galle Sea Turtle Hatchery of Sri Lanka was established around 40 years ago. 

This hatchery in Galle has outer walls covered with themed murals portraying vibrantly coloured turtles. Inside, you will find a series of turtle preservation tanks. Every tank is accompanied with a precautionary sign board for visitors. The tourists visiting the hatchery are regularly guided through a live demonstration of depicting the entire life-cycle of sea turtles and their conservation period. The place functions as daycare for all those newborn sea turtles who opened their eyes here for the very first time. The hatchery homes to several small water tanks for protecting these newly born sea turtles. 

Gradually, five different varieties of Sea Turtles are found here at the Sea Turtle Hatchery in Sri Lanka – Olive Ridley, Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, and Leatherhead Turtle. All the injured sea turtles are protected within a separate tank, which is specially reserved for their protection. Every member working here at the Galle Sea Turtle Hatchery is trained with the basics of helping all the sea turtles who are in thorough need of medical assistance or all those who are pregnant. 

Located west to Unawatuna, Jungle Beach is a pretty bay nestled in a forested area. It is one of the secret gems of Sri Lanka which has everything to make your holiday experience one of its kind. The place retains its pristine natural charm as it is not ventured by a large number of tourists throughout the year due to its secluded location.

Jungle Beach offers a plethora of water sports such as snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming, boat ride and many more. The reefs jutting out of water a few metres offshore make a good site for snorkelling which introduces you to the exotic marine life of the region. Apart from schools of colourful fishes you will spot moray eels, encounter crabs, barracudas, trigger fish and many other reef dwelling creatures. The other activities you can indulge in Jungle Beach include whale watching, visiting historical ruins, jungle hiking and many more.

There are top notch resorts and cabins at Jungle Beach furnished with plush amenities and offering you a tranquil retreat amidst the jungle settings. The resorts and cabins have private walkways which will lead you to the calm shoreline caressed by the lapping waves of the Indian Ocean. You can savour traditional Sri Lankan cuisine in a communal restaurant or enjoy private dining on a beachside restaurant. In a nutshell, Jungle Beach is the place which awaits you to explore its hidden treasure and spend your vacation in style and luxury.

Have you seen the waves dancing freely? Koggla beach is one such place where you will find a combination of warmth of the golden sand beneath your feet along with sea breeze caressing you. Located 140km from Colombo, this idyllic place is for all the beach lovers to spend some time and enjoy life as they have always wanted to . Leave your care and worries behind and just be a part of some breath-taking moments.

You will surely treasure some of the fond memories of this beach. Get into the adventurous mood by trying snorkelling and diving. If you are not too fond of adventures you can sit by the beach and enjoy the sight of the mighty waves.

Highlights: If you are going to Koggala, you can’t miss the chance to visit the Turtle Hatchery which is an initiative taken against selling the turtle’s eggs for the purpose of food.

The Mahamevnawa Monastery is one of the most important and revered Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka founded by Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero and is amongst the top places to visit in Ella. This monastery serves as an educational institution for young people and adults who want to be ordained as monks. 

Sri Lankan artists have adorned the Monastery with striking carvings, murals, and painting. Here, you can not only talk freely to the monks but also take personalised meditation lectures from them. Listening to the reverberating Buddhist hymns amidst the peaceful environs is a tranquil experience. 

Location: Bandarawela, Ella

Timings: 8:00 am- 9:00 pm every day of the week

Price: There is no entry fee