Favorite Experiences in Sri Lanka

What is it about Sri Lanka that made us fall in love with it? Is it its magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Sites—from Galle Fort’s perfectly preserved fortifications; to Kandy, home of the sacred tooth relic; to the rock citadel of Sigiriya; to the Dambulla Cave Temples that dates back to the first century BC; and to the rain forests and tea plantations in the Central Highlands?  Is it Colombo’s glinting high-rises casting a shadow over its deteriorating colonial architecture? Is it the country’s pristine laid-back beaches fringed with swaying coconut trees? Is it its numerous hiking trails along sleepy villages and tea-clad hillsides and up lush green mountains?  Is it the rich and deep flavors, textures, and spices of Sri Lankan cuisine?

My partner and I spent two weeks exploring Sri Lanka in August of this year, and below are my favorite experiences in the country.

First meal in Sri Lanka

Upon arrival in Colombo, we immediately set out to look for some food. We ended up at a nondescript canteen at Colombo Fort Station. This delicious fish curry meal cost less than a dollar. 

Train ride from Colombo to Galle

The train ride from Colombo to Galle was hot and slow but offered breathtaking views of the west coast and its villages.

Lazy walks along Dalawella Beach in Unawatuna

Here we spent many lazy afternoons doing nothing.

Hike to Ella Rock

The hike to Ella Rock involves walking along railroad tracks, through tea plantations, and up the mountain itself.

Hike to Demodara Nine-Arch Bridge

Demodara's magnificent Nine-Arch Bridge was built in 1921, entirely out of brick, rock, and cement and without a single piece of steel.