Sri Lanka may be small in size, but the diverse tourist trappings in the country leave globetrotters on a mad scramble for cheap tickets to board flights arriving here. A self-drive tour is the best way to explore the most of what this nation has to offer.

self-drive-holidays-in-sri-lanka

Every year, tons of travellers from virtually all corners of the globe board flights to Sri Lanka for discovering the dazzling beauty and uniqueness of this sparkling tear-drop shaped nation in Southeast Asia. Floating on the Indian Ocean, the country features some of the Asia’s most captivating beaches with a splendid fusion of sea, sun and surf. Add to that, amazingly built temples, an extravagant wildlife, gourmet food and intriguing historical legacy, all making Sri Lanka a popular tourist spot. Here is a quick guide to self-driving in Sri Lanka, perhaps the best way to explore unmatched grandeurs of this fabulous nation and make most of the money spent on tickets to board flights landing here.

Where to Begin

Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka. The city, with its astonishing cultural heritage, great outdoor recreations and excellent shopping as well as dining options, is the perfect place to start your exploration. Head to the Mt Lavinia, one of Colombo’s laidback suburbs, to gorge on great seafood and enjoy some relaxing moments on its sandy shore. Take in history and culture by visiting some of city’s world-renowned temples including the Gangarama Viharaya. Shopping in Colombo’s sleek departmental stores and uber-cool malls is another novel experience, well worth the cost of flights and holiday deals.

Colombo to Kandy (115kms): Head to Kandy, a charming city in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Pay a visit to the Temple of Tooth that houses a tooth relic of Lord Buddha and is considered one of the holiest shrines in the country. Commonwealth War Cemetery, Bahirawakanda Temple and the Royal Botanical Garden are other must-visit attractions for tourists who spend on air tickets to sojourn Kandy in Sri Lanka.

Kandy to Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya to Anuradhapura: Trip to this cultural triangle of Sri Lanka allows one to explore tales and treasures of country’s intriguing past. Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress and palace situated in the Central Province, is a hidden surprise for historians booking flights and holiday deals for Sri Lanka. Head to Polonnaruwa, the second most ancient town in the country, for a historical excursion like none other! A number of temples and ruins in the city take visitors back to the bygone eras of Chola Kings.Similarly, a trip to Anuradhapura allows one to see some of the most scared and ancient temples in Sri Lanka including the Bodhi Tree Temple. About 12km east of this World Heritage Site is Sri Lanka’s first wildlife sanctuary at Mihintale. Go there to enjoy captivating vistas and a rich wildlife legacy.

West-Coast for Beach Bummers

Sri Lanka’s West Coast, with a string of captivating beaches, allures hordes of beach bummers who buy air tickets for holidays in the island nation! Drive to Bentota (about 65kms from Colombo) to enjoy superb serenity and solace on its sandy beaches. An eclectic array of food haunts, hotels and shopping stalls here gives arrivals a pinch of exoticism. Arugam Bay, famous for its laid-back charm and wonderful surfing opportunity, also lives up to every penny spent on air tickets aboard flights for a self-drive tour in Sri Lanka.

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