West Coast
- Puttalam to Moratuwa

Close to the airport and just north of Colombo are the pretty beaches of Hendala, Negombo and Waikkal. Here the coastal panoramas of fishing boats and catamarans skimming across the lagoons make them among the most picturesque.

All the towns along the coast are built up fishing settlements.South through the capital port city of Colombo, is the resort of Mount Lavinia with its popular and pleasant beaches.

South West Coast
- Moratuwa to Galle

From Moratuwa the coastline bends a little more east as the luxuriance of the southwest wet zone increases. Soon you may see toddy tappers doing a high wire act as they walk warily from treetop to treetop.

Each bend in the road brings into view yet another golden sweep of sand. Yet this coastal belt boasts far more to interest the traveler. From the oldest mosque in the island at Beruwela, right down to Galle, there are many delights to discover.

South Coast
- Galle to Hambantota

Since time immemorial Galle has stood sentry as the gateway to the south. The charming town within the Dutch Fort is steeped in ancient and rich history. Old colonial buildings, several museums and gem shops are some of its attractions.

120 km further along the coast, is Hambantota. In between these two old towns, one a strategically vital port of old and the other dominating the important salt trade, lie many intricately carved headlands and bays.

South East Coast
- Hambantota to Batticaloa

From the pretty bay of Hambantota, the peaceful beaches continue to the northeast. The main attraction of this region is the wildlife.

The bird sanctuaries of Bundala and Wirawila stretch inland from the coast while the impressive Yala National Park lies further east. Tissamaharama, an ancient town with a beautiful reservoir and a huge dagoba, is the starting point for any safaris.

East Coast
- Batticaloa to Trincomalee

The isolated east coast running north from Batticaloa to Trincomalee had long been a favourite get away for the locals. It would not be an exaggeration to describe these secluded beaches as idyllic.

Miles and miles of white, sandy stretches bordered by coconut groves provide the perfect backdrop to complete solitude, joining the dots of small fishing villages in between.

Hill Country

The hill country consists of towns like Nuwera Eliya, Bandarawela, Hatton, Kandy, Haputale, Badulla and Ratnapura. For trekkers and climbers Adam's Peak, site of pilgrimage to many faiths, is a 'must do' while nature and wildlife lovers wouldn't want to miss out on the haunting beauty and scenic splendour of Horton Plains.

The best loved of the hill country retreats is probably Nuwera Eliya (1889m) with its old colonial style English houses and gardens. The international standard golf course, parks, gardens and delightfully cool weather make it a popular holiday venue for locals too.

Cultural Triangle

The area referred to as the 'Cultural Triangle' consists of the ancient cities of Anuradhapura (2nd Century BC) and Polonnaruwa (11th -12th Century AD), other historical sites like Dambulla and Mihintale and the rock fortress Sigiriya. These sites are steeped in history and are a major attraction for all visitors.

Most choose to do a round trip including all the sites and 'Cultural Triangle' tickets can be obtained for this purpose. Accommodation in these areas ranges from grand to simple and while most would choose to travel by car, the adventurous can make use of available public transport.