sri lanka travel route

Sri Lanka Travel Guide: a 3-week travel itinerary

Sri Lanka has to be one of the greatest travel destinations of all time, a beautiful tropical island in the middle of the warm Indian ocean waters. Three weeks is an ideal length for a Sri Lanka route, as you cross through the jungle, mountains, tea plantations, and paradise coastline. Start in big metropolitan cities and end your time relaxing on beautiful beaches with a coconut in hand. Everything you could possibly dream of is in this beautiful country with the perfect Sri Lanka route. 

Sri Lanka Route Guide

This 3-week itinerary through Sri Lanka is a day-by-day Sri Lanka route. The island is easy to travel through and can be done by bus, tuk-tuk, motorbike, taxi, or private driver. One of the more popular options is to travel by traditional Sri Lankan train , gaining a wonderful insight into Sri Lankan culture as you fly through beautiful landscapes. 

Use this 3-week route to cover the top things to do in Sri Lanka, and if you have more time, we’ve added some additional options. 

Day 1 – 2: Relaxing in Negombo or Colombo

Start your trip in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city. Here you’ll discover a unique mixture of modern and traditional, where towering skyscrapers and luxurious rooftop bars sit next to stunning mosques, traditional houses, and bustling street markets.

After a busy day of sightseeing, head to one of the beautiful parks to relax and see unique tropical plants, trees, and flowers. Alternatively, take a wander down to the city beach, where you can watch locals flying their kites in the coastal breeze or cheering as they score points playing cricket. 

However, Colombo is not the closest city to the airport. For more convenience, head to Negombo, a laid-back town that’s right next to the airport.

Where to Stay in Negombo

Negombo is a great place to stay for cheaper accommodation with swimming pools where you can relax and unwind after the flight.

Hotels in Negombo 😴

The beaches are also far more picturesque in this city, so if you’re looking to enjoy coastal relaxation, it’s a better choice to begin your trip.

Day 3: Sightseeing in Kandy

Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second-largest city and one of the most beautiful you’ll find in all of Sri Lanka . Discover the old colonial buildings that line the edges of a vast lake in the center, keeping an eye out for exciting wildlife and unique plants. Plus, the buzzing streets filled with coconut sellers and stalls are just a stone’s throw away from this fantastic nature. 

To get from Colombo or Negombo to Kandy you have three options, the bus, train, or a taxi. Looking for a Sri Lankan driver? Contact our friend Indi on Whatsapp (+94777644144) .

Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens, a fantastic tranquil wilderness in the city full of a diverse range of plants, trees, and flowers. As you look around, you’ll notice that the mountains and tropical rainforests are never far away! It’s this proximity that makes Kandy a great jumping-off point for day trips.

Read : 9 Things to do in Kandy

Where to Stay in Kandy

Kandy offers a good selection of affordable hostels and hotels to suit every kind of traveler.

Hostels in Kandy 😴

We recommend staying in the city center to explore everything easily. Alternatively, choose to stay up in the hills for ultimate tranquility.

Day 4: Sigiriya

Lion Rock in Sigiriya is one of the country’s most famous landmarks. The enormous natural formation sticks out of the flat landscape, towering above forests and grasslands filled with elephants. On top of the 200-meter square-shaped rock, you’ll find the remains of an ancient palace and gardens and many rock drawings along the way. Additionally, Lion Rock is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka, which is another reason to add it to your Sri Lanka route!

Alternatively, visit Pidurangula Rock , Lion Rock’s nearby little sibling. This rock may be smaller, but it provides a better view as it looks directly onto Lion Rock. There’s also a cheaper entrance fee too! 

If you have time to stay a few nights in Sigiriya, we recommend relaxing in one of the many beautiful hotels in nature, hiking the rocks, or going on an elephant safari in the flat valley. To get there, hire a driver or look for a shuttle bus (a 3-hour drive from Kandy).

Read: Climb the World-Famous Sigiriya Lion Rock

Where to Stay in Sigiriya

Most of the accommodation in Sigiriya is a bit higher in price. However, it does allow you to enjoy and make the most of the incredible scenery in this area.

Hotels in Sigiriya 😴

Tip: Some hotels even have direct views from the rooms of the rocks themselves!

Day 5: Kandy to Ella Train Ride

Head back to Kandy to catch the most beautiful train ride in Sri Lanka . This long train ride is one of the top things to do on any Sri Lanka route, taking you through stunning rolling hilltops, rainforest, and luscious green tea plantations. Hang out the door with the wind in your hair and feel the weather get cooler as you move higher up into the mist and the clouds of the Sri Lanka highlands. Get Kandy Train Tickets here .

Read: Kandy to Ella Train

Day 6 – 7: Nuwara Eliya

The train from Kandy goes all the way to Ella , making a few stops on the way. Get off a little earlier and spend a night in the natural beauty of Nuwara Eliya, an area famous for tea plantations.

Here are all your hotel options in Nuwara Eliya.

It’s especially well known as being home to the Lipton plantation, one of the world’s most famous tea growers and exporters! In fact, the history of colonization here by the English has even affected the architecture, with lots of English-style bungalows dotted through the fields, giving Nuwara Eliya the nickname ‘Little England’.

Read: Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Day 8 – 10: Ella

Visit one of the most blissful and natural places in Sri Lanka : Ella. The small town has a laid-back hippy vibe, complemented by the great mountains and hills that tower over the town. Stay in a hilltop guesthouse with incredible views, and use it as a base to climb to Adams Peak, Ella Rock, or the mesmerizing Nine Arch Bridge . When you’re done hiking, head for one of the many picturesque waterfall pools for a refreshing dip.

Ella is one of the most beautiful places in the country and an absolute must-do in Sri Lanka !

Read: Best Things To Do in Ella, Sri Lanka

Where to Stay in Ella

Ella is full of fantastic accommodation options, from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts with swimming pools and beautiful views.

Hotels in Ella 😴

It can be fun to stay in the hillside guesthouses outside of town, where you’ll have great views and easy access to hiking trails.

Day 11 – 13: Arugam Bay

Ready to catch some waves? Arugam Bay is the most famous surfing spot in Sri Lanka . It’s so popular that many surfers make this their home between April and October when the days are sunny and warm, and the waves are great. It’s easy to see why people spend so much time here, with the relaxed way of life, living in a wooden beach hut, surfing, and sunbathing by day, and enjoying all the fantastic bars and restaurants by night. This is where you’ll truly find hammock-swinging and coconut-sipping vibes! 

Read: Things To Do in Arugam Bay

Where to Stay in Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay is all about the beach! As such, most of the accommodations are located along the coastline. Choose from charming beach huts, mid-range guesthouses, or upscale beach resorts.

Hotels in Arugam Bay 😴

Day 14: Go on Safari in Sri Lanka

From Arugam Bay, it’s super easy to take a day trip to Yala National Park for a safari amongst nature. You might even be lucky enough to spot the elusive leopard!

See availability for a safari tour to Yala

Join a tour, jump in a jeep, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. As you cross over bumpy dirt roads, around lakes, and through bushland, you’ll see vast groups of wild elephants and other animals. There are plenty of national parks to choose from in Sri Lanka , some of the most popular being Udawalawe National Park or Yala National Park . 

Read : Best national parks in Sri Lanka

Day 15 – 16: Mirissa

Head south to the paradise beach town of Mirissa. Take off your shoes and say goodbye to regular life as you slow down and feel the sand between your toes and the waves against your feet. Mirissa isn’t just about the beach, though; there are beautiful coconut tree forests to explore, fascinating tidal islands, and endless great restaurants.

Read: Best Things to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Mirissa is also one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see Whales, which migrate here between November and March. You’ll find the most spectacular sunsets in this part of the country, a winning combination with a sunset whale-watching trip.

Tip: Are you someone always looking for a secret beach? Find your perfect beach on the list of 10 x Best Beaches in Sri Lanka .

Where to Stay in Mirissa

Mirissa is relatively small, so most guesthouses and hotels will be within walking distance of the beach.

Hotels in Mirissa 😴

As with most areas in Sri Lanka , prices are low for accommodation, and you can find beautiful beachside hotels, with views of the ocean, for a lot less than you might expect!

Day 17 – 19: Unawatuna

The Unawatuna area has the most famous beaches in Sri Lanka , known for the white sand, great surfing, lively beach bars, and Instagram-famous palm-tree swings. The town is small, but it has excellent shopping, guesthouses, and trendy restaurants.

It’s also a great jumping-off point to local sights nearby, like Galle Fort , Koggala Lake, or even the bright lights of Colombo! You could quickly lose track of time in this beautiful little beach town, and it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind at the end of your Sri Lanka route.

Read: Awesome Things To Do in Unawatuna

Where to Stay in Unawatuna

Unawatuna is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations in the country. Because of this, expect to pay slightly higher prices for hotels and guesthouses.

Hotels in Sri Lanka 😴

Tip: Hotel Tri is a beautiful hideaway near Unawatuna around Kogalla Lake. The sunrise and sunsets here are one of a kind overlooking the lake and cinnamon plantations.

Day 20+21: Back to Colombo

Finish your trip and stay close to the airport in Colombo.

Here are all your hotel options in Negombo.

If you have a little extra time before your flight, visit Barefoot Handicraft and its fantastic restaurant or tick off some of the sights you may have missed at the beginning of your trip.

Optional Places

Sri Lanka is an absolute heart-stealer, and the likelihood is that you may want to stay for longer than three weeks. If you’re extending your route, there are many more amazing places to visit, especially in the northern part of Sri Lanka (where you’ll find some real hidden gems!). Some of the most popular places to visit on a Sri Lanka route are:

• Trincomalee
• Polonnaruwa

How to Visit Sri Lanka

International flights arrive at Colombo airport (actually closer to Negombo than Colombo).

From here, it’s straightforward to take public transport to your next destination or arrange for a driver to collect you. 

Getting Around in Sri Lanka

Hiring a driver in Sri Lanka is a very popular choice as it’s so reasonably priced. To do so will usually cost about $50 per day, which allows you a lot more flexibility with your itinerary. It also helps you get to the more remote places, which otherwise might be quite tricky. 

We recommend to rent a car in Sri Lanka through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Contact our friend Indi on Whatsapp (+94777644144) . Make sure to tell him you came via ‘Salt in our Hair’ so you’ll get the best price possible. 

Buses are a very cheap option; it’s just a few dollars for a full day of traveling by bus! Be aware that buses are usually packed full of people, and you will have to stand. Don’t expect air conditioning, but you’ll have the perks of enjoying local TV with Sri Lankan music videos! 

Purchase any transport tickets online here

Taking the train is a must-do in Sri Lanka . The country is home to some of the most beautiful train rides globally and has become renowned worldwide for the experience of hanging out the train door as tea plantations and rolling hills fly by. 

The price for a second-class cabin varies from $1.50 to $4. Sometimes they run out of seats, meaning you have to stand or sit on the floor. But do as the locals do and enjoy this beautiful experience!

Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a year-round destination. There isn’t a perfect period to visit because each side of the island has its own “best time to visit.” which means the sun will always be shining somewhere! ☀️

The dry seasons by month and destination are:

• North – May to September
• Center  – January to April
• South  – December – March

If you choose to visit these areas in the rainy season, you can still have a really enjoyable time. Prices will be lower, there will be fewer people, and nature will be particularly luscious. However, be aware that the rains can bring rough waves to the coast, causing the beaches to get pretty dirty and unusable at this time.

Sri Lanka Visa

You need a Sri Lanka visa to be allowed into the country. Luckily, arranging a visa isn’t difficult at all. All you need to do is make sure your passport is valid for at least six months. You can select several options for your visa for Sri Lanka , depending on how long you are planning to stay and for what reason you are visiting the country.

Online Visa, Sri Lanka

The first option is to apply for your Sri Lanka visa online . It’s wise to apply at least a few days before your arrival. Usually, the applications are approved within a few hours, and you will receive your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). The 30-day tourist visa will cost you $35.

Order online: Get your visa easily here!

Visa on Arrival

Even if you have not applied for ETA can get a Visa on Arrival on arrival for Sri Lanka . There is a counter at the airport in Colombo where you can go. However, you will pay $5 extra, and there are generally long queues. For this reason, we recommend applying for your visa online ahead of time.

How Much Does Sri Lanka Cost?

In Sri Lanka , payment is made in the Sri Lankan Rupee (not the same as the Indian Rupee). Currently, $1 is equal to 2 Sri Lanka Rupees. Generally, Sri Lanka is a cheap place to travel in, especially in the more remote locations like the North or the center.

A variety of accommodations is on offer, from budget guesthouses to the more luxurious beachside hotels. Plus, wherever you go, you can always find cheap and delicious food, either sold on the street or in small restaurants (a bowl of local rice and curry typically costs about $1-3 USD!).

Costs of Traveling in Sri Lanka

Travel on a budget in Sri Lanka, from $190 − $410 USD weekly per person, mid-range $530 − $960 USD, and high-end from $920 − $1250 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $10 − $30 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $10 − $20 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $2 − $50 USD Book public transport
• Car Rental: $50 − $80 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $10 − $30 USD
• Activities: $2 − $30 USD See tickets & tours
• Sim: $1 − $3 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

Vaccinations Sri Lanka

Whatever the length of your trip is, it’s recommended to get two vaccines:

• DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio)
• Hepatitis A

Staying away for several months? Then you probably should get vaccinations against Hepatitis B and rabies. There is no Malaria risk in Sri Lanka.

Travel Insurance Don't forget a travel insurance for your Sri Lanka trip! Heymondo covers medical emergencies, theft, delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and more, with 24/7 worldwide assistance and medical chat. As a Salt in our Hair reader, we've got you 5% off! Check Heymondo here

By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support. ♥️

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to Sri Lanka via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

9 Unmissable Things To Do in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

Road trip along the untouched east-coast of sri lanka, 6 best things to do in dambulla.

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Travelling Without a Passport

7 Days in Sri Lanka Itinerary: The Places You Can’t Miss

Delectable cuisine? Check. Pristine, powdery white-sand beaches? Yep. Elephant-filled national parks and thousand-year-old Buddhist monuments? You bet. Sri Lanka has everything you could ever want in a tropical Asian getaway destination — and yet, it still manages to fly (somewhat) under the radar, often overlooked in favour of neighbouring India or Southeast Asia ’s heavy-hitting destinations. 

Read here the best 2 week Sri Lanka itineraries .

Even if you only have one week to spare, this budget-friendly island nation will dazzle you with its ever-changing landscapes and staggering biodiversity. Covering some of the country’s can’t-miss highlights, read on for a seven-day Sri Lanka itinerary that offers a taste of its compelling cities, mountainous interior, and alluring coastline. 

Travel to: Sri Lanka

While many travel advisories to Sri Lanka have been lifted or downgraded, it’s always recommended to check your government’s travel advisory information for the most up-to-date advice.

Getting around in Sri Lanka

Whether travelling by bus, train, or tuk tuk, public transport is the cheapest way to travel in Sri Lanka — but it’s also the slowest. While the country’s infrastructure is constantly improving and a range of transport options is readily available, getting around Sri Lanka will likely feel a little trying at times. If you have limited time here, you may want to consider hiring a car and driver or joining a Sri Lanka tour to make the most of your precious time in the country.

Day 1: Colombo

Home to the country’s largest international airport, Colombo is Sri Lanka’s primary gateway and the perfect place to take a quick breather and recuperate after a long flight. If you’re keen to do a bit of sightseeing before moving onto the country’s stunning hill country region, visit the National Museum of Colombo, Viharamahadevi Park, and the Old City Hall for an introduction to the city’s top sights.

Top things to do in Colombo:

• Walk along the promenade at Galle Face Green  
• Admire the city’s impressive colonial-style buildings, including the Old City Hall and Dutch Period Museum 
• Escape the hustle and bustle at Viharamahadevi Park 
• Indulge in fresh seafood at the legendary Ministry of Crab 

See Also: Solo Female Travel in Sri Lanka: is it Safe?

Days 2 & 3: Kandy

Kandy, a picturesque city situated in Sri Lanka’s heartland, is a must-visit destination for its spectacular natural beauty and historic and religious significance. The main attraction here is the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of Sri Lanka’s holiest shrines, and one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. The temple itself is housed in the Royal Palace complex, which encompasses a series of smaller shrines, museums, and temples.

After you’ve had your fill of temples, take a leisurely stroll around Kandy Lake or hop on a bus and head to the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens, home to a collection of cannonball trees, orchids, a spice garden, and a range of wildlife — including monkeys, water monitors, and several species of birds. 

Top things to do in Kandy:

• Take a day trip to the ancient city of Sigiriya and Dambulla’s famed rock cave temple
• Watch a Kandyan dance performance at the Kandy Lake Club 
• Go hiking through Udawattakele Forest Reserve
• Visit the Botanic Gardens
• Stroll around Kandy Lake 

Days 4 & 5: Ella

The train journey from Kandy to Ella is a highlight in its own right; not only is it hailed as one of the most scenic train rides in the world, but it’s also one of the absolute best things to do in Sri Lanka. Winding through lush jungle-clad hills, verdant tea plantations, and colourful towns, the landscapes you’ll pass along the way are beyond stunning (just be sure to snag a seat on the right side of the train for the best views).

When you make it to Ella — a misty mountain town nestled amongst the country’s idyllic Central Highlands — even more spellbinding scenery awaits. Despite its small size, there’s no shortage of incredible things to see and do in this laid-back hill country oasis: hike to the summit of Little Adam’s Peak or Ella Rock, swim in cascading waterfalls, walk through tea plantations, or simply admire the unbelievable views from one of Ella’s mountainside guest houses. 

Top things to do in Ella:

• Climb up Little Adam’s peak
• Take a cooking class at Ella Spice Garden
• Hike to the top of Ella Rock
• Walk along the rails on Ella’s famous Nine Arch Bridge 
• Visit Ravana Falls (located just outside Ella)
• Join a tea plantation tour

Tip: The best way to break up the 4.5-hour drive between Ella and Galle is to stop at Udawalawe National Park on the way. This is, quite possibly, the best place in Sri Lanka to see elephants in their natural habitat, along with sloth bears, sambar deer, water buffalo, crocodiles, and more.

See Also: We Rank the Best Beaches in Sri Lanka

Days 6 & 7: Galle

You’ll know you’ve arrived in Galle when you start feeling as though you’ve temporarily transported from Asia to Europe; this seaside city has a distinctly European flair, thanks to its narrow, cobbled streets and Dutch colonial buildings. 

Depicting a blend of European architectural styles and South Asian traditions, the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort is one attraction you can’t miss here. Set aside an afternoon to walk along the fort’s outer walls and explore its historic centre. The Galle Lighthouse, Galle National Museum, and the Old Dutch Hospital — which is one of the oldest buildings in Galle Fort — are only a few of the top highlights you’ll find within this fortified city.

Beyond the fort’s walls, stretches of azure coastline and palm-fringed beaches are only a short rickshaw or bus ride away. Unawatuna Beach, with its golden sand and gentle surf, is a dreamy tropical paradise where you can go snorkelling, surfing, or simply while away the hours from your sun lounger. 

The journey back to Colombo takes approximately two to three hours, so you can hire a taxi or hop on a train or bus to get back to the capital at the end of your holiday.

Top things to do in Galle:

• Immerse yourself in history and get lost amongst Galle Fort’s winding alleyways and cobbled streets
• Buy souvenirs and local handicrafts from the shops on Pedlar Street within Galle Fort
• Catch some rays or take a surf lesson at nearby Unawatuna Beach
• Stock up on Sri Lankan spices from markets located just outside Galle Fort

How would you spend one week in Sri Lanka? 

Ashley Nitransky

Ashley is a Content Editor at TourRadar. When she’s not writing, travelling, or obsessively checking flight prices on Skyscanner, you can find her attempting to fine-tune her photography skills or watching a shark documentary.

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A Month in Sri Lanka: Experience Culture, Nature, & History

Planning a month trip to Sri Lanka can be a bit daunting. This beautiful island might be small in size but it is packed with picturesque sceneries and adventures you do not want to miss. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive 4 week Sri Lanka itinerary to ensure that you see the very best of the country.

In this Sri Lanka guide, we have included all the details you will need, from the top things to do to the best places to stay. What’s more, we have shared many essential tips that will help you experience Sri Lanka better.

From the beautiful coastlines, lush jungles, and ancient cities, our 4-weeks itinerary has you covered.

We are an informative and unfiltered blog focused on providing helpful tips, inspiring stories and travel itineraries. Join us in this Colourful Journey of discovering the world.

Travel Route For 

• Tissamaharama
• Anuradhapura

Don’t have time to read now? No worries! Save this post to your Pinterest board for later. And follow Colorful Journeys board for the latest post!

Before you Travel

Before traveling to Sri Lanka, it is important to do your research in order to experience the best of what the country has to offer. We've created a list of the top tips to help you plan your trip to Sri Lanka. Read this guide to learn about visa requirements, the best time to visit, the best activities to do, and many other helpful advice!

Read: Sri Lanka Travel Tips

Sri Lanka 4 Weeks Itinerary

This is a 1 month Sri Lanka itinerary that begins in Colombo and continues counterclockwise. This itinerary is designed to cover all of Sri Lanka's major tourist attractions while providing a great balance of adventure, sightseeing, relaxation, nature, and culture. 

You can also do it in the opposite direction, clockwise, whichever works best for you. In this Sri Lanka itinerary, we've included our recommended number of nights in each location, which you can adjust as needed. You can find the best times to visit, how to get around, and many of our top tips. It is important to remember to be flexible with your itinerary in order to have the best experience possible!

Sri Lanka Travel Resources

Accommodation : Find hotels on Agoda and Booking.com

Activities : Find tours and attractions on Viator and GetYourGuide

Insurance : Get travel insurance with HeyMondo

Transportation: Find bus, train, or car transfer on 12go.asia ‍ ‍

Day 1 & 2: Colombo 

Recommended Length of Stay : 2 Nights

Best Time to Visit : January to March

How to Get Around : Foot, Tuk-tuk

The city of Colombo has something for everyone. Being the capital of Sri Lanka, you can enjoy plenty of activities and sights to explore in this bustling metropolis. From historical landmarks to unique cultural experiences, Colombo is a great place to start your Sri Lanka trip.

How to Get to Colombo from the Airport

Car : The most convenient way to travel to Colombo center from Bandaranaike Airport is by taking a taxi. You can also order an Uber or Pickme. 

Book this airport private transfer for a hassle-free arrival at a reasonable price.

Bus : There is a local bus just outside the airport that takes you directly to the Colombo fort for less than a dollar and takes 50 minutes. From the fort, you can walk to your accommodation if it’s within walking distance. Otherwise, take a quick tuk-tuk ride.

Tip : Ask the bus driver if the bus uses the expressway before you pay for it. Otherwise, exit and wait for the express bus, which travels frequently.

There are many things to do in Colombo for everyone. Spend your first day settling in and trying out the well known Ceylon tea or coffee.

Book your accommodation close to Colombo Fort. There are many restaurants nearby, and the train station is also close by. You'll also have easy access to a number of nearby attractions. Find all accommodations in Colombo Fort here .

If you're feeling adventurous, you can explore the city on your second day. You can discover various ancient and religious monuments such as the Old Parliament building, the Vihara Buddhist Temple, and St. Lucia's Cathedral. Or visit the bustling market of Pettah on your own.

Here are some of the highly rated day tours you can book in Colombo.

Day 3 & 4: Galle

Best Time to Visit : December to April

How to Get Around : Foot, Tuk-tuk 

On day 3, travel to Galle in the morning to discover Sri Lanka's most famous old Dutch fort. The fort is a Unesco World Heritage Site and the best-preserved colonial townscape in Sri Lanka. Get lost inside the fort's walls, from old Dutch-era buildings to historical monuments, churches, and museums.

How to Get to Galle from Colombo 

Car : The most convenient way is to take a car directly to Galle. The drive takes around 2 hours, and you can expect to pay at least 70 USD.

Book your car to Galle

Train : Trains operate from Colombo Fort Station to Galle Railway Station on a daily basis. The train takes around 2 hours and a ticket costs about 2 USD. Find the updated schedule and pricing on the Sri Lanka Railways website . 

Book your train to Galle

Book your accommodation inside Galle Fort which will allow you to experience the true Sri Lankan way of life. The fort has something for everyone, from luxury hotels to guesthouses. Find all Galle accommodations here .

On day 4, discover Galle beyond the fort and visit the Hindu temples in the city. A lot of people visit the old fort, but Galle City is also worth exploring if you have the time. 

The city has some beautiful Hindu temples, including the Shiwa Shiwa temple and the Sri Meenachi Sundareshwarar temple. These temples are known for their unique architecture and are definitely worth visiting.

Want to learn more about Galle through guided tours? 

Here are some of the most well-reviewed tours available in Galle.

After a day of exploring, return to the old fort in the afternoon and head to the Galle lighthouse, the perfect spot to watch the sunset. Pick a spot by the stone walls to sit as you overlook the majestic blue waters and watch the sunset with locals and tourists alike.

Day 5 to 7: Mirissa

Recommended Length of Stay : 3 Nights

Best Time to Visit : December to February

From Galle, head next to Mirissa, a popular beach hotspot known for its beaches, surfing scene, and lively atmosphere. Whether you want to spend your day relaxing on the beach or going on an exciting adventure, Mirissa has something for everyone. 

How to Get to Mirissa from Galle 

Car : Take a car for around 20 USD for convenience. The drive takes about an hour, depending on traffic.

Book your car to Mirissa

Train : There are a few express trains that run to Mirissa train station for around 1 USD. The ride takes about an hour, then take a tuk-tuk to your hotel. 

One of the best places to watch the sunset in Mirissa is at Secret Beach , a small bay area hidden around the corner of Mirissa Beach. Though not a secret location, getting to Secret Beach is a challenge in itself. Because of that, it does not get overcrowded, so you can still enjoy a relaxing and quiet atmosphere. 

Tip : Hire a tuk-tuk to get to the secret beach or ask the locals around to direct you if going by motorbike. 

There are many accommodations available within walking distance of Mirissa Beach. You can even stay a bit further away along Matara Road and just get tuk-tuks to take you around. Find all accommodations in Mirissa here .

Mirissa is an excellent base for one of the popular whale-watching tours. So, if you're in town between November and April, don't miss out on the opportunity to see the majestic whales up close. Here are some top rated whale-watching tours in Mirissa.

Have you ever scrolled through Instagram and seen photos of the coconut tree-dotted hill in Sri Lanka? You can find that in Mirissa! Not only does it provide a great photo opportunity, but the views of the blue sea are also worth seeing. 

Tip : Avoid the crowds by going early in the morning. 

If you’re looking for a great day trip, head to Matara, which is around 30 minutes drive from Mirissa town. You can check the Weherahena Temple, well-known for its huge statue of Buddha and tunnels filled with intricate paintings. The temple is open from 6am to 6pm with an entrance fee of about 2 USD. 

Before heading back to Mirissa, enjoy a meal at The Dutchman Street . This cozy restaurant is well known for its great ambiance and direct sea view. They also serve amazing food, and the prices are reasonable. A perfect place to unwind after visiting Matara.

Day 8 to 10 : Tangalle

Recommended Duration of Stay : 3 Nights

Best Time to Visit : April to July

How to Get Around : Foot, Tuk-tuk, Motorbike

From Mirissa, head next to the beach town of Tangalle, home to some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. Tangalle has a wide range of activities and sightseeing opportunities for everyone.

The range of accommodation options makes Tangalle a great destination for all types of travelers, from budget-friendly hostels to high-end luxury resorts. We stayed on Vijaya Road, which has a relaxed vibe and many accommodations and restaurants along the beach. Find all accommodations in Tangalle here .

How to Get to Tangalle from Mirissa

Car : The fastest way to reach Tangalle is to take a taxi. The drive takes around 1 hour and expect to pay at least 15 USD. 

Book your car to Tangalle

Bus : Head to the Mirissa bus stop and catch bus no.32 heading to Tangalle. The drive takes around 2 hours and costs 1 USD. 

Tip : Ask your accommodation to direct you to the correct bus stop and for the updated bus schedule. 

Tangalle is a great destination for those looking for an idyllic escape. Enjoy a day relaxing at Tangalle Beach , which has a beautiful coastline and is ideal for long walks. You can watch the sunrise or just lounge around to enjoy the surrounding palm trees.

Tip : Swim in the morning for gentle waves on this beach. 

Rekawa beach is also worth visiting while in Tangalle. It is home to one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in Sri Lanka. Come here during the day to enjoy the clean beach or late in the afternoon to watch the sunset. The beach is not only lined with sand but also with seashells. The best part is that not many tourists go to Rekawa Beach, so you can enjoy some peace and quiet.

Book this Tangalle sightseeing tour to explore more.

