Dambulla is a large town, situated in the Matale District, Central Province of Sri Lanka, situated 148 km north-east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. Due to its location at a major junction, it is the center of vegetable distribution in the country. Major attractions of the area include the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex of Sri Lanka, and the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, famous for being built in just 167 days. The area also boasts the largest rose quartz mountain range in South Asia, and the Ironwood forest, or Na Uyana Aranya. Ibbankatuwa prehistoric burial site near Dambulla cave temple complexes is the latest archaeological site of significant historical importance found in Dambulla, which is located within 3 km of the cave temples providing evidence of the presence of indigenous civilizations long before the arrival of Indian influence on the Island nation.

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BEST TIME TO VISIT:

Dambulla is warm year-round, with an Apr/May–Sep monsoon season and frequent thunderstorms Oct–Nov. Many people choose to visit Dec-Mar when rain is less prevalent. Apr-May is also popular, due to events like Avurudu (Buddhist New Year, Apr), and Vesak (May), when locals celebrate the birth of Buddha with religious rites and artistic performances. 

Nuwara Eliya is a city in the tea country hills of central Sri Lanka. The naturally landscaped Hakgala Botanical Gardens displays roses and tree ferns, and shelters monkeys and blue magpies. Nearby Seetha Amman Temple, a colorful Hindu shrine, is decorated with religious figures. Densely forested Galway's Land National Park is a sanctuary for endemic and migratory bird species, including bulbuls and flycatchers.

Nearby Gregory Lake, a reservoir created in the 1800s, offers boating and horseback riding. To the north is Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka’s tallest peak, ringed by a forest reserve. The surrounding countryside is dotted with waterfalls, including the multiple cascades of St. Clair’s Falls. To the southwest, a trail climbs pyramid-shaped Adam’s Peak, a pilgrimage place for several religions. South of Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park occupies a high-altitude plateau and is home to sambar deer and leopards. The park ends at the sheer precipice of World’s End, which offers views of the lowlands.

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Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. That heritage is reflected in its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls. The imposing Colombo National Museum, dedicated to Sri Lankan history, borders sprawling Viharamahadevi Park and its giant Buddha.

The vibrant, jam-packed Pettah bazaar district's thousands of vendors offer everything from spices and tea to textiles and jewelry. Galle Face Green is an oceanside promenade popular for picnicking and strolling. The city's diverse religious landmarks range from the ornate, red-and-white-striped Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque and the historic Dutch Reformed Wolvendaal Church to the Buddhist Gangaramaya Temple complex. International matches of cricket, Sri Lanka's national passion, are played at Premadasa Stadium. The city is also a major hopping-off point for beaches in the island nation's south.

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BEST TIME TO VISIT

Many visitors arrive Dec-May. The city experiences two monsoon seasons, with the heaviest rains Apr-Jun and Sep-Dec. Local events include the Vesak Buddhist festival (May).