Sri Lanka's West Coast resorts are popular during the European Winter season when the Eastern coast is hit by a monsoon season.
The east is best during mid year when the West Coast is hit by monsoons.
Other Asian destinations to watch in 2012 named by Conde Nast Traveller in 2012 includes Vietnam and Burma, which was subject to an unofficial tourist boycott until recently with opposition leader ung San Suu Kyi under house arrest.
A 30-year war with Tamil Tiger separatists ended in May 2009 and the first new resorts in the east were opened last year, and new ones are being built.
"Until recently, the north and east parts of Sri Lanka were off-limits to tourists, and under the occupation of the Tamil Tigers," the magazine said.
"Going anywhere vaguely remote, other than the most popular spots, was ill-advised and meant tedious journeys bogged down by military checks.
"As a consequence, the north and east coasts are undeveloped, their natural beauty unspoiled.
"You can find