Day 11 & 12: Tissamaharama

Recommended Length of Stay: 2 Nights

Best Time to Visit: February to June

How to Get Around: Foot, Tuk-tuk, Jeep 

After spending time relaxing on Sri Lanka's southern beaches, it's time to discover the wildlife. Tissamaharama, also known as Tissa, is a beautiful destination in Sri Lanka that offers a great combination of culture and nature.

Staying in Tissa is an excellent base for exploring Yala National Park, Sri Lanka's second-largest and most visited national park. Stay close to Main St. , where most of the restaurants are located in town. Find all Tissa accommodations here .

How To Get To Tissa From Tangalle

Car: For convenience, take a car which takes around 1 hour and a half and expect to pay at least 80 USD. 

Book your car to Tissa

Bus : There are few buses heading to Tissa from Tangalle main bus stand . The drive takes about 2 hours, and you can expect to pay around 1 USD.

Looking for a great food option in Tissa? Head to Yala Peace Restaurant . 

The restaurant is in a secluded area with breathtaking views all around. They serve delicious, fresh food at a reasonable price. To enjoy the view, we recommend going for lunch. 

If you arrive in Tissa before sunset, head to the lake for a more relaxing end to the day. Enjoy your afternoon as you take in the scenic views along with the locals having a picnic. 

Wake up early to enjoy an exciting safari tour in Yala National Park. There are wild elephants, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species to be found here. If you're lucky, you might be able to spot the most elusive leopards!

A jeep safari in Yala National Park typically costs around 70 USD per person. Here are some of the most highly rated tours available in Yala. 

Most tours also end at around noon, so you can move to the next destination if you wish. Alternatively, you can rent a tuk-tuk or motorbike and explore the town. Around a 50-minute drive from Tissa, you find Sithulpawwa Temple, an ancient Buddhist monastery.

Spend the afternoon at the monastery complex, which includes a cave with over 2,000-year-old paintings. Climb a stairway carved into the rock to reach a temple with breathtaking views at the top.

Day 13 to 16 : Ella

Recommended Length of Stay: 4 Nights

Best Time to Visit: January to April

How to Get Around: Foot, Tuk-tuk, Bus

From Tissa, head to Ella , a small hill town with a laid-back atmosphere and some of the best views in all of Sri Lanka. The drive to Ella is also something to look forward to, with its many twists and turns winding through the hills and waterfalls along the way. 

Read: Ella Travel Guide: 11 Best Things To Do

How To Get To Ella From Tissa

Car : The fastest way to reach Ella is to book a taxi. You can arrange a taxi from your accommodation or online. The drive takes about 2 hours and you can expect to pay around 40 USD. 

Book your car to Ella

Like many destinations, finding the right place to stay is often about location, and Ella is no exception. Stay near the train station, where the majority of the great restaurants and cafes are. Alternatively, choose a hotel along the Ella-Passara Road for something quiet with spectacular views! Find all Ella accommodations here .

Ella town is small and easy to get around on foot. It is even possible to reach most of the main attractions by walking. Keep in mind that Ella is a hilly town with steep roads. You might consider exploring Ella by tuk-tuk or scooter instead. 

Tip : Walk along the train tracks to avoid the steep hills. 

There are plenty of opportunities for adventure, making Ella a perfect spot for nature lovers. From sunrise hikes on Little Adam's Peak to walking through train tracks and climbing the famous Ella Rock, which offers breathtaking views of the town.

Read: Top 5 Most Popular Hikes in Sri Lanka

For first-timers visiting Ella, there are a few non-negotiables, like visiting the Nine Arch Bridge, which is a masterpiece of engineering from the British colonial era. If you're staying in the main town, we recommend taking a tuk-tuk.

Tip : Avoid the crowds by going early in the morning.

For a fun alternative, join a cooking class in Ella. Learn to cook authentic Sri Lankan dishes at Ella Spice Garden, a favorite among travelers. Book your cooking class here . 

For those wanting to discover more of Ella town and all its hidden gems, rent a motorbike or book a guided tour with a local. Here are some of the most popular tours available in Ella.

Day 17 to 19: Adam’s Peak ( Delhousie)

Recommended Length of Stay: 3 Nights

Best Time to Visit: December to May

How to Get Around: Foot, Tuk-tuk

On day 17, take a scenic train ride from Ella to Delhousie, where Adam’s Peak is located. From the rolling hills of rural villages to the spectacular mountain ranges of the region, this train ride is an unforgettable experience you shouldn't miss!

How to Get to Delhousie from Ella

By Train & Bus : From Ella, take the 4-hour train heading to Hatton train station, and then take the local bus to Delhousie . The bus drive is about an hour and a half. 

The bus costs less than 1 USD, while the train ticket is around 1 USD for second and third class. You can check the updated train schedules and pricing at the railway government site . 

Staying close to the base of Adam’s Peak will give you a head start for the hike the next morning. Here are some of the most popular accommodations close to Adam’s Peak that offer basic but comfortable facilities for tourists. Find all accommodations in Delhousie here .

After arriving in Delhousie, spend the rest of the day relaxing at Adam’s Peak Inn . Grab a cup of tea or enjoy a delicious Sri Lankan meal as you sit on the balcony overlooking the mountains and tea plantations.

Tip : Bring a sweater, as it can get quite chilly during the night.

Head to bed early and hike Adam's Peak for sunrise. Adam's Peak, also known as Sri Pada, is the most sacred mountain in Sri Lanka and one of the most popular climbs for tourists visiting the country.

Tip : The best time to climb Adam's Peak is during the pilgrimage season, which runs from December to May.

During these months, there is a festive atmosphere with lots of pilgrims climbing to the top. You can even witness the pilgrims perform their religious ceremonies at sunrise. The 5,500 steps are also illuminated with string lights, and you'll find vendors selling tea along the way.

The weather around this time is also mild, with little to no rain. You can do the hike in the morning to avoid the scorching sun. But if you want to reach the top before sunrise, give yourself enough time and start your hike no later than 4am.

Avoid hiking during April (the Sinhalese New Year), full-moon days, and the weekends. During these times, many pilgrims climb Adam's Peak, so you may have to wait in line.

On Day 19, hire a tuk-tuk and explore the surrounding places near Delhousie. Or you can rent a scooter to explore at your own convenience. Just be careful as the roads are rocky and some are on steep hills.

Must See : Drive around Maussakelle Reservoir to see lush tea plantations and get a glimpse of local life. 

For a relaxing day trip, visit Aberdeen Waterfall . The waterfall is approximately an hour's drive from Delhousie. Then, for about 600 meters, follow a steep trail made of concrete steps to the bottom of the falls. You can either enjoy the breathtaking scenery or take a refreshing, cold bath. 

Book this guided waterfalls tour to discover all the hidden gems in the area.

Day 20 to 22: Kandy

Best Time to Visit: December to April

From Delhousie, take the train to Kandy and enjoy another scenic ride through Sri Lanka's lush countryside and local villages. Though not many people choose to discover the city, we recommend at least a day exploring its charming streets, peaceful lake, and impressive botanical gardens. 

How to Get to Kandy from Delhousie

Car : If you're in a hurry, you can book a car to take you directly to Kandy from Delhousie, which takes around 2 hours. The private transfer should cost at least 70 USD.

Book your car to Kandy

Train : For a more scenic and affordable route, take the local bus back to Hatton station, then ride the train to Kandy. This journey also takes you through the picturesque hills and valleys and gives you a glimpse of Sri Lankan rural life. A train ticket costs about 1 USD for a 3 hour journey. 

Booking your accommodation close to the city center, within walking distance of great restaurants, sites, and attractions, will help you maximize your time in Kandy. Find all Kandy accommodations here .

Once you’ve arrived in Kandy, visit Kandy Lake at the heart of the city. This peaceful lake is a great escape from the busy streets and traffic. If you visit the lake when the sun is setting, you’ll see hundreds of bats coming out and flying over the lake - a truly unique experience! 

A trip to Kandy is incomplete without visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth. Located next to Kandy Lake, this Buddhist temple is one of the most sacred places in Sri Lanka. The temple's entrance fee is approximately 8 USD, and it is open daily from 5:30am to 8:30pm. 

In the evening visit the Kandy Lake Club , which is right behind the Sacred Tooth Temple, to see a cultural dance show. This one-hour show starts at 5:30pm and costs around 4 USD. 

Discover Kandy's main town and the smaller streets on foot. Soak in the local lifestyle as you wander through narrow alleys and stop at tea shops. Another great way to explore the surrounding areas in Kandy is to rent a tuk-tuk. Here are some of the most highly-rated tours you can book around the area.

If you're on a budget and want to explore the surrounding areas near Kandy, consider taking the bus. It is simple to travel because there are numerous buses that start and end in Kandy.

Day 23 to 26: Sigiriya

Recommended Length of Stay : 4 Nights

Best Time to Visit: January to March

How to Get Around: Tuk-tuk, Motorbike

From Kandy, continue to Sigiriya, home to the ancient rock fortress. Whether you have a week or a month to spend in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is inarguably a must-see. You can enjoy the magnificent Lion's Rock, but Sigiriya also makes a fantastic starting point for exploring the nearby attractions!

How to Get to Sigiriya from Kandy

Car : The best way is to arrange a car transfer to Sigiriya, which takes around 3 hours. You should budget at least 50 USD, which can be quite pricey, but it is a convenient and hassle-free way to get to Sigiriya.

Book your car to Sigiriya

Bus : For a cheaper alternative, take the local bus, but note that there is no direct bus to Sigiriya. First, head to the main bus station in Kandy and take a bus heading towards Dambulla. The drive takes about 3 hours, and a ticket costs at least 2 USD.

From Dambulla, take another bus to Sigiriya, which is another 40-minute drive for less than 1 USD. All in all, depending on the traffic and how long you’ll be waiting for the bus, traveling to Kandy by bus will take you around 4 to 5 hours. 

To be close to many restaurants, stay on Sigiriya Road near the Lion's Rock entrance. As an alternative, there are numerous guest houses scattered throughout the southern part of the town, and going from one place to the next is simple with a tuk-tuk. Find all accommodations in Sigiriya here .

A great way to explore the surrounding places in Sigiriya is by motorbike. You can rent a motorbike at your hotel or at any of the rental shops in town.

Tip : Hire a tuk-tuk to beat the sun while getting around Sigiriya. It's also great if you're traveling in groups or if you don't have a motorbike license. 

Polonnaruwa, an ancient city and a World Heritage Site, is a great place to visit for a day trip from Sigiriya. Here, you can learn about Sri Lanka's history and culture, and it's home to the most important historical ruins in the country. 

Read: Complete Guide to Visiting Polonnaruwa

For those looking for another adventure, a jeep safari to Minneriya National Park should be on your list. Minneriya National Park offers a truly unique experience in Sri Lanka. 

R ead: Guide to visiting Minneriya National Park .

Tip : Visit between June and September to witness the largest gathering of Asian elephants worldwide!

A jeep safari in Minneriya National Park typically costs around 60 USD per person. Here are the highly rated safari tours you can book.

Day 27 & 28: Anuradhapura

How to Get Around: Tuk-tuk, Bicycle 

After Sigiriya, head up north to see the ancient city of Anuradhapura . You might know it from the famous huge bell-shaped stupas, but there’s so much more to discover in this sacred city.

How to Get to Anuradhapura from Sigiriya

Car : The fastest to reach Anuradhapura is to take a car. The drive takes about 2 hours depending on the traffic and costs around 50 USD. 

Book your car to Anuradhapura

Bus : There are no direct buses to Anuradhapura, but it’s pretty straightforward. All in all, it takes at least 3 hours to reach Anuradhapura by local bus, which costs about 2 USD.

First, catch a bus heading to Dambulla, which is around 1 hour away. Then take bus No.15 heading towards Anuradhapura; the drive takes about 2 hours.

Anuradhapura has accommodations for everyone. Staying in the old town will bring you closer to the ruins. While staying in the new town, you will have access to most of the restaurants in the area. Lastly, stay around Mihintale Junction Railway Station if you're looking to stay somewhere quiet and peaceful. Find all acommodations in Anuradhapura here .

To access all the sacred areas of Anuradhapura, you will have to pay for a day pass, which costs 25 USD per person. You can buy this at any of the ticket booths spread out in the area or at the entrance of the bigger attractions. Ask your accommodation for the nearest booth location.

Tip : We recommend renting a bicycle and driving around the old city of Anuradhapura. 

Explore in the morning to avoid the heat and enjoy the peacefulness of the area at your own pace. If you don’t have much time and want to visit as many attractions as possible, consider booking a tour.

Book this guided tour to the ancient city

One of the most important places to visit in Anuradhapura is Ruwanwelisaya . This remarkable white dome dagoba is one of the tallest stupas in the old city of Anuradhapura. Because of its religious significance, a lot of Buddhists visit this place every day, and it can get a little crowded.

Tip : Visit in the morning or evening to avoid the heat and crowds, and wear white if you want to enter inside. Avoid visiting during the full moon, as many religious devotees come here to pray.

Jethawanaramaya Dagoba is another significant structure in Anuradhapura and is made with over 90 million baked bricks. You'll need to take off your shoes to visit. 

Tip : Bring some socks to navigate the hot stone ground and wear long pants or a skirt.

In the afternoon, you can head to Mihintale Mountain to watch the sunset. Mihintale is believed to be the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and is a place of immense religious value for all Sri Lankans. Climb the 1840 steps and get rewarded with an amazing view from the top. The entrance fee to the Mihintale Sacred Area costs about 5 USD.

Day 29 & 30: Negombo

Recommended Length of Stay: 1 Nights

Best Time to Visit: December to March

From Anuradhapura, end your Sri Lanka trip to the fishing town of Negombo. Negombo's close proximity to the airport makes it the perfect place for a relaxing end to your Sri Lanka trip. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere along with Negombo's sandy beaches, colorful fishing boats, and the last stop to feast on delicious seafood. 

For dinner, we recommend going to Lords Restaurant , a local restaurant that serves some of the best Sri Lankan cuisine in town. Not only do they serve great local food, but they serve international cuisine too. You can also listen to live music, and the staff is fantastic.

Tip : Try their delicious curries!

How to Get to Negombo from Anuradhapura

Car : You can hire a car to take you to Negombo anytime you like. This is the most convenient and fastest way, but it can be pricey, especially when traveling alone. You can expect to pay around 70 USD for a 3 hour drive, depending on the traffic.

Tip : Book your car transfer to Negombo online. Ask if other travelers are headed in the same direction so you can split the cost.

Bus : You can also take a local bus heading to Colombo and then get off at the Negombo bus station. The drive takes at least 5 hours.

Train : Another option is to take a train heading to Colombo Fort. Then, get a tuk-tuk to take you to your accommodation in Negombo. The train takes about 4 hours and costs around 2 USD. 

Book your accommodation near Negombo Beach along Porutota Road, which is where the majority of restaurants and cafes are located. Stay farther away from the main road for a more peaceful stay. Find all Negombo accommodations here .

In the morning, walk down to the fishing village, also known as Lellama , to learn about the local fishing community in Negombo. You can buy fresh seafood and explore one of Sri Lanka's largest open-air fishing villages.

Tip : Visit in the early mornings to see boats coming back from the night catch. 

On your last day, go to Negombo Beach and spend the day relaxing with friends and family. You can walk along the beach and watch the sun set, or you can enjoy the view from one of the nearby bars or restaurants.

The best way to explore the area in Negombo is on foot, going for a stroll along the beach and walking up to the fish market. If your time is limited you might want to consider exploring Negombo by tuk-tuk. Here are some of the most popular tours to book in Negombo. 

Back To Colombo Airport

Here are the best ways to get to Colombo airport from Negombo town. 

Car : The most convenient way is to arrange a car transfer. The drive is about 30 minutes and costs at least 15 USD. 

Book your car to Colombo airport

Tuk-tuk:  Taking a tuk-tuk is another option, and they're easy to find. Ask your accommodation to arrange one for you, and remember to agree on the price before you get into the tuk-tuk. Expect to pay around 5 USD. 

And that’s the perfect 4 weeks Sri Lanka travel itinerary!

With a mix of culture, nature, and history, this Sri Lanka 30-day itinerary is an ideal way to experience the best that the country has to offer. We hope this travel guide helps you plan your itinerary in Sri Lanka and gives you inspiration. You can always adjust it to whatever fits you. 

Read our Top Sri Lanka Travel Tips to better prepare for your trip. 

We’re always curious what you think, so if we missed anything, please let us know in the comments below!

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This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on one of our links, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please know that by doing so, you are supporting Colorful Journeys in continuing to provide free high quality content to help you in your travels!

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The Best Sri Lanka 3 Weeks Itinerary: Ideal Route Guide

Planning 3 weeks in Sri Lanka? Here is my guide to the teardrop isle.

In this 3 week Sri Lanka itinerary you will experience lush jungled hilltops, captivating wildlife, culture-steeped cities, and white sand beaches with some of the best surf spots in the world. Not to mention the earthy, spicy and nutritious food!

The Sri Lankan people are some of the humblest and most generous people I’ve ever encountered. After visiting several other Asian countries, it’s easy to get that feeling that the locals want something out of you, but here it’s simply not true. While they do work to make a living, their kindness and generosity are unparalleled. You will experience an overall feeling that you are wholeheartedly welcome on the island and in their home.

Now, where do you start?

This Sri Lanka 3 weeks itinerary will have you conquering rock fortresses in Sigiriya , sipping tea in Ella (Sri Lanka’s greenest hilltops), hiking to the top of the world, witnessing the most majestic creatures in Yala National Park , and lounging on some of the most beautiful beaches in Weligama and Mirissa . Don’t forget about the picturesque temples of Kandy . This Sri Lanka route guide will not leave you wanting. 

READ | Why Visit Sri Lanka? The Ultimate Sri Lanka Bucket List READ | The perfect Sri Lanka Packing List for your Sri Lanka itinerary

* This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my  full disclosure  for further information.

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3 Week Sri Lanka Itinerary: Overview

Day 1 + 2: Negombo – Beach Time Day 3 + 4: Sigiriya – Rock Fortress Day 5 + 6: Kandy – Temples + Culture Day 7: Nuwara Eliya – Hiking + High Tea Day 8 – 10: Ella – Hiking + Tea Plantations Day 11: Yala National Park – Safari + Wildlife Day 12 + 13: Mirissa – Whale Watching + Beach Time Day 14 – 17: Weligama (or Ahangama) – Surfing Day 18 + 19: Galle Fort – History Day 20 + 21: Colombo – Markets + Mosques

3 Weeks Itinerary Sri Lanka Route Map

Spending 3 Weeks in Sri Lanka

Day 1 + 2 | arrive in negombo.

How exciting! 

You’ve finally landed on the beautiful island of Sri Lanka, and now all you can think about is sleep. Make your way to the main strip in Negombo and hole up at a beachside accommodation for a couple of days to rid yourself of jetlag. 

This is a perfect start to your Sri Lanka travel itinerary as Negombo offers pristine beaches and breathtaking sunsets. Located much closer to the international airport than Colombo, basing here will make your trip from baggage claim to beach chair that much quicker.

STAY | Search for the best places to stay in Negombo

Leaving Negombo | How to get from Negombo to Sigiriya | Grab a taxi to Katunayake Airport Bus Station and take the bus to Dambulla. Here you can opt to explore the Dambulla Cave Temple before taking a final taxi ride the short distance to Sigiriya. The total cost is approximately $10-14 USD per person. 

TIP | If you have some extra money to spend and would rather make transport around the island seamless, flexible and stress-free, opt to hire a full-time driver. Generally, you should expect to pay $50-60 USD per day for a private driver in Sri Lanka. This price will be all-inclusive, except the odd driver accommodation which will cost you $10-15 USD a night.

Day 3 + 4 | Sigiriya, the Historic Centre of Sri Lanka

This leg of your Sri Lanka route will take you to lush plains, farmlands, and national parks, home to the majestic elephant. My bus ride to Sigiriya was a memorable one, full of palm tree-lined roads, local families bathing and playing in the pristine blue lakes, and a stunning pink and purple dusk sky. I knew I was in for a treat of a journey!

The Dambulla region, consisting of Dambulla city, and surrounding towns such as Sigiriya, is the perfect place to learn about the country’s ancient and religious history. 

READ MORE | Visiting Sigiriya: Your Guide to the Historic Centre of Sri Lanka

Found just outside of the small village of Sigiriya is the infamous Lion Rock Fortress. If you’ve ever done a simple google search on things to do in Sri Lanka, this will be one of the top results, and for a reason! This epic red rock features frescoes, lion statues and meandering staircases.

Just be warned, if you are terrified of heights, the climb up the fortress might be a tough one but well worth it. Once you make it to the top, panoramic views of the jungle will greet you, along with the ancient ruins of the old capital city of Sri Lanka, dating back to the 5th century.

This region is also home to the Dambulla Cave Temple Complex, an ancient Buddhist monastery. It consists of five separate shrines built high into the side of the hill and features a myriad of ornate Buddhist statues.   

STAY | Book your Sigiriya Accommodation

LEAVING SIGIRIYA  | How to get from Sigiriya to Kandy | If time permits, you have a couple of options before heading on to Kandy:

If you have more time…

First, you could head up to the cultural capital of the North, Jaffna . This city is home to majority Muslim residents, and the devastation of the recently lost civil war is apparent. This shouldn’t dissuade you though, the city is full of great culture and people and since it’s not on any usual itinerary in Sri Lanka, you’ll find fewer tourists and more Sri Lankan authenticity.

STAY | Take a look at accommodation options for Jaffna

Secondly, you can head out to the northeast surf spot of Trincomalee where the beaches are less busy and more expansive than in the south. This surfing and whale-watching destination is also less developed, so don’t expect to get a myriad of western food options. It’s the perfect opportunity to truly connect with the local people and try a Sri Lankan curry!

STAY | Search hotels in Trincomalee

If time is tight, continue on the best Sri Lanka itinerary and head straight to the cultural capital, Kandy . The best way to get from Sigiriya to Kandy is by grabbing a tuk-tuk to the bus station in Dambulla. From there you can take a bus to Kandy. This will cost you less than $10 USD and will take 3 hours.

Day 5 + 6 | Welcome to Kandy, the Cultural Capital of Sri Lanka

Coined as the second city to Colombo, Kandy is full of culture and life. Its elevation in the green peaks and manmade lake give this city a much more small-town feel, so you won’t have any issue escaping the commotion of the city centre if you want to relax and hear your thoughts. A walk around the lake is just the ticket to observe local life and watch the ducks swim in the ripples. 

If you want to go further into nature during your three weeks in Sri Lanka, visit the Royal Botanical Gardens just outside of the city, it won’t disappoint. Do make sure to wander into the market streets of Kandy though, where the heartbeat of the city pulses. 

READ MORE | The Best Things to Do in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Of course, a visit to the UNESCO Temple of the Sacred Tooth will be one of the major highlights of your trip to Kandy. Believed to be home to a piece of Buddha’s tooth, you will find devotees from all over the world here. Go early to watch the drumming ceremony and watch the devotion of flowers and cash being given to the shrine. Don’t forget to leave time to visit the surrounding gardens and buildings. 

From iconic temples, abundant gardens, quiet lakes, and lively markets, Kandy has it all.

LEAVING KANDY | How to get from Kandy to Ella | One of the most scenic train rides in the world, and guaranteed to be one of the main features of your entire trip, is the Kandy to Ella train ride. I’d suggest breaking it up into two parts, taking the first leg from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, and then continuing on to Ella. 

TIP | Kandy to Nuwara Eliya train ride schedule can be found here , along with details on each compartment and train type. 

STAY | Book accommodation in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Day 7 | Nuwara Eliya, the ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka

Nuwara Eliya, or ‘Little England” is a small town in the hilltop region of Sri Lanka. Originally a respite from hot weather in lower elevations of Sri Lanka, the British would spend time here playing cricket, golf, and hunting the surrounding lands.

If you do decide to stop here on your Sri Lanka 3 week itinerary, you will notice many colonial-type buildings here, something I wasn’t a huge fan of, although it lent to a scenic little village walk. A visit to Horton Plains National Park made it worth the stop.

STAY | Book your hotel in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Hike the Horton Plains National Park

Arrange a ride to Horton Plain National Park with your hotel . This drive should start out at 5 am to get to the national park before the crowds start rolling in. The front gate opens at 6 am. I’d highly recommend going early, as the misty atmosphere of the park is what won me over, not to mention the views all the way to the ocean at World’s End, the main viewport. 

The hike difficulty through Horton Plains National Park is easy to moderate, as it comes with 9km of gradual hills and unpolished walkways. Make sure you stop at Baker’s Falls and bring some snacks along!

TIP | As with many National Parks in Sri Lanka, you will be asked to remove plastic bottles and baggies from your day pack. Ensure you bring a reusable water bottle.

The entrance fee is roughly $20 USD plus transportation to get there.

High Tea at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya

If British colonial-style buildings and experiences are up your alley, book high tea at The Grand Hotel , established in 1891. The beautiful gardens and location, combined with delectable morsels and Sri Lankan tea can be a great way to spend a part of an afternoon. High tea at the Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya will cost you 1500 LKR with tea, or if you’d like to get fancy, 3000 LKR with champagne.

LEAVING NUWARA ELIYA | How to get from Nuwara Eliya to Ella | Hop back on the scenic train ride to your final hilltop destination of Ella. 

Day 8 – 10 | Ella, the hiking destination of Sri Lanka

Ella is the jewel of the Sri Lankan hill country and there’s no wonder why surrounded by green jagged hills, it’s a hiker’s dream. Overall, Ella has a young, hip, European backpacker vibe and is a major tourist hub. If that’s not your scene, I’d still encourage you to take off early in the mornings and spend the day hiking the many hills in the area and spend as little time as you want in the town.    

Top hikes here are the challenging Adam Peak Sri Lanka, the more casual Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock. All hikes offer panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. 

Of course, you can’t forget about the Instagram famous blue train over the architecturally marvellous Nine Arches Bridge. Make sure to check the schedule for when the train crosses the bridge for the perfect shot. It’s a must to do on your Sri Lanka itinerary 3 weeks.

TIP | Make sure to bring proper shoes and a warm layer as the temperatures can drop when the sun isn’t shining. 

READ MORE | 9 Amazing Things to do In Ella, Sri Lanka

STAY | Where to Stay in Ella, Sri Lanka

LEAVING ELLA | How to get from Ella to Yala National Park | Take the bus bound for Wellawaya, before changing to the bus bound for Tissa, about a 4-hour journey. If you’d like to quicken your pace by taking a taxi, it will cost you upwards of $30 USD.

Day 11 | Yala National Park

The most popular activity in Sri Lanka, Yala National Park is where you will find elephants at the water’s edge, a plethora of bird species, and if you are lucky, you may spot an elusive leopard. Spanning the Southeast region of Sri Lanka, the large savannah has two major tourist hubs to base out of, Kataragama at the Northwest end and Tissamaharama (Tissa) at the Southwest end. 

READ MORE | The Complete Guide to Visiting Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Tissa, being the largest centre of the two, will be the best spot to see elephants, while Kataragama will give you a better chance of seeing a leopard. Be aware, leopards are very evasive animals, so the odds of seeing one are about 30 percent. 

STAY | Book a Kataragama Hotel

STAY | Book your stay in Tissa

LEAVING YALA NATIONAL PARK | How to get from Yala National Park to Mirissa | Take the #32 bus from Tissa or Kataragama to Mirissa. The bus route runs every 30 minutes or so and will only be a couple of US dollars.

Day 12 + 13 | Mirissa

Welcome to Mirissa, one of the smaller surf towns on the Sri Lankan southern coast. With approximately 5,000 people, that small-town vibe is still healthy and alive here. One main strip will take you through the town with glistening golden beaches and turquoise blue water on one side, and quaint local shops and eats on the other.

READ MORE | My recommendation on what to do, eat and see in Mirissa

If you decide to rent a scooter for the duration of your time on the south coast, here would be the place to do it.  

As your first tropical beach destination on this 3 Week itinerary in Sri Lanka, I suggest you take full advantage of Mirissa Beach. Surfing, strolling, lounging, eating and drinking can all be found here. Spend the first afternoon busy doing nothing. 

STAY | Book your Mirissa accommodation

LEAVING MIRISSA | How to get from Mirissa to Weligama | Simply arrange a tuk tuk with your accommodation (less than $3 USD) or take the local bus transportation (under $1 USD). The trip will take under 20 minutes.

Day 14 – 17 | Weligama (or Ahangama) 

A central location for surfers, hip 20-40 year olds, and new-age health foodies, Weligama is one the coolest spots on the southern waters of Sri Lanka. A bit more bustling than most seaside villages, Weligama’s vibe is a cross between hippie backpacker and trendy hipster. This town features a condensed town centre chock full of great sips and eats. 

In all honesty, my time in this area turned into what can only be called a ‘food tour’, as I bounced from trendy cafe to trendy cafe for three meals a day. You’ll see this reflected in my recommendations on the best things to do in Weligama .

READ MORE | Your Guide to Weligama – Sri Lanka’s Surf Capital  

Deemed the surfer capital of Sri Lanka, Weligama is closely connected to the even smaller surf havens of Midigama and Ahangama. With their laid-back atmosphere, these towns are more spread out but still offer several quality accommodations and yummy restaurants. Any of these three destinations are great to set up camp for your duration in the area. 

READ MORE | 6 Best & Coolest Cafes in Southern Sri Lanka  

STAY | Find hotels in Weligama + Ahangama, Sri Lanka

LEAVING WELIGAMA  | How to get from Weligama to Galle Fort | Every 4 hours there is a train that leaves from the Weligama station heading toward Galle. This train ride, which will take around 40 minutes to arrive at the Galle station, will cost less than $1 USD.

Once arrived at Galle train station, find a tuk-tuk to take you the rest of the journey into Galle Fort, about a 1km distance. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi or tuk-tuk that can take you from Weligama right to your accommodation in Galle Fort for upwards of $10 USD.

Day 18 + 19 | Galle Fort

Where Sri Lankan history, Portuguese and Dutch Colonialism come together, Galle Fort is where you will get a good fill of history and architecture. Built in 1588 by the Portuguese and later fortified by the Dutch in the 1600s, this European-style fort community does seem rather out of place in Sri Lanka, but definitely worth a visit. 

Galle Fort comes complete with wide, walkable walls to watch the sunset, quaint but bustling shopping streets to find quality local souvenirs and clothing, and beautiful architecture to ponder and marvel at. Last but not least, Galle Fort has some really great food, both Sri Lankan and western. 

READ MORE | 5 Fun Things to Do in Historic Galle Fort, Sri Lanka

Aggregate hotel sites like booking.com are your best option for a selection of guest houses in Galle Fort. It’s worth mentioning that outside Galle Fort in the city will be cheaper than inside the walls. 

STAY | Best Hotels in Galle Fort

LEAVING GALLE FORT | How to get from Galle Fort to Colombo | Catching the train is your best bet here as it takes a nice scenic tour of the coastline up to Colombo. It will cost you about $1 USD and lasts just under 2 hours. 

DAY 18 + 19 | Alternative Destination | Hikkaduwa  

A well-established surf town on the Southwest coast of Sri Lanka was discovered by hippies back in the 1970s. Donning a really great beach for intermediates and advanced surfers, Hikkaduwa can be an alternative destination on your 3 Week itinerary Sri Lanka for your 19th or 20th night. 

This town offers great accommodations like Dreamtime Sri Lanka , and cafe shops like Salty Swamis . I’d suggest not visiting turtle hatcheries while you are here, but this is a controversial topic, so do your research before you go.

STAY | Book a night in Hikkaduwa

Day 20 | Back to Colombo

On your last afternoon before leaving the beautiful island of Sri Lanka, you will spend some time in Colombo. This city is a combination of clean, crisp British Colonialism and the gritty third world. Guaranteed to not be one of your top memories on your trip this city still has a few highlights up its sleeve that can make your afternoon here worthwhile.  

Walk through the Pettah Markets

The vibrant and lively Pettah Markets  are the central hub of activity in Colombo. Selling anything from gold jewelry to plastic toys, this market is a great spot for a real authentic look into the lives of the locals. 

Beyond that, the colours and textures of the scenery make capturing local life even that much more enjoyable. As with most big city markets, make sure to keep a good eye on your valuables and watch out for scams. Haggling here is very much practiced and appreciated.

Admire The Red Mosque (Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid)

On your journey through the Pettah Markets, make a stop at the picturesque Red Mosque (Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid). The red and white building, constructed in 1909, is a hybrid of native Indo-Islamic and Indian architecture, with hints of gothic revival and neoclassical styles. The Red Mosque will make you and your camera really happy.

Galle Face Green  

The main park by the ocean, Galle Face Green is where locals come to fly kites, grab street food and watch the sunset. I suggest you do the same (maybe minus the kite flying). Here you will find a few different street food vendors tossing and chopping the famous Kottu Roti. If you haven’t given it a try up until this point, this is the place to do it.

STAY | Where to stay in Colombo

Day 21 – Home

Make your way from Colombo city centre to the Bandaranaike International Airport . This can be easily achieved through a one-hour taxi ride ($20 USD) or hopping on a local bus which will take upwards of 2 – 2.5 hours.

See All Essential Guides for Sri Lanka

Want to continue planning your trip to Sri Lanka? Read the specialized guides below for some of the best experiences in Sri Lanka:

SRI LANKA BUCKET LIST  | Get inspired by all that Sri Lanka has to offer. Here are my Sri Lanka highlights.

SRI LANKA TRAVEL TIPS  | Prepare for your Sri Lanka trip by reading my 21 top tips on what you should know before visiting the beautiful teardrop isle

SRI LANKA PACKING LIST  | Take the guesswork out of packing and easily check off my list to all things you will need for Sri Lanka’s warm climate

KANDY | Bustling market streets, quiet strolls around the lake, lush botanical gardens, and ornate Buddhist temples, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka has it all

ELLA   | Nestled in the green centre of Sri Lanka, this hiker’s paradise features trails with panoramic views of jagged green hills, deep valleys and rushing waterfalls.

YALA NATIONAL PARK  | Majestic elephants, elusive leopards, and a myriad of bird species can all be found in one of the biggest national parks in Sri Lanka.

WELIGAMA   | Where surf culture is alive and thriving, this central town is located on the golden south coast of Sri Lanka and offers the best surf beach for beginners, and an abundance of traditional and modern eateries.

MIRISSA   | A small surf town located 15 minutes away from Weligama, offers golden beaches, surfing, serene spas, and healthy food.

GALLE FORT  | Fortified stone walls, dutch and Portuguese style architecture, great food and shopping all culminate in this little town that was once a major Sri Lankan trading post.

Click Image Below to Pin for Later!

Haley is the founder of the global travel blog, Haley Blackall Travel. She has travelled to 40+ countries across 5 continents over the last 15 years and is considered an expert in her field.

She loves to share honest first hand experience from her travels. Her goal is to help readers planning their next trip by providing in-depth travel guides and recommendations for her favourite boutique hotels, things to do and travel itineraries.

Haley focuses her expertise on countries such as Greece, Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica, Australia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

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Hi Haley, Thank you for this amazing route guide. One of my favourites that I’ve seen online so far. Just wondering – what month did you take this trip? Having a hard time deciding when the best time to go and see as much as possible is.

Thanks so much, Rayna

Thanks for stopping by and I’m glad this blog was helpful for you!

I took this trip in January, which was the perfect time to visit Sri Lanka, especially for the destinations I’ve outlined here. Visiting Sri Lanka between December and March is the best if you are following this itinerary.

Sri Lanka experiences 2 separate monsoon seasons, one in the northeast from Dec-March and one in the southwest from April-November. These seasons occur at opposite times of the year, making it a bit more difficult to visit the whole island at once if you are looking for warm sunny weather.

I wouldn’t recommend visiting Trincomalee in the northeast during this time as it’s mainly for beaches and water sports but Jaffra will still be enjoyable even during monsoon season.

I hope this helps! If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

I loved Sri Lanka so much and I can’t wait to go back one day. Enjoy your trip!

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Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Sri Lanka Travel Guide

Published: December 6, 2023

Sri Lanka was a wonderful surprise. I didn’t know what to expect going into my trip, but I ended up loving every bit of it.

It is a divided country, with the south dominated by Buddhist Sinhalese and the north by Hindu Tamils. After the British left in 1948, the Sinhalese controlled the government and enacted a series of laws that limited Tamil participation in society. Eventually, Tamil protests escalated and a 26-year civil war ensued, only ending in 2009.

Though it has been some time since then, Sri Lanka is still very much recovering — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit. In fact, my time there was especially memorable due to my experiences meeting and getting to know the incredibly friendly locals. No matter where I went, Sri Lankans welcomed me with kindness and open arms.

Traveling around Sri Lanka is relatively easy and very budget-friendly. English is widely spoken, so once you get used to the chaos, it isn’t too difficult to get around.

With that in mind, here’s my Sri Lanka travel guide so that you can save money, have fun, and make the most of your visit to this beautiful country!

A note on prices and currencies : Costs for attractions in this guide are in USD, while costs for restaurants and accommodations are in LKR. This is to most accurately represent the currency in which you will see prices. Foreign visitors are charged a different price from locals at most attractions, quoted in USD. Registered tourist establishments are required to accept only foreign currency from nonresidents, as part of a governmental scheme to build up the country’s reserves of stronger currencies.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around

How to Stay Safe

• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Sri Lanka

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Sri Lanka

1. Tour a tea estate

When the British colonized the island in the early 19th century, they quickly realized that the central highlands had the perfect climate and topography for growing tea. One of the largest, lasting impacts of colonialism is that a significant portion of the country is still covered in tea plantations or estates.

The town of Hatton is known as the tea capital of Sri Lanka, as it’s the central point of a few regions where the plant is still plucked by hand (and one of the few places in the world where this still occurs). Going on a plantation or factory tour is a great way to learn about this integral part of the country’s economy and culture. Tours are often free, though if there is a fee, it’s only around 250 LKR. Tours usually include a tea tasting at the end.

2. See the wildlife at Yala National Park

This is Sri Lanka’s second-largest and most popular national park. It’s well known for its abundant wildlife, especially the elephants and leopards that make their home here. In fact, it’s the best place in the world to try to spot leopards, as it has the highest density of them! The area is culturally significant as well, with two important Buddhist pilgrim sites, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Vihara, located within the park. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit these sites each year. While a guide isn’t required to enter the park, joining a safari led by an experienced local guide is the best way to experience Yala, as you’ll be able to ask questions as they point out animals to you. Safaris are quite affordable too, starting at just 8,600 LKR.

3. Hike Sigiriya Rock

Also known as Lion’s Rock, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the country’s most famous tourist attraction. In the fifth century, Sri Lankan ruler King Kashyapa decided to build his fortress on this massive column of granite rock. While it was abandoned shortly after his death, its remote location meant that the palace remained untouched over the centuries, and today it remains a fascinating example of ancient urban planning.

You can hike to the top for stunning views over the lush landscapes below; it takes an hour to walk up, as it’s single file all the way. As it’s one of the most popular things to do in Sri Lanka, you won’t have this place to yourself. Get there when it opens at 6:30am to avoid huge lines. If you are there after 10am, the crowds are so overwhelming, it’s not worth visiting. Admission is $30 USD ( guided day trips from Kandy that also include visits to the cave temples of Dambulla are $70 USD).

Pro tip: if you’re on a budget, climb Pidurangala Rock instead. It’s much cheaper (500 LKR), plus you’ll actually get views of Sigiriya Rock itself! (Just note that the trail does involve some scrambling at times, while the trail to the top of Sigiriya is steep but easier, with metal steps and staircases.)

4. Take the train

The British built the Sri Lankan railway system in 1864 to transport tea and coffee from plantations to Colombo, where these goods were then shipped out internationally. The train lines are still in use and provide a scenic way to explore the country. There are three main lines, but the ride from Kandy to Ella is widely considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It lasts seven hours and takes you through lush mountains, tropical forests, and endless tea plantations; the picturesque 20th-century Nine Arches Bridge is on this route as well.

If you’d like to take this journey, it’s best to book with a travel agency in advance as seats sell out quickly. Just adjust your expectations regarding timeliness and speed. Don’t be in a hurry when riding the rails in Sri Lanka!

5. Visit Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura was the very first capital of Sri Lanka and remained so for around 1,300 years. Today, many of the old ruins still survive and have been restored to their former glory. This archaeological complex and UNESCO site contains many of Buddhism’s holiest places, including Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the fig tree where it is believed that the Buddha himself obtained enlightenment. It’s also home to Jetavanaramaya Dagaba, which at 122 meters (400 feet) is the world’s tallest stupa. Most people either rent a bicycle or hire a tuk-tuk to take them around the complex. Admission to the five main temples is $25 USD, though there are many smaller temples and sites that are either free or just a couple of dollars.

Other Things to See and Do

1. visit kandy.

The country’s second-largest city was also the last capital of Sri Lanka’s monarchy, the Kingdom of Kandy, which arose in the late 16th century and resisted both Dutch and Portuguese rule before finally succumbing to British colonization in the early 19th century. Kandy is known for its well-preserved historic colonial center (now a UNESCO site), as well as the Buddhist shrine the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (supposedly an actual tooth of the Buddha). Many visitors come here because it’s the starting point for the scenic train to Ella, but make sure to spend a few days exploring the bustling streets, enjoying Kandy Lake, and wandering through the Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya, the nation’s biggest and most impressive botanical garden.

2. Explore Ella

If you take Sri Lanka’s most scenic train ride, you’ll end up in the town of Ella, which, though small, is a popular destination. Even if you don’t take the train to get here, the iconic Nine Arches railway bridge is one of the biggest attractions in the entire country. You can get to the lookout by hiking through the forest, and then waiting for a train to go by if you want that iconic “Sri Lankan postcard” shot. Other things to see and do here include traversing the surrounding rainforests to see stunning waterfalls, hiking Little Adam’s Peak or Ella Rock, and visiting the endless tea plantations.

3. Travel up north

After decades of war, the north has a legacy of destruction that has yet to go away. For that reason, most travelers focus on the southern half of Sri Lanka, with its plentiful hiking and charming beach towns. But seeing the north gave me a more nuanced perspective on a portion of the country without hordes of other tourists. In fact, in my time there, I saw only four Westerners.

As the area is mainly Hindu, you’ll find lots of beautiful temples here, including the impressive Nallur Kandaswamy in Jaffna. The north also offers beautiful yet uncrowded beaches, a plethora of tranquil islands to explore, and delicious food with a strong southern Indian influence.

4. See the temples

Sri Lanka has an astonishing number of impressive temples. Everywhere you go, there’s a beautiful temple! Some of the most famous include Temple of the Tooth (in Kandy), Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam and Gangaramaya (both in Colombo), Dambulla Cave Temple (in Dambulla), and Nallur Kandaswamy Temple (in Jaffna).

When visiting, be sure to dress appropriately, as these are active places of worship. Also, bring flip-flops to temples, since you’ll have to take your socks and shoes off before going inside. Entrance fees range from free to around $10 USD.

5. Take a cooking class

While I didn’t know much about the country’s food before arriving, I quickly became hooked on the delicious curries of Sri Lankan cuisine. Colombo Cooking Class offers three-hour sessions in which you make 10 dishes, including curries, coconut sambol, and papadam. The class takes place in the owner’s home, and it really feels like you’re learning to cook with a friend! The cost is around 20,000 LKR.

6. Hit the beaches

Since it’s a huge island, Sri Lanka’s coastline spans over 1,340 kilometers (830 miles), meaning there are countless beaches to enjoy. There are white-sand shores to stroll on, coral reefs perfect for snorkeling, picturesque sunsets to admire, and breaks great for surfing. No matter what you’re into, there’s a beach for you in Sri Lanka.

Arugam Bay and Mirissa Beach are some of the most well known, mainly as world-famous surfing destinations, but they both have nice beach towns to visit even if you don’t surf.

7. Day trip to Galle

Founded in the late 16th century by the Portuguese and later conquered by the Dutch in the mid-17th century, Galle (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is a beautifully preserved old fort town that’s worth a visit. A visit here is best spent just wandering around, admiring the Dutch colonial buildings, walking the perimeter of the old fort, shopping at the artisanal craft stores (or taking a workshop to learn how to make jewelry in the traditional style ), touring the National Maritime Museum, and eating fresh seafood.

But as that’s about the extent of what there is to do, I recommend visiting Galle as a day trip from Colombo rather than staying overnight. It’s super easy, as you can take the train directly, which takes about two hours.

8. Climb Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak is Sri Lanka’s most sacred mountain and an important pilgrimage destination. Hindus and Buddhists believe the mountain is the footstep of Shiva and the Buddha, respectively, while Muslims and Christians revere it as the first place Adam stepped on earth after his ousting from the Garden of Eden.

But even if you aren’t religious, trekking to the top of Adam’s Peak is a rewarding experience for both the challenge of the ascent and the magnificent views. It is a steep climb, with over 5,000 steps to get to the top, though there are many teahouses to stop at along the way. Most hikers start their climb from the village of Dalhousie around 2am in order to reach the top by sunrise. Depending on your fitness level, the entire journey takes around 5-7 hours.

9. Go whale watching

While countries like Iceland get all the press for whale watching, Sri Lanka is actually one of the best places to view these awe-inspiring creatures. Many species — including the blue whale, the largest animal on earth — migrate annually around the southern tip of the island, swimming closer to shore here than anywhere else in the world.

Mirissa Beach is the best place to depart from, and there are many operators offering tours. Be sure to go with a company that adheres to responsible international whale watching standards, which include stipulations like not getting too close, not feeding the whales, etc. I recommend Raja and the Whales, where an adult ticket is around 20,000 LKR.

10. Explore Colombo

As the country’s capital and location of its major international airport, you’ll undoubtedly be flying in and out of Colombo. This busy city is a bit of everything, with modern cafés and bistros right next to traditional Buddhist and Hindu temples. It’s worth spending a couple days here, getting your bearings and enjoying the cultural offerings.

Sri Lanka Travel Costs

Sri Lanka is cheap to visit. Even when you splurge, it’s not that expensive, especially if you stick to delicious local cuisine, travel on trains and buses, and don’t go crazy with your accommodation.

Accommodation – There is a lot of cheap accommodation throughout the country (and a growing number of hostels), though they’re really basic, with just a fan, mosquito net, and shower. At 2,000-4,000 LKR per dorm bed, you can’t go wrong though. Private rooms in hostels start around 6,500 LKR.

Guesthouses are more plentiful and affordable, with private rooms that have an en-suite bathroom starting at 5,000 LKR per night. Two-star budget hotels start around 8,000 LKR. In both cases, you’ll usually get free breakfast and Wi-Fi too.

You can find some unique Airbnbs in Sri Lanka, though they tend to be pricey. Prices range from 7,000 LKR per night for tree houses and cabins to 25,000 LKR and up for villas and larger properties. Most of the midrange options on Airbnb are hotels and guesthouses.

Food – Incredibly flavorful and packed with fragrant spices, Sri Lankan food is influenced by the culture and cuisines of foreign traders from all over the world. Middle Eastern, Indian, Portuguese, and Dutch flavors are particularly common due to trading routes and the country’s colonial history.

Cinnamon and black pepper are the two most important spices, though cardamom, pandan leaf, and lemongrass feature heavily too. Sri Lankan cuisine can be quite spicy, and dozens of types of peppers are grown and used on the island.

And, as an island nation, it should come as no surprise that fresh seafood plays a major role in many Sri Lankan dishes. Maldives fish (cured tuna produced in the Maldives) is a staple flavoring element. Coconut and rice are also two ubiquitous ingredients that you’ll find on the table at every meal and part of many street snacks.

Popular dishes include various curries (including fish, crab, or lentil), biryani (meat, fish, or vegetables cooked with rice and seasoned), pittu (cylinders of rice flour mixed with grated coconut), kiribath (rice cooked in coconut milk), roti (flatbread made from wheat flour), wattalapam (rich pudding made with coconut milk, jaggery, cashews, eggs, and spices), kottu (roti, meat curry, scrambled egg, onions, and chilies, chopped together with a cleaver on a hot griddle), appam (a thin pancake made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk), lamprais (rice cooked in stock, accompanied by meatballs, and baked in a banana leaf), breudher (a Dutch holiday biscuit), and bolo fiado (Portuguese-style layer cake).

Besides being delicious, food is also really cheap here. At a casual traditional restaurant, starters and snacks like roti or dosa are 240-550 LKR, while biryani costs 450-900 (depending on the meat chosen), and a typical curry dish costs 550-950 LKR. A fast-food combo meal is 750 LKR.

At restaurants with table service or for a more “Western” meal, a pizza is 2,500-3,500 LKR, a pasta dish is 1,500-2,200, and a burger is around 1,100-1,500 LKR. At an upscale restaurant, fish or crab curry is 3,500-4,000 LKR, while a chicken or vegetable curry is 1,000-1,500 LKR.

A bottle of water is 100-150 LKR, a cappuccino is 600 LKR, and a beer is around 500-600 LKR, though don’t expect too many chances to drink alcohol. Outside the coastal touristy beach towns and the capital of Colombo, there isn’t much nightlife or opportunity to drink. While you can always crack a beer at your guesthouse, Sri Lanka isn’t home to a big drinking/nightlife culture.

Some of my favorite restaurants were Balaji Dosai and the Slightly Chilled Bar in Kandy; Ahinsa in Sigiriya; and Upali’s and the Ministry of Crab in Colombo. The last one is an expensive seafood restaurant, but the food is delicious! Sri Lankan crab is famous worldwide — and gigantic. It’s not cheap, but sometimes you just have to treat yourself.

Backpacking Sri Lanka: Suggested Budgets

On a backpacking budget of 9,700 LKR per day, you can stay in a hostel, eat cheap meals like street food (with limited drinking), use public transportation to get around, and do free activities like walking tours, hiking, and hanging out at beaches.

On a midrange budget of 18,000 LKR per day, you can stay in a guesthouse or private room in a hostel or Airbnb, eat out for most meals, drink more, take taxis to get around, and do more paid activities like museum visits or whale watching.

On an upscale budget of 35,000 LKR or more per day, you can stay in a hotel or private Airbnb, eat out pretty much anywhere you want, drink at the bar, rent a tuk-tuk or car to get around, and do as many guided tours and activities as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in LKR.

Sri Lanka Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Sri Lanka is very affordable, but there are still plenty of ways to help keep your costs low. Here are my top money-saving tips for traveling in Sri lanka:

• Get your visa in advance – You’ll need to get a visa for entry into the country. You can do this either online starting three days before you arrive, or upon arrival. It’s slightly cheaper if you do it ahead of time, plus you’ll skip the lines at the airport.
• Eat the local food – Outside of the major cities of Colombo and Kandy, you won’t find many non-Sri Lankan or non-Indian food options. What you do find is overpriced, subpar Western food that’s more often than not a chain. Skip it and stick to the local cuisine.
• Bring a water bottle – You shouldn’t really drink the water in Sri Lanka. And since the weather here is really hot, you’ll need to buy a lot of bottled water to stay hydrated (you’ll probably spend 300 LKR per day on plastic bottles of water). Instead, bring a reusable water bottle with a filter instead to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as its bottles have built-in filters to ensure that your water is always clean and safe.
• Stay with a local – Couchsurfing is a great way to save money on accommodation while also getting some insight from residents. You might have better luck in the larger cities, but be sure to request early, as they also see the most requests.
• Visit in off or shoulder seasons – Visit during monsoon season or shoulder season to save money. Even though you will experience some rain, it doesn’t rain 24/7, and you’ll still be able to get out and explore.

Where to Stay in Sri Lanka

Guesthouses are the most common and affordable option in Sri Lanka, though there is a growing number of hostels here too. Here are my recommended places to stay around the country:

• C1 Colombo Fort (Colombo)
• Palitha Home Stay (Sigiriya)
• Jaye’s Home Stay (Kandy)
• Backpacker Galle Hostel (Galle)

How to Get Around Sri Lanka

Bus – This is the cheapest and most widely used way to get around the country, though it can be a very crowded and at times harrowing experience. There are two types of buses: red Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses that are run by the state, and blue, pink, or green buses that are run by private companies. Private buses tend to be more crowded, as there are more seats, and drivers try to cram on as many passengers as possible.

Since you’ll most likely be flying in and/or out of Colombo, the blue Colombo Express Bus is the cheapest and easiest way to get from the airport to the city center. It’s just 110 LKR (the same price as the regular bus), leaves every 30 minutes (5:30am–8:30pm), and takes about an hour. In town, it stops at (and leaves from) the Central Bus Stand, Pettah Fort, and Colombo Fort Station. Alternatively, a taxi is about 2,700 LKR.

Tuk-tuk – All throughout Sri Lanka, you can hire drivers cheaply. Any tuk-tuk driver will let you hire them for the day, for around 10,000 LKR. Moreover, they are pretty honest — except in Colombo, where they may try to scam and overcharge you. Elsewhere in the country, you’ll get a fair deal, so there’s no need to try to bargain hard.

Ridesharing – Uber is available only in Colombo and is often more expensive than taxis, especially during rush hours. PickMe is a local taxi-hailing app that you can also use to hire tuk-tuks.

Train – Train travel, while slower, is the most scenic and culturally immersive way to get around Sri Lanka (plus, the island is so small that taking an expensive short flight doesn’t make sense). Sri Lanka Railways runs all trains, and you can find schedules and make reservations on its website.

There are a variety of classes from which to choose: first, second, third, and reserved or unreserved (third class doesn’t have reserved seating and doesn’t sell out). Seat reservations can only be made up to 30 days prior to departure.

Some typical train routes and their approximate prices include the following:

• Colombo to Jaffna (7–8 hours): 2,250 LKR
• Jaffna to Anuradhapura (2.5–3.5 hours): 1,600 LKR
• Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (3.5–4 hours): 2,500 LKR
• Colombo to Galle (2 hours): 1,600 LKR

For more details on train travel in Sri Lanka, I recommend The Man in Seat 61 . It’s the best resource for train travel information.

Flying – As Sri Lanka is a relatively small island, flying domestically doesn’t make much sense. There is only one airline that even offers domestic routes (Cinnamon Air) and those are expensive, starting at 77,000 LKR for a 30-minute flight. Skip the flights.

When to Go to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is effected by two different monsoon seasons, so if you want the best weather during your trip, you’ll want to keep that in mind.

If you want to visit the beaches in the south and west, go December through March. April to September is best for visiting the north and east.

The good news is that temperatures stay fairly consistent throughout the year. Coastal regions generally have average temperatures of 25-30°C (77-86°F) while in the highlands you can expect an average of 17-19°C (63-66°F).

While there is a lot of rain during monsoon season, it doesn’t rain 24/7 so you can still enjoy the country. But no matter when you visit, make sure to bring a rain coat just in case.

Sri Lanka is a safe place to backpack and travel — even if you’re a solo traveler. Violent attacks against tourists are rare. Petty theft is the most common type of crime, especially around popular tourist landmarks. Always keep your valuables out of reach on public transportation, in crowds, and at the beach, just to be safe. A little vigilance goes a long way here since most thefts are crimes of opportunity.

The main scam to watch out for is paying the “tourist tax” (elevated prices for travelers). If you’re worried about others, read this blog post about major travel scams to avoid .

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe, though verbal (and at times physical) harassment unfortunately occurs more often here than in other countries. It’s a good idea to dress conservatively and avoid walking around alone at night.

Other issues that you may encounter involve civil unrest and the current economic crisis. Stay aware of any demonstrations that may be occurring (usually in Colombo). While they are generally peaceful, like anywhere, there is the potential for these protests becoming violent. Steer clear to avoid getting caught in the middle.

Also be aware that shortages of supplies are common, and fuel is currently being rationed. If you need medications, bring a full supply with you.

Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 119.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. It protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancelations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong unexpectedly. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Sri Lanka Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Sri Lanka Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Sri Lanka travel and continue planning your trip:

The Ultimate Guide to Sri Lanka: Costs, Itineraries, and Favorites

Sri Lankans: Making a Stranger Feel Like Family

How to Plan a Trip to a Place You Know Nothing About

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• Where To Stay
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• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

Sri Lanka Two-Week Itinerary: How To Spend Two Weeks in Sri Lanka

Posted on Last updated: August 4, 2021

Sri Lanka, a small island-country located in the Sea of Bengal, is a popular destination for travellers because of its historical World Heritage Sites and breathtaking natural landscapes.

One of my best friends from university is Sri Lankan and I have been meaning to visit her for years. Finally spending two weeks in Sri Lanka was a travel dream come true for me!

Sri Lanka is the convergence of religion, history and nature, forming this beautiful country that has many secrets waiting for you to discover.

While it is impossible to explore every tourist attraction in Sri Lanka in two weeks, this Sri Lanka two-week itinerary will give you a detailed day-by-day breakdown with suggestion on what to do, where to stay, what to see and more.

• 1.1 Day 1: Arrive in Colombo
• 1.2 Day 2: Explore Colombo
• 1.3 Day 3: On to Dambulla & Sigiriya
• 1.4 Day 4: Visit Dambulla Rock Cave & Polonnaruwa
• 1.5 Day 5: Travel to Kandy
• 1.6 Day 6: Ride the train from Kandy to Ella
• 1.7 Day 7: Hiking in Ella
• 1.8 Day 8: Waterfall chasing in Ella
• 1.9 Day 9: Udawalawe National Park elephant safari
• 1.10 Day 10 – 12: Mirissa & Weligama
• 1.11 Day 13: Unawatuna & Galle
• 1.12 Day 14: Back to Colombo & fly out
• 2.1 Sort your visa before travelling
• 2.2 Currency
• 2.3 Cuisine
• 2.4 Getting around
• 3 What to pack for two weeks in Sri Lanka
• 4 Where to stay in Sri Lanka

Enjoying the view over Sigiriya from Pidurangala rock in Sri Lanka

How to spend two weeks in Sri Lanka

Two weeks in Sri Lanka sounds like such a short time to uncover all the beauty this country has to offer. But if spent wisely, it will be enough to enjoy this stunning island.

