Negombo
Negombo is a seaside town that many travelers to Sri Lanka use as their first stopover because it is closer to Colombo Airport than the capital Colombo. It takes only half an hour to reach. It has the largest fish market in Sri Lanka, beautiful beaches, the ancient Dutch canal, and a rich and diverse lagoon.
St. Mary's Church
Negombo is dotted with churches, as most of the locals here are Catholic, so much so that this town is sometimes referred to as 'Little Rome'. St. Mary's Church, located in the town center, features a slightly faded pink prayer hall and awe-inspiring religious murals on the nave ceiling.
Pinnawala Zoo
Pinnawala Open Zoo was newly established in 2015 and is very close to the Elephant Orphanage. The zoo houses some unique animals of Sri Lanka. Although the number of animals is still relatively small, the entire zoo environment is elegant.
Dambulla Rock Temple
Dambulla Rock Temple is a Buddhist cave temple in Sri Lanka, located in the central part of the island, 150 kilometers northeast of Colombo, and 60 kilometers north of the ancient city of Kandy. Built in the 1st century BC, it is a pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka, situated on the slope of a rocky hill. The temple is carved out of the rock and contains various stone-carved Buddha statues and other sculptures, as well as numerous murals.
Kaudulla National Park
Kaudulla National Park, established in 2002, is located not far from Kandy and is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to observe wild elephants. The best time to visit is from August to December. The center of the park is the ancient Kaudulla Reservoir. In addition to over 200 elephants, leopards, wild cats, sloth bears, sambar deer, and jungle fowl also inhabit the area. Ticket prices: Adults 1500 LKR, Children 660 LKR, Jeep rental around 4500-5000 LKR.
Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island is surrounded by azure waters and is located 1 kilometer from the coastline. The white sandy beach here is as soft as powder, and the sea is home to sparkling coral groups. The coral reef around this island is very shallow, making it an ideal place for snorkeling.
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
Peradeniya Botanical Garden is located 6 kilometers southwest of the mountain city of Kandy in Sri Lanka. The garden is surrounded on three sides by the Mahaweli River, offering stunning scenery. It is the largest botanical garden in Asia and one of the best tropical botanical gardens in the world.
The New Zealand Farm
The New Zealand Farm is not in New Zealand; it is a natural highland farm in Sri Lanka. Besides foreign tourists, locals also love to bring their families here during holidays. Children can get up close with cows and visit the dairy factory. On the lush green slopes, you can see herds of cows lazily basking in the sun, with some herders lying beside them enjoying the sunbath. It is a great place for a genuine family outing, marveling at the leisurely life of the herders and cows.
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay, located on the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka, is highly popular among surfers worldwide. It is also one of the venues for the surfing championships organized by the British Professional Surfing Association.
