![Asian elephants in river in Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/63WR3qXtxmSQsx8X5LI3Jk/83d8c4a80289412a0fbc3d7ada1061c0/Asian_elephants.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=1200&h=1200)
Why Sri Lanka is such a unique destination
We're obsessed with Sri Lanka at Follow Alice. Some of the reasons for this obsession are the island nation's beauty, diversity, rich history and delicious foods. It's also such a great destination for adventure activities!
![aeerial view of beach and palm trees](https://images.followalice.com/TAzLaZFvvS6kK4bMv0pe9/9c1e2c8dc74102fb6afde78eec44df03/Aerial-view-of-beach-and-canoes-1-1024x768.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
An island with an oversized punch
surf the waves, jet ski and snorkel explore the vibrant city of Colombo head into the forested hills and go white-water rafting climb rocks and mountains to visit fortresses and temples attend street festivals and eat exciting foods explore the historic city of Kandy go on safari and see some of the world's most illustrious large game and more!
![woman and view over hills in Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/3VpnRDDVt1dG0AfTw1CQPV/e94b79b4e31baf127b94394afb8558ed/Sri-Lanka-woman-and-view-1024x683.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
It was my most active holiday yet, from exploring Sigiriya’s natural beauty, the charm of Kandy, or the beaches surrounding the stunning Galle Fort - there was so much to experience.
![group photo from Sigiriya in Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/28JRebYbQauAHcRsbNIzKm/9938937ba9b14b8030d83051777b1fdc/fa35dc1c-b632-4586-9c81-7fcd74a008a7-1024x768.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
In 1972, the name Sri Lanka was adopted in place of Ceylon. The word sri means "blessed" in Sinhalese, and Lanka is the name of the island.
![stilt fishermen at sunset](https://images.followalice.com/2VSWqZhefVErDg4EvbHnRs/7c0ae7c72087a1febdeaea3e5e8692bb/Stiltfishing-in-Unawatuna-1024x683.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
What is the culture like?
![reclining Buddhist statue in Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/4lLe5aEfGLHvZtYWfsRW0g/2e862cfe3fb9823c22e2ffd65cb2d094/Buddha-sculpture-Gal-Vihara-Polonna_ruva_-Sri-Lanka-1024x676.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=528)
Ethnicities
![three Sri Lankan women](https://images.followalice.com/7EBJZgkKA8726Xsf01JoaC/4fa9caf4801999bdc2ed0f42f198499e/Three-women-in-Jaffna-Sri-Lanka-1024x683.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
![Hindu temple. in north Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/5KhnEtZ5dhlACZFAweiFa4/e5c758e4094f87e958890df0d4e66dca/Dravidian-style-Hindu-temple-in-Vallipuram-a-village-in-north-Sri-Lanka.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
What is the architecture like?
![Fort Galle seaside Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/6vAH2NMZaHCUyjPMIxif8T/e83ea65d6e632e8bc14ba6fd2ce6cad4/galle-5115527.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=450)
![Lotus Tower, Colombo, Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/2Rl04jPe6ZNTDJ9Cl7UDt/b7fb0a7e6c8527c53c5fd5189ae1814b/Lotus-Tower-Colombo-Sri-Lanka-1024x893.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=698)
![Colourful homes of Ragala town Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/4ya3rh9lSCyaQwrrmgPic3/2641fa79f8a2ed43a4f83668a3ff13c3/Colourful-homes-in-Ragala-Sri-Lanka-1024x683.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
Religious buildings
![Red-Mosque-in-Colombo-1024x683.jpg](https://images.followalice.com/57QHGi2DdChzPirecEJC24/6757f6950c2d381bd82ef92c68746252/Red-Mosque-in-Colombo-1024x683.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
![Temple of the Tooth in Kandy](https://images.followalice.com/40WwMkCZjwweIATrJmnVNs/80cb6a94216cb9c1543c13d65715788a/Temple-of-the-Tooth-in-Kandy-Sri-Lanka-1024x682.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Ancient structures
![Sri-Lanka-Dambulla-Cave-Temple-1024x683.jpg](https://images.followalice.com/1btNi3HWpwiZVVN0e0L3Zh/6f9689b3f706983b0ae8243588e1977e/Sri-Lanka-Dambulla-Cave-Temple-1024x683.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
![Sigiriya-1-1024x576.jpg](https://images.followalice.com/4kTFFiC7faYWiiKeTozK0x/c63bd2d86dfeba884e9bf7144c766505/Sigiriya-1-1024x576.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=450)
What festivals are there in Sri Lanka?
![Theertham Festival in Trincomalee in northeast Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/48T7GX06FnyUa7ZbDD1qfM/ec8a38a4a23729fd62e4b48daea92345/Trincomalee_Pathirakali_Amman_Theertham_2016_Theertham_Festival_2016_-_Trincomalee_-_Sri_Lanka_25369994024-1024x680.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=531)
Full moon poya day
![During festivals there are colourful lanterns to be seen everywhere](https://images.followalice.com/33pWbPTQQ2qpHC8zuHw8NR/e283f84d0a8c7d88400df54fbdbec0e4/Sri-Lankan-Lanterns.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=388)
Esala Poya Perahera
![Esala-Perahera-Carnival-Kandy-Sri-Lanka-1-1024x682.jpg](https://images.followalice.com/5tr7ewLFzUTRf0uXfLaHWx/ed6b6e9c980b048159456ca3058c15c2/Esala-Perahera-Carnival-Kandy-Sri-Lanka-1-1024x682.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
What can I expect from the landscape?
![Beautiful sunsets over the hills in Ramboda, Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/5p4db3R3YNAtYQCXRqp4MJ/23aac6dd876a1bbfa5d656bb77621da7/View-from-Ramboda-Sri-Lanka.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
![view of beach from tuk-tuk inSri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/1yANl2tzVojC98yBcMSe89/06180aa4ef3e969e217651ed1028adf9/View-from-tuk-tuk-in-Ahangama-Sri-Lanka-1024x714.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=558)
I am amazed at the vast array of geographic topography in Sri Lanka as well as the beauty each one possesses. It would be difficult for me to identify a favourite since all were distinct and wonderful in their own right!
![Ravana's Cave in Ella, Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/5w08Ax0Yo0WQz53bcaceyI/3ddba1b8cc5f499cd2e1d0559b3831fa/Ravana-cave-Ella-Sri-Lanka-1024x683.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
Epic train journeys!
The train ride from Ella to Kandy through Sri Lanka's hills and mountains is possibly the most beautiful rail journey in the world!
![joel hangingn out of train in Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/70xFRfk0VipRBL257Ah896/0ede808864cd05f54e4f9db8816ffe5f/Joel-on-train-1-1024x985.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=770)
Tea plantations
![women in tea field](https://images.followalice.com/3YKSIU4jqixZQxzw1OThF7/6338e50173d7132bd094cef8fdecdbf4/sri-lanka-1003348_1920-1024x574.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=448)
Ceylon tea comes from Sri Lanka, as the island was known as Ceylon under British rule.
What are the beaches like?
![Fishermen on beach in Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/27nOaM3EViQQKt50lYJXNM/2c237df8e9ff696c74c7cf9b1c70a780/Fishermen-with-boats-on-beach-in-Sri-Lanka-1024x682.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Where to head in different seasons
![sri lanka beach](https://images.followalice.com/9OPpqENpOddIOhFzqRYEK/beac5de9089686cf366ee2ac2db68cb8/Sri-Lanka-Beautiful-Beach-and-Trees-1024x683.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
Fun beach activities
go kite-surfing on the windy shores of Kalpitiya party on the west coast of Hikkaduwa admire dolphins and whales in Mirissa surf the waves of Aragum Bay relax on the pristine sands of Batticoloa swim with sharks in the turquoise waters of Trincomalee
![sunset over Kalpitiya Beach, Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/3bLbzkdsAqlyjRyBSVaJzd/fae48294382759df72628fd0dc4a9a3a/Sri-Lanka-Kalpitiya-Beach-1024x683.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=450)
What wildlife will I see in Sri Lanka?
![leopard, Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/1dowZathc3kmj7AvSo5YVE/54017587634a078c76a5856e55339c56/Leopard-Yala-National-Park-Sri-Lanka-1024x683.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
![monkey](https://images.followalice.com/6xDqqiEHqa3RBcbsN72lgN/b396ef25541085cae5fd8714c5877620/Monkey-in-Kandy-Sri-Lanka-1024x683.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
![Elephants-in-Tissamaharama-Sri-Lanka-1024x683.jpeg](https://images.followalice.com/2n2sd82RxT9cmIX9AVhQWH/9db1681f6a7bb452e9f336a279044930/Elephants-in-Tissamaharama-Sri-Lanka-1024x683.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
Phenomenal biodiversity
![malabar pied hornbill in tree in Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/2wqxyUVM95HC7KUxc77TJd/0c44389ad83d0d52b8872b91d17f6221/Malabar-pied-hornbill-in-Udawalawe-NP-Sri-Lanka-1024x683.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
Sri Lanka's national parks
Sri Lanka is a small country, yet it has 26 national parks spread out over its area, including a couple on its smaller islands.
![A Sri Lankan spotted deer in Yala National Park](https://images.followalice.com/7wLvZv7kxdk7QsPCizRnc6/5fc7855bdf3a438540a64403b3835513/Sri-Lankan-spotted-deer-in-Yala-NP-1-1024x721.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=563)
Best national parks for a safari
Udawalawe National Park in the south Yala National Park on the southeastern coast
![Group photo on safari vehicle](https://images.followalice.com/7ofuhf8IfjlXDKjZ2NyPkK/3eab8d78de10403a8001e4f094468994/e43aa895-481f-46a1-9104-a9020ffe87cf-1024x768.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
Sri Lanka is such a varied destination that really surpassed my expectations when it came to the variety of adventure, culture – and amazing food! I really wanted to see the elephants and get close to nature – the elephant safari was my fave!
![Sambar deer in mist in Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/6IVm4zr4xw4RoICrHTG8RO/0b8dfafa1d3aac73a3249fdf31ab826b/Female-sambar-deer-Sri-Lanka-1024x683.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
What is Sri Lankan food like?
![Cookies in Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/66l2N3ks7eH74OeSwfENZz/c2ecc92901fe15987d9209bab2d7bf2a/Sri-Lankan-food.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Eating with your hands
![seafood stall on beachfront in Sri Lanka](https://images.followalice.com/7KeXgrHnxPlX85skkTTVu3/5ec18c5ab230d88d5d049b31aca65baa/Seafood-stall-1-1024x683.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
Popular local dishes
Fish curry
Kottu
Over the traffic and noise at a Sri Lankan market, you'll likely hear the clanking of metal on metal and know kottu isn't far away.
![Samosas in newspaper](https://images.followalice.com/4OctLgup3zstELzfJ8A3Qo/f1106796af61397614722fd5d6098e60/Samosas-Sri-Lanka-1024x682.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Hoppers
Pol sambal
![Delicious fruits are available throughout the year](https://images.followalice.com/68GpJKvD8s53RtQNt6T08h/b3665a5de3fa729f3a0adcc4a73d9dc2/Lady-preparing-fruit-in-Sri-Lanka.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)