This Sri Lanka two-week itinerary is based on my own experience and trip to Sri Lanka.

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo

After your long flight, you will want to chill and relax for your first day. But you can still do some non-strenuous activities while relaxing, like walking around and exploring the colonial buildings.

When we were there, we stayed at Jetwing Colombo Seven . It had a very good rooftop pool that was perfect for chilling after the long flight.

Check out the latest prices and availability at Jetwing Colombo Seven here

Relaxing at the rooftop pool of Jetwing Colombo Seven

Day 2: Explore Colombo

A lot of people often overlook Colombo in favour of exploring more of Sri Lanka, and while I wouldn’t spend too long there a full day there will give you enough time to enjoy the Sri Lankan capital.

You can start your day in Colombo by going to the Red Mosque. The Red Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Colombo and is a popular tourist destination.

The main feature of this mosque, aside from being a historic place of worship, is its distinguishable red colour.

It is painted red and white – almost like a candy cane. From the outside, it looks like one of those fancy castles in the game of Wreck-It-Ralph.

The outside of the Red Mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka

The inside of the Red Mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Just a few streets across from the Red Mosque are the street markets of Pettah.

You could wander around these street markets for hours, buying about almost anything that they offer in Sri Lanka. It is also a food paradise for all those foodies out there.

The bustling streets of Pettah in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Day 3: On to Dambulla & Sigiriya

From Colombo it is a four-hour drive to Sigiriya, so you want to set off nice and early on day 3. Sigiriya is when you get a little bit farther away from the city and a bit closer to the nature of Sri Lanka.

It is an ancient rock fortress located near the town of Dambulla in Central Province, Sri Lanka. You will be spending the next two days exploring Sigiriya and Dambulla .

The view over Sigiriya from Pidurangala Rock, pic by @ solarpoweredblonde

Sigiriya is a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters (660ft) high and is a site of historical and archaeological value, it is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 

For 1,500 LKR, you can do a tuk-tuk (auto rickshaw) tour around the base of Sigiriya. You can’t do it by car as the roads are small and most of them are dirt tracks, so jump on a tuk-tuk and experience driving in Sri Lanka like the locals!

The tuk-tuk we drove around the base of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka

It’s a pretty cool experience as you drive around all over the base and see both Sigiriya and Pidurangala rock (a rock that you can climb to see Sigiriya) from different angles. 

Finish your tuk-tuk tour by disembarking at the Pidurangala rock, where you can hike for sunset. Once you get on top, you can see the massive rock column that is Sigiriya against the setting sky.

Pidurangala is open at any time of day however if you choose to hike in the middle of the day be ready for it to be very hot! Alternatively, a lot of people hike Pidurangala Rock at sunrise .

| READ MORE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO HIKE PIDURANGALA ROCK |

The view over both Pidurangala and Sigirya

The Pidurangla hike is around 30 to 45 minutes. It is a fairly easy hike from start to finish, with just a short section of climbing over rocks required at the end.

Aside from Sigiriya, there are stunning 360 views of all the surrounding countryside. Entry to Pidurangala costs around 3 USD, much less than the 30 USD than they charge for entry at Sigiriya!

The view from Pidurangala is actually better as Sigiriya is more iconic, so we decided to save ourselves some money and only hiked Pidurangala.

In Dambulla, we stayed at the New Peacock Resort Hotel . It was pretty basic and simple – nothing fancy – but it was cheap and we absolutely loved the breakfast and dinner they served us.

Check out the latest prices and availability at New Peacock Resort Hotel here

Day 4: Visit Dambulla Rock Cave & Polonnaruwa

For Day 4, start the day at the Dambulla Royal Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. It is a temple built inside the rock with hundreds and hundreds of golden Buddhas.

It was a pretty amazing sight as it’s incredible to think that all these Buddhas were made and placed here since the first century BCE. In 1991, it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The buddhas at Dambulla Rock Cave in Sri Lanka

One of the buddhas at Dambulla Rock Cave in Sri Lanka

Dambulla Royal Cave Temple

Once you’re done with the temples of Dambulla, get ready to drive 1.5 hours to Polonnaruwa, one of the ancient cities of Sri Lanka.

It’s pretty interesting to view this architectural piece of history and the details that make the city. The ruins are in pretty good condition so there is no need to worry about accidents (none have been heard of, so far).

It was also declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the Golden Temple of Dambulla. When you arrive at the visitor centre you can get a guide for 1,500 LKR to tour you around this ancient city.

The visitor centre also has a small museum where you can learn about Polonnaruwa and see a map of the ruins before venturing out in the city itself.

One of the stupas in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

One of the many temple ruins in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

The temple ruins of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka

Day 5: Travel to Kandy

You might be a bit knackered by yesterdays driving but bear with me a little longer, as the drive from Dambulla to Kandy can take 3+ hours depending on traffic.

There are lots of cool things to do in Kandy , but one of the main ones is exploring the Temple of the Tooth – a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy.

Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Temple of the Tooth is located in the palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which holds the politically-significant relic of the tooth of Buddha.

Exploring the streets and lakeside walks of Kandy, Sri Lanka

From the Temple of the Tooth, visit the Kandy Lake, which boasts clear and still waters amongst beautiful and relaxing scenery. Not far from Kandy Lake is the Kandy Market, popular for selling a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

If by now you’re like me and need a break from the heat you can relax at the Theva Residency , a serene resort in the city of Kandy. We spent one night here and loved relaxing on poolside while enjoying the view over the hills.

Check out the latest prices and availability at the Theva Residency in Kandy here  

Enjoying the pool and view at the Theva Residency in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Day 6: Ride the train from Kandy to Ella

Wake up early for Day 6 and start your train ride from Kandy to the small laid-back town of Ella. The train ride usually takes six to seven hours. Make sure to reserve a ticket on Day 5 or you might have to stand for the entire ride!

It will be slightly more expensive, but it definitely is worth it. Trust me, you do not want to stand for a seven-hour long train ride. Third class reserved is much better than second class not reserved.

Additionally, you will be placed in the back of the carriage so you have all the opportunity to take cool shots out of the windows with all the train carriages snaking behind you.

Riding the iconic train from Kandy to Ella in Sri Lanka

There isn’t an official Sri Lankan rail travel website where you can book your ticket but you can purchase one online at 12goAsia . Don’t worry if it shows as sold out on your desired date, this isn’t actually the case.

The sold out is only referred to the tickets available on 12goAsia , you can still buy them at the station or through a Sri Lankan agency (ask your hotel for a contact, they should be able to help).

Click here to book your Kandy to Ella train ticket!

Sweeping views over the Sri Lankan countryside during the Kandy to Ella train journey

During the train journey street food vendors will come onboard selling their homemade samosas, rotis and water.

However, just to be sure, it is advisable to bring your own snacks in case you don’t like any of the food of the food vendors or there are none when you get hungry.

| READ MORE: KANDY TO ELLA TRAIN ULTIMATE GUIDE |

Fresh fruit sold on the Kandy to Ella train journey in Sri Lanka

Finish the day by sleeping at Hangover Hostel , a cool and friendly hostel which is only a short five-minute walk from the Ella train station.

Hangover Hostels is also close to the Main Street in Ella where you can find plenty of food choices and book onwards travel for the following days. Rest early as you will have an early day tomorrow.

Check out the latest price and availability at Hangover Hostel in Ella here

View over the tea plantations in Sri Lanka during the Kandy to Ella train journey

Day 7: Hiking in Ella

Wake up early on day 7 and get ready for a 4:30 AM sunrise hike to Little Adam’s Peak . Make sure you bring water and snacks!

The hike is only about 30 to 40 minutes. It is easy terrain and the whole trail is littered with signs; it is fairly easy to navigate your way around.

Sunrise from Little Adam’s Peak in Ella, Sri Lanka

Enjoying the sunrise view from Little Adams Peak in Ella, Sri Lanka

The view on top is absolutely breathtaking. It is a stunning 360-degree view of the neighbouring mountains.

The mountain peaks are quite high which means the sky will lighten before the sun actually peaks over the mountaintops. This makes the trekking even easier as there is enough light to see where you’re treading.

Enjoying the view from the top of Little Adam’s Peak in Ella, Sri Lanka

From Little Adam’s Peak, it’s super easy to get to Nine Arch Bridge. There are signs that will point you there and it’s a direct hike instead of going back to Ella and then round the other side.

I recommend going straight away before the day heats up and it will be much less crowded. Plus, who doesn’t want to go and visit the Bridge of the Sky that is Nine Arch Bridge?

If you go during the day, there will be tons of other people and it will get too hot to be walking under the sun.

The hike to get to Nine Arch Bridge from Little Adams Peak is another 40 minutes or so, and you will arrive at it from a beautiful viewpoint as opposed to from the train tracks.

The view over Nine Arch Bridge when you arrive from Little Adam’s Peak

Nine Arch Bridge in Ella, Sri Lanka

After hiking and seeing the beauty of the Bridge of the Sky, just follow the train tracks until you get back to the Ella train station. Just be aware that this is a functional railway so the train might come at some point!

If it does, just walk off the track in the surrounding grass. You’ll be able to hear it coming. When you get back to Ella, you are bound to be tired from all the hiking that you have done.

Get some food at one of the many cool restaurants in town and chill for a bit. By this point you will have done two epic hikes and it’s not even lunch time!

You can spend the hottest hours of the day relaxing and cooling down at the pool of Mountain Heavens .

Even if you are not a guest, you can use the pool for 550 LKR per hour. We stayed longer than one hour and nobody complained or approach us to ask for more money.

The infinity pool at Mountain Heavens in Ella, Sri Lanka

If you’re game for a third hike, from Mountain Heavens, you are already on the way to Ella Rock .

You will want to wait for it to get a little bit cooler before you start your hike, but make sure you don’t start too late as you might miss the sunset or end up walking in the dark.

It is a three to four-hour round trip hike. We set off our hike at 3PM.

Hiking along the train tracks in Ella, on the way to Ella Rock, Sri Lanka

The hike is challenging but very rewarding in the end. Most of the difficulty lies in the fact the route isn’t marked very well and it is quite difficult to navigate.

In terms of terrain it’s a fairly easy hike until the final section, which is quite steep. Reaching the peak is very satisfying. The peak of Ella Rock is high enough that you can see the clouds kissing the tops of the mountains.

The way back took less than the hike up and we got to Ella in time for an early dinner.

You can enjoy a kottu for dinner and then hit the hay early, as you’ll probably be tired from all of this hiking. Kottu is a special type of Sri Lankan roti savory dish.

You can easily do this day and these activities alone, however if you prefer to have a guide you can visit Little Adams Peak, Nine Arch Bridge and Ella Rock all together in a Ella 3 Icons one day tour .

Click here to book your Ella 3 Icons one day tour

The view from the top of Ella Rock in Sri Lanka

Day 8: Waterfall chasing in Ella

Start Day 8 by renting a car with driver for the day to take you to Diyaluma and Ravana Falls.

This will cost you 7,000 LKR. There are a lot of car in the streets of Ella. You can arrange it directly with the drivers there on the day and set off at 9:30AM.

Diyaluma Falls is about one and a half-hour drive away. I was actually quite afraid that it will be a lengthy trip just for an “insta-spot” but it actually ended up being one of my favourite days in my two weeks in Sri Lanka.

| READ MORE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DIYALUMA FALLS |

The 220m drop of Diyaluma Falls in Sri Lanka, drone shot by @solarpoweredblonde

The driver will ask you if you want to do the one and a half-hour hike from the bottom to top of the waterfall or the shorter 20 minute one. We ended up taking the shorter route.

When you get there, you can try hiking alone, but the trail isn’t marked at all so it will be very difficult for you to navigate your way.

At the parking area is a small shack that sells water and snacks. There we found a guide for 2,000 LKR.

The first place we went to was actually the final pool, just by the 220-meter drop. There are three small rock pools in total that you can swim in and I am not exaggerating when I tell you that the views are absolutely insane!

Swimming in the rock pools at the top of Diyaluma Falls in Sri Lanka

From there, we made our way back up the river and to three more waterfalls and swimming spots. The first one we chose not to swim in and just enjoyed the views.

The second one has a seven-meter jump right next to the waterfall that you can dive from into the pool below. The final one is a very tiny waterfall that has a small rock slide where you can let the water slide you down and into the pool.

It’s basically a natural waterpark!

On the way back, we stopped at the Ravana Falls but didn’t get the chance to swim as it was getting quite late. They’re beautiful but after Diyaluma were fairly uneventful.

| READ MORE: BEST THINGS TO DO IN ELLA |

Cliff diving in the waterfalls of Diyaluma Falls, Sri Lanka

Day 9: Udawalawe National Park elephant safari

There’s lots of driving planned for Day 9 so make sure to get a good driver!

We negotiated with the same driver that took us to Diyaluma the day before and he charged us 11,000 LKR for a drive from Ella to Mirissa, with a three-hour stop to Udawalawe where we did a safari.

We set off early at 5AM for the morning safari. The total drive was four to five hours.

| READ MORE: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DOING AN ELEPHANT SAFARI IN SRI LANKA |

We spotted elephants during our safari in Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka

The first elephant we saw during our safari in Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka

The safari starts at 7AM. We paid 3,000 LKR for a private jeep, which I can highly recommended as you can seat hop so you are always in the shade and you can get closer to the animals.

Entry to the national park changes depending on the number of people you have in the jeep. We paid around 8,000 LKR for two heads.

Prepare yourself as you will see lots of animals during this safari. There are also crocodiles, pumbas and buffalos during the trip.

We saw so many elephants we soon lost count, with the first one showing itself before we had even entered the park gates! We arrived in Mirissa by lunch and spent the rest of the day relaxing by the beach.

We loved Hangover Hostels in Ella so much that we stayed at the Hangover Hostel in Mirissa for the next few nights. It has a cool rooftop lounge area with seafront view and very nice, clean rooms with very good AC.

Check out the latest prices and availability at Hangover Hostels in Mirissa

Elephant safari in Udawalawe National Park

Day 10 – 12: Mirissa & Weligama

After the cultural and action packed itinerary you’ve had so far you’ve deserved to spend the next three days of your trip by relaxing and enjoying the beautiful beach in Mirissa .

White sand, blue clear skies and swaying palm trees – it is a nature paradise. The next three days of your two-week in Sri Lanka itinerary will be relaxing but not boring, as Mirissa offers a wide variety of things to do .

It’s one of the best places to stay along the South Coast as there are lots of shops and good-quality restaurants along the beach.

Mirissa also offers a fun nightlife; every night there is a party scheduled at a different beach bar, just look out for the light beam (you’ll easily see it from the beach) as that is where the party will be!

A stunning sunset in Weligama, Sri Lanka, pic by @solarpoweredblonde

In terms of surfing, however, Weligama is a better option. The waves are just more cooperative in Weligama than in Mirissa. I recommend you stay in Mirissa and take a tuk-tuk to Weligama if you ever want to surf around.

The tuk-tuk ride will cost you 300 LKR and you can rent a surf board in Weligama for 200 LKR for one hour. Most of the surf schools have sunbeds and cabanas you can use for free if you surf there.

Weligama has some of the easiest waves I’ve ever surfed, they’re long and slow and perfect for beginners.

Book your Weligama surfing lessons here

Sunset surf in Weligama, Sri Lanka

You can also do some snorkelling with turtles in Mirissa for 1,500 LKR. We organized it with a stall on the beach and they came to pick us up by tuk-tuk the following morning to take us to a turtle beach 15-minutes away.

I thought we’d have to sail for hours to see them but they are actually super easy to spot as they are close to the shore where the water is very shallow.

Book your snorkelling with turtles in Mirissa experience here

Snorkelling with turtles in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

In Mirissa there is also a famous sunset viewing spot. A short 15-minute walk along the beach will take you to coconut hill, where you can enjoy the sunset framed against the slender palm trees.

| READ MORE: 10 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN MIRISSA |

Sunset at the famous coconut hill in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Day 13: Unawatuna & Galle

The drive from Mirissa / Weligama to Galle is around one and a half hours. We spent most of the morning by wandering around Galle Fort, where there are lots of nice shops and restaurants.

The colonial architecture is also very unique and Galle had a chill vibe that none of the other Sri Lankan cities we visited had.

The cute colonial streets of Galle in Sri Lanka, pic by @solarpoweredblonde

Galle Fort in Sri Lanka, drone shot by @solarpoweredblonde

After walking around in the heat we then went Dallawella Beach in Unawatuna to relax and cool down. Here you’ll find the famous palm tree swing where you can snap that perfect instagram photo at sunset. 

Unawatuna has a similar beach set up to Mirissa with lots of bars and restaurants along the beach, the perfect place to enjoy your last evening in Sri Lanka.

The famous sunset swing at Dalawella Beach in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

Day 14: Back to Colombo & fly out

Day 14, and you finally made it! It is now the last day of your Sri Lanka two-week itinerary. Depending on what time your flight is you can spend the day relaxing by the beach until it’s time to fly out.

I wouldn’t spend any more time in Colombo so just drive straight to the airport from Unawatuna for two hours. We paid 9,000 LKR for this drive.

View of the Colombo skyline from Jetwing Colombo Seven in Sri Lanka

Essential info for two-weeks in Sri Lanka

Hope you’ve enjoyed reading my Sri Lanka two-week itinerary! I’ve listed below some important information that you should know before your Sri Lankan trip.

Sort your visa before travelling

All travellers going to Sri Lanka will require a visa, so make sure to apply for your Sri Lanka visa before travelling.

The process is very easy, you simply apply and pay for your Sri Lanka visa online (around 15 GBP). This will give you a ETA, which is valid for 6 months, single entry to Sri Lanka and a maximum stay of 30 days.

The local currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). At time of visit the exchange rate was around 1 USD = 176.85 LKR. You can check out the latest exchange rate here .

Exploring the ruins of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan cuisine is very similar to its neighbouring country, India. The majority of food is rice and curry, with different types of spices added to the curries or a different main emat.

You can find rottis and samosas almost everywhere as a sort of street food on-the-go. My personal favourite dish in Sri Lanka was the Kottu, a special type of rotti tossed with sauce, vegetables and chicken.

Kottu – a typical Sri Lankan dish, not a very pretty one but the taste is awesome

Getting around

Public transport in Sri Lanka is fairly good. Buses and trains go around almost everywhere but are just a bit slow, you might also have to change buses or trains if they don’t run direct.

You can also get private cars with a driver for reasonable prices. If you keep your driver for more than one day, do not worry, as a lot of hotels provide driver accommodation.

We were quoted 50 USD a day for a car with driver for one week. You can rent a private car for your time in Sri Lanka here . For short distances, get a tuk-tuk instead of renting a car!

Drone shot of Dalawella Beach in Sri Lanka, drone shot by @solarpoweredblonde

What to pack for two weeks in Sri Lanka

The following are just some of the key essentials you will need, check out this tropical vacation packing list for a full guide on what to bring for two weeks in Sri Lanka.

Fast drying towel : If you’ve read any of my packing lists you know I carry one of these everywhere I go. Whether it’s to use in a hostel that doesn’t provide towels or to take to on a day at the beach, lake or waterfalls I love these. They dry quickly, take up very little space and get the job done.

Temple and heat-appropriate clothing, such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts made out of breathable fabrics.

Power bank ,  as there are a lot of power cuts during the day in some towns in Sri Lanka!

Sunscreen to defend yourself from the sun.

View over Sigiriya from Pidurangala Rock in Sri Lanka

Where to stay in Sri Lanka

During our two weeks in Sri Lanka we stayed at a variety of different types of accommodation, ranging from hostels to luxury boutique hotels (all about that balance). The ones I can recommend are the following.

Hangover Hostels : We stayed at the Hangover Hostel in Ella and loved it so much that we ended up changing our plans and staying at the Hangover Hostel in Mirissa too.

Both were clean, had good-sized lockers and have a very friendly sociable atmosphere for backpackers.

Click here to see the latest prices and availability at Hangover Hostels in Sri Lanka

Jet Wing Colombo Seven :  This was the first hotel we stayed at and after a long flight, it was exactly what we needed. The rooftop pool was also the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the views after wandering around in the heat of Colombo.

Check out the latest prices and availability at Jetwing Colombo Seven

Sunset view from the rooftop pool of Jetting Colombo Seven in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Theva Residency :  After spending a few days hiking and exploring the inland areas of Sri Lanka like Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa we absolutely loved staying at the Theva Residency .

It was the perfect place to escape the heat and relax on poolside, with beautiful views over the hills of Kandy. The food was all amazing as well.

Check out the latest prices and availability at The Theva Residency here

Poolside breakfast at the Theva Residency in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Hotel Tri :  We ended our two weeks in Sri Lanka with 2 nights at Tri Lanka and it was the perfect ending to an incredible trip.

After staying in hotels for the previous week and having some very action packed days, it was the perfect place to unwind and relax, while pampered by the friendly staff.

Check out the latest prices and availability at Hotel Tri here

The pool of Hotel Tri by Koggala Lake in Sri Lanka  

Final thoughts on spending 2 weeks in Sri Lanka

Have you been to Sri Lanka before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below! This was a two-week comprehensive travel guide on how to spend your two weeks in Sri Lanka wisely, based on my own two-week trip to Sri Lanka.

With UNESCO World Heritage Sites, pieces of history and religion alongside breathtaking beaches, your two weeks in Sri Lanka is bound to be worth every single minute.

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Sri Lanka Route

The ultimate travel itinerary for Sri Lanka in 4 weeks, 3 weeks or even in 2 weeks! In this article, we share our favorite destination in three different itineraries to discover this beautiful island. From the cozy suffers atmosphere in Hikkaduwa to spending the night among the elephants at The Kingdom Ecolodge . Read on quickly for our ultimate Sri Lanka itinerary!

What is the best time to visit Sri Lanka

The best travel time to visit Sri Lanka is from February to April. During these two months you have the least chance of rain in all regions. Sri Lanka has a combination of different climates and two monsoon seasons. The southwest monsoon is called the Yala and lasts from mid-May to late September. During this period it is dry in the east and north. From October to mid-April is the northeast monsoon, called the Maha. Then more rain falls in the northeast and east. The bottom line is that there is always a shower somewhere in Sri Lanka. The worst months to visit Sri Lanka are from October through December. That’s when a lot of rain falls all over the island.

How many weeks do you need for your Sri Lanka trip

Sri Lanka is relatively small about 1.5 times the Netherlands, making it a perfect destination if you have a little less time. Moreover, the travel distances are short so fortunately you don’t lose days traveling which really makes Sri Lanka a top destination to see a lot in a short period of time.

3 weeks or more is perfect for exploring Sri Lanka. In 3 weeks you can perfectly combine nature, history, wildlife and beach. 2 weeks for Sri Lanka is also possible, but that is the minimum number of days to make a nice tour of the island. We had a total of 4 weeks, which was perfect for us! We were able to see a lot and travel slowly.

From north to south? Or the other way around!

We decided to start in the south and end in the north. This is because we were already in Sri Lanka in mid-February and the climate in the north can still be quite unpredictable then. In retrospect, we regretted this a bit. Indeed, the south is quite hip, crowded and lots of beach. But when we just arrived in Sri Lanka, I just needed to see a lot, eat local food and couldn’t really find the peace to sit with my bottom in the sand or appreciate the hip hot spots on the south coast yet.

The beach and hip eateries as a finale might have been a little better, because after 2 weeks of curry for breakfast, lunch and dinner and miles in the legs, I was so hungry for hip smoothies and relaxing on the beach.

Sri Lanka itinerary 4 weeks

• Negombo (or Colombo) – 2 nights
• Anuradhapura & Wilpattu – 2 nights
• Trincomalee – 2 nights
• Sigiriya – 2 nights
• Kandy – 2 nights
• Nuwara Eliya – 1 night
• Ella – 3 nights
• Arugam Bay – 3 nights
• The Kingdom Ecolodge of Yala National Park – 1 night
• Tangalle – 2 nights
• Mirissa or Dickwella – 2 nights
• Galle -1 night
• Hikkaduwa – 2 nights
• Negombo – 1 night

Sri Lanka route 3 weeks

• Sigiriya – 1 night

Sri Lanka itinerary 2 weeks

• Negombo (or Colombo) – 1 night
• Kandy – 1 night
• Ella – 2 nights
• The Kingdom Ecolodge of Yala National Park / Yala National park – 1 night

Which destinations should definitely not be missed in Sri Lanka

We like some quiet places, lots of nature but also the occasional trendy smoothie bowl is not wrong either. We would NEVER skip the following destinations:

• The Kingdom Ecolodge: sleeping among the elephants. We found this to be one of our highlights during our trip through Sri Lanka
• Hikkaduwa: relaxed surfer vibe. Be sure to book accommodation near Narigama Beach.
• Dickwella: super cozy charming surfers place
• Tangla Lé: if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the south coast
• Ella: the green heart of Sri Lanka

Extra mention for Arugam Bay, which we unfortunately had to skip but was high on the list. We hear only positive stories about this. It is a hip surfer town with a laid-back vibe and hip hotspots.

The ultimate backpacking itinerary through Sri Lanka

Although you land in Sri Lanka’s capital, we found Negombo to be a better starting point for our trip. In terms of distance from the airport, it makes almost no difference from Colombo. Why Negombo? The city is a lot cozier, quieter and cleaner than Sri Lanka’s capital and is just as conveniently located from the airport (20 -30 minute drive). We booked 2 nights here because we didn’t arrive until late in the evening and could take it easy on our first real day in Sri Lanka.

Anuradhapura & Wilpattu -.

Travel time from Negombo to Anuradhapura: 2 hours by cab or 4 hours by bus

Anuradhapura is the city in Sri Lanka for visiting various temples. The city itself is not very beautiful, but it is the place where you have a chance to learn more about Sri Lankan culture and history. Moreover, you can perfectly combine Anuradhapura with Wilpattu National Park. However, during our search for a nice safari in Sri Lanka, we read varying stories about Yala and Udawalawe. It would be very crowded and some people would also have their questions about animal welfare. Therefore, we decided to skip these 2 parks and end our trip in Sri Lanka with a safari in Wilpattu.

Trincomalee

Travel time from Anuradhapura to Trincomalee 2 hours by cab or 4 hours by bus

If you want to start or end your trip with some days at the beach, Trincomalee is the perfect stop. Is it an absolute must-visit? It might not. If you don’t have that much time to explore Sri Lanka, you could skip Trincomalee. Because we had a little longer and wanted to finish with a few days on the beach, we still found Trincomalee to be a fine destination.

Travel time from Trincomalee to Sigiriya 2 hours by cab or 4 hours by bus

Sigiriya is where you can admire the famous Lion Rock. But even beyond this world-famous attraction, Sigiriya has much more to offer, including the ancient botanical gardens, the palace and the beautiful surroundings. We found this to be a very nice destination.

Travel time from Trincomalee to Sigiriya 2 hours by cab, 3 hours by bus or book a day trip from Kandy to Sigiriya by tuktuk making several stops along the way

If we are completely honest we did not find Kandy fantastic, but for a night it is a fine stopover. It is for most people the start or end point of the famous train journey. We decided to book a food tour in Kandy which still made this a very nice destination during our trip.

Nuwara Eliya

Travel time from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya 4 hours by train

To break the 8-hour train ride from Kandy to Ella, we decided to book a night in Nuwara Eliya. Do leave early by train so that your day is still really meaningful. After all, the surroundings are beautiful. We rented a tuktuk for an afternoon to visit various tea plantations and waterfalls.

Travel time from Nuwara Eliya to Ella 4 hours by train

Ella should definitely not be missed during your Sri Lanka trip. It is the green heart of Sri Lanka. The surroundings are beautiful and you can spend a few days here just fine. From viewpoint hikes, jungle, giant waterfalls to scooter rides through the tea plantations. It’s all possible here.

The Kingdom Ecolodge of Yala National Park

Travel time from Ella to The Kingdom Ecolodge 4 hours by bus

Want to spot elephants without other tourists? With the assurance that the elephants have a fine and free existence? Where you wake up in the middle of nature? Then The Kingdom Ecolodge in Sri Lanka is a big fat tip!

Travel time from The Kingdom Ecolodge to Tangalle 4 hours by cab (very difficult to reach by ov)

After busy Mirissa and Unawatuna , we decided to spend a few days in Tangalle. Just what we needed. No trendy hotspots, busy roads or crammed beaches. Tangalle is a lovely quiet beach destination.

Mirissa or Dickwella

Travel time from Tangalle to Mirissa 2 hours by bus

Mirissa is one of the most popular beach destinations on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. From trendy hot spots to beach parties. Don’t expect an undiscovered gem. Mirissa is visited en masse throughout the year, and for good reason. Then again, we found Dickwella a little more relaxed, calm and still poopy hip though. You can surf perfectly here, so definitely recommended.

Tip! Mirissa, Unawatuna and Unawatuna are all close to each other. Choose one and visit the other places by scooter and/or tuktuk.

Travel time from Mirissa to Gallé 1 hour by bus

Absolutely a gem! Bit touristy, but that doesn’t make this old fort less beautiful. You can book a beautiful accommodation here, but it is not necessary. In fact, you can also visit Gallé just fine in a day from HIkkaduwa or Mirissa.

Travel time from Galle to Hikkaduwa 1 hour by bus

This small surfing town can be found about 100 kilometers from Colombo just north of Galle. Hikkaduwa is hip, cozy and just incredibly nice! It is the place to work on your surf skills and hang out at hip hot spots. Book an overnight stay near Narigama Beach. At this beach no big resorts but a nice quiet and relaxed atmosphere.

Curious about our favorite accommodations in Sri Lanka?

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Just Me Travel

Solo travel blogger, ultimate sri lanka itinerary – the best of sri lanka in 20 days.

Use This Comprehensive Trip Planner To Create Your Sri Lanka Itinerary.

Sri Lanka is a land where history and culture are inseparable, with breathtaking landscapes from the beaches to the hills and wildlife said to rival Africa. Discover the best sights and things to do in Sri Lanka with my comprehensive 20-day travel itinerary. Encounter the wildlife found in its national parks and wetlands, discover the natural beauty of the Hill Country, explore six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wander through untamed gardens, and so much more.

About Sri Lanka

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka for short, and formerly called Ceylon – is that teardrop-shaped nation lying at the bottom of India in the Indian Ocean and is often referred to as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.

For a small country, Sri Lanka packs a mighty punch for the traveller with a fantastic combination of diverse landscapes, pristine beaches, ancient culture, historical and religious temples and buildings, and unique experiences.

“Within a mere area of 65,610 kilometers lie 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 1,330 kilometers of coastline – much of it pristine beaches – 15 national parks showcasing an abundance of wildlife, nearly 500,000 acres of lush tea estates, 250 acres of botanical gardens, 350 waterfalls, 25,000 water bodies, to a culture that extends back to over 2,500 years.” https://colombo.embassy.qa/en/sri-lanka/tourism

Sri Lanka offers something for every type of traveller, no matter what your desired adventure or experience. There is no shortage of things to do in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has a long history of colonisation by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. These external influences have left their mark on Sri Lanka, building a country with many ethnic groups, languages, and religions. Buddhism is the main religion of Sri Lanka (70.2% of the population), followed by Hinduism (12.6% of the population). Muslims (9.7%) and Christians (7.4%) comprise the last two major religious groups.

I toured Sri Lanka in 2017 with my sister and brother-in-law. Our 20 days in Sri Lanka were on a private tour, with a customised itinerary we developed in conjunction with Insider Journeys, an Australian-based specialist tour operator. Coordinating it all was our travel consultant at Helloworld Travel Professionals in Albury.

Insider Journeys organised our accommodation, vehicle and driver-guide, and additional guides, such as the Naturalist in Bundala National Park.

In Sri Lanka, you must pay for the driver-guide’s accommodation on a private tour.

Much of what we did and saw resulted from our pre-tour research when developing our itinerary. Once in Sri Lanka, we included additional activities based on further research and suggestions from our driver-guide.

Note : From here on in, for convenience and reading ease, I will refer to our driver-guide simply as our guide.

Our itinerary covered Sri Lanka’s Hill Country, Cultural Triangle, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, national parks, magnificent gardens (formal and wild), and beautiful coastlines.

Twenty days in Sri Lanka gave us a comprehensive tour at a relaxed pace.

Sri Lanka Itinerary route map (Google Maps)

Sri Lanka itinerary overview

Detailed Sri Lanka trip itinerary

The itinerary starts with an international flight into Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city, and ends with the flight home (Australia) from Colombo.

The itinerary focuses on our personalised trip and is written from my perspective as I experienced it. While based on having a private guide for the duration of the journey, the itinerary is adaptable and works just as well for travellers using trains, buses, and taxis, which are available throughout Sri Lanka.

As well as being there for us on pre-determined trips, excursions, and activities, our vehicle and guide were also available for 80 kilometres per day for anything else we wanted to include at the last minute.

The reviews of the hotels listed in this itinerary are my opinions as written in 2017. If I was to stay at the hotels today, my thoughts might be different.

Sri Lanka is one of those countries where foreigners pay a higher entrance fee to sites and museums than that paid by Sri Lankan residents.

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo

Day 1 was purely an arrival day for us. Our flight arrived in Colombo just before midnight.

Our guide met us at the airport and drove us to our accommodation, where we stayed for the next two nights – Galle Face Hotel (see review, Day 2).

Day 2: Colombo

• Discover the city of Colombo

Colombo is a new capital city, having only been Sri Lanka’s capital since 1815. It is a dynamic city with a multicultural community encompassing the past, present, and future. Colombo is known for being one of the best places in Sri Lanka to splurge in fashionable boutiques, sample a wide range of cuisines, and enjoy its vibrant nightlife.

Our day began after a leisurely breakfast, with our guide taking us on a one-hour orientation drive around Colombo. Returning to the hotel, we left our guide for the day and immediately headed out again to explore Colombo in more detail on foot. Colombo is flat and easy to walk around, but the heat and humidity can be tiring. We covered two districts: the historic Fort district, where modern office blocks rub shoulders with Colonial-era buildings, and the Pettah, the bustling bazaar district and home to Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque.

We let our feet provide the direction, starting at our hotel, which fronted onto Galle Face Green, past Old Parliament Building and Old Colombo Lighthouse in Fort, and into the Pettah, where shops are organised in a bazaar-style layout, with each street dedicated to a particular trade. On Sea Street, you will find gold jewellery shops.

The bustling Pettah district is a chaotic, vibrant melting pot of different ethnicities and religions. Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque opened in 1909 and is known locally as the Red Mosque due to its distinctive red and white exterior. Located on Second Cross Street in Pettah, it is one of the oldest mosques in Colombo and a popular tourist attraction. Non-Muslims are allowed in the mosque, and women may also enter to look around, but you must cover your hair, arms, and legs.

Jami Ul-Afar Mosque

Colombo is an intermingling of modern and colonial buildings

Old Colombo Lighthouse (featured in the photo above) is a clock tower and was a lighthouse. Initially built as a clock tower in 1860, the lighthouse was added in 1865. The lighthouse was deactivated in 1952. However, it is a functioning clock tower and is the only lighthouse in the world that doubles as a clock tower.

Old Parliament Building with Hilton Hotel as a backdrop

The modern Hilton Hotel forms a backdrop for the neo-baroque-styled Old Parliament Building, which houses the offices of Sri Lanka’s President.

In the early evening, stroll along Galle Face Green to view the sunset over the Laccadive Sea and mingle with the locals. Galle Face Green is a large grassy area with the Indian Ocean on one side and the busy Galle Face Centre Road on the other, and a promenade stretching along the ocean side. Laid out in 1859 by the then governor of British Ceylon for horse racing, nowadays, it is a gathering place for locals to meet, eat, fly kites, stroll along the promenade, and just enjoy themselves when the heat of the day has faded.

Where we stayed

Galle Face Hotel > 2 Galle Road, Colombo 3

Galle Face Hotel is colonial grace and luxury. Situated right on the seafront and bordering Galle Face Green, the hotel is a lovely old colonial building, beautifully restored with an aura of elegance. It has well-appointed, comfortable rooms, and the service was excellent. Buffet-style breakfast and lunch on the long wide veranda were enjoyable and relaxing. I recommend a hopper for breakfast, and you can’t go past the chocolate croissants.

Hoppers are traditional Sri Lankan food and are generally served at breakfast. They are typically bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk filled with egg, vegetables, curry, or whatever your tastebuds desire. They are delicious.

Day 3: Colombo to Galle

• Visit traditional mask makers in Ambalangoda (83 kilometres south of Colombo).

The drive from Colombo to Galle, where we stayed the next three nights, took about four hours. We took the coast road rather than the expressway because we wanted to stop in Ambalangoda to visit the traditional mask makers, Ariyapala & Sons, whose museum, showroom, and workshop came recommended by Insight Guides Sri Lanka:

“The town of Ambalangoda … is most famous as the centre of the island’s mask carvers … Two mask museums stand opposite one another at the northern end of town. The larger and more interesting of the two is the Ariyapala and Sons Mask Museum.”

Travelling the coast road was a pretty drive as it hugged the coast, passing through village after village. According to our guide, a much more interesting route than the expressway.

The Ariyapala & Sons Mask Museum provides an insight into the history of masks in Sri Lanka and their role in storytelling and medicine. Traditionally, the masks, made from balsa wood, were used in Kolan dances performing folk stories and exorcism ceremonies to frighten off evil deities (bad spirits). The Sanni masks, of which there are 18, are distorted and disturbing. These masks are used in exorcism rituals, each representing a disease or ailment caused by yakkas (devils), such as vomiting, insanity, nightmares, and stomach diseases. Unfortunately, these traditions are being lost to modernisation.

Connected to the museum is the workshop where you can watch several artisans carving and painting masks. Above the museum is the showroom, where you can buy every mask imaginable at reasonable prices.

Ariyapala Mask Museum

Ariyapala & Sons Mask Museum > 426 Main Street, Ambalangoda

Open 9.30 am to 5.00 pm daily.

Entrance to the museum is free.

Leaving the mask museum, we completed our journey to Galle – the most important town on Sri Lanka’s south coast. Galle comprises the old Dutch quarter – enclosed within the Fort – and the sprawling New Town outside the Fort’s walls. We stayed inside Galle Fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fort Bazaar > 26 Church Street, Galle Fort

You can read my review of Fort Bazaar in my blog post on 24 Hours in Galle Fort .

Day 4: Galle

• Explore Galle Fort

The Portuguese built Galle Fort in 1589. In 1640, the Dutch seized the Fort and extended its fortifications, which survive to this day. The British modified the Fort after Galle was handed over to them in 1796. The fortifications run for three kilometres, and the walls are over one metre thick.

Galle Fort is small (0.52 kilometres square), relatively flat, and easy to walk around. We spent the morning and early afternoon on a self-guided walk around Galle Fort. Walking around the Fort is an excellent way to take in the many sites of interest Galle Fort has to offer.

The Fort’s bastions allow views of the lighthouse, clock tower, mosque, and main gate, and you pass many wonderful colonial buildings and cafes. Our walk took longer than the 90 minutes suggested by guidebooks because we walked at a leisurely pace so we wouldn’t miss anything, and we kept stopping to take photos on our way around.

Rather than spell out the route here and all that we saw and did, I recommend you read my blog post on 24 Hours in Galle Fort . In the post, you will find the following:

• Why you should visit Galle Fort;
• How to get from Colombo to Galle Fort and our experience of how scary driving in Sri Lanka can be;
• A detailed tourist map of Galle Fort highlighting places of interest;
• A detailed description, with photos, of the route we took on our self-guided walk around Galle Fort;
• A review of Fort Bazaar, where we stayed for three nights in Galle Fort;
• Reviews of where we ate in Galle Fort; and
• Information on the weather we experienced and its impact on me and our camera equipment.

Library and Dutch Reform Church in Galle Fort

Day 5: Galle

• Visit the Martin Wickramasinghe Museum in Koggala (16 kilometres from Galle Fort).
• Discover the Kataluwa Temple in Ahangama (2.7 kilometres from MW Museum).
• Watch the fishermen haul in their boats at Weligama (Weligama is 13 kilometres from Kataluwa Temple).
• See the Peace Pagoda (25 kilometres from Weligama on the way back to Galle Fort).

With Galle as your base, spend the day exploring outside the walls of Galle Fort along Sri Lanka’s south coast to discover places and sites off the beaten path. Our route was a round trip of 65 kilometres over five hours.

Our first stop was the Martin Wickramasinghe Museum in Koggala, 16 kilometres from Galle Fort – an excellent museum that sees few tourists.

Martin Wickramasinghe (1890 to 1976) was one of Sri Lanka’s greatest authors and intellectuals. The central theme of his writings was that of the culture and life of the people of Sri Lanka. His books are still required reading for Sri Lankan school children.

Set in seven acres of gardens in the small town of Koggala, the Martin Wickramasinghe complex comprises the Folk Museum and the home where Martin was born and grew up. Part of his home is over 200 years old and survived being destroyed by the army in the Second World War because a female Royal Airforce officer fell in love with it and decided to live in it. Martin’s home was not handed back to the Wickramasinghe family until after Martin’s death, and Martin’s ashes are buried next to the house.

The Folk Museum, which opened in 1981, is a repository of artefacts depicting the history of Sri Lankan folk culture from ancient to modern times. The museum is home to a fantastic collection of masks and puppets. In the gardens, you will find exhibitions of traditional modes of transport.

Traditional fishing boats, Matin Wickramasinghe Museum

I recommend you take a guided tour, finishing in the museum shop where you can buy books by Martin Wickramasinghe.

Martin Wickramasinghe House and Folk Museum > Matara Road, Koggala

Open 9.00 am to 5.00 pm daily.

The ticket price is 200 LKR (Sri Lankan rupee) (US$0.58).

A short distance from the Martin Wickramasinghe, at just 2.7 kilometres, you will find the 13th-century Buddhist temple, Kataluwa Purwarama Temple, in Ahangama. Fantastic murals cover the temple’s walls, many of which are thought to date from the 19th century. The murals include several unusual paintings of Kaffringha dancers with a troupe of Western musicians. Unfortunately, at the time of our visit in 2017, they were in the process of painting over the murals, which is probably why we couldn’t find the portrait of a lopsided Queen Victoria.

Kataluwa Temple mural of dancers

Mural of Western musicians in Kataluwa Temple

From Kataluwa Temple, drive 13 kilometres further along the coast to the village of Weligama , described as a sleepy fishing village. We had planned to walk around Weligama and find somewhere for lunch, but it looked so uninviting we passed straight through. Instead, take a walk along the beach, paddle or swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and watch the local fishermen haul their boats up onto the beach. This latter appeared to be no easy task. The progress was laborious, even with four to six men on either side of the boat.

Fishermen hauling their boat up onto the beach at Wiligama

Before leaving the beach at Weligama, take some photos of Sri Lanka’s renowned stilt fisherman . The fishermen balance themselves on a crossbar on the stilt or pole as they fish and can usually be seen early morning or at dusk. But be warned! Those sitting on stilts later in the day are not fishermen but local people posing on the stilts for tourists and expecting payment for photos taken.

The best place to see the stilt fishermen is along the south coast from Midigama to Koggala.

Fishing stilts (poles) at Weligama

Heading back to Galle Fort, stop at the Peace Pagoda , built by the Japanese as a monument to the victims of the 2004 tsunami. Perched on the side of a hill, the Peace Pagoda offers fantastic views of Galle Fort.

View of Galle Fort from the Peace Pagoda

From the Peace Pagoda, it was 8.1 kilometres back to our hotel in Galle Fort.

Day 6: Galle to Yala National Park

• Tour Geoffrey Bawa’s Lunuganga garden in Bentota with lunch on the veranda (56 kilometres north of Galle Fort).

Finding things to do in Sri Lanka away from the crowds is an excellent reason to visit Geoffrey Bawa’s garden, as it is largely undiscovered by tourists.

Geoffrey Bawa (1919-2003) was Sri Lanka’s most well-known architect and is deemed the most influential Asian architect of the 20th century. On Lunuganga Estate, Geoffrey’s country home, he spent 50 years creating a garden described as a controlled landscape of untamed wilderness.

The garden is spread over 23 acres and is cared for by 18 gardeners. Time your visit for a guided tour and lunch on the veranda of Geoffrey’s former home. Read my updated blog post for details, photos, and descriptions of Geoffrey Bawa’s garden .

Geoffrey Bawa’s garden

I recommend visiting Geoffrey Bawa’s Lunuganga garden on the way from Colombo to Galle rather than backtracking like we did, making the trip to Yala National Park much longer than had we travelled to the park directly from Galle. We could not do this more direct route as Lunuganga Estate was closed for the Sri Lankan New Year when we drove from Colombo to Galle.

The drive from Geoffrey Bawa’s garden to Yala National Park took five hours. We had a two-night stay in Yala National Park.

Cinnamon Wild Yala > Palatupana, Kirinda

Located at the periphery of Yala National Park, Cinnamon Wild Yala is a large commercial hotel lacking character. We stayed in Jungle Chalets, which were spacious, clean, and well-appointed. The chalets are individually situated but spread out over a large area. While this allows privacy between chalets, you could be up for a long walk to the main lodge for meals, a swim, or to meet your driver.

There was a focus on guest safety, with an escort required for people moving around the compound between 7.00 pm and 6.00 am.

The buffet dining area could do with ceiling fans to move the humid air, and the staff could show greater efficiency.

Day 7: Yala National Park

• Look for wildlife on safari in Yala National Park.

Yala National Park is situated at the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka and is Sri Lanka’s most famous national park. It was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and a national park in 1938. It is best known for its variety of wild animals, especially for its large population of leopards, said to be the highest leopard density in the world.

The best activity in Yala National Park is a 3-hour safari drive around the park to spot wildlife. The safari drives are available morning and afternoon. But be warned! Yala National Park does not limit the number of vehicles entering the park or the route taken through the park. As such, your safari drive will end up in convoy with at least a dozen other vehicles.

We took a morning and afternoon safari drive and saw very few animals. We did spot two leopards on the afternoon safari drive, but it was difficult to make them out as they were well concealed by bushes. Other animals you may spot on your safari drive include sloth bears, jungle cats, mongoose, wild boar, deer, buffalo, and elephants.

On the morning safari drive, we saw a baby elephant concealed in the bush, a couple of mongooses, a few lone elephants, spotted deer, water buffalo, many birds, and a crocodile. The animals just didn’t seem to be out there. Disappointing! Our afternoon safari drive was no more productive than the morning.

Mongoose in Yala National Park

Yala National Park is open from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm, year-round. The average park fee per adult foreigner is between US$31-36, depending on the number of people in a jeep.

Sri Lanka is supposedly the best safari destination outside of Africa. The three of us (my sister, brother-in-law, and me) agreed that if you have been on safari in Africa (which we have), where wildlife is diverse and bountiful, you will be disappointed with Yala National Park.

In truth, we cannot recommend Yala National Park. Don’t waste your time and money, as there is a better park – Udawalawe National Park (see Days 9 and 10).

Day 8: Yala National Park to Bundala National Park

• Take a morning safari drive through Yala National Park.
• Check out the birdlife in Bundala National Park.

There was the opportunity for a final safari drive in Yala National Park before travelling to Bundala National Park, about a one-hour drive along the coast west of Yala, where we stayed for one night.

Bundala National Park is a 62-square-kilometre ecotourism haven and birdwatchers’ paradise. It was first named a wildlife sanctuary in 1969, became Sri Lanka’s first Ramsar site (significant international wetland) in 1990, was redesignated as a National Park in 1993, and named a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2005.

• Bundala National Park has over 200 endemic and migratory bird species, from the tiny bee-eaters to the painted stork.
• The park is also home to 32 species of mammals, including elephants, spotted deer, water buffalo, wild boars, mongooses, monkeys, jackals, crocodiles, land monitors (they look like goannas), and fishing cats.
• The park is the habitat of the endangered Star Tortoise.
• The park’s coastal area is a breeding ground for five species of endangered sea turtles.

An endangered Star Tortoise in Bundala National Park

A crocodile looking for dinner in Bundala National Park

Arranged by Insider Journeys, Bundala National Park’s resident Naturalist accompanied us on our afternoon safari drive. Having an expert point out the different birds (and the odd animal), provide detailed information about the birds being seen, and explain the link between the environment and birds and animals in the park made a huge (positive) difference to the safari experience – and one you should experience for yourself.

The sheer volume and variety of birds seen on our safari drive were staggering. My sister, an amateur bird watcher, was in raptures. The painted stork was my favourite.

Painted Storks

Bundala National Park is open from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm, year-round. We stayed the night inside the park. The park entrance fee is US$10 per adult foreigner, plus a vehicle fee and VAT.

Mahoora Luxury Camping > Bundala National Park

Mahoora Luxury Camping had set up our tents on the edge of where the sand meets the scrub vegetation, opposite salt pans where salt is mined. The setting was unspoilt, and the atmosphere was one of quiet solitude. To describe the tents as luxury camping required a massive stretch of the imagination. The tents were army tents. My tent came with a bed that was so narrow I feared falling off it should I turn over in my sleep. There was also a table and enough room to move around. At the back of the tent was an attached ‘bathroom’ with a shower (cold water only, but it came out hot because of the heat), toilet, and hand basin. My sister and brother-in-law’s tent was identically furnished, except they had two beds. Electricity only came on after dinner and went off when we went to bed. It was unbearably hot inside our tents.

What the tents lacked in luxury, the service, food, and safari drives with the Naturalist more than made up for it.

There is no permanent accommodation in Bundala National Park. But Mahoora Luxury Camping staff assured us they maintain an eco-friendly campsite, removing all evidence of our presence once we leave, leaving no footprint.

We were served lunch on the beach shortly after we arrived in Bundala National Park, consisting of a tasty noodle, vegetable, and egg soup was first up, followed by rice and various curries. The dessert was curd and treacle (a national dish) and was delicious.

Dinner that night was a bar-b-que on the beach. We could not fault the food and service provided by Mahoora Luxury Camping.

Before heading for bed, the staff told us there would be a wake-up call for our last safari drive at 5.30 in the morning. A 5.30 am wake-up call caused some concern for me because the tent was too hot to wear anything in bed. I overcame this concern by setting my alarm for 5.20 am to have some clothing on before a staff member appeared to wake me.

Day 9: Bundala National Park to Udawalawe National Park

• Take a morning safari drive through Bundala National Park.
• Look for wild elephants in Udawalawe National Park.

Our morning safari drive around Bundala National Park before heading to Udawalawe National Park proved just as fruitful as yesterday afternoon’s – seeing lots of birds, crocodiles, water buffalo, monkeys, and a lone elephant.

Changeable Hawk-Eagle in Bundala National Park

After a leisurely breakfast, we left Bundala National Park, driving about 70 kilometres northwest to Udawalawe National Park, where we stayed one night.

Udawalawe National Park, covering almost 31,000 hectares, was established as a national park in 1972 to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River. The park’s most common type of vegetation is dry grassland, peppered with light scrub, making game viewing easy here.

Being best known for its large elephant population (about 600) – our reason for visiting the park – Udawalawe is the best place in Sri Lanka to observe wild elephants in their natural environment. However, do expect to see other wildlife, such as water buffalo and sambar deer, to the more rarely sighted leopard and sloth bear. The park also supports a thriving population of water birds and birds of prey.

The afternoon game drive saw me in elephant heaven!

Elephant family in Udawalawe National Park

If you only have time to visit one national park in Sri Lanka, I recommend Udawalawe National Park over the more popular Yala National Park. The game viewing is better, more interesting, and more diverse. It’s a smaller park; therefore, you are not driving long distances before seeing wildlife. There are also fewer visitors, so you are not travelling in a convoy of dozens of vehicles all on top of each other but have a more personal experience.

Udawalawe National Park is open from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm, year-round. The park entrance fee is US$25.00 per adult foreigner.

Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort > Udawalawe National Park

The Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort is a large, impersonal hotel with incompetent reception staff who move at a snail’s pace (things may have improved in the ensuing years).

My room was spacious, with a huge bed. It was clean, had all the necessary amenities, and there was a lovely private balcony off the room. In comparison to room size, the bathroom was relatively small but sufficient.

The food was ordinary but edible.

My preference would be for a much smaller boutique hotel.

Day 10: Udawalawe National Park to Ella

• Take a morning safari drive through Udawalawe National Park.

Male water buffalos vying for dominance in Udawalawe National Park

Make time for a morning game drive in Udawalawe National Park before travelling to Ella, 90 kilometres (about two hours) north of Udawalawe. However, the trip took us three hours as we stopped about six kilometres before reaching Ella to take photos of the 90-metre-high Rawana Falls. It is one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, where the water glides down the mountain over many ledges before bending into a stream that flows through the valley. At one point, the waterfall formed a natural pool that appeared to be a favourite swimming spot.

Rawana Falls near Ella

Ella is a small village on the southern edge of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. It is famed for its mountainous beauty, scenic landscapes, waterfalls, tea plantations, and lush vegetation. At an elevation of 1041 metres above sea level, Ella has a cooler climate than the surrounding lowlands. We stayed three nights in Ella.

Mountain Heavens > Kitalella, Ella

Mountain Heavens is not centrally located and is inconveniently situated for getting to and from the village (Ella). While it is only 600 metres to the centre of Ella (where it is all happening), it is all hill and a very steep hill at that.

The rooms were spacious and well-appointed, with almost everything you needed. Glaringly missing was a means to communicate with Reception from your room, and the only option was to go up and down the stairs to speak to Reception face-to-face.

Breakfast was monotonous, and the evening meal (which had to be ordered by 4.30 pm) was ordinary. However, the view from the hotel was to die for, as its location meant you looked straight down Ella Gap (the valley between the mountains).

Day 11: Ella

• Walk the railway line from Ella to Demodara.
• See the rock-cut figures at Buduruwagala (37 kilometres southeast of Ella).

In the morning, we decided to do something different and off the beaten track – to walk the railway line from Ella Station to Demodara Station. This is an easy 6.5-kilometre walk that takes you through the breathtaking scenery of mountains carpeted with tea plantations and over the famous, iconic Nine Arch Bridge. When you get to Demodara Station, catch the train back to Ella. For a complete description of this unique, fun walk, read my blog post on Walking the Railway Line From Ella to Demodara . Do as the locals do; walk the line!

Crossing Nine Arch Bridge on our railway line walk

In the afternoon, we grabbed our guide for a drive to Buduruwagala Archeological Site to see the seven colossal 10th-century rock-cut figures carved in bas-relief in a rock that is said to look like a kneeling elephant with its trunk in its mouth. The shape of an elephant alluded me!

The seven rock-carved figures at Buduruwagala

The figures belong to the Mahayana school of Buddhism, which enjoyed royal patronage between the 3rd and 10th centuries AD, but no one knows why they were carved. The impressive 16-metre-high standing Buddha (the tallest in Sri Lanka) is flanked on either side by three smaller figures. The white central figure to Buddha’s right is thought to represent the Buddhist mythological figure, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. To the right of this white figure, in the thrice-bent posture, is believed to be Avalokitesvara’s consort, the goddess Tara. The third figure is said to represent Prince Sudhana.

The crowned figure in the centre of the group on Buddha’s left is thought to be Maitreya, the future Buddha. The figure to the left of Maitreya is Vajrapani, holding a thunderbolt symbol. The third figure is said to be Vishnu.

The site is open 24 hours. And tourist-free!

Day 12: Ella

• Climb Little Adam’s Peak.
• Have lunch at Bandarawela Hotel (15 kilometres southwest of Ella).
• Discover Dowa Rock Temple (5.8 kilometres from Bandarawela).

We walked to the summit of Little Adam’s Peak in Ella this morning. The little sister of Adam’s Peak (in Dalhousie village), Little Adam’s Peak sits at 1,141 metres above sea level.

From my ascent of Little Adam’s Peak, I learnt not to believe anything I read in guidebooks. Described as a fairly gentle, mostly flat, easy walk, I found it anything but. To learn how my experience differed from that described in various guidebooks, read my blog post, What is the Missing Truth About Climbing Sri Lanka’s Little Adam’s Peak?

Climbing Little Adam’s Peak

After climbing Little Adam’s Peak, I deserved a special lunch, and this is what I got at Bandarawela Hotel , a short drive from Ella.

Nestled in the mountains at over 1,230 metres above sea level, Bandarawela Hotel, built in 1893, was a tea planter’s clubhouse. Having stopped updating the furniture some 80 years ago, the hotel is caught in a time warp.

My sister’s research had recommended lunch in Bandarawela Hotel’s Planter’s Bar, and we were not disappointed. We enjoyed a fusion of traditional classic and colonial Eastern and Western flavours while taking in the surrounding mountains’ panoramic view. A great atmosphere!

Before returning to Ella, at our guide’s suggestion, we drove to Dowa Rock Temple , about six kilometres from Bandarawela on the Bandarawela-Badulla Road. The site is open from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, and entry is free.

