On the world map, there is an isolated small island in a shape of a mango fruit which is surrounded by the Indian Ocean. This island was called in different names since years, and it is called as “Sri Lanka” at the moment. It was previously called as “Ceylon” and the world gives a simple definition to it as “The Pearl in the Indian Ocean” and also called it as the “Wonder of Asia”. Enriched with natural beauty and the favourable climate to live in all 365 days in year, this island is in the top of the list among the most attractive travel destinations worldwide.
A nation that values multi-ethnicity and letting people to respect each other’s religions, beliefs, and ideas, Sri Lankan’s share peace and harmony.
Thirty years of crucial civil war and fragile ceasefire should have left more obvious scars, but the unity among civilians made it implausibly peaceful to live. Hospitality offered by Sri Lankan’s even to a stranger is immensely admired internationally and it hasn’t changed over time.
The culture and traditions aspired by the nation throughout years are very unique compared to the other countries. This is one such factor that lot of global explorers tend to explore the culture and the beauty of this little island.
Favourable Climate and the Nice Weather to Travel
The low-lying coastal plains running inland from northeastern coastal line creates an irregular surface area of land. That is why there are some mini islands around the country, which are also belonging to this island itself but reached with a boat or any water transport as they are separated by the sea.
The central and southern areas slope in to the hills of the central highlands. The coastal belt of the country consists of different types of beaches, bays, rocky cliffs and other attractions such as blow holes and beach-faced tiny islands. The location of south-western mountain ranges lies in the shadow of central hilly lands creates a high amount of precipitation and adds an adequate amount of rain to the area which receives 4000mm of rainfall annually.
The island has a tropical climate as it is very close to the equator. Thus, Sri Lanka doesn’t have four common seasons to experience but distinct wet and dry seasons. These two seasons are due to the ‘Yala’ and ‘Maha’ seasons occurred once in annul. However, Sri Lanka is a country where a person can experience all the climate changes during four seasons just in one day of travel around the country.
This is because the country enjoys temperatures averaging 28̊C, while the upland (hill country) areas enjoy a yearly average of temperature around 16-20̊C. The country maintains climatic variations, but if a tourist is planning to pay a visit to this beautiful island, the best time to visit Sri Lanka depends on where that person plans to go.
Hopefully, the best time to visit southern and western regions of Sri Lanka is during December to April. That’s why many tourists are likely to pay a visit here during their winter season. At this time of the year, the weather is warmer in the country. The city of Galle at the center of the southwest coast enjoys an average high of 29̊C for example. However, the “Yala” monsoon brings abundant rain to these areas and to coastal cities during May to September and sometimes to November.
The best time to visit northern and eastern regions of the country ranges from May to September. Centralising the sun-drenched Trincomalee, a natural port city on the northeast coast of the island enjoys balmy temperatures of 30̊C with a little rain during this period. The “Maha” monsoon affects the north and east during October to January, and for tourists it is called as the off season for entertaining northeastern coastal destinations such as Arugam Bay.
Colombo is the largest ‘City’ in Sri Lanka and it has both hot and wet climates a year-round. Colombo experiences an abundant rainfall during April to June and September to November. However the average high temperature in Colombo is around 34̊C and the average low temperature is around 24̊C. Colombo is a well-developed city where most of the elites tend to live, but the suburbs are filled with both rich and poor.
The best time to pay a visit to Kandy and the hill country areas is when the weather is mild and the rainfall is at its lowest. Mostly this time would be from January to March as the inter-monsoonal period is from October to November. Since the central hilly lands are in more heights from the sea level, rainfall is expected throughout the year although it’s with heavy rains and thunderstorms during October and November. These areas are considerably cooler when compared to the coastal areas around the country and the average temperature ranges from 18-26̊C.
The climatic conditions along with the weather forecast are unpredictable in the country during any season; therefore it is best to prepare yourselves when going to any place you planned of going.
Travel Destinations and Beautiful Sceneries within the country
Enriched biodiversity, wild life and natural attractions such as waterfalls, lakes and streams, mountains, forest reserves and plains are evident across the country. Pure sources that intensify natural attraction to the destinations are specifically available at every nuke and corner of the country.
National parks, botanical gardens and adventure parks such as water rafting or cliff climbing give examples to some interesting exploration sights that are monitored by human involving nature.
Most of the attractive travel destinations and beautiful sceneries are completely natural although some of them are maintained by the authorities. If not for the natural locations, Sri Lanka is also famous for cultural ancestral ruins such as Sigiriya (Lion Rock); the eighth wonder of the world, for an example.
Central highlands and south-western part of the country are covered with natural forest reserves, waterfalls and heavenly mountain ranges. The wet and cooler climate is due to this ecosystem in the area. National conservation forests such as “Knuckles”, “Sinharaja”, “Wilpattu” and bird sanctuaries like “Kumana” are all situated in the southern, western, and central parts of the country.
Waterfalls are also in their full flows during rainy season, but rarely dried up. Forest reserves such as Knuckes and Sinharaja are paradises for many of the famous waterfalls in the island.
The main rivers of the country; “Mahaweli”, “Kelani”, “Kalu”, and “Walave” are all sprung up from around the sacred mountain “Sri Padha” (Adam’s Peak) and flows across the country creating many new streams and reservoirs. Environmentalists and local travelers are very enthusiastic to do treks and explore the hidden beauty inside of the mountain ranges and thick forests.
This has currently become a trend among both local and foreign travelers, but it requires permission from the related authorities such as the Forest Conservation Authority or the Environmental Conservation Units. There are also some travel destinations like “Ella” which are having some chilly climates at night enriched with mountains, waterfalls as well as beautiful night views around the area. They are such a great tourist attraction destinations within the country.
Beauty in the coastal belt around the country is one major inspiration that the international travelers tend to explore the country and this sea is very good for entertaining activities such as swimming, surfing, scuba diving, coral watching, and whale watching.
There are free beaches around the country, where anyone can freely bath and centers where there are paid-facilitiesfor you to engage in any diving, surfing or whale watching opportunities.
The country itself is a beautiful paradise where a local or may be a tourist will never be able to finish exploring the attractive destinations around the country.
Transportation and Accommodation for Travelers
Public transportation is the common medium of transport used within the country and it is the cheapest. Both the local and foreign travelers chose public transportation media such as local trains, public buses or taxi services as they are cheaper and more effective than private services of travel and transport.
Travelers can contact hostels, villas, hotels or any accommodation around the country using personal contacts or by using some authentic apps made for booking. It is better to go through the reviews made on such accommodations by the previous guests and plan about the stay prior to the visit.
Apart from solid accommodations, many of the explorers are used to do camping at the places they visit. You can find plenty of websites that offer camping gears and some local guides to go with you if you request.
For your camping gear requirements contact us here: https://www.facebook.com/uvacamping/.
This is a kind reminder that it is a must to camp at safe and unrestricted areas as per the Forest Department.
Appreciating the beauty of this attractive island, this note on the aforementioned topic will be winded up with the message, “Explore and Enjoy the Beauty of Destinations and Leave Only the Footprints”.
Thank You and Explore Safe!
