How does Rest Less make money
We make money through advertising and commission from affiliate links, which enable us to offer Rest Less as a free service to our users. The content on this page may use affiliate links, which track traffic from our website to a third party provider and enable us to receive a commission or payment from any traffic we refer.
* Affiliate links on this page have an * next to them. We place enormous importance on our editorial independence and the integrity of our content which means that we will never change how we write about something as a result of an affiliate link.
Beautiful, magical Sri Lanka is a land like no other. For an island that’s around the same size as Wales, its impact on visitors is mammoth. A tropical treasure chest of mind-blowing views, luscious landscapes, and unforgettable experiences, the ‘Teardrop Isle’ has much more to offer than you might have realised.
Although geographically dwarfed by the might and scale of neighbouring India, it stands its ground confidently with a culture, character, and cuisine all of its own.
If you’ve been considering a trip to South Asia but aren’t sure which of its stunning countries to explore, have a look at what Sri Lanka has to offer…it might just help you make a decision. Here are nine great reasons to visit Sri Lanka.
Rest Less Exclusive: Get 7 nights in Sri Lanka from £1299pp in May 2026
Discover the magic of Sri Lanka on a journey that blends ancient heritage, lush landscapes, and coastal charm on this exclusive deal. Get 7 nights in Sri Lanka including flights from £1299 in May 2026.
Call now to secure this Rest Less exclusive offer!
1. To witness the diversity packed into one small island
From the North’s arid shrublands and backwoods to the luscious central highlands and all-around sparkling, sun-soaked coast, Sri Lanka’s diverse landscapes allow every visitor to find a slice of heaven. Thick rainforest for explorers, dramatic mountains for climbers, every type of beach imaginable for loungers…this island has it all.
And, with Sri Lanka being fairly small, you can easily get from the brilliant-green plantations to the golden shores of the south coast within half a day.
A great way to see as much of Sri Lanka’s rich tapestry as possible is to book a private tour guide. It’s a relatively inexpensive way to get around some of the country’s more remote central parks and plains safely and swiftly – and a good guide will show you some of Sri Lanka’s best spots.
2. For an idyllic train ride like no other
Whether chugging gently along the picturesque palm-lined coast or through the stunning plantations, train rides in Sri Lanka are a simple but great pleasure. The most famous train route in the country is from Kandy to Ella – the train winds its way through mountains, valleys, plantations, and rainforests for around seven hours.
Food vendors selling snacks and drinks, wide open windows that immerse you in the surrounding beauty, and the peaceful rhythm of the train…this is a phenomenal way to experience the central highlands and plains while heading south. Plus, if you’ve hired a private tour guide, they can drop you in Kandy and meet you at Ella.
Remember to book your train tickets well in advance. Each journey goes on sale 30 days before it’s scheduled, and seats sell quickly. You’ll want reserved seating unless the idea of standing in a crowded carriage in high humidity sounds appealing!
If you’d like air-con, it’s best to go for the closed windows in a 1st class carriage. Or, if you’d prefer open windows and the warm rainforest air on your skin, we’d recommend a reserved seat in second class – it’s still comfortable, but a little closer to the beautiful world you’re moving through.
Rest Less Exclusive: Get 7 nights in Sri Lanka from £1299pp in May 2026
Discover the magic of Sri Lanka on a journey that blends ancient heritage, lush landscapes, and coastal charm on this exclusive deal. Get 7 nights in Sri Lanka including flights from £1299 in May 2026.
Call now to secure this Rest Less exclusive offer!
3. For once-in-a-lifetime whale watching
Sri Lanka’s prime location in the deep azure Indian Ocean means it’s a perfect base from which to see some of the greatest leviathans of the sea. Whales come here to enjoy the deep, warm, nutrient-rich waters that surround the island.
Earth’s largest mammal, the majestic blue whale, is known to frequent the southern waters off the coast of Galle between February and March, pausing for its fill of a krill buffet during their annual migration. At the same time of year, the northern waters of Kalpitiya can host ‘super-pods’ of sperm whales, with up to 150 in a group, sloping through the seas – a magical and humbling sight.
In the summer months, Trincomalee’s seas are a hotbed of cetacean activity with whales, dolphins, and porpoises regularly breaching and putting on a show. Many tour operators in Sri Lanka offer whale-watching experiences, but we recommend doing some research to make sure you book with one that operates ethically. This ensures the continued safety and well-being of these precious oceanic giants.
If whale watching is on your bucket list, check out our article, 9 of the best places to go whale watching, for more inspiration.
4. To have a cuppa at the source
You simply can’t visit Sri Lanka without enjoying a nice cup of tea while gazing out across the plantations it was harvested from. Sri Lankan (Ceylon) tea is famous worldwide, and for such a comparatively small island, it’s the third largest exporter of tea in the world.
After tourism, tea is one of the country’s biggest industries and has shaped Sri Lanka’s development and culture since its introduction in the early 1800s.
The plantations are beautiful. Cascading tiers of perfectly placed terraces drape across the hills and valleys of central Sri Lanka, and you can see how the tea plants – Sri Lanka’s ‘green gold’ – get from the terrace to the teacup.
As with whale watching, some tours are more responsibly run than others. Be aware that the tea pickers are almost solely women, and are largely Tamil people, some of Sri Lanka’s lowest-paid workers. It’s recommended you choose a tour at a plantation committed to workers’ rights, and stick to touring and tea drinking rather than taking part in the ‘picking’ experiences you might see on offer.
