Sri Lanka, the very name conjures up images of bright sunshine, endless beaches and warm, warm hospitality delivered with a genuine smile. Sri Lanka does indeed deliver all of this and more and now with the end of the internal war that ravaged the country for decades and with peace prevailing once again, the island is again ready to deliver.
Though a small country Sri Lanka has a diverse range of features, from the cool climes of the up country to the warm coastal areas it is hard at times to believe it is all within this tiny island. Being surrounded by the sea the country has endless miles of beach on offer, appreciated by locals and tourists alike.
On a broad level beaches in Sri Lanka can be divided as the West Coast, South Coast and East Coast, each having a unique quality while maintaining the classic Sri Lankan touch. The West Coast beaches are generally closer to the capital city of Colombo and are perfect for those based in and around the capital. The most popular beach is the Mount Lavinia beach, which is a strong family oriented beach, where of an evening you will find families enjoying the sand and surf. This is a safe beach and ideal for people travelling with children. Negombo too is another beach area well worth visiting, as it is a traditional fishing village as well, though at times the sea can be rough.
The South Coast is very popular as a tourist destination and in fact enjoys a thriving tourist industry. The ever popular Beruwala, Bentota, Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna beaches fall into this category. The Hikkaduwa and the Unawatuna beaches in particular offer excellent snorkelling as there is a reef, inundated with tropical fish. Consisting of many tourist hotels and accommodations visitors can come out of the sea and enjoy a scrumptious sea food buffet right on the beach. Sri Lankans know how to treat guests and every visitor is guaranteed a once in a lifetime experience.
Though not quite sharing the popularity enjoyed by the Western and Southern beaches, the East Coast beaches are definitely coming into their own. The Nilaveli beach in Trincomalee and the Arugam Bay beaches have already made a mark amongst visitors for their soft sands and warm waters. Offering great surfing, diving and endless sunshine the East coast is fast gaining a reputation as the greatest area for beach holidays. The area is developing as a tourist hot spot with many hotels, guest houses and other accommodations being set up and already in existence. The picturesque Batticaloa lagoon is idyllic and sums up what a perfect beach holiday should consist of.
One visit to Sri Lanka is never enough. Experiencing all the beaches itself would take many visits as though all offer soft, warm sandy beaches with the endless blue ocean each has its own unique personality that has to be experienced. That is why many visitors to this ‘Pearl in the Indian Ocean’ find themselves returning to its warm embrace many times over.
Larry Austin is a freelance journalist who writes on travel related topics such as hotel and destination reviews etc. He is currently working for
roomsnet.com which offers visitors the option of world wide hotel bookings.
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