Sri Lanka boasts breathtaking mountain peaks and tranquil beaches to meet any traveler's taste, not to mention an exceptionally preserved culture that draws travelers from around the globe.

As is true of many Asian destinations, Thailand offers plenty of attractions and activities within a reasonable budget. When haggling for prices or services it is worth remembering tipping is usually expected and should always be expected as part of any transaction.

1. Adam’s Peak

Adam's Peak (or Sri Pada) is a conical sacred mountain located in central Sri Lanka that's revered by Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims alike. A pilgrimage of sorts takes place each year when locals visit Adam's Peak en masse for religious services at its footprint-shaped shrine atop Adam's Peak.

Hiking to the summit can be long and exhausting, but the rewards at its summit more than make up for any discomfort along the way. Starting early is best so that you can catch sunrise; also bring warm clothing as temperatures may be quite chilly up there!

Sri lanka offers eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, verdant tea plantations, and scenic train rides that are truly memorable experiences. Furthermore, this magnificent island hosts an amazing diversity of wildlife including leopards and elephants - making any visit here an unforgettable adventure!

2. Kandalama

After the bombings, Sri Lanka's tourism industry was thrust into crisis mode; hotel occupancy plunged, and economic activities across the island nation ground to a halt.

Geoffrey Bawa's five star Heritance Kandalama hotel stands as an architectural masterpiece within its spectacular rock formations atop Sigiriya. The structure blends perfectly into its natural landscape, boasting lush vegetation and mountain vistas.

Bawa's hotel design at Kandalama is also notable, showcasing his turn towards minimalism compared to his earlier designs on humid oceanfront sites. However, this makes sense given that Kandalama lies within a central dry zone climate; accordingly, any design must fit with this climate accordingly. Hiking offers one of the best ways to appreciate its stunning scenery. Beginner trekkers as well as advanced trekkers alike can explore this breathtaking place!

3. Tea Plantations

Sri Lanka is one of the world's premier tea producers. In the 19th century, British colonizers recognized that Sri Lanka's cool, misty mountains offered ideal conditions for cultivating the "green gold". Within months they had terraced hillsides, built factories, and established basic accommodations for workers.

Now, many plantations are open to public tours - one such example being Holyrood Estate near Nuwara Eliya which hosts a tea factory, dormitory-style accommodation for workers, and even a new primary school amidst its green leaves.

Nuwara Eliya, Uda Pussellawa and Dimbulla in Sri Lanka's central highlands are home to some of the finest tea gardens and factories, making for some spectacular plantations tours that include samplings. Most tour companies provide comprehensive tea plantation tours that also take in factory visits for maximum enjoyment!

4. Unawatuna Beach

Unawatuna is an idyllic destination for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, boasting numerous shipwrecks which attract exotic fish species as well as sea turtles. Additionally, its beach provides the ideal place for relaxing under the warm sunshine.

Unawatuna Beach offers an assortment of bars and restaurants serving cocktails and curries, along with plenty of sunbeds and an expansive pagoda that provides an ideal place to watch the sunset.

Local attractions include Galle Fort, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and showcases colonial architecture at its best. Rumassala hill is another interesting stopover said to be where King Ravana from Hindu epic Ramayana rests his head.

5. Yala National Park

Yala National Park in southern Sri Lanka features forests, grasslands, lagoons and beaches which provide shelter to leopards, elephants, crocodiles, wild peacocks and numerous bird species. This vast reserve also holds two important pilgrimage sites - Sithulpahuwa and Magul Maha Viharaya - where religious visitors come for pilgrimages.

For maximum animal activity and crowd reduction, visit from March-April - this timeframe coincides with Sinhalese and Tamil New Year celebrations as well as Vesak.

Most hotels in Yala offer both private and group tours of Yala National Park for an average cost of 65 USD per person, lasting for about 4 hours and including entrance fees, water, snacks and 2-way hotel transfers. Jeeps can only enter the park twice daily between 6am and 2pm so be sure to plan accordingly.