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<strong>Journey south:</strong> Until a few years ago, the southern province of Sri Lanka hardly ever made it onto travelers' itineraries. "It has this wonderful seclusion, this warmth of the people and untouched nature, which makes the region so incredibly charming," Filipe de Lencastre, general manager of Tangalle's Amanwella resort, tells CNN.

Journey south: Until a few years ago, the southern province of Sri Lanka hardly ever made it onto travelers' itineraries. "It has this wonderful seclusion, this warmth of the people and untouched nature, which makes the region so incredibly charming," Filipe de Lencastre, general manager of Tangalle's Amanwella resort, tells CNN.

Sail Lanka

<strong>First stop, Galle:</strong> International flights land at Bandaranaike International Airport near Colombo. From there, it's a two-hour drive south to the Galle Fort, a vestige of the country's colonial days.

First stop, Galle: International flights land at Bandaranaike International Airport near Colombo. From there, it's a two-hour drive south to the Galle Fort, a vestige of the country's colonial days.

MLSpencer/Amangalla

A colonial past: At the Amangalla colonial boutique hotel, it's not unusual to see monkeys swinging between palm trees -- or sneaking into the many open-air rooms to snatch snacks.

Amangalla

Southern charm: For a real dose of rest and relaxation, try Maya hotel in Aranwella. The five-suite manor house faces a rice paddy, with a pool in the trees and hammocks dotting the grassy grounds.

Maya

Yoga: Natural beauty is one of Sri Lanka's main selling points. At Maya hotel, an open-air yoga pavilion showcases the lush view.

Maya

<strong>Whale-spotting:</strong> Enormous blue whales can be spotted off the coastline of southern Sri Lanka. Numerous whale-watching boat trips depart from Mirissa, best experienced from November to April.

Whale-spotting: Enormous blue whales can be spotted off the coastline of southern Sri Lanka. Numerous whale-watching boat trips depart from Mirissa, best experienced from November to April.

Sail Lanka

Cast away: Sail Lanka offers overnight journeys at reasonable prices. Cooked meals, snorkeling and stand-up paddle boarding are all included in the price.

Sail Lanka

<strong>New perspective:</strong> Each tent is surrounded by miles of untouched -- and often empty -- terrain, just a few steps from the ocean.

New perspective: Each tent is surrounded by miles of untouched -- and often empty -- terrain, just a few steps from the ocean.

DEVAKA SENEVIRATNE

<strong>Wild times:</strong> In the country's southeastern corner, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fyalasrilanka.lk%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Yala National Park</a> is home to 44 different types of mammals, including leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, deer, peacocks and elephants -- not to mention 215 species of birds.

Wild times: In the country's southeastern corner, Yala National Park is home to 44 different types of mammals, including leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, deer, peacocks and elephants -- not to mention 215 species of birds.

Leopard Trail

<strong>Leopards:</strong> "If you do the math, you have more leopards per square mile in Yala National Park than you do any place in the world," says Avijja Fonseka, a ranger with <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fleopardtrails.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Leopard Trails</a>, a tented camp and safari outfit.

Leopards: "If you do the math, you have more leopards per square mile in Yala National Park than you do any place in the world," says Avijja Fonseka, a ranger with Leopard Trails, a tented camp and safari outfit.

Leopard Trail

<strong>Surf's up: </strong>A newcomer to the southern coast, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftangalle.anantara.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle</a> opened in 2016. The hotel partners with luxury surf company TropicSurf to provide private lessons on a hidden beach.

Surf's up: A newcomer to the southern coast, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle opened in 2016. The hotel partners with luxury surf company TropicSurf to provide private lessons on a hidden beach.

Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle