Each time I go to Sri Lanka, I find new layers to explore. At first glance, you think you know what to expect, but there’s much more to this country than meets the eye.

Michael Turtle – TIME TRAVEL TURTLE

Sri Lanka has emerged from the end of its 25 year civil war in 2009 as an attractive destination for tourists. Previously it was considered too dangerous by many potential visitors and so tourism infrastructure is not as developed as other nearby countries in Asia. That is changing at a rapid pace at the moment.

For a small island country, Sri Lanka has a lot to offer. The ancient cities of previous cultures, like Sigiriya, make up a majority of the nation’s eight World Heritage Sites but there are also beautiful natural sites that provide special access to animals like elephants and leopards.

The emphasis from tourism providers appears to be on the luxury travellers but Sri Lanka is an easy country for anyone to travel around and is nowhere near as crowded or chaotic as nearby India. The local people are generally proud that foreigners are now visiting in large numbers and, like I found at the Negombo fish market, are friendly and welcoming.

THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN SRI LANKA >> MY TIPS FOR WHAT TO SEE <<

From the coast, to the historical sights, up to the tea fields, there are so many things to do. Here are my suggestions for the best places to visit in Sri Lanka.

SRI LANKA’S ELEPHANT GATHERING >> SEE THE ELEPHANTS IN THE WILD <<

Although there are lots of places where you can see elephants in Sri Lanka, not all of them are ethical. For the best experience, you can see them in the wild at the elephant gathering that happens each year.

THE AVERAGE COSTS >> WHY IS SRI LANKA SO EXPENSIVE? <<

I expected Sri Lanka to be affordable, like its neighbouring countries in Asia, so I was surprised to find it’s not that cheap. Here’s why I think Sri Lanka is so expensive.

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