5 reasons to visit Sri Lanka in 2024.
We recommend that you visit Sri Lanka in 2024.
Get here soon before it gets too busy.
Tourist numbers are rising and are expected to continue.
We have met several guests at GlenMyu Estate saying that Sri Lanka is like Bali was twenty years ago.
Although there are parts of Bali that still have the historic charm of the culture, the landscape changed as it became a more popular tourist destination.
Approaching 15 years.
The civil war in Sri Lanka came to an end in May 2009 almost fifteen years ago.Â
Already Sri Lanka has changed and the tourist numbers have risen from the 300,000-500,000 each year to 1.5 million in 2023.
The government target is 2.3 million for 2024.
Between 2016 and 2018 the tourist numbers exceeded 2 million annually, peaking at 2.3. million in 2018.
As the 2024 target has been achieved previously, then it can be reached again.
In August 2023, President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued a directive for the country to target attracting 5 million tourists per year.
As tourist numbers increase the country will change, so we recommend that you visit Sri Lanka in 2024.
5 reasons to visit Sri Lanka in 2024.
There are lots of reason to visit Sri Lanka in 2024 apart from it getting too busy.Â
The island pack a big punch for its’ size with an array of experiences for tourist to enjoy on their discovery of this paradise island.
Whether you want to dive into the culture, enjoy nature and animals or just top up the tan on the beach you can do these things and more on this paradise island..
Visiting historic cities like Anaradhapura or Pollunarawura, seeing religious sites such as The Temple of the Tooth of Dambulla Cave Temple are high on visitors lists.
Climbing the Lion Rock, Adams Peak and trekking around Horton Plains and up Mini Adams Peak are all on offer for tourists that want to hike
Waterfalls and train rides in the Sri Lankan Hill Country.
Enjoying the fresh water pools at Upper Diyaluma, Bambarakanda and Ravana Falls are enjoyed in the Sri Lankan Hill Country.
Experiencing a scenic train ride between Nanuoya and Ella or watching a train travel across Nine Arch Bridge are other hot items in the guest books.
Diving in deeper by experiencing local life at a homestay or seeing how tea is cultivated and processed are other things that visitors like to do.
And so much more.
At GlenMyu Estate we are amazed at what some guests have experienced prior to arriving for their stay with us. A hike in an area that we did not know about, volunteering a an elephant sanctuary, seeing a geyser down south and visiting a national park that we have not got around to visiting yet.
Usually we find that most guests go for similar experiences  on their first visit to the island ticking off the big ticket must see places. On their second or third visit they dive in a little further and explore less popular places and get more of an insight into the culture.
5 reasons to visit Sri Lanka in 2024.
1. Visit Upper Diyaluma Waterfall before it gets too busy.
The local councils started charging a minimal entrance fee to visit Upper Diyaluma Waterfall in early 2023. Beforehand there was no cost to enter and no ticket booth.
Since the road to Diyaluma Waterfall from Beragala and Wellawaya has been improved (work still needs to be completed), it has become a popular place to visit.
In November 2022, we visited Upper Diyaluma Waterfall with a German couple that were staying with us at GlenMyu Estate.Â
We left after breakfast and there was no entry fee at the time.
Our guide took us to the top of the waterfall where there was a beautiful pool. We were alone as other tourists had not reached there yet. It was mesmerising and a special experience paddles through the water.
We enjoyed pool after pool as we descended Upper Diyaluma and more tourists and travellers started arriving. If we did not go early the tourists coming from Ella would have all been there with us from the start.
Other guests from GlenMyu Estate, who have visited Upper Diyaluma in recent months, have had a similar experience where for the first hour or so they have been one of the few people there.
As touristy numbers increase this opportunity will get less and less.
We would encourage you to visit Sri Lanka in 2024 before it gets too busy.
2. Be one of the first few who have hiked stages of the new Pekoe Trail.
The Pekoe Trail was opened in 2023 and is the newest hiking experience in Sri Lanka.Â
As it is so new, you could be some of the first number of travellers to enjoy this new experience.Â
GlenMyu Estate is located conveniently for stages 12, 13 and 14 of the Pekoe Trail.Â
Some guests have hiked stage 13 of the Pekoe Trail from Haputale to St Catherine.
Another set of guests hiked from Haputale to Idalgashinna Railway station (part of Stage 12 of the Pekoe Trail Udaweriya to Haputale).
We were able to source a guide to accompany them on the trail and explain the plants and landscape that they were walking in.Â
3. Visit the beaches of the East Coast from April to September.
The peak toast season in Sri Lanka is from December to March as the South and West coasts have the best weather.
Lots of European visitors escape to Sri Lanka to get some winter sunshine.
As there is sun in the Mediterranean during the summer months holidaying in Europe to get some sun is the popular thing to do.
However, the East Coast of Sri Lanka has the best weather between April to September and the beaches are fabulous.Â
Since the Sri Lankan Civil War ended almost fifteen years ago there have been more hotels built on the East Coast.
The beaches at Pasikuda have beautiful golden sand and a shallow shelf which makes it safe to swim.Â
We stayed at Maalu Maalu (Fish Fish) resort by the Thema Collection.Â
If you like to soak up the sun, lie on a beautiful beach and swim in a warm sea we would recommend visiting the East coast of Sri Lanka.Â
The tourist board are starting to promote Sri Lanka as an all year round destination. As the awareness is heightened the beaches will get busier.
So we would recommend that you visit the East coast beaches of Sri Lanka in 2024.
4. See Jaffna before it gets overdeveloped.
This is something that we plan to do in 2024!
Guests at GlenMyu Estate have recommended to visit Jaffna before it gets too built up and spoilt.
We are looking forward to seeing sights such as Jaffna Library, Dutch Fort, Delft Island, Jaffna Fort, Fort Hammenhiel and Casuarina Beach.
After our visit we will upload some photos and show you what to see before it gets too touristy.
5. If you want a train ticket you may get lucky in 2024.
One of the most popular sights in Sri Lanka is watching a train go over Nine Arch Bridge.
Lots of guests travel the six hour train journey from Kandy to Ella to experience “the most beautiful train journey in the world”.
Many tourist find it difficult to get a ticket with a seat. And you really need a seat for a six hour journey
As Sri Lanka’s tourist numbers increase, there will be additional pressure on seating on the trains for this journey.
Some of our recent guests at GlenMyu Estate have travelled between Demodara and Haputale by train. As the journey is only around an hour, it they did not get a seat, they could manage standing for the journey.Â
5 reasons to visit Sri Lanka in 2024 - Summary
Visit Sri Lanka in 2024 before it gets too busy.
- Visit Upper Diyaluma Waterfall before it gets too busy.
- Be one of the first few who have hiked stages of the new Pekoe Trail.
- Visit the beaches of the East Coast from April to September.
- See Jaffna before it gets overdeveloped.
- If you want a train ticket you may get lucky in 2024.
Stay at GlenMyu Estate and visit the local sites in the Sri Lankan Hills.
A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and see sights like Horton Plains National Park is a unique experience.
We only have three bedrooms and you will need to book early during the peak holiday season.
The estate is usually within an hours drive of the major sightseeing locations such as Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Town, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat, Bambarakanda Waterfall and many more,
GlenMyu Estate is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.
