18 of the best things to do in Sri Lanka
Oct 14, 2023 • 12 min read
Experience the best of the island nation of Sri Lanka with these top things to do © Nick Brundle Photography / Getty Images
Sri Lanka may only be small, but thanks to its jungle-clad mountains, golden sandy beaches , abundant wildlife in their natural habitats, and spice-laden cuisines, the island nation ensures visitors are never bored.
From remarkable train rides and fine dining across the capital Colombo to world-class surfing and chic beachside cafes in the south of the country, here are 18 of the best things to do in Sri Lanka.
1. Watch sunrise over Little Adam’s Peak
Not to be confused with Adam’s Peak, the sacred mountain near Hatton that involves an arduous 5000-step climb, Little Adam’s Peak is a popular, easy-to-do hike for those visiting the tourist hub of Ella . Start your one-hour hike early in the morning when it’s dark outside so you don't miss the sunrise from the summit. Hikers wanting more can then trek Ella Rock and follow a path leading to Nine Arch Bridge.
Ella itself is a laid-back place. Many stay outside the town, but travelers should immerse themselves in the cafe scene at Cafe Chill . Adventure buffs can go ziplining. While Ella deserves the hype, there are other quaint mountain towns that are also worth visiting: Ohiya, Idalgashinna, Haputale, and Wellawaya.
2. Taste the world's best cinnamon on Ganduwa Island
Southern Sri Lanka produces some of the world's best cinnamon, a lighter, more sweeter variety than is found in Indonesia and Vietnam. Travelers can learn about the highly prized Ceylon cinnamon by visiting Ganduwa Island on Koggala Lake , just south of Galle , by boat.
Generational peelers spend their days here skillfully shaving thin layers of the tree’s inner bark to create quills of cinnamon. You can buy them alongside small packets of cinnamon powder and cinnamon oil at a cost of about US$2. The boat then takes passengers to some of the other islands. Grab a glass of fresh kirala (mangrove apple) juice from a local vendor on the jetty as you leave.
3. Bird-watch in Bundala National Park
Home to nearly 200 species of native and migratory birds, Bundala National Park is a Ramsar-recognized wetland in the south of the country. Bird-watching tours start at 6am and run for 3–4 hours as the park comes alive with brahminy kites, hundreds of storks, families of whistling wild ducks, Asian green bee-eaters, dancing peacocks, and resting crocodiles. Come the afternoon, wild Asian elephants, spotted deer and wild boar roam amongst the Weera, Neem and Palu trees.
Planning tip: For the best chance of spotting wildlife, arrange a 4WD safari with a tour operator. Look for offices just outside the park in Bundala Junction.
4. Climb Pidurangala to see the sunrise over the jungle
No trip to Sri Lanka is complete without visiting the Sigiriya , a massive rock fortress with ruins of an ancient palace, water gardens, and frescos near the giant rock Pidurangala . Early birds should buckle up their hiking shoes and climb up Pidurangala at 5am for sunrise, but if you are not a morning person, head here for sunset before the ticket office closes at 6pm.
Planning tip: The entrance fee is US$30 for this 45-minute climb. The summit overlooks the majestic lion-shaped Sigiriya rock surrounded by tropical jungles and artificial lakes. To reach the top you’ll pass through a Buddhist temple, so carry a shawl or a sarong to cover up.
5. Go kitesurfing on the remote Kalpitiya Peninsula
With numerous flatwater lagoons and plenty of steady wind, Sri Lanka’s northwestern coast offers some of the best kitesurfing in the world. A 3.5-hour drive north of Colombo is the lesser-explored Kalpitiya Peninsula, which is still relatively new to many overseas tourists. The region is home to sandy beaches and small fishing hamlets with droves of wild donkeys strolling around large grasslands.
Stop in Kappalady on the Indian Ocean for kitesurfing lessons with local instructors at Kite Center Sri Lanka . The kite school can arrange kitesurfing safaris (tours) to nearby spots such as Donkey Point, Dutch Bay and Vella Island for more experienced kiteboarders. Other activities in Kappalady include exploring the lagoons by kayak and ethical dolphin-watching tours where large pods of spinner dolphins swim in their hundreds. Good operators will only charter small boats, keep their distance from the pods, and avoid feeding the animals. There are also a few accommodation options by the beach in Kappalady.
6. Camp in the Haputale mountains
An hour by bus from Ella are the misty mountains of Haputale , a region dotted with tea plantations and icy-cold streams. Stay in a local family-run campsite, such as the Eco Lodge Haputale run by the Dias family. After a few cups of sugary milk tea at their home, they will walk you through a tea garden to their campground made up of several tents with a small kitchen and a dining area that opens up to the Haputale mountains. Wake up to the sound of birdsong and enjoy the sunrise – it’s the highlight of a stay here.
7. Take a train ride from Colombo
When it comes to experiences in Sri Lanka, taking a train journey is a must . For mountain views coupled with tea gardens, British colonial-era railway stations, and gushing water bodies, take the Colombo to Ella train journey, which also passes through the Instagram-famous Nine Arch Bridge. There are several trains that pass through the route, but since it’s quite popular among travelers, make sure you reserve your tickets beforehand.
But don't just stop there. Hop on a coastal train heading south towards Galle from Colombo for the views of the Indian Ocean and swaying palms. Next, board a train riding up north to Jaffna – you will notice changing landscapes as you go past Anuradhapura when green rice fields and coconut trees are replaced by palmyra palms, shrubs, and barren soil.
Planning tip: Other than local families, travelers, and daily commuters, you'll find plenty of vendors on the trains selling cups of tea, instant coffee, chili-sprinkled fresh fruits, roasted peanuts, yogurt, and even mobile top-up cards.
8. Feast on Sri Lankan crabs
Sri Lankan crabs sell fast in Singapore’s fine-dining restaurants, and rarely make it to the menu back home. But that’s starting to change: for an upmarket taster in Colombo, head to the Ministry of Crab inside the Dutch Hospital Complex . For something more local, you can’t beat the Mayura Hotel in Pettah Market .
Planning tip: If you’re in the north of the country, you must try the Jaffna crab curry from Cosy Restaurant near the Jaffna Railway Station, which comes with a punchy, spicy kick.
9. Look for the elusive Sri Lankan leopard at Wilpattu National Park
Most visitors to Yala National Park want to see the endangered Sri Lankan leopard. However, overcrowding is common and safari 4WDs have been known to scare the animals away.
For a better and more conscientious safari experience, head to Wilpattu National Park in the northwest of the island and book with a responsible operator like Leopard Trails . Their guides don't chase after possible sightings, but they do turn off their vehicle engines near animals. They will also whisper near any sighting so as not to disturb the animals. As well as leopards, the park is also home to Asian elephants, sloth bears, and bark deer all in their natural habitats.
Alternatively, Kumana National Park , in the eastern part of Yala, is a good place for bird-watchers. If luck prevails, you may just come across a leopard napping on a rugged boulder too.
10. Witness the largest wild Asian elephant gathering in the world
Sri Lanka is home to an estimated 4000 wild Asian elephants, best seen in their natural habitats, the country’s national parks . During the dry months from July to September, the large reservoirs in Kaudulla and Minneriya National Parks draw herds of wild Asian elephants where they graze on grass, bathe and play together. Hot days see elephants sheltering in the nearby jungles, but in the afternoon, around 4pm, they slowly emerge. This is your chance to see hundreds of the creatures hanging out by the lakes, the largest gathering of wild elephants in the world.
Planning tip: Skip places where elephants are held in captivity – except for the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe . Run by the government wildlife department, with support from the Born Free Foundation , this halfway house takes in abandoned and injured elephant calves and returns them to the wild once they have recuperated.
11. Eat traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry in Unawatuna
Sri Lankans enjoy curry and rice for at least one meal a day – sometimes for all three – and while there are plenty of great places to try the national dish, Mettha's Home Cooked Meals, sandwiched between the cafes and souvenir shops of Unawatuna, in the south of Sri Lanka is among the best. Freshly prepared onsite by Aunty Mettha herself (with a little support from her family), the creamy Sri Lankan dal in coconut milk is a must.
Planning tip: If you fancy learning how to cook curry dishes, head over to the family-run Sea Waves Restaurant in Unawatuna , but don’t leave without trying the whole butterfish cooked in a secret umami-rich homemade sauce.
12. Learn the life of Sri Lanka's indigenous people
The Vedda are the indigenous people of Sri Lanka. Originally forest-dwellers, their numbers have dwindled over the years due to migration, habitat loss, and assimilation into the nation's dominant Sinhala-Buddhist culture. Now scattered across the island in small numbers, some Vedda families still preserve their native language, cuisines and rituals in places like Dambana, an indigenous village and museum in the southern part of Maduru Oya National Park.
Planning tip: For a more immersive experience, head east to Gal Oya where you can take tours with the Vedda to see their ancient caves and hunting grounds. Wild Glamping Gal Oya works closely with the Vedda community to organize ethical encounters.
13. Try kottu roti street food
No other meal captures Sri Lanka quite like kottu roti . This popular street food is a carb-heavy mishmash of fresh vegetables, leftover roti (flatbread), and eggs, plus a choice of meat or seafood. Thrown together onto a metal griddle and chopped into tiny slices using two metal blades, you can often hear the distinct clink-clink-clink of metal on metal from a few hundred feet away. Kottu roti is available across the island, but try it in Colombo from Hotel de Pilawoos or Hotel de Plaza (note: Sri Lankan restaurants are often named "hotels").
Planning tip: Don’t get deceived by any Pilawoos or Hotel de Plaza, though – there are numerous holes-in-the-wall with the same name – the originals are on Galle Road in Colombo 03. Order yours with a glass of iced Milo (a popular chocolate malt drink), which goes perfectly with a sizzling hot kottu .
14. Explore the quirky lanes of Galle Fort
Galle Fort is an eccentric mix of Portuguese, Dutch and British architectural influences surrounded by spas, luxury hotels, souvenir shops, ice cream parlors and gem boutiques. Come in the morning hours when the Fort lanes slowly open up. First, eat a hearty Sri Lankan breakfast at National Tea Rooms, which is the oldest existing cafe in Galle Fort run by a friendly Sri Lankan family since 1932.
Shop for postcards and wall posters with funky Sri Lankan graphics, tuk-tuks and vintage maps at Stick No Bills . For lunch, don’t miss the peppery black pork curry at Church Street Social . The view from the ramparts is a must-see, especially during sunset.
15. Chase the waves with Sri Lanka’s first local female-run surf club
Surfers of all levels head to Arugam Bay on the east coast. During the season from April to August, this curl of soft, ocher sand comes alive at night with parties, booze and live music. It also has a laid-back surf scene, including the Arugam Bay Girls Surf Club , the first all-women club in Sri Lanka, which holds swimming, surfing and yoga lessons for the community.
Planning tip: The beach shacks that dot the shoreline serve delicious Sri Lankan roti stuffed with chocolate, banana, chicken, cheese and vegetables for a post-surf pick-me-up.
16. Cycle through the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa
Following the fall of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa became the second capital of Sri Lanka from 1070 to 1232, and the ruins of this ancient city are now a Unesco World Heritage Site. Don't miss the Vatadage, a circular relic house with a large Buddha statue. Beyond that, cycle through the ancient city and pay a visit to the ancient Royal Palace .
Other impressive archaeological relics, including the standing Buddha in Lankatilaka Vihara and a series of Buddha statues carved out of granite in Gal Vihara . You can see the South Indian influence in some of the remains – this is because the ancient kingdom faced several South Indian invasions back then.
Planning tip: Arrive early in the morning to beat the sweltering sun and get the best of this wonderful archaeological park to yourself. The Polonnaruwa ruins are crowded during weekends, school holidays, and on the full moon.
17. Get close to nature with a stay in a treehouse
Nature lovers will enjoy the experience of sleeping in a treehouse. Surrounded by the nearby jungle, these houses are built on a wooden platform up the tree. Book one of the treehouses at Back of Beyond in Sigiriya if you don’t mind visiting lizards and monkeys.
For those who are in the far south of Sri Lanka, Tangalle is a mix of rugged sandy beaches, lagoons and shrublands. Here, Jaywa Lanka has a treehouse next to the mangroves; you’ll only hear the faint hum of crashing waves and twittering of birds. Occasional visitors include wild peacocks trying to charm their peahens.
18. Snack on hoppers
If there’s one thing to try before you leave Sri Lanka, it’s hoppers ( aappa in Sinhala; appam in Tamil), bowl-like pancakes made from rice flour batter. With crispy edges and fluffy centers, plain hoppers are eaten with curries or a spicy sambal (chili paste) called lunu miris made with onions and dried red chili.
Walk into a street joint in the evenings and you’ll often find plain hoppers topped with an egg. If you are in Colombo, head to Palmyrah Restaurant in Renuka Hotel for some Sri Lankan fine dining; the dinner menu includes both savory and sweet hoppers with milk or jaggery. Or, if you don’t mind long lines, try some hoppers from Aunty Radhika in the Wellawatta neighborhood. Walk past the bank on WA Silva Mawatha to find this small, but popular, hopper stall.
This article was first published February 2022 and updated October 2023
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15 Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka
Written by Freddy Sherman Updated May 3, 2023
Writer Freddy Sherman visited Sri Lanka and spent time exploring Colombo, the Hambantota area, and Udawalawe National Park.
Sri Lanka is an amazing travel destination offering a wide range of places to visit and things to do. This island, located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of India, presents visitors with an incredible array of environments and tourist attractions to enjoy and experience.
This relatively compact island boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites where that history is preserved. The best places travelers can trace the island's fascinating history, from ancient times through the colonial period to the present, are in cities like Colombo and Kandy .
Incredible outdoor landscapes and safari experiences can be found in the country's large elephant- and leopard-filled national parks, like Yala, Minneriya, and Udawalawe. Sri Lanka is also a beach-lover's paradise , ringed by some of the world's most beautiful beaches, and home to a number of luxury beach resorts.
The Hambantota area is the best place to visit for a resort vacation experience. This is also one of the best places to visit for families, as many of the resorts are all-inclusive and there is a lot to see and do without having to leave the property.
When planning a Sri Lankan adventure, keep in mind that the country experiences its rainy season from May through August, making December through April usually the best time to visit. The shoulder season, September, October, and November, is a good time to visit as well.
Plan your travel itinerary with our list of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka.
3. Udawalawe National Park
5. hikkaduwa beach, 6. galle face green, 7. yala national park, 8. anuradhapura, 9. pollonnaruwa, 10. tangalle, 11. bundala national park, 13. adam's peak, 14. sigiriya, 15. minneriya national park, map of places to visit in sri lanka.
The capital city combines modern urban amenities with the country's colorful indigenous and colonial history. As a key stop on the world spice trade routes, Sri Lanka has long held strategic importance for European trading powers.
The country has been a colony of Portugal, the Netherlands, and most recently the British, and all these cultures blend with the Indigenous culture to form a wonderful hybrid. You can taste these influences in the food, see them in the architecture and the arts, and you can really feel them in Colombo.
Too many visitors simply use Columbo for its international airport (CMB) and immediately head out to the resort areas on the coast. The city is well worth a visit of at least a few days, even if you plan to head to a beach resort.
The city is also filled with museums and other things to do that can help connect you with Sri Lankan culture. Colombo sits on the coast, and there's a large green space and beach area right in the heart of the city separating an area called Fort from the Indian Ocean. It's the city's public playground and a fun place to visit, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
The city's new mega-tower, the Colombo Lotus Tower , is a great place to visit. The tallest free-standing tower in Southeast Asia, it provides amazing views of the city. Aside from indoor and outdoor observation areas, there's a fancy restaurant at the top and a popular food court in the mall at the tower base.
Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Sri Lanka
Kandy is where you go to learn about and experience Sri Lankan history. Located in central Sri Lanka, the city is the former capital city of the Sri Lankan royal dynasty, the country's main capital before the colonial period.
The high point of what's called the "Kandian Era" was between the 15 th and 18 th centuries, when the area remained independent while most of the coastal regions were colonized by European powers.
Be sure to visit the city's National Museum of Kandy , as it illustrates the story of the region and its people via exhibits and artifacts. Nearby, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a very holy Buddhist shrine, part of the royal palace complex. If you visit in August, there is a huge festival celebrating the temple and relics.
Kandy Lake is at the heart of the city and offers a peaceful refuge from the heat. There are hiking paths that circle the lake, dotted with temples and shrines. Venture out to the nearby suburb of Peradeniya and its amazing Royal Botanical Gardens.
Kandy is surrounded by mountains, which are home to many tea plantations. Some can be visited and offer tours and tea tastings. It's also surrounded by rainforests. The Udawatta Kele Sanctuary is a forest park located within the city limits. The forest reserve has miles of hiking trails, as well as an excellent nature center with educational information.
This large wildlife park is in the southern part of the country, about an hour's drive from the resort area of Hambantota. The terrain and environment vary, as the park is on the border of the country's wet and dry zones.
