Sri Lanka

West Coast

Home to Sri Lanka Airport, this is the easiest part of Sri Lanka to visit. With an abundance of beautiful beach resorts as well as the country's capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, you can see why many visitors don't venture much further. The former capital city Colombo is home to the National Museum. The influences of the Colombo's past under British, Portuguese, Dutch and Moorish rule can be seen on the architecture throughout the city. Beruwela is a popular beach resort, with calm clear waters, located close by the country's first mosque. Bentota and Negomo beaches are also popular with historic value as well as natural beauty.

Interior

The majority of Sri Lanka's cultural attractions reside in the interior of the island amongst the nature parks that litter the area. Popular sites include the Sigiriya Fortress, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth at Kandy and the statues of Buddha at Buduruwagala, which were hewn out of rock in 10 AD! But don't forget the ancient settlements of Anuraghapura and Polonnaruwa for a glimpse back into Sri Lanka's past. To connect with nature head to the diverse Hakgala Botanical Gardens near Sita Eliya, or visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where you also have the opportunity to ride these huge beasts.

North Coast

The north of Sri Lanka has a markedly different feel to the rest of the island, and this is typified in the area's capital Jaffna, a melting pot of nationalities surrounded by lagoons. The region is flat and little vegetation grows, and also experiences the hottest weather of all areas. The sand dunes of Manalkadu are a must-see attraction and Casuarina Beach in Karainagar is widely thought of as the best beach in the area. For a taste of the back-to-basics life of residents head to Mannar Island where the fishing trade is all-important.

East Coast

Sri Lanka's east coast is most popular for its beach resorts, of which there are plenty. They line the east coast where the warm waters of the Bay of Bengal lap the shore. Arugam Bay, one of the top surfing beaches lies in the centre of this region, also known for its great diving. Divers can expect warm clear waters and plenty of shipwrecks that have fallen foul of the conditions the surfers enjoy. Passekudah and Kalkudah lie side by side and are protected by a reef making the sea perfect for windsurfing and waterskiing. Batticala is a great resort as lagoons supplement the sea making the area especially beautiful.

South Coast

The south of the island is has a great mix of beaches, nature reserves and culture. South Sri Lanka is home to the Sinharaja rainforest, which makes it a great choice for a combined eco-tourism and beach holiday. Towards the east the region becomes drier and the National Park at Bundala offers a very different experience to the lush rainforest further west. The walled city of Galle speaks of the struggles between the previous ruling nations yet remains beautiful. There are underwater gardens at Hikkaduwa which are always a great place to visit for divers and non-divers alike.