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Avid followers of travel trends will have read all about this year’s upcoming trending destinations – countries such as Japan, Turkey and South Korea have received plenty of column inches.
But another country that will be one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in 2024 is the beautiful island of Sri Lanka – and so far it looks like that prediction is coming true.
The latest figures from Sri Lanka Tourism Authority show that the country saw a strong increase in international visitors in the first two months of 2024 – both January and February were up more than 100% in 2023.
If this trend continues, Sri Lanka will almost certainly be one of the most popular travel destinations in the world this year – so why consider it?
Great cities and nature
It’s hard to find a traveler who has been to Sri Lanka and not totally enjoyed it; the country just seems to push the right buttons and leave people with long lasting memories.
From the chaotic and exciting streets of Colombo to the beautiful riverside temples of Kandy, in the cities of Sri Lanka you can experience a culture influenced by South India and Europe.
Get away from the urban jungle and you’ll find lush green hills and the chance to encounter exotic wildlife, including elephants.
As a small island, Sri Lanka is also blessed with beautiful beaches on almost every coast, the most iconic of which are Bentota Beach in the south-west and Mirissa Beach on the south coast, close to Galle.
Incredibly affordable
One thing that makes these incredible sights and attractions even more appealing is how affordable Sri Lanka is.
If you’re willing to backpack and use hostels, you can often find a place to stay for less than $10 a night, or if you prefer a little more comfort, you should be able to get a decent hotel with a nightly rate of $50 (maybe even less).
Ideal for digital nomads
When Sri Lanka first announced it was launching a digital nomad visa, many travelers got excited.
The visa allows you to stay for a year, provided you earn the minimum amount required (about $2,000 per month), and it can be extended quite easily.
The latest information from Nomadlist shows that you can live in popular destinations like Galle and Kandy for less than $1,300 per month.
Great any time of the year
Sri Lanka’s location and unique geographical mix of low-lying coastal areas and hilly inland areas mean it can be a year-round destination – you just have to make sure you visit the right place at the right time.
The country enjoys warm weather all year round.
However, there are two main monsoon seasons: the Yala, which is concentrated in the southwest from April to June, and the Maha, which is worst on the east coast between November and March.
Festivals and culture
Life in Sri Lanka is punctuated by many colorful festivals that celebrate the country’s religion and history.
February 4 is Sri Lanka’s National Independence Day, while this year’s Sinhala New Year is celebrated on April 13, while Diwali – another hugely celebrated festival in Sri Lanka – takes place on October 31.
Solo travelers seem to love it
For many, Sri Lanka reminds them of what it was like to travel through Southeast Asia many years ago.
Still relatively underrated, the country is a place where you can make plans on the go, something that solo travelers will always find appealing.
Easy to visit
Before you travel, you must obtain a Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) visa, which grants you dual entry into the country for 30 days.
You apply online and will be charged a $50 fee. The visa can be extended while in Sri Lanka at an additional cost.
Sri Lanka has been rated as a Level 2 travel advisory by the U.S. government, which means you should exercise extra caution.
While not the lowest possible level, Sri Lanka is generally safe for tourists, provided you are sensible – level 2 is largely due to some civil unrest in the country in the fall of 2023.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
