Crown Holidays
Best Things to Do in Sri Lanka
Experience the incredible experiences that Sri Lanka has to offer. Crown Holidays is your trusted travel partner for unforgettable adventures in this island nation. Discover and experience its golden beaches; its centuries-old UNESCO heritage sites; and its scenic mountains with their stunning mountain roads. If this isn’t exciting enough, expect wildlife safaris, whale watching from Mirissa or kite flying from Kalpitiya to name a few, all while enjoying a romantic, adventurous or family holiday. We specialise in offering tailor-made travel packages specifically catered to travellers from Europe and the Middle East, so you can now create your own paradise.
Cycling in Sri Lanka
The perfect intimate, responsible adventure is to bicycle around Sri Lanka, experiencing everything from palm fringed coastal rides to emerald paddies and misty mountain passes, to challenging tea country roads and, on the other extreme, easy cycling along the west coast between Negombo and Colombo. Cultural circuit: the Kandy to Dambulla area, or the southern, heritage packed, loop from Galle along the coast past Mirissa; downhill bikers challenge themselves around Nuwara Eliya or Ella in the hills. Locally run firms rent out perfect cycles with helmets and lead vehicles with experienced guides.Cultural stops: shrines, village homes and traditional market places are easy inclusions.The season to cycle is during the dry periods; December to March west/south-coast, May to September east coast.
Whale & Dolphin Watching in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is among the world's premier whale and dolphin watching destinations. Its beaches are available year-round. The two main centers are Mirissa (south coast), from November to April, you can regularly see blue and other types of whales; and Trincomalee (East Coast) from May to October (and you have a good chance of seeing blue, sperm and other whales).Kalpitiya on the northwest coast is famous for dolphin pods, plus large whales can be seen seasonally.Most tours are conducted with qualified captains and experienced marine biologists, who will ensure that the animals are not disturbed unnecessarily by keeping an appropriate distance.
Beaches – Sun, Sand & Serenity
A necklace of beaches From world-class beaches with a variety of features like the surfing mecca of Arugam Bay to leisurely, Robinson Crusoe-esque beaches like Unawatuna, you can sip beers with the locals at beachside pubs or relax on prime beaches like the mostly-crowded beaches of Trincomalee, where there's a local crowd. The choice is wide. Bentota and Negombo offer water sports activities and luxury resorts. Families can enjoy the shallow, calm waters of Kalutara and Beru.The months from November to April are considered best for the southwest coast and May to October is best for the east coast.Fresh seafood, prepared king coconuts from vendors on the sand, will enhance your entire Sri Lankan beach holiday experience.
Diving and Snorkeling
Brilliant scuba diving and snorkeling are available among Sri Lanka's coral reefs, wrecks and drop-offs. The best sights include Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna in the south of the island, Pigeon Island north of Trincomalee and south-east of Sri Lanka, and Kalpitiya Bar Reef in the north-west. Wrecks such as SS conch or turtle wrecks that support large reef sharks, moray eels and ray congregations are possible.Necessary PADI training, briefings and equipment are provided at dive centers throughout the island.Dive along the southwest coast during the southwest monsoon (December-March) or along the east coast during the southeast monsoon (May-October) for quieter waters and clear visibility. Sri Lanka is a great diving experience 365 days a year.
Heritage and Historical Places
Sri Lanka has a rich history of 2,500 years. Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa from ancient ruined cities; the stunning rock-climbing fortress of Sigiriya; To Dalada Palace, Kandy. The colonial legacy continues with Galle Fort; Colombo Colonial Parliament and Dutch Hospitals; and structures built by the Dutch in Jaffna.Many of Sri Lanka's ancient sites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ruins of massive stupas, modern irrigation tanks, palaces and impressive stupas are still witnessed by expert ancient engineers and historians to bring out the rich history of ancient legends, kings and conquests and faith.
Wildlife – Safaris & Sanctuaries
Sri Lanka's abundant diversity is undeniable. It is home to leopard, elephant, sloth bear and over 400 species of birds! Perhaps one of its most fascinating and certainly world-famous safari destinations is the Yala National Park, which is said to actually have the largest number of leopards on earth.You can see herds of wild elephants in Udawalawa and Minneriya and Kaudulla areas are known for 'gathering' where hundreds of elephants gather around waterholes.The less visited Wilpattu is scenic with its own lakes and offers a more tranquil encounter. The trained Nationalists and eco-friendly, licensed jeep drivers used for tours to these parks and more truly care about the well-being of the animals. The peak of the viewing season is during the dry season from May to October when animals congregate around waterholes.
Hiking & Trekking
Sri Lanka's mountains and rainforests Sri Lanka trekking routes give you unforgettable experiences. The famous pilgrimage route up to Adam's Peak (Sri Pada) offers spectacular sunrise views with the silhouette of the mountain below. Panoramic views of the valley can be had from the top of Rock and Little Adams peaks, and trekking through the Sinharaja rainforest is possible.January-April is usually the trekking season in Sri Lanka but July-September is an additional suitable time for trekking with clear skies and dry trails.
Golf
Sri Lanka is an ideal destination for a luxurious golfing experience in a beautiful environment. From Asia's oldest course - the Royal Colombo Golf Club to the championship Victoria Golf Club near Kandy, golfers can enjoy lush hills and pristine lakes. For those who crave a cooler climate, play a round at the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, located 2,000 meters above sea level and surrounded by tea plantations.Many high-end resort hotels in Colombo, Kandy and the hills of the hills are happy to book transport and leisure time.
Spa, Ayurveda and Yoga
Over 3,000 Years of Holistic Ayurveda With its rich holistic heritage, Sri Lanka has been a center of Ayurvedic medicine for over 3,000 years since ancient times. The best global wellness retreats are spread across the South (Ahangama, Bentota), the Cultural Highlands (Manuwara, Nuwara Eliya) and the West Coast (Wadduwa, Negombo).In addition to world-renowned Ayurvedic practitioners providing holistic treatments (from herbal oil massages and steam baths to detox programs and customized holistic protocols using local herbs), there are many yoga centers and silent meditation centers.
Adventure and Water Sports
Whether you're jet skiing, parasailing, windsurfing or wakeboarding, Sri Lanka's pristine beaches are exciting entertainment zones. Sri Lanka's most popular water sports centers include Bentota, Negombo and Trincomalee, all offering licensed instructors and safety equipment. The country's inland Kitulgala is a thrilling destination for white-water rafting on the Kelani River; it also offers adventure activities like canyoning and waterfall abseiling.Sri Lanka also introduces you to unique activities like jet ski safaris all along the coast or a thrilling flyboard experience in Kalpitiya!Thoroughly briefed and outfitted with lifejackets, operators ensure beginners as well as experts can enjoy! It's time you discover the water way with dry weather and stable sea and river conditions.
Surfing
The island’s reputation on the surf map is growing, with an abundance of reliable breaks for any skill. Arugam Bay in the east is a legendary surf destination with the point breaks providing all-day action (May–Oct), while Weligama, Kabalana, and Unawatuna in the south cater to beginners in warm, rolling breaks (Nov–Apr). There is a great number of surfing schools run by local pros and experienced international coaches who offer board rentals and full surf lesson packages with safety tips.
Art and Architecture
This is a country which owes its artistry to a mix of age-old traditions and the colonial and newer inputs into the nation. The Kandyan dance masks, wood- carvings, and batik clothes which still made in the villages such as Ambalangoda and Matale have centuries old roots. The island's architecture runs the full gambit from the stupas of Anuradhapura and rock cave temples of Dambulla, to Dutch-colonial style houses in Galle and colonial bungalows of British origins in Nuwara Eliya.Modern paintings and sculptures of upcoming Sri Lankan painters and sculptors are exhibited at contemporary art galleries in Colombo and Galle.You are, more often than not, given the option to join a hands-on batik-painting or pot-making session or to learn traditional Sri Lankan drumming, helping the local arts to be supported directly with your custom.
Bird Watching
This island is a birder's delight, with more than 400 catalogued avian species, of which about 34 are endemic to the island. Sri Lanka's premier birding areas are the Bundala National Park with its vast wintering congregations of Greater Flamingos, and the Kumana bird sanctuary. You can also find a good variety of birds in the Sinharaja rainforest and the wetland areas surrounding the lakes of Koggala and Tissa. The highlands will offer endemics like the Yellow-eared bulbul and the Sri Lanka Whistling thrush. Expert ornithologists lead escorted birding expeditions, well aware of calls, habitats, and the best periods (November to April for migrants, with year-round opportunities for residents). Most eco-lodges also offer bird lists and binoculars for your convenience.
Tea Estate Trails
No trip to Sri Lanka would be complete without a stroll through the island's emerald green tea plantations. The island's central highlands (Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela, Hatton, and Haputale) are, of course, the source of all Ceylon tea. Take guided strolls through planted hillsides where you can see the different stages of tea leaf preparation, from cultivation and picking techniques to wilting, rolling, and fermenting processes. Many Ceylon tea estates (such as Pedro, Mackwoods and Blue Field) give you a chance to sip some single origin brew and purchase new packets directly, or if you’re fancy, take high tea, where you also get the opportunity to spend some time in old, colonial-style bungalows.
Camping and Glamping
Sri Lanka campgrounds and glampsites: camping and glamping holidays Sri Lanka is the perfect place to experience the great outdoors with camping and glamping sites that give you authentic immersion in nature. The national parks (Yala, Uda Walawe and Wilpattu) provide safari style tented camps with luxurious en suite facilities and fine dining BBQ under the stars. The hill country, where you will find Ella, and the Knuckles mountain range, have great riverside and jungle camp sites for a back-to-nature stay.Coastal Glamping sites in Kalpitiya and Arugam Bay offer beachfront tents, campfires and stargazing opportunities.Each has experienced staff on hand with first aid kits and camp safety first so it is safe for the whole family or just the lone traveler.
City Sightseeing and Shopping
Shopping andsightseeing goes hand in hand in Sri Lankan cities. The colonial splendours of the past rub shoulders with glamorous shopping malls and high-end boutiques inColombo – see the colonial architecture of Independence Square and Gangaramaya Temple, then head to some of the island’s best shopping addresses. Kandy’s markets, clustered around the Sacred Tooth Relic Temple, are filled with the best of Sri Lanka's handicrafts, from gems and batik fabric to wood carvings and spices.The unique atmosphere and colonial architecture of Galle Fort, a fortified town built by the Dutch, invites visitors to meander its cobbled streets, ducking in and out of shops selling curiosities, antiques, spices and jewellery.For an islandwide spread of government-approved wood carvings, masks and brassware look no further than the Laksala chain of stores. Consider a guided walking tour accompanied by a historian to add a richness to your shopping spree.
Sri Lanka Food Tours
Taste of Sri Lanka: Spices, coconut and fresh seafood abound in this Indian Ocean island cuisine. Enjoy local street food (kottu roti, sambola and hoppers) on walking tours of Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Jaffna, and take time to highlight different local dishes around the country – you'll indulge in Jaffna crab curry and coastal fish sour theal on a trip down south. A cooking session with one of the local experts will teach you the traditional balancing techniques of spices and flavors. In many cities you will also experience walking through a local market to understand the uses and seasonality of local vegetables, fruits and herbs and Ayurvedic remedies. These unique dishes can also offer an interesting perspective on the colonial influences that have shaped Sri Lankan cooking.
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