Dowa Rock Temple is a heritage-listed temple famous for its partially finished 11-metre-high standing Buddha cut into the rock face of a granite boulder – the tallest rock-hewn Buddha statue in Sri Lanka’s hill country.

Be prepared to climb up a section of the boulder to get a good view of the Buddha.

The 11-metre rock-carved standing Buddha at Dowa Rock Temple

Dowa Rock Temple was built by Great King Walagamba in the first century BC while taking refuge after an enemy invasion. The temple consists of several chambers carved into the rock. Inside, you will discover a couple of reclining Buddhas, many seated Buddhas, and walls covered with colourful Buddhist murals. At the rear of Dowa Rock Temple is a secret tunnel supposed to have been used by King Walagamba for his escape. The tunnel is said to extend from the temple to Kandy, but the entrance inside The Dowa Rock Temple has been cemented to stop intruders.

Dowa Rock Temple

Day 13: Ella to Nuwara Eliya

• Enjoy high tea at Heritance Tea Factory

The drive from Ella to Nuwara Eliya (where we stayed one night) took approximately two and a half hours, past tea plantations and breathtaking landscapes.

Nuwara Eliya is in a valley shadowed by Sri Lanka’s tallest mountain (Mount Pedro). The town and surrounding countryside have a definite European feel. Having been established by the British in the 19 th century most likely accounts for this. In fact, Nuwara Eliya is often referred to as “Little England”.

Heritance Tea Factory > Tea Factory Road, Kandapola, Nuwara Eliya

Nestled amongst tea estates, Heritance Tea Factory is a converted abandoned tea factory (hence its name) on the former Hethersett Estate. The hotel has kept the original exterior intact.

As our rooms weren’t ready when we arrived, we took a walk through the beautiful rose garden and visited the miniature tea factory where organic tea is produced.

High Tea at Heritance Tea Factory was an amazing, bountiful spread of savoury and sweet treats – an enjoyable, relaxing experience and a great way to fill the afternoon.

The reception staff were excellent, but some restaurant staff were slow to attend to us. After an exceptional High Tea, we found the buffet dinner disappointing.

My room was very comfortable but looked a little tired, and I showered with three cockroaches.

What has been achieved from an abandoned tea factory is impressive and a tribute to the hotel’s vision. It has been beautifully restored and converted. The hotel exudes an atmosphere of luxurious elegance and relaxation. I recommend staying here if money is no object or as a special treat.

Day 14: Nuwara Eliya to Kandy

• Learn about tea production at the Ceylon Tea Museum in Kandy

Kandy, located in the Central Highlands, is the second-largest city in Sri Lanka. Our sole purpose for staying a night in Kandy (a 91-kilometre, three-hour drive from Nuwara Ellya) was to visit the famous Temple of the Tooth, which is said to house Sri Lanka’s most important sacred relic – Buddha’s tooth.

While my sister and brother-in-law visited the Temple of the Tooth with our guide, I took myself off to the Ceylon Tea Museum as I was keen to buy some quality teas.

The Ceylon Tea Museum occupies a former four-story tea factory. The ground floor exhibits include machinery from the 19 th century used in tea production, which a guide explains in detail. The first floor was dedicated to two of Sri Lanka’s greatest tea pioneers – Thomas Lipton and James Taylor – and displayed other tea-related paraphernalia. On the third floor, eight shops sold fine Sri Lankan teas, each representing a different plantation (estate). And I got a free cup of tea on the fourth floor while taking in the views.

Allow a couple of hours for the Ceylon Tea Museum.

Ceylon Tea Museum > Hantana Road, Hantane, Kandy

Opening Times:

Tuesday to Saturday, 8.30 am to 3.45 pm

Sunday 8.30 am to 3.00 pm

(Closed Mondays and Poya Day falling on weekdays)

Ticket price: 1000 LKR (adult foreigner) (about US$3.00).

Unfortunately, visitors can’t see the sacred relic (Buddha’s tooth), only the gold casket which protects the tooth.

Theva Residency > Theva Residency Road, Kandy

Overlooking Kandy from the slopes of the Hantana mountain range, Theva Residency is a lovely small boutique hotel with friendly, attentive staff.

My deluxe room was huge, clean, and modern, with a large terrace. While the terrace had a table and chairs, the room would have benefited from somewhere to sit other than the enormous bed.

The food in the hotel’s restaurant was excellent, with a menu that fused East and West. The staff were efficient and attentive, making our meal an enjoyable experience.

My only negative is that the hotel is a long way from anywhere.

Day 15: Kandy to Sigiriya

• Explore the Dambulla Cave Temples (74 kilometres north of Kandy).
• Learn Sri Lanka’s history through paintings.

Dambulla Cave Temples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The site consists of five caves converted into temples dating back to the 1 st century BC. Caves two and three are the largest and the most impressive, as they are full of Buddha statues of numerous sizes with different gestures or postures. The walls and ceilings in these two caves (temples) are entirely covered in paintings. The reclining Buddha in cave three is carved out of rock, as is the 14-metre-long reclining Buddha in cave one.

Opening hours are daily from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm, and admission is 1500 LKR (US$4.38).

Dambulla Cave Temples

Dambulla Cave Temples – Buddhas and frescos

The painted feet of a reclining Buddha in Dambulla Cave Temples

Please note: There are 364 steps to climb to reach the temple complex. Your knees and shoulders should be covered, and shoes must be removed before entering the temples. Beware, the rock can get very hot.

You can’t leave Dambulla without visiting the Painting Museum – formally called The Painting Conservation & Research Center. Located 100 metres from the Dambulla Cave Temples, the Painting Museum is a hidden gem. The paintings on display trace the history of Sri Lankan art from pre-historic cave paintings to the colonial era. The number of sites where frescoes and murals can be found all over Sri Lanka is staggering. The paintings are displayed in chronological order and excellently described. The last images depicting Buddhism hell came as a bit of a surprise.

The museum is open from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm daily. The entrance fee is US$2.00.

It was just 20 kilometres from Dambulla to Sigiriya, our base for the next four nights.

Hotel Sigiriya > Sigiriya

Under no circumstances would I recommend staying at Hotel Sigiriya. My booking was for a superior room, but I was given a single room, which was tiny, dingy, dirty, smelt bad, and the air conditioner and house phone did not work. When I complained, I was ‘upgraded’ to a double room. This room was infested with ants, including in the bed, and the room safe was broken. When I rang for ant spray, it took 25 minutes for the spray to arrive and 30 minutes for staff to attend to the room safe. The first morning, I woke up with ants crawling through my hair!

I did go online to find alternative accommodation in Sigiriya. However, there were none with availability. Most unfortunate!

The staff were slow, inefficient, and incompetent, and their English was very poor.

The meals were buffet-style, and the food was ordinary at best.

Even our guide complained about the guides’ accommodation at Hotel Sigiriya.

Day 16: Sigiriya

• Take a walk around the Royal Gardens at Sigiriya Rock.

We had every intention of climbing Sigiriya Rock, an ancient rock fortress and, today, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but the heat, high humidity, and 200-metre-climb (about 1,200 steps) put us off. Instead, we walked around the Royal Gardens surrounding Sigiriya Rock.

The beautifully landscaped Royal Gardens are divided into three sections – water, boulder, and terrace – and protected by inner and outer moats. The water gardens form an avenue leading to Sigiriya Rock, while the boulder and terrace gardens lie at the base of the rock.

In the boulder gardens, you can see the step-like depressions in the boulders where bricks once fitted to provide the foundations of buildings. Keep an eye out for Cobra Head Cave – so named because the overhang resembles a fully open cobra’s head.

Sigiriya Rock and Gardens

Sigiriya is open from 6.30 am to 5.30 pm daily. The foreign tourist entrance ticket is US$30.00, which covers climbing the rock, the gardens, and the museum.

Day 17: Sigiriya

• Tour the Sacred City of Anuradhapura (74 kilometres northwest of Sigiriya).

With Sigiriya as your base, take a day trip to Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sacred City of Anuradhapura was the ancient capital of Sri Lanka from the 4 th century BC to the 11 th century AD, and it is Sri Lanka’s best-known ancient city. It is famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient palaces, gigantic stupas, monuments, complex irrigation systems, and the Sacred Bo tree (Sri Maha Bodhi), said to be the oldest documented tree on earth.

The Sacred City of Anuradhapura

All foreign travellers must buy a ticket to Anuradhapura Sacred City at US$25.00 per adult. Opening times are 7.00 am to 7.30 pm.

Day 18: Sigiriya

• Discover the ruins of Polonnaruwa (57 kilometres east of Sigiriya).

Staying in Sigiriya, take a day trip to Polonnaruwa, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 under the name of the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa. It remains one of the best-planned archeological relic sites in Sri Lanka.

Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka between the 11th and 13th centuries after the destruction of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. Its ruins are clustered together in various groups:

• The Royal Palace Group is south of the entrance.
• The Quadrangle (Terrace of the Tooth Relic) is north of the entrance and home to Polonnaruwa’s most important religious shrines.
• Gal Vihara (the northern temple) with its four stone statues of Buddha carved out of the stone cliff face.
• The Island Garden is close to the Polonnaruwa Museum.

The Sacred City of Polonnaruwa

Open 7.00 am to 5.00 pm daily, the entrance fee for Polonnaruwa’s museum and cultural sites is US$25.00 per person for adult foreigners.

Day 19: Sigiriya to Seeduwa

• Relax by the pool at Wallawwa Boutique Hotel.

Leaving Sigiriya, we returned to Colombo for our last night in Sri Lanka at Wallawwa, a boutique hotel. Here we relaxed by the pool set in beautiful tropical gardens and were pampered by bar staff who responded to a buzzer in the pool’s gazebo for drinks orders.

Wallawwa > Minuwangoda-Gampaha-Miriswatta Road, Kotugoda

Wallawwa is a luxury boutique hotel in an oasis of tranquillity, just 15 minutes from Colombo International Airport. Read my updated review of Wallawwa . After my experience with Hotel Sigiriya, my stay at Wallawwa enabled me to leave Sri Lanka on a high note.

Day 20: Depart Colombo

• Depart Sri Lanka from Colombo

And so, the curtain falls on Sri Lanka as it is time to depart for home – in our case, Australia.

My top five highlights from our Sri Lankan trip were:

• Exploring Galle Fort on foot.
• Walking the railway line from Ella to Demodara.
• The safari drive through Udawalawe National Park.
• Discovering Geoffrey Bawa’s garden on Lake Dedduwa, Bentota.
• Viewing Dambulla Cave Temples

When to visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka experiences two monsoon periods affecting different parts of the island at different times of the year. The southwest monsoon season is typically from May to September, and the northeast monsoon is from December to February. The split monsoon seasons make deciding the best time to travel around Sri Lanka tricky. I suggest checking the World Weather Information Service for the average daily temperature (high and low) monthly, the average total rainfall, and the number of rain days.

We travelled around Sri Lanka from mid-April to early May, at the end of what is classified as an inter-monsoon season, continuing into the southwest monsoon season. The country was hot and humid, but we got some reprieve, with cooler temperatures and lower humidity in the hill country. We only encountered one burst of rain on the whole trip – in Udawalawe National Park.

The itinerary for our Sri Lanka trip is a compilation of places to visit and activities to do in 20 days. The itinerary is based on pre-travel research and my experiences during our trip.  

A 20-day itinerary for Sri Lanka offers a unique opportunity to discover the island’s diverse culture, rich history, stunning natural beauty, and warm hospitality. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or just looking for a relaxing vacation, Sri Lanka is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.

The itinerary does not cover all tourist locations and every activity Sri Lanka offers. Still, it will be a good starting point for people who want to visit Sri Lanka and don’t know how to start or are looking for different ideas.

Disclaimer: This post contains no affiliate links. All views and opinions are my own and non-sponsored. Stated opening hours and prices are correct at the time of publication. All photos are my own and remain the copyright of Just Me Travel.

© Just Me Travel 2018-2022.

Do you have any questions about this itinerary? Is there anything else you want to know or can I help you with? Leave a comment, and I will respond. Alternatively, contact me at [email protected] .

Like this post? Save it for later!

Are you looking for more ideas on destination Sri Lanka? Then don’t miss these posts:

WHAT IS THE MISSING TRUTH ABOUT CLIMBING SRI LANKA’S LITTLE ADAM’S PEAK

FIRST 24 HOURS IN GALLE FORT, SRI LANKA

WALKING THE RAILWAY LINE FROM ELLA TO DEMODARA, SRI LANKA

A PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR OF GEOFFREY BAWA’S GARDEN, SRI LANKA

WALLAWWA – a tranquil boutique hotel in Colombo City

Author’s Note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and follow government advice.

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The Ultimate Itinerary for your road trip in Sri Lanka, the Teardrop Island

There’s only one way to describe Sri Lanka – a small island country with the largesse of an entire continent! Diverse landscapes, stunning beaches, expansive tea estates, laid-back tropical villages, world heritage sites, scrumptious food, and friendly people – there is nothing a self-drive road trip in Sri Lanka doesn’t offer! You know we love road trips and would highly recommend a visit to this island nation.

We’ve tried to include everything you need to plan an incredible road trip in Sri Lanka below. Choose an itinerary that suits your budget and the number of days you have at hand and get going 🙂

Getting into Sri Lanka

Bandaranaike International Airport /Colombo International airport is well connected to most countries. On this occasion, we took a convenient direct flight (3 hours) from New Delhi as we were in India before flying to Sri Lanka. Air India, Jet Airways, and Sri Lanka Airlines all provide equally  convenient connections from India – it’s best to compare rates before booking a flight.

Sri Lanka offers Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)  – you can apply on the ETA website  and you’ll receive the visa approval letter via email usually within 24 hours. The fee for SAARC residents is USD 20 and for other residents is USD 35. You get a double entry visa valid for 30 days.

Cab from Airport

You need not book a pre-paid transfer to your hotel unless it is included in the cost of your hotel booking. Upon getting to the airport, you will be hounded by several taxi drivers and taxi companies. The most cost effective option is to book a fixed price cab that costs 3000 LKR ($18) from a stall such as Cassons or Airport Taxi. You will spot these stalls as soon as you exit the Arrivals area at the airport

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Sri Lanka is between November and March as the weather is pleasant. However we visited during the shoulder season in September and despite grumbling about the intense heat on a couple of days, we enjoyed ourselves.

Renting A Car for your road trip in Sri Lanka

It is easy to get around Sri Lanka using public buses and trains but renting a car is the most comfortable way of getting around Sri Lanka. If you intend to rent a car with a driver in Sri Lanka, then it is easy to arrange one in advance. However if you want to drive yourself, then just keep aside half a day to get your licence validated in Colombo. If you have an International Driving Permit (IDP), the car rental company can get the validation done for you. However if you don’t have an Intrnational Driving License, then you will have to be present at the DMV to obtain a temporary driving license (valid for 30 days). The fee for this temporary license is LKR 1000 ($6). It took us a couple of hours to obtain this license.

But despite this extra effort, we would definitely recommend renting a car to explore Sri Lanka on your own. If you travel frequently or have driven in even slightly chaotic countries, we would HIGHLY recommend planning a road trip in Sri Lanka. It’s affordable, roads are good, people even better, and you’ll stumble on SO many gems along the way like this ancient rock fortress.

We rented our car from Malkey Rental and it was a seamless process. We reserved a car via their website and one of their representatives accompanied us for the license validation process. If you’re renting a car in Sri Lanka, then we’d definitely recommend going with a Sri Lankan company like Malkey as they understand the nuances of the country better and are more flexible when it comes to the terms and conditions dependent on the terrain. The rental car cost LKR 15000 ($88) per week for an economy class car. This cost included a limit of 80 kilometres per day. Additional kilometres were charged at LKR 30 per kilometre. We rented it for 16 days and ended up driving around 1400 kilometres, thereby paying for 120 odd extra kilometres. We had read plenty of discussions on forums where people had strongly discouraged others from renting a car – we are SO happy we rented one 🙂

View this post on Instagram Driving past THE icon of Sri Lanka – the Lion Rock ??? When we first started reading about self-drive rentals in Sri Lanka all we saw were lots of discussion boards warning people against renting cars or driving in the country. We researched some more, weighed our pros and cons and decided to GO for it anyway! ? On getting to Colombo, we got our rental car in Sri Lanka after waging a mini bureaucratic war ?? ✨ ✨ To cut a long story short, you just need 1 extra day in Colombo to get your license validated. You’ll have to queue up (will pop all details in our article so the process is seamless for you ☺️?!). But once that is done, you are all set to explore every little corner of Sri Lanka on your own. If you travel frequently or have driven in even slightly chaotic countries, we would HIGHLY recommend renting a car to explore Sri Lanka. It’s affordable, roads are amazing, people even better, and you’ll stumble on SO many gems along the way like this ancient rock fortress ??? ✨ ✨ MORAL of the story? Travelling to new places is a bit like LIFE itself! You need to exercise common sense, measure your options but ALSO be confident and take risks. Don’t follow the herd and most importantly don’t be scared of the unknown and you’ll reap the highest rewards in travel and in LIFE ☺️? #bruisedpassports #lifelessons #traveltips A post shared by Savi and Vid (@bruisedpassports) on Sep 22, 2018 at 9:31pm PDT

Sample Itineraries for your road trip in Sri Lanka

We will provide a day-by-day breakdown of our entire road trip below. But here are a few suggested itineraries depending on the number of days that you have in the country

SUGGESTED ITINERARY FOR 4 DAYS

• Day 1 – Stay in Colombo
• Days 2-5 – Stay in Galle and explore Southern Province including Mirissa, Unawatuna, and Galle

SUGGESTED ITINERARY FOR 1 WEEK

• Days 5-7 – Stay in Yala National Park and go on safari

SUGGESTED ITINERARY FOR 2 WEEKS

• Days 5-7 – Stay in Yala National Park and go on safari (2 days)
• Days 7-10 – Stay in Arugam Bay/Trincomalle and explore offbeat beaches of Eastern Sri Lanka
• Days 10-11 – Stay in Sigiriya and go hiking
• Days 11-13 – Stay in Kandy/Ella and explore Nuwara Eliya, Ella, and Kandy
• Day 14 – Fly out of Colombo

SUGGESTED ITINERARY FOR 1 MONTH

• Days 1-3 – Stay in Colombo
• Days 3-8 – Stay in Unawatuna and explore Southern Province including Mirissa, Unawatuna, and Galle
• Days 8-10 – Stay in Yala National Park and go on safari (2 days)
• Days 7-12 – Stay in Arugam Bay
• Days 12-18 – Stay in Trincomalle and explore offbeat beaches of Eastern Sri Lanka
• Days 18-20 -Stay in Anuradhapura and explore surrounding temples and monasteries
• Days 21-24 – Stay in Sigiriya/Dambulla and go hiking
• Days 24-27 – Stay in Kandy and explore Sri Lanka’s most visited town
• Days 27-29 – Stay in Ella and explore Nuwara Eliya and Ella
• Day 30 – Return to Colombo and fly out of Colombo

Day by Day breakdown of our road trip in Sri Lanka

Days 1-2 : arrive in colombo and pick up your rental car.

Irrespective of where you are flying from, we’d suggest spending at least a night in Colombo before you pick up your car. The next morning, you can get your license validated and pick up your rental car for your road trip in Sri Lanka. You can also spend a day exploring the major highlights of Colombo such as visiting the Beira Lake, National Museum, exploring the historical streets of Pettah (don’t miss the gorgeous Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosuqe) or eating at the Ministry Of Crab!

Accommodation in Colombo

We chose to stay at an AirBnB apartment in the bustling centre of Colombo since we booked at the last minute and couldn’t find a good hotel in the area we wanted. Apartments are a great option in Sri Lanka but make sure you check for essentials such as wifi, parking, air conditioner etc before you book. If you are new to renting apartments and want some help, check out our guide here:

Days 2-5 Drive to Galle and Explore the Southern Province

This is when your road trip starts in real earnest. Drive from Colombo to Galle took around 3 hours. We’d suggest taking the fast expressway instead of the coastal road as you will have access to plenty of coastal roads and panoramas later in this road trip. Galle will be home for three nights and here is a list of things to do in the area with some tips

• Spend a day exploring Galle’s historical centre – especially Galle Fort, Dutch Reformed Church, and its iconic lighthouse.
• Drive to Mirissa for its iconic palm forest. It’s hard to find it on Google Maps but it’s right next to Maison D’hotes and Sea Star Lodge. This is a popular spot for sunset, so it tends to get incredibly crowded around sunset. We actually think it looks prettier during the day, so try going around 10 am. Spend the afternoon at the beaches in Mirissa. You could even witness turtle hatching by visiting a farm in Mirissa.
• Drive to the quaint Weligama Fishing Village, where you will spot colorful fishing boats. On the way, you will also spot Sri Lanka’s famous stilt fishermen. Unfortunately they aren’t actual fishermen, just actors who ask for money for every photograph you take.
• Drive to the incredibly serene Japanese Peace Pagoda
• Spend a day at the beaches of Unawatanu – they are gorgeous to say the least.
• Shoot a memorable photograph at the insta-famous Unawatuna swing. It is located at Dallawella Beach near Unawatuna. It gets very crowded at sunset – we’d suggest going during the day or right after sunset for great light and least crowds. It costs 500LKR ($3)
• If you have some more time at hand, you could also visit The legendary hill of Rumassala or the Ariyapala Masks Museum in the vicinity.

View this post on Instagram A perfectly triangular grove of palm trees with that view ???This morning we went to the beach for sunrise and hiked up here for a picnic ?? A post shared by Savi and Vid (@bruisedpassports) on Sep 10, 2018 at 9:40pm PDT

Accommodation in Galle

We chose our hotel in Galle based on our readers’ recommendations and we enjoyed it so much that we ended up staying in a number of Jetwing Hotels throughout this trip. So many of our readers recommended Jetwing Lighthouse and we can see why. The hotel has one of the most gorgeous views we’ve seen in a while. You will be greeted with an expansive beach complimented by dramatic waves crashing against giant rocks. Rooms are spacious and comfortable and equipped with all the amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel. The breakfast buffet is expansive and we really enjoyed it. Make sure you try local delicacies such as egg hoppers, dosas, and Sri Lankan curries. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, we’d recommend booking a sunset dinner on the rocks. This is available at a surcharge and dependent on the weather, but it makes for a memorable dining experience.

Days 5-7 Go on safari at Yala National Park

A road trip to Sri Lanka would be incomplete without going on a safari! This 4 hour drive will take you from the coast to the heart of wild Sri Lanka. Yala National Park is gorgeous and safaris here range from $35-$180 depending on where you get them. We booked our Safari through our hotel itself and reserved a private jeep for the two of us. Safaris are enthralling and you can expect to spot everything from leopards and elephants to wild boars and spotted deer. A variety of birds can also be spotted along the way. A word of caution – a large (and apparently the best) part of the park – Block I and II – is closed for a couple of months during September and October (may change every year – check here ) so we had to go to Block 5 – let’s just say it wasn’t the best safari viewing afternoon 🙂

Accommodation in Yala National Park

What comes to mind when you think of staying in the wilderness? Camping! If you’re anything like us and love your creature comforts then glamping is the answer! We stayed at Jetwing Yala and what an experience it was! The hotel is located mere minutes away from the Block 1 entrance to Yala National Park where most safaris start (when this block is open). As a result you’ll see plenty of elephants, wild boars, monkeys, and other wildlife roaming around in the hotel. You can choose to stay in hotel rooms or glamping tents. Rooms are spacious and equipped with luxurious beds, hot showers, indulgent toiletries et al. The glamping tents are full of character and comfortably furnished with portable air conditioners, comfortable beds, and equipped bathrooms. You might spot an elephant or wild boar as you sip on tea on your patio. However do be warned – if you choose to stay in the tents, you cannot leave your tent after dark on your own.

Whatever accommodation you choose, breakfast is served at a scenic restaurant close to the reception. If you’re celebrating an anniversary or birthday, we’d recommend booking a special sunset dinner on the dunes overlooking the beach on one side and Yala National Park on the other. This is available at a surcharge, but it makes for a truly  special dining experience.

View this post on Instagram Glamping dinners under the moonlight ??? Why choose between the sound of waves, a candle-light dinner, or a National Park when you can have all 3 at once amiright? ?? ✨ ✨ #bruisedpassports @jetwinghotels #srilanka #sunset #safari A post shared by Savi and Vid (@bruisedpassports) on Sep 17, 2018 at 9:31pm PDT

Days 7-10 Unwind at Arugmam Bay

Arugam Bay exudes a laid-back beach town vibe and it was the definite highlight of our  road trip in Sri Lanka. It would be easy to spend a week or two here, but if you don’t have that long we’d suggest spending at least 3 days here. Here are some of the things you can do in the area:

• Go surf or take surfing lessons.This is the surfing capital of Sri Lanka and there’s no dearth of training schools here.
• Lounge on the beautiful beaches
• In case you need a break from driving your car, you could rent a bike or colourful tuk tuk to explore the area
• Attend a yoga class
• Visit Pottuvil Point or Elephant Rock for amazing views
• Take a boat tour at Pottuvil Lagoon
• Visit an ancient monastery – you could drive to Muhudu Maha Vihaqraya, Magul Maha Viharaya, or Sastrawela monastery. If you’d like to work up an appetite, we’d suggest hiking to Kudumbigala monastery
• In case you didn’t stop at Yala National Park, you can go on safari from Arugam Bay – Gal Oya National Park and Kumana National Park are in the vicinity.

Accommodation in Arugam Bay

Jetwing Surf is a comparatively new hotel with just 20 cabanas and screams beach chic. The hotel complex is dotted with palm trees and boasts of a long stretch of beach. Each cabana has four poster beds, bamboo furnishings, and the most gorgeous open-air bathrooms with outdoor showers. The only downside is that the cabanas are not air conditioned, which is not a problem most of the year. We’d suggest opting for a beach facing cabana to take your vacation up a notch. Jetwing Surf also has a supremely scenic pool (watch the most stunning sunrise here) and breakfast area, so make sure you set aside plenty of time to spend in the hotel complex.

Arugam Bay is the ideal place for a prolonged stay if you chose the 1 month itinerary listed above. It has a bohemian and laid-back vibe perfect for long-term travellers. In case you intend to spend more than 5 days in Arugam Bay, we’d suggest renting an apartment on AirBnB

Days 10-13 Explore heritage sites and go hiking at Sigriya

The drive from Arugam Bay to Sigiriya is a long one. Make sure you start early as it can take anywhere between 7-8 hours. Sigiriya is a destination bathed in history. Here are some things to do in the area:

• Hike to the top of the iconic Lion Rock. The entry fee is $30 for adults and $15 if you’re from a SAARC nation. Make sure you take your passport along and go early as it gets really hot and crowded later in the day
• For a much cheaper and less crowded experience, hike the rock opposite the Lion Rock. The entry to Pidurangala Rock is merely $2.50 and it’s every bit worth it. If you have to choose between the two rocks, then we’d suggest saving some money and hiking the Pidurangala Rock . We suggest reaching the top just before sunset. The view from the top is spectacular and you get to see the Lion Rock from a vantage point
• Visit the Dambulla Cave Temples and marvel at the gorgeous carvings. The World Heritage Site is bound to leave you awestruck
• Go on safari to Minneriya National Park or Kaudulla National Park to witness the largest gathering of Asian elephants in the wild. The chances of spotting elephants in one park or the other keep changing according to the seasons, so make sure you ask your safari provider which National Park is the best for spotting elephants at the time you visit. We booked our safari with Minneriya Safari Tours and they provided transfers from the hotel and we ended up seeing loads of elephants too. The price for a private vehicle for the evening Safari was USD 120 for 2 people. The jeeps here provided a much better viewing experience as they were open-top.

View this post on Instagram Out with the wild ones, where we belong ???? A post shared by Savi and Vid (@bruisedpassports) on Sep 25, 2018 at 5:30am PDT

Accommodation in Sigiriya

If I had to pick my favourite hotel from our trip to Sri Lanka, it would have to be Jetwing Vil Uyana . If you book one hotel from our recommendations, then make it this! The hotel has been awarded several awards for being the best eco-luxury resort in Asia and it sure lives up to that! This is eco-luxury at its finest – each chalet at Jetwing Vil Uyana is surrounded by paddy fields, reeds, or a man-made lake. Chalets are ultra-spacious and luxurious – think four poster beds, mosquito nets, expansive balconies, bath tubs, and large shower cubicles with hot and cold water. And despite having all those luxuries at hand, you can step out and feel like you’re in the lap of mother nature. A stay here is the perfect antidote to the hustle bustle of Sigiriya’s historical sites – highly recommended!

Days 13-16 Drive to Ella/Nuwara Eliya and explore the tea country

You could take a pitstop in Kandy on your drive from Sigiriya to Nuwara Eliya. In fact if you have a couple of extra days here, we’d highly recommend spending two nights in Kandy.

