Tropical Winter Getaway Special Offer

Negombo, North-West

Villa Hundira is a 12-bedroom boutique hotel nestled in tropical gardens overlooking the picturesque Negombo Lagoon. Situated in the village of Thalahena, it lies just 20 minutes away from Colombo’s international airport, making it a good spot to recuperate after a long flight.
 

Kandalama, Cultural Triangle

Amaya Lake is a simple hotel of four-star standard which enjoys a peaceful and beautiful setting by the banks of Kandalama Lake in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. An excellent eco-hotel with a personal feel that offers low-level cabanas in tranquil woodland.

Ella, Hill Country

The 98 Acres Resort is a 12 room eco-friendly, boutique hotel in Ella set amidst tea covered hills with magnificent views of the southern plains, Ella rock and Little Adam’s Peak. Accommodation is in individual stone chalets and the lounge and restaurant pavilion has breathtaking views.

Yala National Park, Yala

An atmospheric wildlife hotel with well-appointed cabanas on the fringes of Yala game park which is highly regarded by upmarket package tourists and by independent travellers.

Hikkaduwa, West Coast

Suite Lanka is one of the most appealing small beach hotels on Sri Lanka’s west coast. On the upmarket southern fringes of Hikkaduwa, this little gem is an astute choice for those seeking an air of informality and expertise.

Sigiriya, Cultural Triangle

Sigiriya is one of the most dramatic and inspiring historical locations in the world, a huge rock fortress rising impossibly from Sri Lanka’s central plains, and possessed of a glorious history that has caused millions of travellers to gape in wonder.

Anuradhapura, Cultural Triangle

Ritigala is part abandoned monastic complex, part hillside nature reserve, so evocative that you suspect Indiana Jones might pop out of the undergrowth at any moment.

Polonnaruwa, Cultural Triangle

The well-preserved ruins of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s medieval royal capital, are one of the country’s most prominent cultural sites. You can spend several hours wandering freely between the various ruined temples, imposing Buddha statues and royal bathing pools.

Dambulla, Cultural Triangle

Dambulla Cave Temple is one of the most popular religious cultural sites in Sri Lanka, attracting tourists from across the globe. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, it is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. This World Heritage site has the largest number of Buddha statues all housed in one place, including a colossal, 14-metre-long figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock.

Anuradhapura, Cultural Triangle

Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka’s first civilisation and the centre-point of the island’s greatest kingdoms, acting as the royal capital for over 100 kings between the 2nd century BC and 1073 AD. At its height, Anuradhapura was home to thousands of monks from dozens of different monasteries, and it remains Sri Lanka’s most important cultural site, both in terms of history and religion.

Haputale, Hill Country

Lipton’s Seat is the chosen viewpoint of Sir Thomas Lipton, the Scottish businessman who, like so many other British colonisers, saw the profit that could be made from buying into Ceylon’s blossoming tea industry in the 19th century. One of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Sri Lanka highlands, it offers a stunning and majestic panorama of rolling lush green tea fields framed by dramatic mountains and it is said that you can see all the way out to seven of Sri Lanka’s provinces. It is a beautiful place to spend a relaxing morning.

Ella, Hill Country

Nine Arch Bridge in the Sri Lanka highlands town of Ella regularly takes centre stage in one of the most iconic pictures in the hill country. It is part working railway viaduct, part tourist photo opportunity. This setting, beloved by thousands of Instagram accounts, somehow conveys the relaxed vibe that makes Sri Lanka one of the most treasured holiday destinations in the world.

Bundala, Tissa & Kataragama

Bundala National Park is one of the best places to for birdwatching in Sri Lanka, especially between December and April as this is the park’s peak season. Beautiful lagoons, mesmerising waterways, thorny scrub jungles and dazzling dunes make Bundala’s landscape particularly eye-catching. It is home to 200 species of vibrant birds, ranging from little bee-eaters to the extraordinary open-billed storks. The rare black-necked stork and the great thick-knee are usually a main highlight. Spotting the blue-tailed bee-eater, spoonbill, red shank, green shank, spot-billed pelican, blue-faced malkoha, brahminiy kite, crested-hawk eagle, and the brown strikes are easy. Bundala National Park is also a winter home to the greater flamingo, which can be seen between September and March.

Yala National Park, Yala

Yala National Park is one of the largest and certainly the most popular national park in Sri Lanka, and has the highest density of leopards anywhere in the world. Hidden away in the far south-east of the country, it comprises five separate blocks covering 141sqkm. 

Ambalangoda, Galle Coast

Join your friendly hosts at their house in Ambalangoda for a refreshing King Coconut before heading off in their Mini Moke to the local temple, which is the source of inspiration for many of the artists here. Afterwards, begin your fast-paced tour of Ambalangoda’s main artistic workshops, where you will explore many traditional art forms including batik, puppetry and mask-making. Finish the experience by visiting a quiet temple perched on a hill covered in cinnamon, which houses Asia’s largest reclining Buddha, and a cup of tea at your hosts’ home.

Bentota, West Coast

Brief Gardens are the architectural landscaping masterpiece of Bevis Bawa, the brother of iconic Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. Although often overshadowed by Lunuganga, the country house and gardens designed by Geoffrey, Brief Gardens are spectacular and are a wonderful place to spend a morning or afternoon if you fancy a change from the beach.
 

Bentota, West Coast

Lunuganga is the one-time countryside retreat of Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most famous architect, and now attracts a steady stream of admirers eager to see the house and the beautiful gardens in which it rests.

Kalpitiya, West Coast

Kalpitiya is not just the finest kite surfing destination in Sri Lanka, it is also one of the best in the world. This laid-back spot is not Sri Lanka’s only kite surfing destination – you can also take to the water on Sri Lanka’s north-west coast in the popular beach resort of Negombo and at Mannar Island, where relatively few tourists venture. But it is Kalpitiya which has attracted most recognition in a fast-growing water-sport.

Kosgoda, West Coast

Globally, all seven species of marine turtles are endangered. Of these seven, five come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka. The process of marine turtles nesting, hatchlings being born, and swimming back to sea is fascinating to observe. The Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery which primary operates as a hatchery, is a great place to observe collected and rescued eggs hatch and then safely released into the sea.