Intimate yet infinite, there’s no nimbler way to describe the bounty of Sri Lanka’s natural beauty. At first identified as a surfer’s haven in the 1960s, the popularity of it waned with the country’s civil war until 2009. In the shadow of unrest, Sri Lanka’s emerged as a multi-faceted destination that’ll satiate all styles of travelers, inclusive of the inaugural surfer (it’s still loosely referred to by locals as the Bali of 30 years ago) and wildlife enthusiasts to epicureans and culture savants. From the Sri Lankan capital’s burgeoning design scene to Yala National Park, here are five regions to visit on the Resplendent Isle.
Colombo
With just over half a million residents living within its city limits, the Sri Lankan capital feels relatively approachable to other urban metropolises in south Asia. Culture and design enthusiasts will marvel at the city’s dissection of 18th century facades from its time as a British colony juxtaposed with contemporary edifices like the Lotus Tower (grab a drink 1,168-feet above the city at its Blue Orbit, South Asia’s tallest revolving restaurant). For the most traditional peek into old-world architecture, don’t miss the bedazzling, scarlet-striped mosque, Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque.
Where to stay: Maniumpathy
With only seven suites outfitted in varying vintage style, Maniumpathy is a stately homebase in Colombo. Its colonial era design dates back to 1906, while antiquities found throughout the property, including the central courtyard, span Sri Lankan history.
Weligama
Surfers and sunseekers will want to head to Sri Lanka’s southern coast, where Weligama’s waves await. While sand and surf are a prominent draw, spare time can be spent exploring the 16th century Portuguese Galle Fort, Top House Cinnamon Estate or the local potter’s village, all within a 30-minute radius.
Where to stay: Cape Weligama
First opened in 2014, the Relais & Châteaux property completed a renovation at the end of 2024 to celebrate its decade milestone. The 39-key resort is perched above Weligama Bay, offering plenty of sandy nooks and aerial overlooks to admire the oceanfront, from the beach club to the crescent moon infinity pool. Fun fact: rooms are named after explorers and historians with a connection to Sri Lanka like Robert Knox and Pablo Neruda.
Yala National Park
Running parallel to the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka’s second largest national park is its most visited (and the most unique as it’s likely to spot elephants moseying down to the nearby beaches). Just under 400-square-miles, the park is divided into six blocks, with the ascending numbers taking more time to reach. As the park gets increasingly busier each year, especially block one, you may want to dedicate more time here so that you can venture further into the park for a full day adventure of spotting elephants, crocodiles, peacocks, leopards, and if you’re lucky, a sloth bear.
Where to stay: Wild Coast Tented Lodge
Less than a 10-minute drive to the entrance of Yala National Park, the 28-key lodge redefined safari chic when it opened in 2017. Its cocoon-style tents and domed common areas, inclusive of an open-air, sand-floor bar that serves up arrack-based cocktails, wrap you in comfort in the midst of the wilderness. Daily game drives and nightly sundowners bookend lazy afternoons at the beachfront pool or sipping Lion lagers in your jungle-ensconced private plunge.
Kandy
In Sri Lanka’s Central Province, Kandy has long-been recognized as a spiritual and sacred city thanks to its pilgrimage site, the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Even if you aren’t spiritual, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best destinations in Sri Lanka to appreciate the country’s Buddhist beliefs.
Where to stay: Kandy House
Dating back to 1804, this ancestral manor house was elegantly restored in 2005 to its current nine room accommodation. Nestled into a tropical garden only 20 minutes from downtown Kandy, guests will feel quite regal in their four poster beds yet responsible as Kandy House prioritizes sustainable and supportive travel with their Care 2 Sustain Policy.
Hatton
A trip to Sri Lanka wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the epicenter of their tea industry. It isn’t the most accessible by car (it can take five hours from Colombo), however, if you travel via Relais & Châteaux’s Route de Bonheur, the itinerary includes a seamless float plane transfer that lands on Castlereagh Reservoir, at the heart of tea country.
Where to stay: Ceylon Tea Trails
A network of five bungalows from the 18th and early 19th centuries feature four to six rooms each for a completely customizable stay in Sri Lanka’s tea highlands. The bungalows are restored British residences, outfitted with classic furnishings, billiards tables, lap pools, and jacuzzis overlooking the tea hillsides. Each bungalow comes with a private chef who curates your menu daily. Also included: hikes between bungalows, a tour of the tea factory, and daily afternoon tea.
