{"id":37846,"date":"2019-09-05T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-04T22:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=37846&preview=true&preview_id=37846"},"modified":"2025-03-25T21:34:59","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T10:34:59","slug":"return-to-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/return-to-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"Why it’s time to return to Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s official: Sri Lanka<\/a> is on the rebound.<\/strong><\/p>\n

After the Easter attacks in Colombo, Negombo<\/a> and Batticaloa, Sri Lankan tourism took a substantial hit. Bookings across the island plummeted, with many of the country\u2019s major hotels and attractions standing empty.<\/p>\n

But over the last few months, government travel warnings have started to lift.<\/a>\u00a0And with traveller numbers increasing, locals say that life is gradually returning to normal in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Easter attack shook us all,\u201d says Intrepid leader, Irosha Nanayakkara. \u201cI never thought the industry would pick up so soon. I thought we\u2019d have to wait until August to see traveller numbers pick back up, but things started returning to normal in July.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ARELATED: 25 PHOTOS THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU TO TRAVEL TO SRI LANKA RIGHT NOW<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Irosha says travellers feel safe walking around Kandy and Colombo, and even through the attacks took their toll on Sri Lanka\u2019s tourism industry, they haven\u2019t dampened local hospitality. Other leaders agree.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s interesting to see ordinary life come back,\u201d says local guide, Suminda Dodangoda. \u201cPeople in every part of the country are welcoming guests with great expectations of happiness. Even the surfers are coming back to Arugambay. Everyone\u2019s hoping for a brighter tomorrow with peace and prosperity \u2013 like we had before Easter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sri Lankan tourism was enjoying a bumper year before the April attacks. Lonely Planet awarded the country top spot in the annual Best In Travel Awards<\/a>, making it the<\/em> must-visit destination for 2019. As an island emerging from decades of civil war, this was meant to be Sri Lanka\u2019s golden age \u2013 a time for peaceful rebuilding and expansion.<\/p>\n

\"CyclistsIntrepid leader Asanga Rajapakshe says the April attacks did affect a lot of local industries, but now everyone just wants to get on with business. \u201cIn the beginning, there was a big drop in tourism,\u201d he says. \u201cLots of people had invested in Sri Lanka, and they were worried about whether travellers would come back. But little by little, we\u2019re starting to recover. The trains are full again. The national parks are full again. I think in a few months, it will be business as usual.\u201d<\/p>\n

EXPLORE OUR FULL RANGE OF ADVENTURES IN SRI LANKA NOW<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Is it safe? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Some travellers will still have safety concerns about Sri Lanka, and that\u2019s okay. Most governments still recommend common sense precautions, and you\u2019ll definitely see more security personnel on roads and around major attractions, particularly in Colombo. While every destination has potential safety risks, Intrepid continues to feel comfortable and confident in our decision to run tours in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got any questions about safety precautions in Sri Lanka, check your trip notes, or get in touch<\/a> with one of our travel experts.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What should I visit in Sri Lanka? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

1. Yala National Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yala is probably Sri Lanka\u2019s most famous national park. It\u2019s a beautiful, unbroken stretch of grassy plains, scrubland and waterways, home to elephants, crocodiles, leopards and buffalo. Over the years overtourism and lack of sustainable management practices have become a concern for us in continuing to visit Yala. In order to reduce our impact on wildlife and the environment Intrepid trips visit a less touristed section of Yala.<\/p>\n

RELATED: 8 AWESOME PLACES IN SRI LANKA YOU PROBABLY HAVEN’T HEARD OF<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

2. Sigiriya<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"TravellersTen years ago, hardly anyone had heard<\/em> of Sigiriya, the so-called \u2018Eighth Wonder of the World\u2019; now it\u2019s on almost every Sri Lankan itinerary.\u00a0 Sigiriya is an ancient palace that sits on top of a massive rocky plateau, 370 metres above sea level. It\u2019s one of the most spectacular man-made spectacles on the planet.<\/p>\n

3. Galle Fort<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sri Lanka\u2019s Galle Fort is a World Heritage site; it\u2019s also the biggest surviving European-built fortress in Asia. Since the Easter terrorist attacks, security has increased in the area. The streets in Galle were pretty empty after April<\/a>, however travellers are now starting to return. Make sure you walk the periphery of the fort, check out some of the boutique shops and gem stores, and hole up at a waterfront bar with a beer to watch the sunset.<\/p>\n

4. Mirissa<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"AJust around the corner from Galle, Mirissa is one of Sri Lanka\u2019s best beachside locations to do, well, absolutely nothing. If you need more out of your day than just idling on a beach with a book, consider a bike or tuktuk ride to the nearby fishing town of Weligama, or set your alarm for an early morning whale watching expedition.<\/p>\n

RELATED: 6 OF THE BEST BEACHES IN SRI LANKA (AND WHEN TO VISIT THEM)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

5. Polonnaruwa<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Polonnaruwa, the capital of the Indian Chola Dynasty, is a little off the tourist track, sitting to the east of Dambulla. The best way to explore the ancient city \u2013 a UNESCO World Heritage Site, made up of ruins, palaces and temples \u2013 is from the saddle of a bike. Make sure you stay hydrated, particularly if you\u2019re there during summer, and keep your eyes open for the resident toque macaques.<\/p>\n

RELATED: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TAMIL FOOD IN SRI LANKA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

6. Jaffna<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We tell every traveller to visit Jaffna. It\u2019s too delicious to miss. Jaffna is the home of Sri Lankan Tamil culture, and for decades during the civil war, tourism was almost non-existent. Then the war ended in 2009 and visitors began venturing north, discovering the spices and scenery of Sri Lanka\u2019s northern peninsula. If you\u2019ve got a few days spare in your itinerary, make sure to explore the stunning beaches and islands to the west (and prep your stomach for a few plates of fiery Jaffna Curry).<\/p>\n

Don’t turn your back on Sri Lanka. Explore our range of adventures to this incredible part of the world now<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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