May in Sri Lanka is about coming back to life. The heat begins to reduce ever-so-slightly and the rains come pouring down. This month trees are in full bloom and fruits lay heavily burden to branches. And a world of amazing experiences are in store for you this month if you happen to be in Sri Lanka

1. Experience the Colours of Vesak

The birth, death and enlightenment of Lord Buddha is celebrated in maddening colours, lanterns and lights all across the country in a festival we call Vesak. No matter where you are during May’s full moon, heading out is most advised. Don’t forget to look out for Pandols, a traditional outdoor art installation that tells stories from the life of the Buddha.

2. Make a Vesak Lantern

The reason Vesak is so colourful owes much to the vibrant and conceptual lanterns that come together. Why don’t you try your hand at making one? Pick out some of your favourite colours when you buy the tissue paper, get yourself bendy straws or bamboo sticks and gather around the usual suspects: glue, scissors, tape, rope and of course your imagination. Having a local show you the ropes is also a good bet.

3. Indulge in a Rain Bath

After many months of endless heat, you’ll find our sheets of rain this May a perfect cool down in the tropics. Don’t be shy, get out from under the comfort of indoors and let our rains wash away our scorching days.

4. Surf’s Up!

Arugam Bay at the heart of Sri Lanka’s East Coast begins to come alive in May. Surfers from all across the world come here in hope of riding the perfect wave. This familial gathering of surfers also means that the nightlife in Arugam Bay becomes the stuff of legend.

5. Escape Inside the City

If you want to get away and still be close the conveniences of the city, plan an escape at one of Cinnamon’s 3 city hotels. Cinnamon Lakeside is especially designed to create the air of a far-away resort!

6. Immerse in our History

Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle is strewn with many historical sites housing the stories of ancient kings and powerful mythology. Anuradhapura and Pollonnaruwa are particularly recommended.

7. Sunrise Season

May begins our East Coast season and if you’re here this month we recommend you start at Yala and make your way up to Trincomalee, capturing the sunrise on your way.

8. Tuk-Tuk Rides

Travelling by 3-wheeler or tuk-tuk (especially outside city limits) is a must-do experience and the best mode of short distance travel in the country

9. Go Gallery Hunting

Sri Lanka’s contemporary art scene is spectacular, so we most certainly recommend that you spend a rainy afternoon inside one of Colombo’s many concept galleries.

10. Under the Sea

For the most daring of you, the best sights await. Ask for a try-dive or dedicate a few days to a PADI licence and you’re on your way to Sri Lanka’s kaleidoscopic underwater paradise and it’s haunting shipwrecks.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is an important landmark chosen by the organization as a protected area. The places selected are usually in a historical location with cultural and anthropological importance. Keep reading to find out what they are, and plan your trip to visit them all.

1.The Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sigiriya is probably the most famous of the UNESCO heritage sites in Sri Lanka and is also called the ‘Eighth wonder of the world’. It is a definite must see in Sri Lanka for the beauty and heritage it beholds is marvelous and bewildering. You can make a day trip to Sigiriya while you stay in comfort with us at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana or Habarana Village by Cinnamon, which is only a 20-minute drive from Sigiriya.

2.The old city of Galle and its Fortifications

Galle is rich in historic and cultural importance, the scenic Galle lighthouse, Dutch Fort and its sprawling lavish sandy beaches make Galle a tourist hotspot and the perfect destination to add some colour to your Sri Lanka travels. The city of Galle and its fortifications have attracted much tourist attention, not only for its cultural and historic importance, but also for the beautiful views from the city and its fortifications.

3. Historic city of Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura forms part of the Cultural Triangle and it is no surprise why it has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, as it is a repository of ancient monuments and artefacts. The city is considered to be one of the oldest cities in the country, which has been continuously inhabited, and is home to many a cultural monuments and historical artefacts. This makes it a treasure trove for history-lovers and enthusiasts.

4.The Royal Cave Temple at Dambulla

For a pleasant surprise of colour, artefacts and statues, you must visit the Cave Temple at Dambulla. What awaits you atop this rock is simply breathtaking and definitely worth the climb of 160m. Magnificent wall paintings and over 150 statues in and around the temple makes this a tourist hotspot that can be visited easily during your stay at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana or Habarana Village by Cinnamon.

5. Sacred city of Kandy

Kandy, situated in a stunning natural landscape of rolling hills and mountains never cease to leave travelers in a jaw dropping excitement with its evocative and lush green landscapes but that is not all! Kandy was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site owing to the places of cultural importance including the Temple of the Tooth in all its ancient majesty and sacrality.

Experience the beauty of Kandy while you indulge with us at Cinnamon Citadel Kandy situated at the heart of all these sites in Kandy.

