Blog and Stories with Locals Experiences
Itinerant Notes is a guide to the island of Sri Lanka. We write blog posts and articles about traveling, food, accommodation, most un-touched places and many more. Any one is welcome to join to our community and share thoughts.
Arugambay Beach - One of the best surfing destinations in the world
Arugambay beach is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka and also called Surfers’ Paradise as it is one of the best-surfing destinations in the world. Initially, Arugambay was an isolated bay on the East coast and later it was attracted by traveling surfers, and boom! Now surfers around the world come and enjoy the waves in Arugambay to an extent that it has become a destination where surfing competitions are organized. Many events are held each year under the patronage of the Sri Lanka Tourism Authority to promote this beach and in 2019 Sri Lanka held Regional World Tourism Day Celebrations in Arugambay on 29th September in parallel to World Surf League (WSL) 2019.
The Spectacular Unawatuna Beach
Unawatuna is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Sri Lanka and is the most “famous” beach in the country. It is a lovely banana-shaped beach of golden sand and turquoise water, surrounded by green palm trees! Behind the beach, in between palm trees, is Unawatuna center. It is basically one street full of small nice restaurants and shops selling souvenirs, clothes, water, jewelry and so on. It will give you a vibe of a completely different surrounding where you could see tourists walking around and having a cup of hot coffee in small cafes or shopping in street shops. The beach is popular with tourists, and part of the beach is occupied with sunbeds for rent.
Pitawala Pathana - Sri Lanka
Pitawala 'Pathana/Plain' is the unique grassland found in the Knuckles Conservation Forest, Sri Lanka. This plain has a great ecological value. Pitawala Pathana is situated close to the Riverstone and edge of Knuckles Mountain Reservation which is on the way to Matale - Illukkumbura road. It is about 5km away from the “Nature Riverstone River Cottage''.
Pahanthudawa Waterfall - Sri Lanka
Another iconic destination in Belihuloya is Pahanthudawa, a waterfall that would be mesmerizing to anyone who visits in the fall. The name “Pahanthudawa” was given because of the shape of the base pool which resembles the shape of a clay lamp....
Tangalle beach
Ever wanted to have a lazy beach holiday in a less crowded beach without water sports, crowded shops, packed tourists all the way, and nightlife? Then here you are… Tangalle beach is one of the calmest and peaceful small beach towns in Sri Lanka which is situated farthest in the South Coast. If you ever want to spend your holiday while reading a book watching the sunset, playing beach volleyball, going an evening walk, listening to music while dipping in the ocean from time to time, or sunbathing with no hustle environment around, spend your days in Tangalle beach and you’d love the atmosphere there.
Jungle Beach, Rumassala
Every one of you may already know that Sri Lanka is famous for 3S’s. Yeah, it is Sea, Sand, and Sun. Our wonderful tropical island got the most beautiful sandy beaches in the world and many tourists visit Sri Lanka to experience this beauty. However, this beach is quite different as it is hidden from a jungle that covered the hill.
Knuckles Mountain Range
Knuckles mountain range lies in central Sri Lanka in the districts of Matale and Kandy. It is situated above 3000 ft/ 915 m from the sea level while land extent by 234 sq. km. It has featured 34 peaks ranging in height between 900m-1900m. Climatic conditions vary in a broad range from Low Country Wet Evergreen forest to Semi-evergreen forest to Dry Evergreen forest ecosystems. Weather in the Knuckles mountain range is unpredictable and could transform within a few minutes. A thick mist could shroud the mountain and in a matter of minutes, rain could breeze on any day.
A walk through Horton Plains
Horton plains is situated in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka and were declared as a national park in the country. This would be probably the only national park in Sri Lanka which allows you to walk inside instead of taking a tour in a jeep....
Hiriketiya Beach – The recent discovery to the South Coast
The stunning horseshoe-shaped bay has quickly become one of the top beaches in Sri Lanka, and one can say it is a recent discovery on the south coast. This newest addition is yet to discover by many visitors therefore hurry and visit this before it becomes crowded (a little tip from us). This beautiful paradise is covered with greenery which makes it a paradise in the first place. This is a beach where the jungle meets the sandy golden shore (Golden shore is one of the reasons which makes this place picture perfect) while palm trees hanging around the beach.
Ridiyagama Safari Park
Have you ever visited a park where Lions roam around freely and on another side, you could see Ostriches running around? Of course, you are on a bus and the bus is protected from metal rods so you are safe and sound inside (Otherwise none of us would like to have an encounter with Lions, right?). I'm talking about the first-ever man-made safari park in Sri Lanka which opened its doors to the public in 2016. This is basically an open-air zoo. If you are an animal lover and pleasure hunter this is the best place for you to observe animals in a more free environment while you are in a moving cage.
Moon Plains - A little bit of Heaven
Nuwara Eliya is one of the famous destinations in Sri Lanka. All of us have at least visited Nuwara Eliya once in our life. But have you ever heard of this beautiful plain called Moon plains? I bet many of us have not visited this place as this was opened recently for the public. Moon Plains is also known as Sandatanne and Sandagalatanne
Wildlife in Sri Lanka
From large elephant gatherings to parks that have the highest concentration of leopards in the world to the easiest place in the world to see the blue whale, the largest animal to have ever lived on the planet, Sri Lanka is a surprisingly wildlife paradise. Despite being small in size, Sri Lanka’s wildlife is as varied as the island itself.