5. Snorkel with turtles at Hikkaduwa beach
Stretched along the southwest coast, Hikkaduwa Beach is a famous and busy spot. Not just because of its vast, golden, palm-lined sands, or its famously surfable waves, but also because of the hawksbill and green turtles who nest, feed, and breed along the shore.
You’ll see their shadows rising in the breaking waves as they ‘surf’ in the shallows, finding seaweed and other tasty morsels to eat – and as used to humans as they are, it’s possible to get close to them.
The beach can be packed with groups gathering to interact with these stunning and surprisingly tame creatures. So, for a more relaxed experience, try to get there in good time. If you’re a particularly early bird, you can get some sunrise solo time with these gentle giants – feed them a little kelp and enjoy their graceful energy without the crowds.
But if that’s not an option, we recommend renting some fins and a mask, then swimming out a little, where you might get to swim alongside them. However, for their safety, remember not to touch them.
Rest Less Exclusive: Get 7 nights in Sri Lanka from £1299pp in May 2026
Discover the magic of Sri Lanka on a journey that blends ancient heritage, lush landscapes, and coastal charm on this exclusive deal. Get 7 nights in Sri Lanka including flights from £1299 in May 2026.
Call now to secure this Rest Less exclusive offer!
6. To do a spot of leopard gazing
Elegant and elusive, Sri Lanka’s native leopards are a really special sight to see prowling through their natural habitat. And while nature is never a sure thing, for the best chance of witnessing these majestic cats, it’s worth booking a safari in Yala National Park.
Yala is a stunning nature reserve nestled in the southeast of Sri Lanka’s teardrop land, and it’s home to the country’s highest concentration of leopards. You have a better chance of seeing these beasts between March and October, and, if you can, book at least a full-day tour (if not an overnighter).
Even if you aren’t lucky with leopards during your safari, you can expect to have unforgettable encounters with the other abundant wildlife in the park. Herds of elephants, sloth bears, jackals, parading peacocks shaking their iridescent tail feathers; the distant squawk of the hornbill in the distance as you watch quietly, cruising crocs patrol the waterways. What’s more, if you’re a birdwatcher, this is your heaven.
7. To surf (or to watch others surf)
Even complete beginners can find the right waves in Sri Lanka, no matter how small they need to be – and with the Sri Lankan beachfront lined with surf schools, it’s never too late to start. Sri Lanka is a world-famous surf destination, made possible year-round by alternating seasons on each coast.
While there are plenty of mammoth swells reserved for the super surfers who come here to spend full days in the warm waters honing their expertise, there’s also an abundance of gentle breaks in quieter and more manageable coves. Here, beginners can get a taste of the meditative, freeing, exhilarating thrill of waiting for (and maybe even catching) a wave, however timid.
If surfing isn’t for you, you’ll hopefully enjoy spending a day on a lounger in the sun, drink in hand, admiring the incredible skill of accomplished surfers as they ride the waves until the sun starts to fall. Keep an eye out for the stilt fishermen, too, as they perch above the water to get their daily catch.
8. Because you can order curry for breakfast
A traditional Sri Lankan breakfast is a fragrant and mildly spiced curry, which can set you up nicely for a busy day exploring. While it’s a big departure from marmalade on toast, it can be a delicious and refreshing change.
You’ll get hoppers and string hoppers (a type of pancake bowl and a Sri Lankan breakfast noodle); veggie, chicken, jackfruit, and fish curries; hearty yellow and orange dahl; coconutty potato soup, and a selection of sambals (flavourful condiment/sauces). Step out of your comfort zone and try a local breakfast, and you might find you don’t want to go back to bowls of cereal.
More Western breakfast, lunch, and dinner options are, of course, available in most places, as Sri Lankans are used to catering to visitors from Europe and America. Most people find, however, that the delicate flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine appeal to even the least adventurous palates.
Rest Less Exclusive: Get 7 nights in Sri Lanka from £1299pp in May 2026
Discover the magic of Sri Lanka on a journey that blends ancient heritage, lush landscapes, and coastal charm on this exclusive deal. Get 7 nights in Sri Lanka including flights from £1299 in May 2026.
Call now to secure this Rest Less exclusive offer!
9. To discover history, heritage, and ancient holy sites
Throughout Sri Lanka, the beautiful landscapes are punctuated with incredible archaeology and heritage sites. Buddhist temples are dotted from north to south, many dating back over two millennia, and leave a tangible sense of the profound influence of Buddhism on Sri Lanka’s culture and people.
Some highlights include the white-walled Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, home to a sacred relic of the Buddha and a major Buddhist pilgrimage site, as well as the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
Here, you’ll see colossal stupas (hemispherical structures/domes containing sacred relics), intricate and beautiful stone carvings, and the ruins and remains of royal palaces that recall the opulence and grandeur of Sri Lanka’s early kingdoms.
The ancient Rock Fortress of Sigiriya in the northern Matale District is another highlight and a truly incredible sight. It’s the type of imposing and surreal structure you might expect to see on Game of Thrones. Here, you can visit the towering rock palace, see the ancient frescoes, and wander its elaborate gardens.
Final thoughts…
Sri Lanka has such a wealth of experiences and character that it ‘feels’ bigger than its 65,610 square kilometres. It’s a place of immense and vibrant colour, culture, flavour, and beauty, and it can keep you entertained and enthralled indefinitely.
Each spectacular area being such a manageable distance from the last is the icing on the cake – after all, who wants to spend their whole holiday on highways?
For more inspiration, head over to our travel section. Here, you’ll find articles including 25 of the best travel destinations for 2025 and 10 of the best holidays for animal lovers.
Ready to book your next getaway?
Have you been to Sri Lanka? Or would you like to visit? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Read our full commenting terms and guidelines