Giving back to the pristine landscapes and ecosystems of the south, regenerative travel is making a splash in Sri Lanka’s southern beach capitals. Here’s how these restorative initiatives are healing an area that’s borne the brunt of over-tourism.

Immersive Experiences

While green tea and low altitude tea estates along the southern coast may not attract as many visitors as those occupying the Central Hills, tourists can now engage in immersive and unique experiences, such as tea leaf plucking during a beach trip to the region. A tour of southern tea estates also offers visitors the chance to understand the climatic conditions necessary to cultivate Sri Lanka’s coveted “Silver Tip Tea”.

Supporting Southern Communities

Holidaymakers with an interest in local village life can also take part in excursions into these hidden communities occupying the island’s beach hotspots. Village expeditions by Ona Garden Villa and other southern boutique villas in Sri Lanka offer visitors a rare glimpse into the lifestyles and livelihoods of traditional communities.

Exploring Local Culture Through Culinary Adventures

Passing on the culinary heritage of southern Sri Lanka, culinary classes hosted by beach resorts and boutique villas delve into classic meals that are fast disappearing from local menus. From classic prawn curries to exploring conventional methods used to preserve tuna, culinary enthusiasts can pick up a great many skills during these immersive cooking sessions.

Preserving Traditional Crafts

Image by HardyS from Pixabay

Tours that explore craft villages synonymous with the ceremonial masks, woodwork, Beeralu lace and Batik creations of the south are also breathing new life into these traditional art forms. The Ariyapala Mask Museum in Ambalangoda, for instance, is a venue where visitors can also pick up traditional tools for a lesson in mask crafting.