Three green reasons to visit Sri Lanka: Green Pearls Amaya Resorts!
We are in serious Sri Lanka fever at Green Pearls. Ever since we’ve welcomed three Amaya Resorts & Spas into our sustainable family, we can’t stop talking about the „Pearl of the Indian Ocean“. Sri Lanka and the Amaya Resorts & Spas are a great fit for Green Pearls: a destination with a sustainable tourism strategy as well as a rich culture, distinctly varying landscapes, Ayurveda (we love Ayurveda!), a diverse people and white sandy beaches fringed by endless rows of palm trees…
It’s a sustainable match made in heaven: Amaya Resorts & Spas are sustainably run hotels and the group really cares about their community and its staff and it is reflected in everything they do. Their ethos goes hand-in-hand with Sri Lanka’s new „Sri Lanka, Ethical Sourcing Destination“ campaign, launched at the World Expo 2015 in Milan. In addition, the country’s tourism board has strict environmental stipulations and turns its focus increasingly on sustainably run hotels.
While we are itching to pack our own bags for a Sri Lankan adventure, we want to introduce our three new green pearls on the island formerly known as Ceylon. They represent Sri Lanka’s diversity perfectly: a dreamy beach resort in Passekudah Bay in the east, a pearl in the high country by the Hunas Falls and a picturesque jewel in the historical heart of the island on Kandalama Lake.
All good things do come in threes, after all.
1. Amaya Beach Resort & Spa
This contemporary resort on the east coast is the perfect place for lovebirds (think romantic beach wedding) and families. No really, that can totally work. There is a kids’ pool for families, babysitters are available on request and there is the fun Camp Safari Kids’ Club so Mommy can enjoy her Ayurveda treatment in peace. Couples can lounge in the relaxing beach bar, enjoy the romantically set restaurants and take early morning walks along the golden sandy beach to see the spectacular sunrise.
2. Hunas Falls by Amaya
The Hunas Falls are situated in the Sri Lankan highlands; three and a half hours drive from Colombo and 40 minutes drive from Kandy, the last of the royal strongholds and now one of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO heritage sites. It’s all about the outdoors here: hiking, bird watching, golf, boat trips… After biking through the waterfalls (yes you read that right, we said „through“ the waterfalls!) there is no better way to relax than by putting your sore legs up on the loungers, an ice-cold cocktail in hand and enjoying the stunning views of the valley. Trip Advisor has recently welcomed Hunas Falls by Amaya into their „Hall of Fame“ for being awarded the „Certificate of Excellence“ five years in a row.
3. Amaya Lake, Kandalama Lake
After a beach break and a vacation in the mountains, strolling along Kandalama Lake, having your palm read by a local palmist (take that with a pinch of salt, mind you…) and treating yourself to a massage (or three) in the holistic spa at Amaya Lake sounds like the perfect ending to an authentic Sri Lanka experience. Add a little jungle trekking into the mix and a ride on a bullock-drawn cart while listening to the sound of the traditional Raban drums in the background and you will be truly enchanted by the magic of Sri Lanka.
Has our Sri Lanka fever spread? We thought so. Check out the best flight deals from where you are and plan your trip for real. We are!