6. Sinharaja Forest Reserve

The Sinharaja Rainforest, loosely translated to mean the ‘Kingdom of the Lion’ is said to be the country’s last undisturbed area of primary tropical rainforest. Sinharaja is symbolic of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity and is home to innumerous amounts of rare endemic species including mammals, butterflies, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians. It is an absolute must that you explore the Sinharaja rain forest and witness the rich biodiversity of Sri Lanka.

7. Central Highlands of Sri Lanka

This UNESCO World Heritage site comprises a combination of three wet-zone parks, which are the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park and also the Knuckles Conservation Forest. Being inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2010, it is the newest addition to Sri Lanka’s list of world heritage sites. The Central Highland of Sri Lanka was added to the list owing to its rich biodiversity and it is definitely a must visit on your Sri Lanka travels.

8. Ancient city of Polonaruwa

Polonaruwa is another city, which forms part of the cultural triangle and is full to the brim with rich culture and history. The ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa contain many Bhramanic constructions from the Chola civilization. It is simply heaven for history lovers and sight-seeing enthusiasts owing to the countless ruins to witness, including Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Hetadage, Rankoth Vehera, Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, Gal Vihara and Vatadage.

Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts has much to boast about with its plush and comfortable living spaces, luxurious room, delectable and wide array of food, top notch service and much more.

Therefore, do stay with us at Cinnamon whilst you explore the world heritage sites Sri Lanka has been endowed with.

Nestled in between the ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Polannaruwa, Dambulla and Kandy is a wealth of history, a cherished collection of monuments and monasteries, palaces and ponds, sculptures and paintings; a testament to the ancient civilisation that wrought their domain with such ingenuity. These memorials are of immense value to Sri Lanka as well as the world, being of both a cultural and religious nature. Indeed, the triangle holds five world heritage sites within its imagined boundaries. An entire holiday can be planned around examining and relishing these vestiges of the past, and there are certainly some sights that aren’t to be missed.

Anuradhapura is called the cradle of Sri Lankan civilisation, it was the first kingdom of the country and it was the capital of Lanka for over a century. The most impressive thing to see in Anuradhapura is the Jethavanaramaya, a stupa of epic proportions, brick red and sprawling across more than 5 hectares. It reaches up 400 feet into the sky and was the third tallest structure of the ancient world. Abhayagiri is not quite as massive but is still very imposing, and the ruins of the monastery shrouded in forest are haunting. Watch out for a beautiful, intricate Moonstone at the bottom of the stairs as well. Ruwanweliseya is stark white, abounding in history. The Sri Maha Bodhi is the oldest living tree, grafted from the sacred Bo tree under which Buddha gained enlightenment. The tree is surrounded by a golden fence and one can experience the living religion of Buddhism as people throng to the tree and pray aloud. Nearby is the Brazen Palace, a two storey building that had a bronze roof and housed kings and queens. The Isurumuniya Temple is a rewarding site, as it includes a lovely pond with adorable elephant reliefs nearby, a climb up rocks that lead to a spectacular view and a small museum with sculptures including the famous Isurumuniya Lovers. Kuttam Pokuna or Twin Ponds is another lovely sight. These large baths were for the priests who lived in the monasteries nearby. The pools have elaborate designs running down the stairs and the sides.

Polannaruwa is similar to Anuradhapura, though smaller in size and thus more compact. The Alahana Pirivena, a massive complex, is a fantastic site to visit, featuring ruins of buildings and many statues. The Lankatilaka and Tivanka image houses are largely intact and hold antique paintings and sculptures. The Parakrama Samudraya of course must not be missed, built by the King Parakramabahu who sagely advised that not one drop of water should run to the sea without being used by man.

Sigiriya falls into the triangle as well, and the castle atop the large rock is perhaps the most fascinating and captivating historical site in Sri Lanka. With an epic backstory setting the ruin amidst royal betrayal and civil war, the beautiful gardens below and the stunning citadel in the sky are enthralling.

Kandy holds the extremely important Temple of the Tooth Relic, an artefact that lent great credence in deciding who had the right to kingship.

Dambulla has a cavern of magnificence, a pleasant climb up a rock that ends in a cave of dozens of golden Buddha statues. These are of great religious and aesthetic value.

Other sites within the triangle include Yapahuwa, a lesser known capital, as well as the massive Aukana statue of Buddha that stands at about 40 feet. The relics of Ritigala are melancholy, with unrestrained forest creeping over ancient stone. The nature parks at Minneriya and Kaudalla are also remarkable and well worth a visit.

Trinkets are usually available near the sites, ranging from the ornamental to the religious to the useful. A tip for photographers; do not take pictures of statues with your back facing them. Fruits and refreshing coconut water is available on the roadside, should you wish to freshen up. There are countless hotels that are stationed within the triangle, and many tours that are available. Whichever way you wish to do it, you will be rewarded by an adventurous romp through Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle.