{"id":2958,"date":"2019-06-27T14:15:53","date_gmt":"2019-06-27T14:15:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/?page_id=2958"},"modified":"2019-06-27T14:15:53","modified_gmt":"2019-06-27T14:15:53","slug":"yala","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/sri-lanka\/where-to-stay\/yala\/","title":{"rendered":"Yala Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Yala Guide<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sri Lanka is world-famous for its rich biodiversity, and the incredible wildlife found here is a key attraction for many visitors. A safari tour of Sri Lanka\u2019s national parks is the best way to see the magnificent beasts that live there, and is a must-do for wildlife enthusiasts!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yalasrilanka.lk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yala National Park<\/a> is the second-largest and most-visited in Sri Lanka. Occupying an area of 378 square miles, Yala is home to hundreds of bird, mammal, reptile and fish species. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among the myriads of incredible creatures that call these verdant forests home are elephants, bears, buffalo and crocodiles. The star of the show, however, is the elusive leopard &#8211; an awe-inspiring sight for those lucky enough to spot one!<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2992\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2992\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2992\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_589428650-1.jpg\" alt=\"Yala National park is 130,000 hectares of beauty and amazing wildlife\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_589428650-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_589428650-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_589428650-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2992\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yala National park is 130,000 hectares of beauty and amazing wildlife<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yala National Park is the most popular place for a safari in Sri Lanka, but where are the best spots within and around the park? Read on for the best time to visit and the best places to go in the incredible Yala National Park.<\/span><\/p>\n<table class=\"info-table\" style=\"height: 84px;\" width=\"780\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Price<\/th>\n<th>Good for<\/th>\n<th>Airport<\/th>\n<th>Kids<\/th>\n<th>Culture<\/th>\n<th>Beaches<\/th>\n<th>Dining<\/th>\n<th>Nightlife<\/th>\n<th>Surf<\/th>\n<th>Safari<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #7cda24;\">$$$<\/span><\/td>\n<td>Wildlife, safari, culture<\/td>\n<td>200mi<\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #e09900;\">* * * *<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #e09900;\">* **\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #e09900;\">*<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #e09900;\">**<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #e09900;\">*\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #e09900;\">*<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #e09900;\">*\u00a0* * *\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>Who should go to Yala?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yala is one of Sri Lanka\u2019s most visited tourist destinations and is hugely popular among all types of traveller. Whether you\u2019ve got the spirit of adventure, a love for animals or children in tow, a visit to Yala National Park is sure to be one to remember.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Families<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wildlife enthusiasts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adventurous travellers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Romantic couples<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Groups<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ecotourists<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2993\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2993\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2993\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_562153555-1.jpg\" alt=\"Spotting elephants in their natural environment is one of the best experiences you can live in Yala\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_562153555-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_562153555-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_562153555-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2993\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Spotting elephants in their natural environment is one of the best experiences you can live in Yala<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>When should you visit Yala?<\/h2>\n<h5>For the best weather<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yala is pleasantly warm throughout the year, with temperatures averaging around 27 C (81 F). Rainfall in this area is also fairly consistent, except during the rainy season months of November, December and January. For the sunniest, driest conditions, time your visit from <\/span><b>February to September.<\/b><\/p>\n<h5>To beat the crowds<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yala is a popular destination among all types of travellers, and tourism in the area booms around the summer holidays (in July and August). Visit <\/span><b>between September and February <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to encounter fewer tourists. For the smallest crowds, visit Yala in <\/span><b>November, December <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or <\/span><b>January.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The rainy season in these months keeps many tourists away, but the park is gloriously green at this time of year!<\/span><\/p>\n<h5>To see the animals<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your best chance of seeing the animals of Yala National Park is during the months of <\/span><b>June, July <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>August. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These months are driest in Yala, so the animals are most likely to be seen congregating around the park\u2019s watering holes. Visit during these months to get the best of Yala&#8217;s incredible biodiversity!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Things to see and do in Yala National Park<\/h2>\n<h5>Take a jeep safari through Yala National Park<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yala is a hotbed of biodiversity and is home to hundreds of spectacular mammal, reptile and bird species. There\u2019s only one way to see these spectacular creatures in their natural habitat, and that\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/sugathesyalajeepsafaries.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">on safari!<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h5><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ySHveOC2n2Q\" width=\"760\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a jeep through Yala National Park to immerse yourself in the unrivalled natural beauty of Sri Lanka, and for your chance of seeing its most magnificent inhabitants. Visitors can spot elephants, deer, monkeys, wild boar, crocodiles, exotic birds and, most impressive of all, the elusive leopard.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><strong>Seize your chance to spot a leopard<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For your best chance of seeing one of Yala\u2019s most revered animals, book a safari that takes you through Block 1. This area is the most-visited in all of Yala National Park, thanks to the large numbers of leopards in the region. Block 1 is actually home to the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yala_National_Park\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">densest leopard population<\/a> in all of Asia, so it\u2019s the best place on the continent to spot one!<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2991\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2991\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2991\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_233466421.jpg\" alt=\"In Yala, you will get a chance to observe leopards endemic to Sri Lanka\" width=\"1000\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_233466421.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_233466421-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_233466421-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2991\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">In Yala, you will get a chance to observe leopards endemic to Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h5>Go bird watching<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The diversity of Yala\u2019s bird population is incredible, with hundreds of sensational species making their home among the forests, wetlands and coasts. Besides parrots, pelicans, eagles, ibises and more, the park is also home to dozens of rare species, such as the Oriental Darter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For avian enthusiasts, it\u2019s a dream come true! Grab your binoculars and head out on an early-morning bird watching trip for your chance to see this vibrant birdlife.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2990\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2990\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2990\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_322696715.jpg\" alt=\"Yala National Park is home to several endangered bird species, such as the Oriental Darter.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_322696715.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_322696715-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_322696715-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2990\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yala National Park is home to several endangered bird species, such as the Oriental Darter.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h5>Visit the dairy farms<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yala National Park is surrounded by rural villages, amongst which are several hundred dairy farms. To see how the locals live, take a morning tour out to the villages. Here you can learn everything there is to know about daily life on the farms. This is also a great chance to see more of the scenery around Yala National Park and, if you\u2019re lucky, you may spot some of the spectacular wildlife native to the area.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5>Camp out in the jungle<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Camping within the Yala National Park is prohibited; however, there are a number of campsites in the park\u2019s buffer zone. These range from basic to boutique, but all offer the unmissable chance to sleep beneath the jungle canopy! Chill by the fireside and drift off the sound of the jungle nightlife, for an unforgettable experience out in nature.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DKSpF9xSVL4\" width=\"760\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h5>Explore the Sithulpawwa Rock Temple<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not far from the Yala National Park is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sithulpawwa_Rajamaha_Viharaya\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sithulpawwa Rock Temple<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an ancient Buddhist monastery that dates back over 2000 years. Originally a place of worship and Buddhist education, this incredible cultural site features stone ruins, sculptures and historic paintings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sithulpawwa Rock Temple sits atop a colossal rock formation, and the views from the top are unbelievable! The temple is situated deep in the Yala forest, and you may even spot some of the local wildlife as you make your way through.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2989\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2989\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2989\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_548021602.jpg\" alt=\"Explore the the ancient Sithulpawwa temple.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_548021602.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_548021602-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_548021602-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2989\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Explore the the ancient Sithulpawwa temple.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Off the beaten track in Yala\u2026<\/h2>\n<h5>Admire the ancient carvings of Buduruwagala<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nestled deep in the forests of the Yala National Park lies <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Buduruvagala\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buduruwagala<\/a>, an ancient Buddhist temple dating back to the 10th century. The name means \u2018the rock of Buddhist sculptures,\u2019 and the site is home to seven Buddha statues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These colossal carvings are beautifully worked into the cliff face, the largest standing an awe-inspiring 16 m tall. This is the largest standing Buddha statue in all of Sri Lanka, so it\u2019s definitely worth a visit!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buduruwagala is difficult to find without a guide and, as such, never gets very crowded. This incredible historic site is, therefore, perfect for a serene yet adventurous day out in Yala! Take in the mystical atmosphere of these ancient ruins with a morning trip through the forest while you&#8217;re in Yala.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2988\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2988\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2988\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_1041113767.jpg\" alt=\"Check out the ancient carvings of Buduruwagala in Yala!\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_1041113767.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_1041113767-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_1041113767-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2988\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Check out the ancient carvings of Buduruwagala in Yala!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Where to eat in Yala<\/h2>\n<h5>Smoky Kitchen<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For traditional Sri Lankan cuisine prepared with the freshest and finest ingredients, check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/smokykitchen.business.site\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smoky Kitchen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while you\u2019re in Yala! With authentic flavours, friendly staff and a first-rate chef, Smoky is a firm favourite in the area. Visit for lunch or dinner to eat exceptional local dishes and take in the spectacular views from the dining area!<\/span><\/p>\n<h5>The Muthu Restaurant<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit Muthu for Asian, Western and fusion dishes, all cooked to a high standard and served up in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/muthurestaurant.com\/#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Muthu Restaurant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has a menu to cater to all tastes and is the ideal spot to dine as a family in Yala.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5>Chef Lady Restaurant<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/chef-lady-restaurant-restaurant.business.site\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chef Lady Restaurant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Yala is best known for its deliciously fresh seafood and exceptional traditional dishes. Chef Lady has a strong reputation for serving top-quality food, and the relaxed, peaceful setting is perfect for a quiet lunch or dinner.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Where to stay in Yala<\/h2>\n<p><iframe style=\"border: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d126864.1041964672!2d81.402024110521!3d6.457738943184107!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3ae5d3a62ffb9359%3A0x3bb623d70b5a3314!2sYala+National+Park!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1538117632992\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h5>To stay in the National Park&#8230;<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re all about the animals, consider staying inside Yala National Park during your visit. To really add a touch of magic to your trip, consider renting your own private villa! The stylish <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eatsandretreats.com\/villas\/villa6382.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taru Villas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are situated in a gorgeously leafy section of the park and offer a luxurious experience in the very heart of nature.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>To be in town&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;d rather stay near to the shops and restaurants of Yala, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/lk\/dilan-rest-kataragama.en-gb.html?aid=306395&amp;label=kataragama-ge5_hAkz3uw96m57NRvFRAS154629579307%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap140%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap1t1%3Aneg%3Afi%3Atikwd-47692679141%3Alp20456%3Ali%3Adec%3Adm&amp;sid=b58d3fe210e93d3e877739734040f98a&amp;ucfs=1&amp;srpvid=2584304d1b4c00f5&amp;srepoch=1538117531&amp;room1=A,A&amp;nflt=ht_id%3D204%3Breview_score%3D80&amp;hpos=6&amp;hapos=6&amp;dest_type=city&amp;dest_id=-2222797&amp;srfid=fa5a38655d88832fe0734082b6727011b0e37b79X6&amp;from=searchresults;highlight_room=#hotelTmpl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">accommodation in Kataragama<\/a>. Prices here are lower than within the national park itself, but the park is still easily reachable by taxi.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yala Guide Sri Lanka is world-famous for its rich biodiversity, and the incredible wildlife found here is a key attraction for many visitors. A safari tour of Sri Lanka\u2019s national parks is the best way to see the magnificent beasts that live there, and is a must-do for wildlife enthusiasts! Yala National Park is the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2994,"parent":4135,"menu_order":460,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2958","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Insider&#039;s Guide To Yala, Sri Lanka: Forests, Ancient Temples &amp; Leopards<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Yala is famous for its National Park, but what else is there to see and do here? 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