Visitors to the park can see elephants, as there's a large population of them, along with crocodiles, water buffalo, and more. In fact, it's one of the best places in the world to see elephants in the wild outside of Africa .
There are leopards there, too, but they can be very hard to track or spot. There are also monkeys and a large assortment of deer and small mammals. It's also an excellent place for bird-watching.
There are some small accommodations and guesthouses across from and even inside Udawalawe. You can also visit as a day trip, the best times to visit are very early in the morning or very late in the afternoon.
The city of Galle is about a two-hour drive from Colombo via one of the country's first modern superhighways. This ancient trading port reflects its colonial history and is focused around a large, 17 th -century seafront fort.
Galle Fort is an entire preserved walled town, now filled with boutique hotels, shops, and restaurants (along with real residents). The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is a great place to explore on foot – the entire Fort area is car-free. It's hard to get lost, as you're surrounded on three sides by the sea. It's one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka for families, as the area is compact and filled with tourist-centric businesses.
Aside from and outside the fort, the city is surrounded by some amazing beaches . Like others in the country, the wide sand beach leads into clear, turquoise water. There's even a beach right beneath the iconic Galle lighthouse.
Only 90 minutes from Colombo, this beach is all about water sports, surfing, bodyboarding, snorkeling, and scuba diving. All the gear is easily available for rent from one of the beachfront stands. It's one of the country's most popular surfing areas , with the best waves between November and March.
The beach is large, so it never feels too crowded. There are a lot of beachfront stands selling all kinds of delicious local street food and a good number of small hotels and guesthouses if you want to stay overnight. It's also becoming home to more beach resorts, catering to foreign visitors with appropriate levels of luxury and amenities.
It's also known for its coral. The Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary is a preserved marine area and part of Hikkaduwa National Park , located just off the shoreline. It was created to protect the area's coral reefs and educate visitors about coral. It can be explored on a guided boat tour or even by snorkeling.
- Read More: Top-Rated Beaches in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's version of LA's Venice Beach and NYC's Central Park isn't the place to get away from it all, but it is the place to relax, people watch, and have some fun with other Sri Lankans, whether it's day or night.
Aside from the beach, there's a large grass area where people picnic and play games. For the best energy, visit on a Friday or Saturday night. Come hungry, as every night there is a market with incredible street food to enjoy.
You can enjoy the beach and water or maybe fly a kite in the ever-present wind. You can play some football (soccer) or cricket as there are always pick-up games going on. The beach is fronted by vendors and restaurants, and the area beyond it is filled with hotels ranging in price from budget to luxury.
Be sure to visit the historic Galle Face Hotel, a beachfront colonial remnant that first opened in 1864. Galle Face Green is in the heart of downtown Colombo, just in front of Fort. You have the skyline behind you and the sea in front of you. It's the area between Galle Road and the Indian Ocean.
Located on the island's southeast coast, this national park is known for leopard safaris . Leopards are very rare, but the park has a large population and it's possible to spot them even on a day trip. The park is also home to a large population of Asian elephants, which are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Aside from the fauna, the park is home to some incredible, varied environments and ecosystems. You can visit the marine and beach environment of the coastal areas, follow leopards across vast grasslands, or explore tropical rainforests.
There are also some important Buddhist temples and shrines within Yala, which is not far from the resort area of Hambantota.
A visit to Anuradhapura, one of the country's ancient capitals and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rewards visitors with a glimpse into the past. The area is unique, as there's a thriving, modern town adjacent to an ancient one — you're not just visiting ruins. The current population makes it one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on earth (starting in the 4th century BCE).
The ruins are awesome, with many crumbling temples, statues, pools, and other structures. There are modern structures, too, and the temple remains an active place of worship. The core of the complex is a very old tree. The Sri Maha Bodhi is believed to be the world's oldest living tree planted by a human.
Anuradhapura is a fun place to visit, as there are a lot of small guesthouses and cheap places to eat, along with bike rental, tour guides, and other businesses catering to tourists.
This is an important ancient city ruin site, another one of the country's World Heritage Sites . Pollonnaruwa was Sri Lanka's second capital city, after Anuradhapura, thriving about a thousand years ago.
