Sri Lanka is a beautiful island that’s found just south of India and is known for its diverse landscapes that range from jungled rainforests and dry plains to lush highlands and white sandy beaches. For years Sri Lanka has been in the shadows of its more well-known neighbor India, that is…until now.
With its recent peak in tourism, Sri Lanka has experienced a flood of new aged travelers flocking to this exotic country after the end of its 26-year long civil war back in 2009. With the country now eager to showcase its peaceful and prosperous nature to the world, Sri Lanka has finally landed itself on the map as one of the top destinations to visit in 2018.
With travelers visiting Sri Lanka from all around the world, the country has become home to new up-and-coming lavish wellness retreats, luxury safari camps and an array of beautiful high-end boutique hotels. And with Sri Lanka’s ever-changing views at almost every turn, one will find themselves exploring the country in complete awe at the beauty that this South Asian island has to offer. So how does one travel for two weeks in this magnificent country? Here are my suggestions on spending fourteen wonderful days in Sri Lanka.
DAY 1-3 TAKE IN THE HISTORY OF SRI LANKA IN GALLE
Hop on a train from Colombo (where you’ll fly in to) and make your way down the coast to your first stop in Galle. Spend your first few days brushing up on the historic side of Sri Lanka where you’ll learn more about the Dutch and Portuguese influence found from the 18th century. The famous Galle Fort draws in hundreds of thousands of tourists each year ever since UNESCO named this a World Heritage site. Spend your days meandering around the shops, hotels, villas, cafes, and restaurants while being completely surrounded by ocean views and unparalleled sunsets.
DAY 4-6 GET HOLISTIC AND TRY SOME AYUDERIC TREATMENT IN TANGALLE
Continue your trip down the coast and head down to Sen Wellness Sanctuary to experience a few days of ancient holistic treatments. This unique sanctuary offers travelers a retreat hidden amid the unspoiled beaches of Tangalle and serves as a heavenly oasis for bespoke retreats focusing on the practices of Ayurvedic medicine. Ayuderic medicine is extremely common in Sri Lanka and India and is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems that was developed more than 3,000 years ago. Based off the belief that one’s health and wellness solely depends on the balance between the mind, body, and spirit, the sanctuary has created a special space for guests to slow down, unwind and heal.
DAY 7-9 GET SOME SUN, SAND, AND SURF DOWN IN TALLALA
After just a 40-minute bus ride down to Talalla, head to Talalla Retreat and find yourself close to some of Sri Lanka’s best surfing and yoga. Choose to go on your own or part of retreat package. Talalla’s surf school is known for taking all levels of surfers to hidden surf breaks at surrounding beaches. To unwind from a day of surfing, Talalla Retreat also offers an incredible open-air yoga studio that overlooks the ocean. Here, you’ll spend your days full of sun, surf, and yoga taught by some amazing teachers. As a world-class vacation destination at unbeatable prices, this place is not to be missed.
DAY 10-14 SPEND YOUR DAYS WITH THE ANIMALS
On your final days in Sri Lanka, head to Yala National Park and check out the incredible wildlife where you’ll find everything from monkeys and elephants to alligators and eagles. As the second largest national park in Sri Lanka, Yala National Park is home to some of the country’s most interesting and diverse wildlife, and is known to have the highest number of leopard sightings of any park in the world.
From an array of accommodations found in the area, stay at the luxuriously designed Ruhunu Safari Camping which offers guests a glamorous side to camping located in the remote areas that border the Yala and Udawalawa National Parks. The property allows guests the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most elusive wildlife—without sacrificing comfort.
From timeless ruins and unspoiled beaches to breathtaking train rides and cheap prices, this country is definitely a place worth visiting. And as Sri Lanka starts to become a premier destination for travelers from around the world, discover it before everyone else does.
Have you ever been to Sri Lanka? We’d love to hear your stories and tips in the comment section below! Read Next > 8 Incredible Things To Do In Sri Lanka
By We Are Travel Girls Contributor Kristen Slizgi of TheLuxuryTravelist.com
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Tracey Maddocks says
I used to live in Sri Lanka and Tangalle is my favourite place. It’s such a beautiful long long beach with lots of little places to relax and cafes with hammocks along the way. You can also go kayaking in the lagoon. I see one of your photos is from weligama? Which I think is better surfing than tallala although tallala is much prettier! I love the south coast and always recommend visiting it as well as the usual kandy Ella route! Also if anyone loves dogs there is a sanctuary near to weligama in ahangama which always needs helping hands or food donations etc. As you will see from the street dogs in Sri Lanka there are many in need. Thanks for sharing!
Kristen Slizgi says
Yes! Talalla Retreat took us on a day trip to Weligama (we ate and swam at W15 hotel- have you been? I highly recommend for some fancy drinks and daytime lounging!) I definitely agree about the surfing in Weligama- there is amazing surf breaks (especially for beginners) with tons of surf schools to choose from. Tangalle is a special place too :) quiet, serene, and beautiful stretches of unspoiled beaches. Good to know about the sanctuary for dogs in Weligama- I’ll pass that info along too :)
Annab says
Hi Girls! I was on the point to organize my solo trip to SriLanka. Before booking flight and hotels, I ave checked my lonely planet guide to help me in drawing itineraries. And while planning 2 days in Colombo, 2 days in Tangalle and so on….I read “solo women should not take trains alone”, that made me think about asking informations about women traveling solo in sri lanka. is it so dangerous? give me advices! thanks
We Are Travel Girls says
Hi Annab, I just came back from a trip to Sri Lanka and would probably disagree on the trains. Whilst I was with my fiance, I did see other women travelling alone and it seemed totally fine. I would just suggest booking your trains in advance at the stations so that you can reserve your seat and cabin. If you are travelling alone, perhaps pick first class – a 6 hour journey is still less than $10 in first. Then you get reserved seating and the whole cabin is basically tourists. 2nd class reserved is fine too and so is 3rd class, but then you have to try and get a seat which is harder.I will be publishing more about my own Sri Lanka travels soon! Becky, Founder – We Are Travel Girls
Kristen Slizgi says
Hi Anna! Although I only took a train once during my time, I’d agree with Becky and say it’s safe to go solo! That being said, I did book first class since it is so inexpensive so that might good option to put yourself at ease :) The Sri Lankan people are so friendly- I would highly recommend taking the trains…super fun and very scenic :)