This is a country of contrasts and surprises and one I very quickly fell in love with. There is so much to pack in here, every couple of hours you feel like you have arrived in a new country.
From the lush green tea fields of the hill country through to the much warmer, and blissfully peaceful beaches of the south with old forts, wildlife safaris and rich traditions thrown in, don’t underestimate how much time you need to explore the country formerly known as Ceylon.
Long after your holiday tan has faded and the spices are no longer tickling your nose and mouth, the thing that will stick with you most about Sri Lanka will be how friendly the locals are.
In many ways, ‘friendly’ doesn’t even begin to describe how warm, genuinely kind, and generous Sri Lankan people are. As travellers, often our default mode is (sadly) to be cautious or guarded when someone approaches you to ‘chat’, as so often this is the gateway to an attempted sale or scam. But here, we were constantly caught off-guard by their radiant smiles, genuine desire to chat, to learn about each other’s cultures, or simply to help out someone who clearly wasn’t from around these parts.
We’ve had tuk tuk drivers surprise us with coconuts on long drives, fellow passengers help us manoeuvre our bags (and selves) into safer positions on overcrowded trains, families welcome us into their homes for tea and a chat, and people go out of their way time and time again, of their own accord, to make sure we felt welcome. It’s a pretty special thing to experience, and it’s one of the reasons people love Sri Lanka so dearly.
The food
You may not have heard much about Sri Lankan cuisine but let us be the first to tell you: Sri Lankan food is some of the best. As a blend of Indian and Asian culinary techniques, the cuisine revolves around intricately spiced curries, rice, rotis and samosas that are served in terracotta clay ‘chatties’.
In Kandy or Colombo, head to the bustling street markets to watch the expertise of Sri Lankan cooks preparing local vegetables and shred roti on hot iron sheets.
Ensure you also sample Sri Lanka’s most popular dessert, chocolate roti (a cross between pancake and flatbread filled with hot, melted chocolate) and wash it down with a mug of world famous Ceylon tea.
The train rides
If you don’t travel by train in Sri Lanka, you’ve seriously missed out. Sri Lanka’s train network is cheap, easy to navigate and offers breathtakingly spectacular views.
Heading south of Colombo to Hikkaduwa and Galle, the tracks hug the coast so be sure to watch the rolling waves of the Indian Ocean along palm tree-lined shores as you ride on the open-windowed carriages.
The surf scene
With regular swells pushing up from the south, Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay (called ‘A Bay’ for short) is known as one of the top ten surf sports in the world. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, the bay has waves to suit everyone.
With the aptly-named ‘Main Point’ and ‘Baby Point’ running along the beach, hire a board from one of the many laid-back cafes and head to the ocean.
Alternatively, take a day trip to Peanut Farm, a small but epic bay perfect for beginners with hanging hammocks and a bamboo roti hut perfect for a post surf chill out. Your tuk tuk driver will most likely spot the local resident families of Asian elephants on your way there so keep watch!
The locals
As cliché as it sounds, the people really do make a place. If smiles from strangers in the street isn’t the norm, you’re in for a lovely surprise. Sri Lankans are some of the most genuine, warm and welcoming people I’ve ever met.
If you’re a female or solo traveler, I’d definitely recommend Sri Lanka as a safe place to explore. It won’t be uncommon for locals to invite you into their homes or introduce you to their extended family with open arms.
Measure the Earth with your feet!! 
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