We’re almost at that Avurudu weekend where pretty much everyone takes time off to chill and meet their relatives. This is also that mid-year break where you can actually do a bit of travelling. So we're breaking down the country by regions, and looking at what each has to offer this April.
This feature is sponsored by SampathCards, so we're throwing in some of their best travel deals for each region. Be sure to check out the rest of their Avurudu deals here.
Hill Country
Sri Lanka is warm all year round, but April – May has to be the most humid time of the year, so the hill country makes for the perfect escape for locals.
Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Haputale and Bandarawela are all great options, with the latter two being ideal for those looking for a less touristy vacation. Regardless of where you choose to go, the cities are connected by some of the most scenic train routes in the country.
We've actually got some handy dandy guides to Nuwara Eliya and Ella so you'll know how t0 make the most of your time, as well as a breathtaking look at Lipton's Seat in Haputale.
40% off at Lakeside Cottages (NE) for Sampath Credit Cards until 31st May
30% off at Tea Bush Hotel for Sampath Credit Cards until 10th April
30% off at Tea Bush Hotel (NE) for Sampath Credit Cards until 15th May
30% off at Araliya Green City Hotel for Sampath Credit Cards until 30th June
Cultural Triangle
If you're not all about the chilly weather, but still find Colombo way too warm, the cultural triangle will make for a great mid-point. While it is warm during midday, it gets progressively cooler and less humid into the night.
April is also a pretty good time of the year to visit the cultural hotspots like Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, since the local crowds will be less because of Avurudu and there will probably be less tourists since the summer holidays haven't started yet.
If you're looking for activities off the beaten path, the areas around Sigirya offer some great hiking and trekking routes with some truly breathtaking views!
40% off at Earl's Regency for Sampath Credit Cards until 30th April
40% off at Forest Trails for Sampath Credit Cards until 30th April
35% off at Melheim Resort (Kandy) for Sampath Credit Cards until 30th April
30% off at The Elephant Corridor for Sampath Credit Cards until 31st July
Down South
If you're not too fussed about the temperature, or you're down in Sri Lanka after a while, down south is perfect for catching some rays. April doesn't really have many parties going on either, so the Southern coast is actually quite tame around this time of the year, making it a pretty decent choice for a family outing.
We'd actually recommend a night in Galle since there's so much to do, especially if you're a foodie since the food scene in and around Galle has really come into it's own.
40% off at Tuurya Kalutara for Sampath Credit Cards until 30th April
40% off at Mandara Resort (Mirissa) for Sampath Credit Cards until 31st May
40% off at Club Waskaduwa for Sampath Credit Cards until 30th June
40% off at Citrus Waskaduwa for Sampath Credit Cards until 31st August
40% off at Flameback Eco Lodge for Sampath Credit Cards until 31st May
East Coast
Because of it's distance from Colombo, the East coast is always a great choice for those looking for a more relaxed and laid back holiday.
Stretching from Arugam Bay to Trinco you've got plenty of beach to go around as well as a surprisingly refined culinary scene with spaces like Hideaway Villas serving up some of the best food around.
Another little known fact is that the East Coast is actually great for wildlife enthusiasts as well. We'd strongly recommend visiting either Kumana National Park if you want to really immerse yourself in one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful features – its indigenous wildlife.
Negombo
Negombo is a great travel destination all year round and Avurudu is no exception. They've got a bit of everything with a great selection of restaurants along beach road, a ton of great lodging options and beaches with some incredible sunsets.
30% off at Amagi Beach (Marawila) for Sampath Credit Cards until 30th April
25% off at Pegasus Reef Wattala for Sampath Credit Cards until 30th June
