December is the best time to visit the picturesque island of Sri Lanka. The North of the country tends to have rainy weather while the South remains picture perfect. Travellers in search of perfect winter escapes and who are looking to trade snow for sunshine will find the island well suited to them for many reasons. Therefore, Sri Lanka is the perfect warm winter destination.
Immaculate beaches
The beaches in Southern Sri Lanka are perfectly suited to families given the waves are manageable and the seas are calm. Some of the best winter vacations experienced by travellers to South East Asia have been in Sri Lanka’s South where it doesn’t rain often and the sun is out the majority of the time. This has made it ideal for holiday-goers looking to soak up the sun and frolic in the sea and sand. Crack open a cold soda or enjoy a refreshing “thambili” by the beach while watching kids splash about in foamy waves that gently crash against the pristine shore. Hikkaduwa, Mirissa and Weligama are home to some of the best surfing spots. If it’s luxury accommodation you are looking for during your stay in Sri Lanka, you’ll find that you are spoilt for choice with a range of exotic hotels such as the Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon where you can expect to experience the island in all its glory whilst having your every need catered to. Talk about the best of both worlds!
Brilliant weather
If a warm winter destination is what you desire this December, where you can have some fun in the sun in your bathing suit while enjoying the festive cheer of the Christmas season, look no further than Sri Lanka. This season happens to be the driest of the year where skies are clear, the sun is out, the waves are calm and it isn’t too humid. Travellers looking to partake in outdoor activity, be it surfing, swimming or hiking are advised to use ample sun block, wear appropriate footwear, a hat and stay hydrated at all times to make the best of their trip to Sri Lanka.
Whale and dolphin watching
Affordable winter vacations are a possibility in Sri Lanka, where you can enjoy a holiday rich in unique experiences such as whale watching without breaking bank. Many motels and hotels alike in Sri Lanka’s North East offer packages that will allow you to witness majestic whales and dolphins up, close and personal during your stay there. Luxury accommodation options such as the Trinco Blu by Cinnamon avail their guests to more personalised whale and dolphin watching experiences. The South of Sri Lanka is a whale highway of sorts during December. Be sure to have your camera with you on your whale watching expedition to capture blue whales, humpback whales and killer whales in real time.
Make a splash with watersports
One of the best things about holidaying in Sri Lanka during the Christmas season is that the island’s toasty weather avails you to a spectrum of adrenaline-boosting physical activities that you cannot experience elsewhere during winter. With endless stretches of pristine coast, Sri Lanka’s beaches are ideal for a range of water sports with their many shipwreck diving spots, waves for surfing and winds for kite surfing. This December, make it a point to travel further inland into hill country, particularly to Kithulgala and Ginigaththena, you can enjoy white water rafting, kayaking and even, waterfall free jumping.
A gastronomical escapade for the senses
Sri Lankan food is well renowned but none more so than rice and curry- widely regarded as the nation’s staple dish. With a range of spices, and an array of curries, meat dishes, local vegetables, sambols, legumes and variants of rice to choose from at all major hotels and small-scale eateries throughout the country, this dish is an absolute must-try. Also, don’t forget to indulge in the Sri Lankan rendition of Christmas cake, when in Sri Lanka this Christmas. An inspired take on classic European fruit cake, this rich, seasonal dessert is packed with Sri Lankan spices and nuts and infused with brandy. Preparation of the cake begins as early as August in Sri Lankan homes. Hotels such as the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo are known to host Christmas cake mixings prior to December to usher in the festive season.
Christmas is undoubtedly the most wonderful time of the year and traditionally associated with snow, chilly weather and warm clothing. Sri Lanka’s tropical weather and the many new hotels, eateries, shopping malls, excursions and events that have cropped up in recent times make it the perfect destination for those desiring to experience Christmas with a difference. Be sure to add the above to your bucket list of things to do to make the most out of your trip to this quintessential island in the sun during Christmas.
