10 Sri Lanka Hotspots off the Beach

The center of southern Sri Lanka is filled with rich soil and lush greenery, which is ideal for growing tea leaves. Many of these estates welcome guests to take tours of the factory to learn more about one of Sri Lanka’s main agricultural resources.

At the Pedro Tea Factory in Nuwara Eliya, you can actually use the equipment that assists in easily spotting young tea leaves to be picked and dried for consumption. If you race your companions, whoever picks the most leaves is rewarded with a complimentary cup at the small café.

KANDY: TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH

Sri Lanka has a strong vein of spirituality pulsing through daily life. Buddhism is one of the main practices of the country, evident in countless temples that pay homage to the sacred sage and his teachings.

The most holy is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, or Sri Dalada Maligawa. Visitors can see the relic of Buddha in an amazing dark wood room often full of flower offerings. The rest of the complex is just as grand to explore.

NUWARA ELIYA: TEA-INFUSED MOJITO

Just up the road from the Pedro Tea Factory is Jetwing St Andrew’s, a beautiful hotel modeled after old English Tudor design.

If you want something a little stronger with your tea, this is the place to have a perfectly crafted cocktail to cool off. In fact, the signature drink is a mojito made with local tea infused with rum, sugar, and mint.

DAMBULLA: CAVE TEMPLE

This is another incredible temple that was built around jutting rock formations and caves. Since the first century BC, Sri Lankans have considered this space sacred and have embellished the walls with golden statues and painted murals.

Each of the five separate caves is part of the overall World Heritage site. The views surrounding the cave temples are also worth noting, featuring rolling green hills and dramatic sunsets.

DAMBULLA: HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE

The center of Sri Lanka is rugged and often untamed. It’s something difficult to grasp when on the ground.

However, this is the perfect chance to see the country’s sheer beauty from above when you take a hot air balloon ride over mountains, rivers, lakes, and trees. Rides start at sunrise and drift slowly through the air, passing Sigiriya Rock and villages where many people will look up to wave as you pass by.

SIGIRIYA: ANCIENT ROCK CLIMBING

If you want a more active adventure, you can make the trek up the sacred Sigiriya Rock. This was home to Sri Lankan royalty and still hosts some of its elegant past, including giant lion statues and intricate rock paintings.

The views from the summit are unrivaled.

COLOMBO: TUK TUK SAFARI

Back in the capital, there’s so much to do in the bustling urban sprawl of Colombo. To take it all in at once, you can head out with the great staff from Tuk Tuk Safari to get a lay of the land.

It’s the perfect way to sample some classic street food led by local taste buds and see some city temples and shops. The drivers love letting the top down so you can sip a cold Lion beer and feel the breeze while you tuk-tuk along the busy streets.

MIRISSA: CATAMARAN BOAT ADVENTURE

Yes, Mirissa is a beach town. But there’s so much else to experience in the area that doesn’t include building sandcastles.

For instance, there is a large whale and dolphin population in the open ocean near town that people can observe from tour ships during peak season. If you want a more relaxing and luxurious experience, it is well worth renting a private catamaran tour instead to see the marine life up close.

Gather a few friends and have a fully staffed vessel to yourselves, complete with homemade meals, tunes, and snorkeling options for only a bit more cash than the crowded whale watching ships.