11 Reasons Why Sri Lanka Is The Perfect Winter Escape

December is one of the best months of the year to visit Sri Lanka, the south of the island specially. While the north is rainy and wet in December, the south is postcard perfect. If you are thinking of switching the snow for the sunshine, here are some reasons why Sri Lanka should be your new favourite winter escape.

The beaches

The southern beaches are perfect for families in December since the waves are small and the shore is calm. There is very little rain and the beach bumming can get no better. Have a cold beer or king coconut by the shore while the kids run from the little foaming waves that hit the soft sands. The small waves are perfect for learning to surf this time of year.

The weather

This time of year is dry season for the south of Sri Lanka and so the heat is high and the skies are clear. Soak in the sun and wear flip flops every day. Be mindful of your skin and use sunblock and wear a hat when spending lots of time outdoors. The sun will be powerful so make sure you drink lots of water. When was the last time you spent Christmas in your bathing suit?

It’s perfect whale watching season

The southern tip of the island is like a whale highway at this time of the year. Hire a boat or go on a whale watching expedition to see if you can spot blue whales, humpback whales and even killer whales. Dolphins and whale sharks also make appearances in the waves. Don’t forget your camera!

Watersports

The coast of Sri Lanka is home to plenty of water sports. There are amazing shipwreck diving spots, waves for surfing and wind for kite surfing. A bit further inland, in the hill country, you can do white water rafting, kayaking and waterfall free jumping. Our favorite kite surfing team is at Kite Surfing Lanka.

Kite Surfing in the clean Sri Lankan ocean is an perfect way to escape the winter!

Wild elephants

The National Parks in Sri Lanka are famous for the high count of wild animals that can be spotted crossing the roads or wandering around the elephant grass. Take an elephant safari or spend the night in an elephant hut up in a tree. Yala National Park and Gal Oya are both great choices for this time of year. There is also an elephant orphanage that takes in mistreated elephants

1. Private villas

Villa

Sri Lanka, is full of lovely homes converted into holiday villas for families. Most of them maintain an old colonial style, including the furniture and decorations. Most villas have pools and gardens. Many also have coconut or fruit plantations surrounding them while others even have their own beach. Villas always have staff that will cook for you and tidy up the rooms while you are out. These private villas are great alternatives to the usual hotels. One of our favorites is Taru Villas.

Taru Villas, Galle, Sri Lanka

Taru Villas – Rampart Street in the Galle Fort is perfect for a family to share | Courtesy of Taru Villas

Rice and curry feasts

The national food of Sri Lanka is the unforgettable rice and curry. Buffets have endless combinations of curries, vegetable dishes, sambols and types of rice to choose from. The rice is placed as a mound on the center of the plate and the curries and other preparations are served around it. All topped with a couple pieces of papadam that will help you eat it all with your hand.

2. Seafood feasts

Being so close to the ocean, seafood is plentiful and fresh. Crabs, lobsters, prawns, fish of all kinds and shellfish will all make an appearance at the seaside seafood buffets. There are also great Japanese restaurants that never use frozen fish for their sashimi or sushi. Ministry of Crab serves the biggest crabs on the island and the restaurants in Mt. Lavinia beach have the best fish curries you’ve ever tasted.

Ministry of Crab, Old Dutch Hospital, Fort, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sri Lankans are graced amazing shellfish. Check out this giant freshwater prawn! | Courtesy of Ministry of Crab

Sri Lankan Christmas cake

Coming to Sri Lanka involves tasting some of the world’s richest Christmas cake. The Sri Lankan Christmas cake is a fusion between the classic European fruit cake with Sri Lankan spices and nuts. Fans of festive fruit cake usually say that the Sri Lankan recipe is the richest and most complex of all the Christmas cakes. Grandmothers start preparing their cakes as early as August. When its time to give out gifts, little pieces of cake are wrapped in green or red foil and handed out like candy between all the family members.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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