An island nation in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a place of great beauty and mystery. Rain forests, sandy beaches, ancient temples, and rounded stupas mark the landscape of this country. Visitors can explore religious and secular history, try new sports, lounge on the beach, and sample dishes like Sri Lankan curry or milk rice. Sinhala and Tamil are the two official languages of Sri Lanka, though many people (especially in cities and near beach resorts) speak English.

Sri Lanka is heaven for the adventure traveler who also wants to connect with nature. Imagine going on safari, SCUBA diving, white water rafting, and traveling in a hot air balloon – all on the same trip! Head to Yala National Park to see elephants drinking water from ponds, hear the purr of a leopard in the distance, and watch monkeys swinging in the trees. Trek through the mountains and meadows of inland Sri Lanka to see waterfalls, explore eucalyptus forest, and perhaps spot some rare birds.

From the stunning, white sand beaches of Sri Lanka, you can take off on a wide variety of marine adventures. Take SCUBA lessons or head off with your already awesome SCUBA skills to see historic shipwrecks, coral reefs, and schools of brightly colored reef fish. If you prefer to skim the surface, try out wind surfing where you’re strapped to a surfboard and a sail to ride the waves and see the sights. Or perhaps you’d prefer to catch some air in addition to waves? If that’s the case, kite boarding is the sport for you and another one you can try off the beautiful coast of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s first capital, Anuradhapura, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over one hundred kings ruled from this ancient city before it was lost for several centuries. The sacred city has now been uncovered and restored as an example of Sri Lanka past. Explore religious history and see the moonstones, which marked the entrance to monasteries and led one along the path to the sacred world. Travelers will also find the Bodhi Tree Temple, one of the most important temples in Sri Lanka as it safeguards a piece of the Bodhi tree that Buddha sat underneath on his path to enlightenment.

The city of Kandy was the last city to be ruled by royalty in Sri Lanka before British conquerors arrived in the nineteenth century. There are many historic temples to visit in Kandy from the Bahirawakanda to the Temple of the Tooth. The Bahirawakanda Temple is known for its large Buddha statue that you can see from much of the city; the temple is set high on a hill and the hike up is a fun walk as you follow the Buddhist flags that mark the way. The Temple of the Tooth is one of the holiest places in all of Sri Lanka as it holds a relic in the form of one of the Buddha’s teeth.

All images are used via Creative Commons Attribution rights. View the original images on Flickr at: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4