8 Unusual Activities to Do in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a perfect destination for family vacations thanks to the wide variety of activities this country offers.
Sri Lanka is a perfect destination for family vacations thanks to the wide variety of activities this country offers. Between cultural visits and beach days, you can also practice yoga and meditation, observe wildlife, take a cooking class, or try extreme sports. Here are eight unusual activity ideas to add to your Sri Lanka travel itinerary :
Practice Yoga
Nothing beats relaxation and self-discovery quite like booking a yoga retreat in Sri Lanka. In an exceptional natural setting, among jungles and wild beaches, you can disconnect from your daily routine and dedicate yourself to practicing yoga and meditation. Add a few massage sessions, and you'll return from your trip completely relaxed and perhaps even transformed. With a culture, medicine, and mindset centered on rest and body respect, Sri Lanka is one of the world's best countries for a yoga retreat. For an unusual wellness vacation, there's simply nothing better !
Go on Safari
Sri Lanka is one of Asia's best destinations for safaris. With its unique ecosystem, the country is home to extraordinary fauna and flora. On land, you can encounter leopards, buffalo, tigers, elephants, sloth bears, and monkeys and find yourself, for a time, in "The Jungle Book". Be sure to plan a night in an ecolodge in the heart of the jungle to perfect the experience. At sea, you can take a boat to meet dolphins, exotic fish, and whales; you might even have the chance to see blue whales, the largest creatures on Earth !
Swim with Dolphins
If you love animals, you can fulfill one of your childhood dreams in Sri Lanka : swim with dolphins. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean surrounding Sri Lanka welcome numerous marine species, such as whales (and even blue whales!), sea turtles, and dolphins. Beyond observing them from afar on a boat, you can use your vacation to swim alongside dolphins, an activity you won't soon forget !
Go Diving
Sri Lanka is also one of the world's most beautiful countries for diving, and some of its sites are highly sought after. With over 1600 km of coastline in the heart of the Indian Ocean, the island is an important habitat and migration ground for marine species. Discover its underwater world during a day of diving or snorkeling: you'll be mesmerized by the colors of its corals, reefs, fish, and sea life.
Take a Cooking Class
Perfectly aromatic and lightly spiced, the delicious local cuisine will surely be missed upon your return from vacation ! Sri Lankan cuisine is known for being healthy and flavorful, based essentially on vegetables and perfectly suited for vegetarian diets. Take home a few recipes to enjoy this taste of the world in your own kitchen ! During your Sri Lanka trip, you can take a cooking class to learn how to prepare one of the local specialties. A fun activity for families, it's also a unique opportunity to share warm moments with your hosts.
Taste the Local Tea
Did you know that Sri Lanka's former name was Ceylon? Ceylon, like the famous tea renowned worldwide, because it originates from this island. During your Sri Lanka trip, you'll have the opportunity to visit the tea plantations and, why not, choose this setting for your treks and walks. In any case, tasting Ceylon tea is a must-do activity in Sri Lanka !
Try Extreme Sports
If you prefer sports rich in emotion and adrenaline, you'll also find your match in Sri Lanka. Mountain biking, trekking, rafting, surfing, and kitesurfing, among others, allow you to explore the country differently and in good spirits. Sri Lanka is a perfect destination for sports vacations, and you can even attempt the climb of Adam's Peak, a sacred rocky summit standing at 2,243 meters (7,359 feet) altitude.
Attend a Festival
Sri Lanka is known worldwide not only for the beauty of its landscapes but also for its exceptional historical and cultural heritage. In addition to visiting the temples of the Cultural Triangle, you can take advantage of your stay to attend a religious festival and discover local traditions up close. These events are a wonderful human adventure for spectators: parades of dance, music, and elephants are organized regularly. And each August, Kandy hosts the Esala Perahera, the most spectacular procession in the country.
Frequently asked questions
In Sri Lanka, you can practice yoga and meditation in an exceptional natural setting, go on safari to observe leopards and elephants, swim with dolphins, go diving along over 1,600 km of coastline, take a local cooking class, visit Ceylon tea plantations, try extreme sports like surfing or climbing Adam's Peak, and attend cultural festivals like Kandy's Esala Perahera.
The best time to go on safari in Sri Lanka depends on the region. For Yala National Park, the dry season between June and September is ideal for observing leopards. Udawalawe Park is accessible year-round for seeing elephants. Consult with a specialist to tailor your safari to the season of your trip.
Yes, it is possible to swim with dolphins in Sri Lanka, particularly in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean surrounding the island. Several operators offer boat excursions from coastal towns like Mirissa or Trincomalee. It is recommended to choose responsible operators who respect animal welfare.
The Esala Perahera is the most spectacular religious procession in Sri Lanka, organized annually in August in Kandy. This Buddhist festival features parades of dancers, musicians, and richly adorned elephants. It is one of Asia's most impressive cultural events, not to be missed during a Sri Lanka trip in summer.
Yes, Sri Lankan cuisine is particularly well-suited to vegetarian diets. Based largely on vegetables, lentils, rice, and spices, it offers numerous delicious meat-free dishes. During your trip, you can even take a cooking class to learn how to prepare local specialties and recreate them at home.