Driving to Nuwara Eliya feels like stepping back in time. As you near the tea country, you will be surrounded by low lying clouds and miles upon miles of tea plantations. Driving on this route reminded us A LOT of our epic road trip in Kerala . Make sure you pack a light woollen for your time in Nuwara Eliya because you’ll need it! Spend your time in Nuwara Eliya doing the following things

• Visit a tea estate. A number of tea estates allow visitors to explore them for free. You could take a paid tour to the tea factory or just wander around the estate yourself for free.There are a number of tea estates that work on this model but our favourite was Pedro Tea Estate – gorgeous views and scenic trails. Make sure you carry some loose change to tip tea-pickers if you want photos of/with them as they expect it.
• Hike to Lovers Leap Waterfall. If you have a car, you needn’t pay tuk tuk drivers atrocious fares (LKR 2000 for a five minute drive) at the main entrance to the waterfall. Take the alternative route suggested by Google Maps and park your car and hike up!
• Picnic by Gregory Lake, a favourite with locals.
• Drop in for a cuppa at the restaurant at Mackintosh Estate – it overlooks an expansive tea estate
• Drop by Jetwing St. Andrews for English Afternoon Tea
• Drive to Ella to witness its many waterfalls or the iconic Nine Arches Bridge. If you haven’t rented a car, you could also take the extremely scenic train ride from Ella to Kandy.

Accommodation in Nuwara Eliya/Ella

This was the only place we felt we went wrong with the duration of stay! We booked a hotel for 3 nights in Nuwara Eliya, but to be honest you don’t need more than a night in the area. In fact we would recommend booking an Airbnb or a hotel in Ella and covering Nuwara Eliya on a day trip if you are driving yourself.

Day 17 Return your rental car and fly out of Colombo International Airport

If you’re driving from Ella or Nuwara Eliya back to the airport, start early as it takes time. Also, there are some stunning vistas on the way, especially when you’re still driving in the hills.

And, here is a video with all our experiences on this road trip:

That’s it. The ultimate itinerary for a road trip in Sri Lanka with loads of suggestions, tips, our favourites, (unfavourites), and everything in between. If you need any other answers, just leave us a comment and we’ll get back super soon.

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101 thoughts on “ the ultimate itinerary for your road trip in sri lanka, the teardrop island ”.

You have described it really well. I just wanted to know how similar or different was Sri Lanka similar to Kerala.. And where did you enjoy more in SriLanka or Kerala?

Hey Pratik – The two are similar but Sri Lanka has more diverse landscapes and prettier beaches 🙂

Self Drive Malkey car Rentak charge of 15000LKR per week includes fuel ?

Fantastic post. Quite surely am now going to Sri Lanka.

Love you guys!

So glad you enjoyed it 🙂 We always love hearing from you – You’ll really enjoy Sri Lanka. It has so much for offer 🙂

Hi .. thank you for the very informative post ! Of the two places Nuwara and Ella , which one would you recommend for a stay? Also any particular hotel if you could suggest in the above two places , Yala and Galle if a little tighter on budget ?

Hey Prachi – as mentioned above, we would recommend Ella to stay. If you’re a tea connoisseur, you can stay in Nuwara Eliya. You can look up Air BnB for such great affordable B&Bs in these areas. You can use this link for a $30 discount on your booking to cut costs further http://www.airbnb.co.in/c/viditt

Great Blog ? Sri Lanka in may first week for a 6 day trip,will it be good time?

It will be quite hot then 🙂

Hey, I enjoy reading your posts but can I make a small request? Can you mention how much your trips cost? It would be very useful for people like me to plan the trips. Ihave been planning to visit Sri Lanka (maybe next year). Thank you.

Hey Christina – we do include budgets for a lot of our trips but here we’ve mentioned how much safaris and car rentals etc cost but the overall cost depends heavily on the kind of hotels you choose and where you fly from 🙂

Thanks for the article . Loved it ! Wanted to know how long is the hike to the rock opposite Sigiriya ?

Hey so happy you enjoyed our itinerary for a road trip in Sri Lanka. To answer your question, the Pidurangla Hike takes about 30 minutes one way 🙂

What a great article you write up! This road trip looks really great and you captured awesome views. Loved your post. Thank you so much for sharing a fantastic experiences.

This is amazing!I could almost feel I’m already there just by reading it. My friend is heading to Sri Lanka for her honeymoon and I’m definitely recommending this to her. I’m sure she’ll love it too! Thank you for the elaborate itinerary! Loads of love to u guys!❤️

I’m so happy to hear you found this happy Manasi 🙂 I hope your friend finds our itinerary for Sri Lanka helpful too

Hi guys, how much did it cost for the specialty dining (on the rocks and on the dunes )?

Hey Neeharika – it varies depending on the package you have at the hotels but it is around $300 🙂

Hi Guys Loved the super detailed post! Captured the essence of Sri Lanka so well We’re going to be in Sri Lanka only for a day as a Layover from Maldives. Would you recommend that we travel to Galle/ someplace nearby or should we just stay back in Colombo and explore here. Also which area would you recommend for us to stay in Colombo

If you’re there only for a day, we’d suggest sticking around in Colombo itself. Just rent a hotel close to the airport and go explore the city for a bit 🙂

Hi! Thanks for sharing all the information. Your blog is just amazing. I am planning a 6 days trip covering Srilanka and Maldives in November. What would say is a must visit if I plan to cover srilanka over 3 days. I am keen on visiting any one of the national park and turtle hatchery. Thank you in advance.

Hey Madhura – if you have 3 days, I’d suggest following itinerary number 1 listed in this article 🙂

Hey guys, i am planning to visit Sri Lanka for 5N this month. If i have to divide my stay in two parts (don’t wanna travel much between places) what places should i consider so that i don’t miss out on the good stuff? I’ll be visiting Sri Lanka after 4N stay in Maldives.

Thank You 🙂

We’d suggest spending some time in Galle and Yala National Park

Finally got time to catch up on this. Boy, glad I took my time to peruse every tiny bit and absorb the beauty captured by you guys. Can’t wait to explore Sri Lanka!

Happy to hear that 🙂 Sri Lanka is a dream, especially if you’re driving 🙂

Why did you not mention about Raavan’s palace in the post? Where is the location of the palace?

Hey! Me and my friend (both girls) have a 5 day trip to Sri Lanka in December end. We love outdoor activities, adventure sports, staying with localities, workshops and similar stuff. Could you suggest places specifically for these? Also, I have heard a lot about Bentota, do you recommend it?

Yes Bentota is nice, you should visit 🙂 As for suggestions, well everything we have to suggest for Sri Lanka is already in this article 🙂

Hi! Thanks so much for the detailed information. Just one query – would you know if it is easy to purchase a local sim card for use in Sri Lanka? In India it takes 3 days to process an application for a local sim card so I was wondering if it is any easier here. Many thanks. 🙂

Hey Babita,

It’s VERY easy – done in 15-20 minutes 🙂

Do you guys have any recommendations for restaurants in Colombo, Galle, Unawantuna, Mirissa and Yala?

Please do share. Thank you!

Hey Tanvi – our recommendations are above. We really enjoyed Jetwing Yala and we chose to visit Unawantuna/Mirissa on a day trip, so we didn’t stay there! However there are loads of hotels in the area

Hey Savi! I am heading to Sri Lanka for a week. Lot of people have asked me to avoid Kandy and Nuwara Eliya – as the south seems to have a lot more to offer. Getting very contrasting opinions on entirely giving these two a miss right to making them a key part of the itinerary. Your view?

Our view is above. It’s a pretty part of the country but you might want to skip it if you’ve explored some other tea plantations before

Hi maam..really wonderful pics and amazing information. we were planning a trip to the Andamans..now can u suggest whether visiting just shrilanka for a week will be better than Andamans?

Hey that depends on personal choice. Sri Lanka offers a more diverse mix of things to do (safaris, beaches, historical cities etc) while Andamans is more about the beaches!

Ohhhhh myyyy Goddd.. . beauty “Srilanka” and you too also 😛 thanks for sharing, will apply on me also..

You’re welcome!

Could you recommend some other boutique hotels to stay at in Galle ! Would be really helpful !

Hey Anushka – We stayed at Jetwing Galle and loved it. You could also rent an apartment on AirBnB here http://www.airbnb.co.in/c/viditt

We have planned a road trip basis this itenary and suggestions. We contacted Malkey as suggested but the car rental rates during Jan isn’t 15000 LKR but 25000 for a week probably due to the season & off-season rates and I contacted them 2 months in advance. This is not much of a problem anyways but just an update so others could note, also to get the license validated it’s important to keep in mind we arrive in colombo on a Sunday or any other working day as the authorities office only opens from Monday to Friday. We didn’t know this and booked our flights for a Saturday so will have to either wait till Monday in colombo or get a IDL first from Delhi and pay 4000 LKR to get that validated without being present. Just writing so others could benefit but thank you for all the tips, pictures and advices. I can’t wait to get to Srilanka soon.

Hey Kamakshi,

Thanks for taking out the time to update everyone – very sweet of you 🙂 Hope your Sri Lanka road trip was amazing 🙂 Do share photos with us!

Hi Kamakshi, thank you for providing this information. Also, can you help me how I can get my IDL validated without being present as I am arriving Colombo on Saturday and don’t want to waste my day at their office.

Hi Savi, I love all of your photos, there all amazing. Can you suggest things to do for one day in Colombo?

Hey Agness so lovely to hear from you – sorry couldn’t get back to you sooner. Honestly we didn’t really spend much time in Colombo – just picked our rental car and off we went (we spent half a day just to get the temporary driving license in Colombo) – so that was our highlight in Colombo 😉

Hey, your post is very informative and ever if anyone don’t want to visit would say yes after your post, just as I did. I am planning my moons and we are thinking of Sri Lanka & Maldives along. Could you help us suggest best place to not miss during our visit. It’s a 5-6 days in Srilanka & 3 in Maldives.

Hey all details are on our website – both for Sri Lanka and Maldives 🙂 Please search!

Hi I loved reading your itinerary as Sri Lanka is up on my list now. I wanted to know if you visited Bentota , should we go there ? If yes then why , Coz I dnt see it in your plan . Thank you

We couldn’t go to Bentota but would have loved to – we’d recommend you go there 🙂

Very well described. Thanks. It seems a wonderful place….gonna plan this soon. 🙂

Yes a road trip in Sri Lanka is amazing – the places, people, and food – all are great 🙂

Great article . Wanted to check, if we rent a car for week, do we have to give security deposit. Read somewhere its some 300$ to be paid in cash . Just wanted to confirm.

Hey Snehal,

Yes you have to deposit cash. It was around 200$ for us. Returned as is without any question.

Hi Savi and Vid,

Can you guys suggest any other hotel in Galle other than Jetwing? Also is it possible to stay in Weligama and travel to Galle other than staying in Galle and traveling to Weligama?

Regards Surabhi

Hi Surabhi,

Not sure about any other hotel in Galle. I am sure you’ll find plenty 🙂

As for your other question – yes, why not? You can stay in Weligama and travel to Galle for sure.

Enjoy your trip to Sri Lanka!

Thank you. Could you suggest any good Airbnb in Colombo?

Hey Surabhi – Air BnB’s don’t really have names so can’t recommend exact apartments. But AirBnB is a great option in Colomobo- would suggest booking with a superhost in Colombo as AirBnB reviews are a great way to assess where you’ll be staying 🙂

Hey The article is meticulously curated! Would you be able to give a rough total for a couple for 7 days in Sri Lanka? Regards Thank you!

*total budget

Thanks Ridhi. The budget depends purely on where you are flying from and the kind of hotels you choose. But you will need to budget a minimum for USD100/INR 8000 per day for everything (including accommodation, meals, excursions, public transport) and upwards of USD 200/INR 15000 per day if you’re renting a car, staying in nice hotels, and exploring independently. Hope that helps 🙂

Hi Guys, I am planning a trip to Sri Lanka during upcoming Diwali holidays with my parents. Your entire post has been really informative and helpful. Keep up the good work! We would like to book a taxi for 3 of us. The internet has multiple options. Could you recommend us any specific taxi driver services? This will be a week long trip. Your recommendation will really help 🙂

Glad our tips on Sri Lanka came in handy. As we have mentioned we rented a car so not sure about Taxi services – perhaps you could get in touch with Malkey (the car rental company) and ask them if they also arrange cars with drivers?

Hi Guys, love your blog. We were thinking of staying in Nuwara Eliya for a couple of day apart from a day in Kandy and 2 in Ella. Is Nuwara Eliya not worth it?

Hey Nuwara Eliya is beautiful but very similar to tea plantations in Munnar (if you’ve been to Kerala, then we’d suggest skipping Nuwara Eliya).

Such a amazing article. Thanks for sharing this useful information with us

Thank you 🙂

Hey guys. Great blog. I’ll take this as a reference. I’ve planned a trip with friends this new year. I just wanted to know the process of getting temporary driving licence. Do you have any blog for that? Do we need to take international driving licence(IDL) in India and then go to the DMV office or directly we can go without IDL.

Hi Anirudh,

What I was told was that if one has an IDL, then he/she can just scan and send across to the rental company in Sri Lanka who will use these scanned copies to obtain the local license for you and have it ready by the time you get there. However, if you don’t have IDL, you have to personally go to DMV for this half-day process. It’s relatively straightforward.

Hope that helps. Have a great road trip in Sri Lanka

Thanks for the detailed blog. I want to explore the palm swing near Galle as part of my visit. I heard the palm swing at Dalawella beach is tough to master. Any recommendations if there are any alternative palm swings at Unawatuna?

Hi, We are planning a road trip around Sri Lanka for 10 days in Dec. From personal experiences can we get suggestions/ references of drivers for hiring a car with a driver.

We did a self-drive tour. However, you can reach out to the agency (Malkey) we rented our car from as they do provide the service you are after 🙂

Thanks for your blog. I loved it. 🙂 I’m going to Srilanka next week and planning to cover Ella and Nuwara Eliya in two days. We’d be traveling to Ella from Mirissa early morning and planning to leave for Nuwara the next morning. Is it feasible? Please share your suggestions.

It is doable but will be very rushed. And don’t treat driving time shown in Google as the actual time it’ll take. Add around 30% to that 🙂

We’d suggest skipping Ella and just going to Nuwara Eliya and spending a couple of nights there.

Hi Vid & Savi,

Is there any firm which does drone photography for the couple in Sri Lanka?

Hi Nivedita,

I’m sure there is. Your best bet would be to do a google search depending on the part of Sri Lanka where you’re looking for a drone photographer 🙂

Interesting one on Sri Lanka. My hubby n I are planning a trip to the southern province and are contemplating between a self-drive vehicle or a chauffeur driven one. Which one would you recommend keeping in view the traffic/road conditions, tourist safety and car-breakdown assistance.

We always prefer renting a car and driving ourselves. We did not face any problems in terms of traffic or safety. If you’ve driven in India, you’ll be absolutely fine, no worries 🙂

Article didn’t mention any list of things to do in Kandy but it did recommend a stay for about 2 nights in Kandy instead of Nuwara Eliya. Any suggestions on places to visit while in Kandy?? Or could we skip that and go straight from Sigiriya to Nuwara Eliya and cover Ella instead ??

Hey Sanskruti,

Yes, you could do that 🙂

Nice blog. Very informative and useful.

Amazing article. Very useful if someone planing to visit Srilanka

Very nice information, your blog is awosome l thanks for sharing such a nice information .

I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to understand. Thank you for sharing .

What a fantastic post you shared. Thank you so much for sharing this post myself anubhav from Agra, India. We have a tour operator company by the name of Padma Holidays.

Wow! Just love. Lots of love for your Sri Lanka Trip. The places are amazing and you both too. I just fall in love with this awesome country. I added it in my travel list. When the pandemic gets over, I wl definitely travel there and will follow your tour plan for sure. Believe me , the pictures are awesome.

Hey! Just wanna say that this is a great blog, I got to know really some useful tips here! Thank you for taking the time to share! I have planned this year to visit a friend there and he’s going to show me around, so I have the perks of a native tour guide.

This is a Informational Post! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful post with us. I really like your post. Please, keep sharing..!!!

Very nice blog thanks for sharing such a nice information. We have good news for foreign travelers who have been wanting to visit India for a long time. Citizens of 156 countries can plan their travel as per the new visa guideline standards.

Dear, Thanks for the post all the good information has been posted in this article.

Dear Blogger, Great post Thanks for sharing this inspiring post Now you can book your favorite tour package for making your Days happy and spiritual to you Offers

Thank you very much for sharing this road trip to visit itinerary Srilanka. It is a very useful to travel blog history for tourists.

Thanks For Sharing Such a Nice Articlle

Amazing Information On Road Trip In Shrilanka Thanks For Sharing

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Nice blog. thanks. Planning a one month Sri lanka trip by own car. Taking a ferry from Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai which will take our car. Then starting from north we will criss cross Sri Lanka. Time is Nov 2024. Your notes will be very handy in planning itineraries.

That sounds exciting – so happy to hear this guide to Sri Lanka helped 🙂

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Home » Asia » Sri Lanka » Backpacking Guide

Backpacking Sri Lanka Travel Guide (BUDGET TIPS • 2024)

Sri Lanka is a sheet of bubble wrap.

This past month, I’ve been wracking my brain for the perfect analogy for the backpacking Sri Lanka experience. Just now, it came to me (conveniently, as I was staring at a super-dope mountain).

Sri Lanka is a land of bubbles and all the spaces between. It’s a small island – travelling Sri Lanka is a breeze – and dotted around the island, you have Sri Lanka’s ‘best places to go’ : the tourist bubbles.

And everything in between the bubbles? That’s Sri Lanka.

This is a travel guide for Sri Lanka, so, of course, I’m going to cover the typical backpacking itinerary – where to stay, where to go, and what to do. I’m also going to cover some really cool stuff: the more uncommon places to visit on and off Sri Lanka’s backpacking trail. Places the fruit-shirt clad backpacker-men dare not tread.

Mostly though, I’ll just be honest. I hope that sounds like what you’re looking for: an honest travel guide for backpacking Sri Lanka. If you’re looking for a guide on the most Instagrammable spots in Sri Lanka, maybe look elsewhere…Because what’s the best part of bubble wrap?

Bursting the bubble.

Why Go Backpacking in Sri Lanka?

Let’s keep to this Sri Lanka is bubble wrap analogy. What’s something pretty much universally agreed on about bubble wrap?

That it’s fucking awesome!

How many hours have you spent red-eye blazed and playing with bubble wrap? (I could have written a baroque opera about smoking joints during that time.)

There are no shortages of truly beautiful places in Sri Lanka – and there are more than enough things to do (provided you like the beach). A long, vibrant, (and violent) history exists in Sri Lanka and backpacking through it very much retains the small island, ‘ everyone knows everyone ’ feeling (despite having a population of 20+ million).

It’s a South Asia-lite experience. Despite a different religious heritage, the feeling is similar to backpacking in India… but pulled back. Nothing feels so hectic, nothing feels so chaotic, and it’s considerably cleaner too.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is fairly set and the stops on the typical tour of the island are pretty well-tread: they’re well-developed and already come with expectations of what a tourist wants. The end result is that visiting Sri Lanka’s typical travel guide locales feels, well, like being in a bubble.

A shelter from the big, scary South Asia outside.

But that Sri Lankan-brand South Asian yumminess between the bubbles? It’s just as delicious as it’s always been! Once you step outside the bubble, you’ll find a country chock full of everything backpacking is supposed to be about: good food, good people, good vibes, and good views .

All in all, it’s still South Asia! Many people I meet backpacking in Sri Lanka – particularly those who are fresher to the game – can still find it overwhelming. Expect uncomfortable stares, moments of utter confusion, and personal boundaries occasionally being crossed.

There will be misadventures and mishaps. And my God, they’re gonna be a blast.

Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking Sri Lanka

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Ok, this is usually the part where I whinge about itineraries, ‘ticking boxes’ , and tell you to go slow and never go home. (Na, you should go home sometimes; nothing beats Mum’s salad sandwiches).

I mean, you should still go slow – we’re running on Sri Lanka time here! But I do understand the need for a backpacking Sri Lanka travel itinerary .

Most of the people I meet in Sri Lanka backpacking tend to only be travelling short-term, and I meet very few travellers who extend past the initial 30-day visa.

So, as they always say, quantity over quality! Give the people what they want!

2-3 Week Travel Itinerary for Sri Lanka: The Maha Monsoon and the South Coast

You can check the ‘Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka’ section for more deetz, but there are two distinct monsoon seasons in Sri Lanka that create two distinct tour itineraries. When Maha Monsoon is in, head south.

It’s a ridiculously easy route to follow – courtesy of Sri Lanka’s grungy yet more-than-capable public transport. From Bandaranaike International Airport head to Colombo only for the train or bus.

Head south to Hikkaduwa to start on Sri Lanka’s south coast. I’ll outline some standouts but take your pick from all these impeccable beach towns.

A unique point of interest in Sri Lanka is Galle . It’s an old-timey city with colonial-era architecture and a fusion of cultures. This one isn’t for beach parties.

Follow the coast for smaller beachside stops catering to different levels of surfing and breaks. In order: Unawatuna , Midigama , and Weligama .

Mirissa is a major attraction of Sri Lanka’s south coast. More beaches, more surfing, more coconuts! There’s also a bunch of Sri Lanka’s top yoga retreats too.

Wait, what’s that? We’re leaving the beach now? Yep, we’re going to the mountains.

If you’re planning a safari you’ll be thinking about Yala National Park. However, due to the treatment of animals, I regret to say I don’t recommend this stop. (Check further down for more info.)

The next big stop (and one of my personal highlights of Sri Lanka) is Ella and the hill country . I saved here for last because, if you’re anything like me, mountains help you decompress. It’s a good send-off to Sri Lanka too.

From Ella, catch the famous Kandy to Ella train (making a stopover in Nuwara Eliya to break up the ride if there’s time). Maybe you won’t love Kandy but it’s better than Colombo.

2-3 Week Travel Itinerary for Sri Lanka: The Yala Monsoon, the East Coast, and the Middle

It’s a similar deal as before; only this time, the Yala monsoon is ruining tanning opportunities in the south. That sends you east and north.

Negombo makes a great chill alternative to Colombo for a night when you arrive. Then, cut straight to Kandy . 

Kandy isn’t mindblowing but the route from Kandy is. You’ve probably already guessed what comes next: the train to Ella ! Again, Nuwara Eliya makes a good stop on the way.

Ella is one of the coolest places to stay in Sri Lanka. Well, not in Ella – the surrounding area – but we’ll get to that…

If you came to Sri Lanka for the beaches, parties, and surfing, go to Arugam Bay. Give yourself enough time to get stuck for a bit – just in case. 

Heading north on the coast, you won’t find much until Trincomalee . It’s chill but a bit pricier and there’s no surf.

From here, head away from the beach to Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle , specifically, Sigiriya town – home of the simply magnificent Lion’s Rock (Sigiriya Fortress).

And now we’re heading north. ‘The North’? (Sounds so mysterious, right?) 

The next stop on your Sri Lanka itinerary is Anuradhapura , home of the sacred Bo tree where Buddha received enlightenment. It’s kinda important. It’s another of Sri Lanka’s famous travel places and also the train runs north from here to Jaffna . Now we’re in The North!

Up here you’ll find a different side of Sri Lanka and a deeper insight into Sri Lanka’s history. When it’s time to call it quits, the train runs all the way back to (near) the airport.

1-Month+ Travel Itinerary for Sri Lanka: I Eat Monsoons for Breakfast

Got a month and zero fucks to give about the rain? You’re my kind of traveller.

Here’s one last itinerary for Sri Lanka – something a bit jackfruit-ier to sink your teeth into. All you’re doing is combining the two previous suggested itineraries for a full circuit. If you want a clean circuit, you’ll need to skip some places, but I have a better idea.

Go south first from Negombo . Follow the previously outlined south coast itinerary but slow it down! Tangalle is a nice bonus stop (with quieter beaches).

Next, Ella . Hang around if you like or move on because you can always come back.

Head east, following the Sri Lanka Itinerary #2: Arugam Bay , Trinco , the inland Cultural Triangle , and then up to Jaffna . Afterwards, catch the train to Kandy and here’s where things differ.

Close to Kandy is the Knuckles Mountain Range , and, oh boy, it’s a goodun. If you’re after hiking in Sri Lanka, it’s the place to go. If hiking isn’t your thing, there’s a place you should go to in the Knuckles Range to really burst the bubble: Meemure village .

When Meemure is all said and done, catch the train: Kandy to Ella . Back to sweet, sticky, and sublime Ella. Go and watch the mountains until it’s time to leave. Yes, there is a direct bus to Colombo from right outside.

Let’s divide Sri Lanka’s backpacking route into four areas. Travelling between these beautiful places to visit in Sri Lanka is easy as kottu.

• North for many cultural things to do in Sri Lanka.
• East for the backpacker beaches.
• South has… well… more beaches (but more touristic than the east).
• And in the middle , mountains.

South coast Sri Lanka – beaches and the most tourist-accommodated areas in Sri Lanka. With year-round swell, it’s the right direction if you’re seeking waves.

The east coast – a similar vibe but fewer destinations. The east coast doesn’t get year-round surf.

The Cultural Triangle is for the cultural goodies: ruins, temples, monuments… Asia stuff! They’re sacred places for the locals; like a smoothie bowl and yoga beach shacks for tourists. 

The hill country, pure yum – I believe in mountains. (Title of my upcoming EP release.)

The North is a different feeling altogether; it’s well off any tourist trail and presents a different side of Sri Lanka’s history and culture.

Backpacking Colombo

Jokes! Colombo is a long, sustained fart in city form. Don’t even bother.

Seriously, if you want somewhere to stay as soon as you leave the airport, just go to Negombo instead. It’s more chill, less sucky, and the beaches are nice. If you do get stuck in Colombo, well… At least the hostels in Colombo are nice, and there’s UberEats!

Backpacking Kandy

I enjoyed my trip(s) to Kandy! I feel it’s a much nicer alternative than staying in Colombo. If you have the spoons after landing, I’d suggest booking a hostel in Kandy and travelling straight from the airport.

Anyhow, you’re probably going to visit Kandy. It’s the starting point of the ultra-famous and mega-pretty Kandy to Ella train ride – considered one of Sri Lanka’s wonders – and most people’s main reason for travelling to Kandy. The train from Kandy runs through some of the most beautiful places in Sri Lanka with majestic sweeps of the hill country.

Most backpackers I talk to aren’t particularly enamoured with their visit to Kandy, and I can see their reasoning. There’s not so much to do in Kandy and what there to see isn’t strictly impressive. There’s no nightlife and the typical places to go kind of top out at “ Oh, yah, that’s cool. ”

All the same, I like Kandy. Sometimes you just like a place, ya know?

I like how it builds down from the mountains to Kandy Lake in the centre. Or how the people living there still seem to not hate life. I like how, at twilight, thousands of bats cross the sky in a chequered blanket.

There’s cool stuff to see in Kandy, especially some of the Sri Lankan festivals .

Backpacking Ella and the Hill Country

The other end of the Kandy to Ella train . Also, one of the best places in Sri Lanka… sort off.

Sri Lanka’s hill country is a special place. There’s a sleepy little magic there that I adore. Ella itself is a bit crap though.

It’s a one-street town, purely touristic, and noisy from the traffic. That’s ok though because there are plenty of places to stay just outside Ella. In fact, I found the coolest place to stay in Sri Lanka here – where I met special people.

Most of the things to do in Sri Lanka’s hill country and Ella revolve around nature: tea plantations, hikes, stunning panoramas, and waterfalls. To me, it’s Sri Lanka’s most beautiful place and shows a truly unique side of the island that you won’t find along the beaches.

The nine arch bridge and Little Adam’s Peak are really easy to reach from here. They’re free and really make beautiful memories in Sri Lanka.

Places to Visit in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country

So, other than Ella, what other places are there to go in Sri Lanka’s hill country?

• Nuwara Eliya – A Sri Lankan highland city in colonial English form. The architecture of the place makes it one of the more unique places in Sri Lanka to visit. Nuwara Eliya is also a gate to hill country. It’s home to some really interesting sightseeing plus some gorgeous nature to boot. Just a heads up, it is one of the coldest and highest places in Sri Lanka (though, that’s not saying much).
• Adam’s Peak/ Sri Pada – Plus a whole host of other names. Adam’s Peak is well-known for the sri pada (sacred footprint) rock formation at the top and, depending on who you ask, it’s either the footprint of Buddha, Hanuman, Shiva, Adam, or St. Thomas (God, I love Sri Lanka).  The Adam’s Peak climbing season is December to May and it’s easily accessed from the town of Hatton (also on the train line).
• Haputale – Another gorgeous town in Sri Lanka’s mountains. There are some really beautiful vistas in this area. Lipton’s Seat (yes, as in that Lipton) overlooks the plantations. On clear days, you can see all the way to Sri Lanka’s south coast from Haputale.

