Colombo

Mount Lavinia, Colombo

About Mount Lavinia

Mount Lavinia is a suburb located in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, and is known for being a popular beach retreat spot. This place is a tourism hotspot and continues to attract a lot of tourists from around the world. Some of the most popular attractions in this place include the nightlife scene that you can explore. Apart from the tourism activities, this place also takes pride in hosting Sri Lanka’s first ever pride festival back in 2005 and continues to do so.

The history of this place dates back to the 1800s when the governor Sir Thomas Maitland used this name to address his letters to the British Secretary of State. This place is also known for the St Thomas college- one of the most prestigious schools in the country. Overall this destination has aged gracefully in time and continues to do so by attracting tourists from around the world.

Mount Lavinia Highlights

• Visit the Dehiwala zoological park and check out the different types of flora and fauna in the park.
• Visit the Bolgoda lake and admire its premises by taking a stroll amidst the pristine and calm premises.
• Visit Mount Lavinia beach and admire the best views of the sunrise and sunset from the coast.
• Check out the different exhibits, ranging from uniforms and aircrafts in the Sri Lankan air force museum.
• Wander aimlessly in the streets of Mount Lavinia until you come across hidden gems and attractions.
• Taste the local street food like fried snacks near the Mount Lavinia beach.

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Point of Interest for Mount Lavinia

Visit the Dehiwala Zoological Park

This is one of the oldest zoos in not only Sri Lanka, but also in the entire Asia. The zoological park is a home to more than 3000 animals, ranging from lion, tiger, elephant and jaguar. Apart from the animals, this place is also known for the different types of indigenous fauna and the 65 bird species. The park is open on all days and will require paying a fee to enter the premises. The prices vary for foreigners, domestic visitors, and for kids, so plan your expenses accordingly. The best part of this zoological park is that you can get up close with the animals in the park, so don’t miss this.

Visit Bolgoda Lake

There is nothing like taking a peaceful stroll alongside the Bolgoda lake. This lake is the largest freshwater natural lake in Sri Lanka and covers a major chunk of Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia. The lake has historical significance as it was used to ferry people and goods from the upper part of the Kalu Ganga river. There is also an island in this lake that you can visit to unwind after a long day. History suggests that this lake was a popular hunting spot for the British, so it is a great place to know more about its history. The best activities here include kayaking, sailing, yachting, and jet skiing.

Visit Mount Lavinia beach

The beach is one of the most sought after attractions in Mount Lavinia. This beach borders the Indian Ocean and has a lot of activities worth trying out. The water in this beach is great for swimming too, but it depends upon the status of the weather at that time. The beach is known for the locals and tourists arriving in huge numbers. There are also a lot of food stalls worth trying out, in case you are hungry. To start off, we recommend the sour mango with chilli powder and the manioca chips. Apart from the activities and food, the beach is a great place to get a glimpse of the sunset.

Visit the Sri Lanka Air Force Museum

One of the best attractions in Mount Lavinia is to check out the museums, and this one is no exception. This museum is maintained by the Sri Lankan air force and is open to the public. Tourists can visit the museum on all days except on Mondays to check out the historic aircrafts. There are also vehicles, uniforms of officers and weapons worth having a look at. Apart from these, the museum is known for showcasing remnants of the Japanese aircrafts shot during the Second World War. The exhibits here are not only attractive, but are also insightful to know more about Sri Lanka’s armed forces and their history.

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