Written by Shaun Swartz
Lonely Planet – the quintessential travel guide that kickstarted a never-ending quest for insider travel knowldege –
recently published their “Best In Travel” list for 2019, and to no surprise of the GoBeyond office, Sri Lanka is perched at the top! As Lonely Planet describes in that eloquent way that only Lonely Planet can, Sri Lanka is on the rise:
“Sri Lanka is decidedly having its moment in the equatorial sun and change is coming swiftly. Already notable to intrepid travelers for its mix of religions and cultures, its timeless temples, its rich and accessible wildlife, its growing surf scene and its people who defy all odds by their welcome and friendliness after decades of civil conflict, this is a country revived.”
But what makes Sri Lanka so unique? Yes, Sri Lanka is an adventurous traveler’s paradise – dense, tropical rainforest brims with wildlife at every turn and there are more temples than a traveler could see in two lifetimes – but the same can be said for a number of other off-the-beaten-track destinations these days. Sri Lanka, however, is famous for the friendly local population who makes traveling here a breeze. Hospitality and friendliness to travelers is a trait so ingrained in Sri Lankan culture that their flag was designed to reflect these values. The Sri Lankan flag bears a golden lion bordered by four bo leaves which symbolize four Buddhist values that guide the nation: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity.
So whether it’s visiting the famed Lion’s Rock of Sigiriya – often referred to as the “8th Wonder of the World” – or exploring the Bodhi Tree Temple – the tree under which the Buddha is said to have obtained enlightenment – Sri Lanka’s spanning countryside and rich cultural and religious complexity is bound to pique your curiosity.
FeaturedJourneys
View All Programs
Plight Of The Elephants
Observe to preserve. Earn 50 hours of community service working with the jungles, plains, communities and people of central Sri Lanka to protect one of the world's largest endangered species. Contribute to real field research and meaningfully connect with affected communities as you become immersed in addressing this now-or-never issue.
View Details
