Sri Lanka vacations: 7 resorts where you'll love it

Another amazing feature is that on the island you can vacation all year round, just moving from one side to the other and not worrying about the weather conditions. It remains only to decide which resort of Sri Lanka to choose and to understand what are the conditions of entry to the island.

Sri Lanka: conditions of entry 2024

Planning a vacation in Sri Lanka, you need to apply for a visa online in advance for each tourist, including children.

Another mandatory item is a local insurance of $12 with $50,000 coverage for up to one month (including children under 2 years old). It is now being arranged locally.

Bentota

Distance to the capital — 83 km

The difference of Bentota from other resorts is the relative proximity to the capital and the international airport (only 2 hours by bus), as well as a large number of hotels in the category of 4 and 5 stars. Bentota is perfect for a vacation with children, as the beaches here are sandy, wide, with excellent fine sand and the entrance to the ocean is very long and smooth.

Here prefer to come here lovers of quiet rest and couples in love. And also lovers of active recreation on the water — there are many centers of water sports and equipment rentals.

Type of vacation: family, romantic, active.

Things to do:

• try a wide range of water sports, such as water skiing or canoeing;
• visit a marine life protection center and get the chance to release a turtle into the ocean;
• relax in Ayurvedic and spa centers.

Best time to visit: from December to March, from September to October.

Mirissa

Distance to the capital — 155 km

Mirissa is one of the resorts in Sri Lanka that is ideal for a beach vacation. There are several beaches along the coastline: some are more secluded, while others are lively and vibrant.

In addition, there are several interesting villages and towns nearby, home to Buddhist temples and impressive giant Buddha statues.

Type of vacation: active, educational.

Things to do:

• the western part of the main beach is dedicated to water sports, especially surfing;
• in December, you can go on a whale- and dolphin-watching tour and also witness sea turtles laying their eggs;
• rent a boat and go fishing with local residents near the coral reefs;
• be sure to visit the town of Galle, located 35 km from Mirissa, where you should see the Dutch fort and the lighthouse.

Best time to visit: from December to March, from August to October.

Hikkaduwa

Distance to the capital — 120 km

Hikkaduwa is an excellent choice for lovers of active recreation and water- and beach-based развлечений.

Clubs, bars, surf spots, and restaurants — during the high season, this is a lively beach with turquoise waters and a stunning underwater world. In the off-season, when strong winds blow, it becomes a true paradise for surfers.

Hikkaduwa is one big party hub. A huge number of international tourists from all over the world come here to surf, dive, or have fun at one of the many beach parties.

Type of vacation: clubbing, youth-oriented, active.

Things to do:

• Hikkaduwa is home to one of the largest turtle conservation centers, where you can observe the life of these charming marine creatures;
• visit the Tsunami Museum dedicated to the events of 2004;
• in February, don’t miss the chance to celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday, which is highly revered by the Hikkaduwa crowd;
• visit one of the local colonial-style restaurants — modest at first glance — where you can feel like a true Brit.

Best time to visit: from November to April, from January to March.

Tangalle

Distance to the capital — 218 km

Lush tropical vegetation, palm trees hanging over the water, wonderful weather, and a warm ocean all year round make a vacation here truly unforgettable. Hotels along the coast offer a full range of services, and there are also shops and restaurants available.

At the same time, Tangalle is a place of seclusion, where people come to escape the hustle and bustle and the vibrant nightlife of other resorts on the island, relax under palm trees, and enjoy swimming in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

Type of vacation: family-friendly, romantic.

Things to do:

• visit the local market, where you can easily get lost among a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, affordable seafood (shark steak for about $8/kg), and delicious fresh juices (try them at a café run by a local police officer);
• set aside time for a one-day tour of the Tangalle Lagoon — a wild area where you can spot numerous birds, large monitor lizards, and explore real mangrove forests;
• near the beaches of Tangalle, you’ll find a place called the Blow Hole — a natural opening in the rock where, during high tide, powerful waves burst through the crevice, shooting water dozens of meters into the air.

Best time to visit: from December to March, from August to October.

Arugam Bay

Distance to the capital — 342 km

Arugam Bay is one of the best surfing spots in the world. Here you can rent all the necessary equipment or enroll in one of the local surf schools. Achieving your first surfing success in Arugam Bay is incredibly rewarding. Many beginners who come here for a month return home as confident, experienced surfers.

Type of vacation: active, extreme.

Things to do:

• surfing, surfing, and more surfing — massive waves and hundreds of surfers, from beginners to true professionals;
• during the off-season, Arugam Bay offers a spectacular sight as millions of migratory birds arrive along the coast;
• plan a trip to Yala National Park, famous for its population of elephants and leopards — a truly достойная alternative to an African safari;
• visit the Hulannuga caves, home to a statue of the reclining Buddha.

Best time to visit: from March to October.

Trincomalee

Distance to the capital — 270 km

From July to November, Trincomalee is the best place in Sri Lanka for a family vacation with children, thanks to its extensive shallow-water areas. The most popular beaches in Trincomalee are Nilaveli and Uppuveli.

Type of vacation: family-friendly, educational, active.

Things to do:

• the Kanniya hot springs, located 5 miles from Anuradhapura Road;
• visit several Hindu temples, the largest and most impressive being the Koneswaran Temple Complex;
• the turquoise bays of Trincomalee’s beaches offer a variety of water sports, including diving and surfing;
• another Dutch fort — Fredrick Fort — offering a glimpse into the history of the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ military presence on the island.

Best time to visit: from July to November.