The garden-city is completely preserved, although most of the structures are in ruins. There are gardens, palaces, and temples, and while it's rather compact, it's best explored by bicycle. A bonus, the ruins are inhabited by a large troop of macaque monkeys, also residents of the area since ancient times. Duran Duran fans will recognize the site, as their Save a Prayer video was filmed here in the 1980s.
There's a small, modern town a few miles from the ruins, with guesthouses, bike rentals, cafés, and other tourist services. The town is close to Minneriya National Park, a great place to elephant-watch.
As an island, Sri Lanka is surrounded by beaches, and there really is something for everyone. For a diverse range of beach experiences, head to the Tangalle area. It's in the center of the southern coast of the island and is a popular resort destination.
You''ll find a wide range of beaches, from tropical coves to wide, windswept, seemingly endless stretches of open sand. You can also find beaches with services, vendors, and beachfront stands, as well as remote beaches where you're almost certain to find yourself alone.
At Rekawa Beach , just east of the town, there's a big sea turtle nesting area and conservation center.
This national park and wetland sanctuary, with its dunes, lagoons, and large freshwater bodies of water, is one of the world's best places to visit for bird-watching . There are many species of birds here; some are endemic to Sri Lanka. Many of the birds migrate here seasonally from as far away as Siberia.
Aside from the birds there are many crocodiles, which like to eat the birds, as well as a large population of elephants. The beaches are a popular place for four of Sri Lanka's five species of sea turtles to lay their eggs.
The Bundala park area is along the southern Sri Lankan coastline between Kirinda and Hambantota.
Sometimes it's as much about the journey as it is about the destination. An example of this is Ella, a small, hill-country town set among Sri Lanka's lush tea plantations. It's filled with small guesthouses, amazing food, and very friendly people. It's a fun getaway from the city or a way to enjoy a few days of leisurely hiking in the countryside.
A big reason people visit Ella is to ride the train from Kandy. Slowly, it winds its way up and down hills, through small towns, across green tea fields, until finally arriving in the small mountain town after about six hours. The ride is considered one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world . You can also start the journey in Colombo, which adds three hours to the trip.
Another one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka that's also all about the journey is Adam's Peak. This mountain is topped by a sacred rock formation, and pilgrims traditionally climb to the summit at night in time to watch the sunrise.
The popular hike (which is great for families and children, too) generally takes about three hours, and there are rest stops and food vendors along the path. After the hike, you'll be rewarded by seeing a rock with a footprint-shaped indentation where some believe Adam made his first step. Others believe it's the footprint of Buddha, and some believe it was made by the deity Shiva.
The Adam's Peak hike begins in the village of Nallathanniya in central Sri Lanka. The best times to make the climb are between December and May when the weather is somewhat mild.
Like Machu Picchu or Masada, Sigiriya impresses visitors just with the absurdity of its construction. It's a huge rock formation that's been carved and transformed into a palace. The ruins are near the town of Dambulla in the central part of the country.
Built about 1,500 years ago, the palace complex sits atop a 660-foot (220-meter) rock with sheer walls. Those walls have ancient painted frescoes and carvings transforming the whole structure into a work of art. In the middle of one rock wall, there's a giant gateway carved in the shape of a lion.
Aside from the palace above, the area below is an intricate city complex with gardens and residential and commercial areas. It's a very important surviving example of early city planning from this era.
If you're looking to see elephants in their natural environment, Minneriya National Park near the town of Polonnaruwa , is the best place to go. The lush, protected landscape means the park is a dry-season (May through September) feeding area for the elephants who live in the region's forests. The park is in Sri Lanka's Dry Zone, which sees far less rainfall than the other parts of the island.
Minneriya is a much better option to see elephants than some of the country's elephant orphanages and sanctuaries, which can be tourist traps that mistreat the animals. Various operators offer full- and half-day jeep safaris where you can explore the vast space. You could also visit the park on a day trip from Colombo; it's about three hours away by car.
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Endless beaches, timeless ruins, welcoming people, oodles of elephants, rolling surf, cheap prices, fun trains, famous tea and flavorful food make Sri Lanka irresistible.
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Our Agencies
- Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority
- Sri Lanka Tourism Convention Bureau
- Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management
- Ministry of Tourism
Our Partners
- SriLankan Airlines
- Sri Lanka Airport & Aviation Services
- Department of Immigration and Emigration
- Electronic Travel Authorization System
Industry Associations
- Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators
About the Site
- Terms of Use
- Investor Relations Unit
- Important Notices
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