Backpacking Arugam Bay

Ahh, Arugam Bay: the number one destination on everyone’s east coast Sri Lanka itinerary. Some people take a holiday in Sri Lanka just to spend an entire surf season in Arugam Bay.

How can I say this… it’s a place where a lot of people slow down their travel , but it’s not mine. I’ll describe the vibe, you decide the rest.

Things to do in Arugam Bay: surfing!

Things to do in Arugam Bay if you’re not surfing: fuck-all! And then the occasional party to break up the fuck-all.

There’s heaps of dope food around and local food at cheap bubble-prices. It’s damn good too!

You’ll find pretty much any drug you want and the parties feel more like a means than an end. The end being to get loose and a lay if you’re lucky.

It’s a beach town for travellers: it’s pretty straightforward, man. Days consist of surfing, food, a joint, a nap, more surfing, more joints, probably a kottu (ok, definitely a kottu).

Am I complaining? Hell no! This is paradise for most people. When you visit Arugam Bay, plan to do a whole lotta nothing!

Places to Eat in Arugam Bay

Well, you already know what to do in Arugam Bay, so instead, I’m going to tell you about my real favourite part… the munchies! Because that’s what I did do a lot of in Arugam: spliffs and food comas.

• Thatha’s Tea Shop – It’s cheap, it’s yummy, and it’s near the beach. Moderate servings that are good for a light breakfast, or at least light for someone that likes to eat two breakfasts.
• Shab’s Corner – Run by a ridiculously friendly man. It’s a shack at the very south edge of town and it’s got good local food at good prices.
• The Blue Van/Truck – There’s actually like three of these in a row on the south side of town and they’re all cracking. It’s the closest thing you’ll get to street food in Arugam Bay. The first one specialises in hoppers, the next blue truck has my favourite kottu in town, and then the blue cargo container after has the best ready-made roti and pancakes. Catch them hot!
• Mama’s Restaurant – Two buffets a day keeps the doctor away! I can’t recommend Mama’s enough. For 400 rups (lunch and dinner) you get all-you-can-eat rice and curry (6 types of curry) with the best eggplant curry I had in Sri Lanka. Remember: it’s a dishonour to the buffet gods to not get a second plate.
• Bites – Go to bites and get a brookie. It’s a brownie-cookie. That’s all I’m saying.
• Hello Burger – Ok, one recommendation for Western food. Hello Burger does hella good burgers but they’re hella expensive.

Backpacking Trincomalee

A much, much quieter alternative to Arugam Bay to see some of Sri Lanka’s best beaches. I don’t know if it’s always that quiet; I was there in peak season, however, locals told me that year was especially slow.

There’s no surfing in Trincomalee but there is snorkelling, diving, and long sandy beaches. Also, they have volleyball nets on the beach which is great fun! I didn’t even realise I liked volleyball until visiting Trincomalee!

This is the other beach stop on Sri Lanka’s east coast. There’s not much else except, arguably, Pasikuda , but that’s more local-touristy (it’s actually a premier Sri Lankan honeymoon destination). It’s very quiet, pretty, and a good choice for backpacking in Sri Lanka alone by the beach.

But Trinco, yeah. For where to stay in Trincomalee, there are two good options with very different vibes. Uppuveli is your typical tourist hub featuring Trincomalee’s hostels, restaurants, and beach bars. Nilaveli is a lot quieter and a lot more local; there are resorts and rooms by the beach and then the rest is Sri Lanka.

Snorkelling, diving, beach-beers, and local goodness outside the bubble. Pack for a beach day because that about sums up Trinco in a nutshell!

Backpacking Jaffna

Ok, so now you’re leaving Sri Lanka’s backpacking route. Nowhere is too far off the beaten track in Sri Lanka but Jaffna is off the typical itinerary. Make the trip to Jaffna and the northern islands to see some Sri Lankan temples, architecture, and food in a much different stream: the vibe is much closer to South Indian (and predominantly Tamil-Hindu).

Up in the north, you’re in the area most affected by Sri Lanka’s civil war (see the ‘Sri Lanka in Modern Times’ section ). The city of Jaffna is primarily inhabited by Tamils and you’re going to find a different perspective up there. The aftermath of the war still shows.

So, is Jaffna worth visiting? That depends on what you’re after.

Travelling to Jaffna isn’t for backpacking: it’s for culture and history. It’s different people, a different feeling, and a place to travel to in Sri Lanka if the feeling of the backpacking tour is wearing thin.

Backpacking the Cultural Triangle

The Cultural Triangle in Central Sri Lanka. The three points are Kandy , Anuradhapura , and Polonnaruwa with Dambulla and Sigiriya in the middle.

If your trivia knowledge on Sri Lanka’s points of interest is low – that’s a lot of weird names I just dropped on you. Don’t worry though, I’m gonna break this thang down in just a few seconds here, so shake it like a polaroid picture.

Located in the central plains of Sri Lanka ( ”Rajarata” or King’s Land), it’s also the dry zone. You’ll get spurts of rain but for the most part, it’s humid and hot and the mosquitoes love it. It’s good for both an east and south-coast itinerary for Sri Lanka (depending on how you handle mosquitoes while travelling ).

There are still plenty of natural goodies in the region; Jathika Namal Uyan (Rose Quartz Mountain) is definitely a must-see in Sri Lanka’s steamy centre. However, the biggest tourist pulls in the area are definitely the archaeological sites and Old World delights. Most travellers give themselves a whirlwind tour of the region (highlighted by Sigiriya) and move one.

Places to Visit in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka

Now don’t have me break this thang down for nothin’:

• Anuradhapura – The ancient capital of Buddhism within Sri Lanka and arguably its most sacred city. A lot of ruins, a lot of monuments, and, at the centre, you’ll find  Sri Maha Bodhi , home of the sacred Bo tree: the tree where Buddha received enlightenment (and the oldest human-planted tree in the world).
• Polonnaruwa – One of the old capitals of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa is an extensive area of ancient temples, rock fortresses, and all manners cheeky Buddha grins. The area is pretty big so hiring a tuk-tuk driver, a bicycle, or a scooter for the day is the go-to.
• Dambulla – More temples… Look, there are only so many flourishing words I can use to describe temples, ok? This one is in a cave… woo.
• Sigiriya – Ahhhh, Sigiriya; I like Sigiriya. It’s still a fairly unique place to visit in Sri Lanka despite being in the top 5 on most backpacking itineraries. It also has the highest density of slacklines by area that I found in Sri Lanka. The main attraction (and what a goddamn attraction it is) is Lion’s Rock with Sigiriya Fortress perched atop. Now, you can pay 4500 rupees ($25 – eek) to walk up the stairs to the busy rock… Orr , you could pay 500 rupees to climb the adjacent Pidurangala Rock and see the sunset catch Lion’s Rock. The choice is yours (although I kinda loaded the question). Shenadi Restaurant in Sigiriya town does dope local food and Rastarant has bangin’ juices and a slackline!

Given the fact that the whole region represents thousands and thousands of years of a near-impenetrable cultural history, booking a tour is totally worth the consideration! You can get in, get a bunch of learning into your brain, and be back in Sigiriya for fruit juice by nightfall!

Backpacking Galle

Moving south now but before we start talking about the beaches, let’s cover Galle.

Galle is a small city and it’s a cool city! Much like Nuwara Eliya, it’s an example of the fusion flavours of Sri Lanka only this time it’s Portuguese and Dutch! You’ve got  Galle Fort (the old town)  which is a prime example of Sri Lankan old-money at its finest and then outside the Fort you have… well… Galle.

Galle (Fort) is interesting to me; not interesting enough to keep me there for more than a night but interesting all the same. The architecture is beautiful (it really feels like a European village that’s been invaded by the tuk-tuk mafia) and it’s not just touristy but also wealthy – like, really wealthy.

Sri Lankans go jogging in the morning in full track gear, finding a local feed is a mission in-of-itself, and it’s the only time in Asia I’ve ever been refused buying a single cigarette (I’m still feeling salty about that one).

Galle’s old city is delightful to stroll through for what it is and another of Sri Lanka’s very beautiful places. I’d say it’s still worth visiting Galle (Fort) but move on quick unless you came to Sri Lanka to sit in Western cafes drinking European coffee and eating chocolate cheesecake. I want my goddamn kottu!

Backpacking Sri Lanka’s South Coast

And now we’re moving south, back to Sri Lanka’s beaches. Same as I got bored of describing temples, expect me to get bored of describing beaches. There’s sand, water, and good butts to look at: it’s all you need in life!

The south coast presents more of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful places , as well as more of its party spots. It’s all the things to do on Sri Lankan beaches that you’d expect: surfing, snorkelling, diving, and Russians. Things to do… Russians… wait, that came out wrong!

The south coast of Sri Lanka is a haven for chilled-out life and stoned surfing. Mirissa and Hikkaduwa are ideal starter towns on a Sri Lanka guide to surfing . But I’ve even broken it down in sexy table format below.

Otherwise, you’re looking at more of Sri Lanka’s best beaches along with some of its best beach hotels. The south coast is more developed than the east in touristic aspects. Tuk-tuk drivers and touts are more lethal and the tourist bubble prices will kick you around more.

There are plenty of affordable yoga retreats in this area too. That’s worth a mention too.

The Best Beaches on Sri Lanka’s South Coast

This is probably why you came here: Sri Lanka’s world-famous beaches! Long stretches of sand decorated by delicious summer bods and stray pooches. Ok, maybe you weren’t expecting stray pooches, but this is beachside-fun South Asia style! Show them some TLC: they need it.

What are the best and most beautiful beaches on Sri Lanka’s south coast? Here’s a sexy table to match that sexy core you’ve been toning in preparation:

Backpacking Yala National Park

Oh yeah, they have jungles!

First, a word on Sri Lanka’s national parks : they’re a bit shit. Not the parks themselves – they’re crazy beautiful – but the rules and regulations around them are a drag. Expensive permits only for “observing flora and fauna”, i.e. by way of safari.

That leads me to the safaris in Sri Lanka. We have a pretty clear-cut stance on animal tourism on The Broke Backpacker. We don’t engage and we don’t condone. After I arrived in Sri Lanka, I was hearing story after story from travellers who had visited Yala National Park about animal abuse.

Unfortunately, it seems the most ethical way to support the animals is to completely avoid any kind of animal tourism. So I hope you’ll consider doing the same.

Even without a trip down the ethical tourism rabbit hole, the safaris in Sri Lanka already have a fairly bad reputation . Not all pieces of animal tourism in Sri Lanka are so highly questionable, however, the evidence is there to suggest it’s better to simply not engage.

Alas, tourists gonna tourist! I get that not everyone feels the same on the matter as me and, considering a wildlife tour to see elephants and leopards is a fan-favourite backpacking activity in Sri Lanka. Ultimately, you do you.

Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most popular national park with plenty of jeep safaris and opportunities to see the aforementioned leopards and elephants. Though not as popular, Wilpattu National Park (on the northwestern side) is the largest national park in Sri Lanka with equal wildlife spotting opportunities.

The choice is yours, however, as always, please consider your impact and travel responsibly. Travel is a gift and a privilege.

Getting Off the Beaten Path in Sri Lanka

Can you get off the beaten track while backpacking Sri Lanka? Yeah, but surely you can everywhere?

I’ll reiterate what I’ve already approached: Sri Lanka is bubble wrap. Sri Lanka a small island and there aren’t too many hidden places remaining around it. But there are places off its expected itinerary.

The north and Jaffna is a good start. People still visit Jaffna for sure, but it’s not like other points of interest in Sri Lanka. It’s a historical city with only a handful of travellers.

Heading down the west coast, Mannar Island grabs my interest (though I missed out on visiting it). It’s the location of Adam’s Bridge or Rama Setu (depending on who you ask) which is either a chain of shoals or the remains of a bridge built across the Indian Ocean by an ancient Hindu god (depending on who you ask).

If you’re looking for beaches that are off Sri Lanka’s backpacking route, the southeast between Tangalle and Yala National Park are where things start to open up: wide, expansive, and much quieter.

Knuckles Mountain Range and Meemure are the only place I travelled to in Sri Lanka that really gave me those sweet-sweet-tingly stomach butterflies. There are still areas of this gorgeous spot that remain untouched, and it’s easily the best hiking place in Sri Lanka.

However, the Knuckles Mountains are perfectly capable of slapping you upside the face. They’re not to be trifled with.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

Because travelling to a far and distant land simply isn’t enough, we need some goddamn things to do!

1. Epic Waves and Lotsa Kooks: Go Surfing in Sri Lanka

C’mon, as if this was going to be anywhere but number 1 on the list of things to do in Sri Lanka! Sri Lanka’s beautiful beaches draw in surfers of beginner, intermediate, and veteran status.

Surfing in Sri Lanka is easily the biggest tourist activity on the island. And with good reason; it’s a primo destination for it!

Plenty of surfies bunker down near their favourite break too and just spend an entire season carving. That includes the locals too!

2. Ride the Kandy to Ella Train, South Asian Express

Yep, it’s mega-famous and mega-pretty and you’re almost definitely gonna catch it because the trains in Sri Lanka are excellent Asia-brand fun. Luckily for you, the complete Kandy to Ella Train Travel Guide is right here!

I still recommend catching the train unreserved for the local goodness, but if you’d like to guarantee a seat, you can book using 12Go . Fair warning though – the A/C carriages have locked doors and windows meaning that you don’t give your mum a heart attack with the photo-ops.

3. Rent a Tuk Tuk in Sri Lanka Because Why Bloody Not?

So, this was totally accidental but I lucked into being a German couple’s (love you guys) 3rd-wheel in their 3-wheel rental. We travelled Sri Lanka together by tuk-tuk for a solid 3 weeks and I can say, without a doubt, that I now know way too much about their sex life… Also, that it’s fun as hell!

Check out the section on renting a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka for price and logistic deetz cause I got the scoop and a little something extra for ya too. (And, also, protip – those surfboard racks are useless and an excellent way to waste $30.)

4. Eat Kottu Everyday

Ok, not every day – I wouldn’t exactly call it good for you. Kottu is a greasy, fried, hot mess of chopped roti and vegetables and it’s the best. It’s basically the fish and chips of Sri Lanka!

If you happen to get into a week-long stoner-munchies bubble and eat kottu every day at the beach, I wouldn’t blame you.

5. Hunt Down Some of Sri Lanka’s Waterfalls

Fun fact: Sri Lanka has the highest density of waterfalls by area of all the countries of the world. Now, I dunno if that’s actually true but a Sri Lankan dude told me that and he seemed pretty stoked about it!

Regardless, what I do know is that there is a near-infinite amount of spectacular waterfall wonders in Sri Lanka so get out there and, most definitely, go chasing waterfalls!

6. Party Down, Hook Up, and Get High

In the right spots, there is a party scene in Sri Lanka for sure. What’s the vibe like? What delicious treats can I put in my body?

Check out the appropriate section to examine my well-collected “ research ” (wink-wink-wink-wink).

7. Little Hikes and Big Hikes in Sri Lanka

Many of the natural attractions in Sri Lanka require something of a small hike to reach. It’s never really anything too strenuous – one to two hours of walking suited for a beginner hiker – and it usually results in a pretty badass view or waterfall.

For more serious hiking places in Sri Lanka, you’re going to want to check out that sexy, sexy Knuckles Mountain Range. There are plenty of multi-day trekking opportunities there, and the feeling of being lost isn’t hard to find. It’s no Nepal, but the mountains in Sri Lanka still carry their own special kind of magic.

8. Meditate on the Spiritual Consciousness after the Party Comedown

Sri Lanka is primarily a Buddhist country and Buddhism and meditation go together like kottu and my mouth. There are places you can pay out the ass for meditation retreats or monasteries hidden on mountaintops that will adopt wayward travellers.

There are also vipassana retreats in Sri Lanka for when you’re ready to get really hardcore about your suffering and impermanence.

9. Play Carom

Maybe you’ve seen carom before depending on where your travels have taken you; it’s extremely popular around South Asia. To sum it up in a nutshell, it’s basically finger-pool. There’s a board at most of the hostels in Sri Lanka that I’ve recommended, so find a teacher, roll up, and git gud!

10. See Some Beasties at Millennium Elephant Foundation

Right, so The Broke Backpacker doesn’t condone animal tourism nor do I peddle the wares of Sri Lanka’s hyperactive Safari culture. However, we do support reputable elephant orphanages and ethical elephant tourism . And there is one particular elephant sanctuary in Sri Lanka that we do stand behind.

At Millennium Elephant Foundation, you can get up-close-and-personal with some of the most majestic beasts in Sri Lanka and not even feel a drop of moral anxiety about it! Millennium Elephant Foundation is an ethical means of experiencing Sri Lanka’s wildlife, and they’re so damn upstanding that even The Broke Backpacker is willing to get behind them.

Seeing elephants in Sri Lanka

These guys don’t let you ride the elephants. They used to let you ride them bareback, but now they’ve exchanged that program for their much more whimsical and respectable Elephant Walk Experience . It’s kinda like a first date: you get to hang out, go for a romantic stroll with your partner elephant, and even help them bathe at the end if you’re lucky. 😉

Was the first date divine? Then it’s time to commit because the Elephant Foundation accepts volunteers too !  Not only will you get to hang out, care for, and bathe with the lovelies, but you’ll help out around the property too with farming, veterinary work, and teaching!

Honestly, there’s zero reason not to drop the cash you were going to spend on booking a safari on this instead. It’s 1000 times more of an authentic experience, 1000 times less  morally reprehensible, and  100,000 times better than sitting in a jeep staring slackjawed at wild animals that really just wish you’d piss off…

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Continuing the trend of being well-accommodated for both the frugal adventurer and the looser-pocketed holidayer alike, Sri Lanka’s cheap accommodation options are plentiful and numerous. Prices aren’t quite as low as other places across Asia, but there are some really cool places to stay around Sri Lanka

There are a few choice picks of Sri Lanka’s coolest hostels in particular which come with a little bit of a grungier vibe… The good type of grungy!

Depending on what kind of accommodation in Sri Lanka you’re after, the prices and amanities do vary:

• Hostels and guest houses in Sri Lanka are pretty much anywhere that the whiteys go and usually range from the $5-$9 price range. You’ll nearly always find a social vibe too.
• For travelling duos (or trios, you saucy minx) there are plenty of cheap rooms in Sri Lanka too. A decent room costing $14-$19 split two ways (or three-ways, wink-wink) will usually net you something better than a dorm room for roughly the same price.
• Hotels are a thing in Sri Lanka too and they come in many flavours. Sri Lanka’s cheap hotels offer some light luxury at a good price ($27-$44) while the best hotels… Well, let’s just say Sri Lanka’s best hotels go wayyy outside my budget and area of expertise.

Travelling by Couchsurfing is also definitely a thing here, and it’s an excellent way to both get a local’s perspective of the country and save some rups in the process! Also, considering the size and connectivity of Sri Lanka, Couchsurfing at one local’s house starts the chain of being hooked up across the island.

Finally, Airbnb in Sri Lanka is another sweet option and there are some sweet pads around: treehouses , bungalows, and rooms-with-a-view. Prices vary depending on the level of dope-ness, but there are some super cheap choices too.

The Airbnbs in Sri Lanka offer a nice respite if the constant flow of people is growing a bit tiresome, however, it’s never quite as fun as sitting around the common area in the hostel beating cute Israeli girls in shesh-besh .

The Best Places to Stay in Sri Lanka

All my favourite places to stay in Sri Lanka from all the backpacking destinations I mentioned. I really am making it too easy for you!

An Update on the Best Hostel in Sri Lanka

I am pleased to announce a happy update for my absolute favourite hostel in Sri Lanka (and one of the most wonderful, homey, hippy-dirtbag sticky places I’ve ever found in my travels): Tomorrowland Hostel , Ella. After a rough period being under shady management, it finally has a new owner. 

I won’t go into much detail about what happened. But the new owner has reached out to ensure that it is once again in good hands. We can FINALLY recommend this truly beautiful and special place once again. 

A few members of The Broke Backpacker team, our friends, as well has hundreds of other bloody hippies, have temporarily called this place home on our travels. It stung us in our hearts so strongly, we couldn’t even begin to explain.

Thanks to Menno, our special man, who doesn’t run the show now but without him none of this would have been possible.  We can’t tell you how excited we are to be able to go back in confidence. 

So, without further ado… the BEST hostel in Sri Lanka: Tomorrowland Hostel Ella !

I literally calculated my travel costs for the last 6 weeks in Sri Lanka a few days ago (to see if more smoke was in the budget), so I’m well-equipped to answer this.

Backpacking in Sri Lanka is not too cheap but not too expensive. It’s one of the more expensive places to travel in cheap Asia – let’s say falling between India and Thailand. Budget travel in Sri Lanka also depends on what type of travel you’re after.

Sri Lanka is well-used to tourism: they’re not as ferocious as the Thais but they still know what they can charge more for. Prices go up once you’re in the bubble (as always) and proper tourist activities in Sri Lanka (safaris, snorkelling, major attractions, etc.) are priced accordingly. There are definitely cheaper places in the world you can do them.

Before I give you my daily spending I’ll give you a rundown of how I backpacked through Sri Lanka:

• Initially, I followed a pretty typical backpacking route and itinerary in Sri Lanka.
• I tend to pass on expensive touristic things like safaris and snorkelling unless they really pique my curiosity.
• There were a couple of parties, but it’s not why I travel.
• I pretty much always sleep cheap and eat local in the bubbles.
• This wasn’t nearly as rough as my previous journeys; I only slept out once and I lucked into that tuk-tuk rental.
• I don’t drink.
• I don’t really buy cigarettes.
• Clearly, I smoke.

Ok, now that you have a point of comparison, the final total for my backpacking Sri Lanka budget: $20 a day (rounded up). You could take it lower and I’d say, on average, most travellers here spend in excess of that.

A Daily Budget in Sri Lanka

Money in sri lanka.

The currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) and they have pretty birds and pictures on them. No closeups of some old dude looking unsettlingly at you. Currently, 1 USD = 181 LKR so I’ve just been mathing it out as 2:1 for the sake of efficiency.

ATMs in Sri Lanka are frequent and aplenty and most (pretty much all) are going to charge you a fee. I haven’t encountered any issues using them though I do remember one local woman having her card eaten.

Most accommodation and hostels in Sri Lanka take card as do restaurants in the touristy places (or just if they’re fancy). Outside of that, I’d stick to cash, especially for local areas.

Sri Lanka is also haggling country, so brush up on your bartering skills . I never tried at a hostel but tuk-tuks, private rooms, souvenir shopping… test your might!

Travel Tips – Sri Lanka on a Budget

Sri Lanka is not so expensive but it ain’t strictly cheap either. After completing my backpacking route, I’ve quite comfortably settled into a routine of less than $10 a day. That covers my bed, an all-you-can-eat breakfast, and an all-you-can-eat dinner. Jai buffets!

But as I mentioned, I haven’t taken my travels here quite as rough as I have in the past. If you want to keep your budget for backpacking Sri Lanka at the real cheap-ass level, there’s a few standard budget backpacking tips and Sri-Lanka specific tricks you can utilise:

• Camp in Sri Lanka – The big one that’s really gonna save you some swagaliscious-casharoonies. It’s not common in Sri Lanka but it’s still Asia; as long as your not on someone’s porch, no one is gonna chase you off. Of course, for this, you’re going to need the right backpacking gear …
• Haggle – And do it like a goddamn warrior!
• Overeat – Rice and curry buffets are numerous and a dirtbag’s best friend. Space those meals wisely!
• Leave the tourist bubble – Once you take a stroll out of the dedicated one-or-two tourist streets, you’ll start finding things closer to the local prices. Also, generally, the shopkeepers are pretty stoked to see you.
• MRRP – Maximum retail rupee price: it’s nearly always printed on supermarket goods in Sri Lanka’s shops. Keep an eye on it and calculate your bill because it’s not uncommon (especially in the tourist areas) for the shopkeepers to charge a little extra tea money. Count your change too.

Why Should You Travel to Sri Lanka with a Water Bottle?

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful!

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller.

STOP USING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC! If you’d like some more tips on how to save the world .

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Right, strap yourself in because I’m about to tell you about the weather in Sri Lanka! Is it complicated? Na – only a bit – but it’s complicated enough to warrant saying “strap yourself in” .

As I mentioned, there are two distinct monsoon seasons in Sri Lanka. That leaves the question of when to go to Sri Lanka a bit more open-ended… like a choose-your-own-adventure book!

The northeast monsoon (which shuts down Arugam and Trinco and soaks the hills as well) hangs about from November to March.  This means that the peak season for Sri Lanka’s south coast is in the winter  and it gets  busy .

The southwest monsoon – with the heaviest rainfall of Sri Lanka’s weather – hits the south coast from April to September. This makes summer and the surrounding months the time to visit Sri Lanka’s east coast and the hill country. During this time… oh, dude, it’s so hot . A humid inescapable heat; wherever you are, you want to be near water.

October and November are the slowest months for Sri Lanka. Pretty much everywhere gets hit by rainfall regularly and thunderstorms scatter across the island.

The rain is the main thing you’re going to tussle with during your travels within Sri Lanka. Past that, temperatures are consistent. At higher elevations it gets colder but, otherwise, Sri Lanka is humid and it’s hot and there are no other real surprises.

What to Pack for Sri Lanka

The six things no adventure is truly complete without. Don’t forget to pack them while backpacking Sri Lanka:

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

For plenty more inspiration on what to pack, check out the full backpacking packing list !

Ok, so this is an important section to get right considering its chaotic history (and especially the terrorist attacks back of April 2019 which changed much of the official safety and travel advice for Sri Lanka). Despite a history of internal violence, Sri Lanka is a safe country to travel.

There’s still some levels of unrest here and the wounds of the past have not yet fully healed but there are no currently ongoing conflicts. That stuff generally stays away from the tourist bubbles and, as a whole, the Sri Lankan people just want to move forward. Forward and away from old divisions and away from a still exceedingly corrupt government.

So what do you need to look out for:

• Stick to metered tuk-tuks only in Colombo (or better yet Uber/Pick Me) and generally just keep a healthy level of distrust with tuk-tuk drivers. Make sure that they’re driving in the right direction.
• Watch out for the typical scams if you’re shopping around Sri Lanka. Sapphires, in particular, are sketchy to buy.
• Some of the stilt fishermen down south aren’t so much fishing as sitting. Snap a photo and you’ll be accosted for cash. I’ve seen tea pickers try and pull the same stunt.
• Watch your pockets in touristy areas and your stuff at the beaches. Pack a secure travel money belt to protect your valuables!
• Similarly, stick to filtered water (or, better yet, bring a filtered water bottle). I never got sick while backpacking in Sri Lanka, however, my constitution seems to have toughened up ever since that sunrise dip in the Ganga.
• Avoid being coerced into taking a guide when around Sri Lanka’s tourist attractions. Pre-organise that stuff.
• If you see a wild elephant or leopard, lucky you but keep your distance, yeah?

Overall, this is run-of-the-mill ‘how to travel safely ‘ stuff. Jerks are everywhere. Most locals I’ve met aren’t out to screw you over; just to rip you off a bit.

Oh, and it’s sad that I have to mention this, but don’t ride the chained elephants . Hell, don’t ride an unchained elephant. Please, just don’t be part of the problem.

 An interlude from Laura – Is Sri Lanka good for solo female travel?

You know, I was the person who told Ziggy to find his dirtbag home in Sri Lanka in the first place. It’s one of my favourite countries – easily . So how is backpacking Sri Lanka as a solo female traveller ?

I mean, really, it’s a perfectly packaged country. Excellent transport services, making friends at the drop of a hat, and it’s pretty damn safe as destinations go.  It’s certainly tamer than the likes of India.

Actually, Sri Lanka has one of the highest numbers of solo female travellers. That really says something.

Of course, you’re a woman and you’re alone so – like most places in the world – there are some things we have to consider. But in the depths of Asia, women’s rights still have a way to go. Sometimes you may experience awkward stares, an inappropriate comment – though it rarely goes further than that.

Walking around alone at night is a no-go… (Though please, don’t do that anywhere.)

That said, my memories of backpacking Sri Lanka are all rainbows and unicorns.  In many ways, I was actually treated better because I am a female. 

Always remember you’re a strong woman and you can do this! So yes , backpacking Sri Lanka is awesome for solo female travellers! Actually, it’s one of the best things you can ever do.

Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll in Sri Lanka

Alright, now we get to talk about the good stuff! Why stay safe when you can get fucked up?

How’s the meaningless sex scene in Sri Lanka? Alive and kicking, same as anywhere! The beachside party spots in Sri Lanka are as rife with drunken one-night-stands as anywhere and – outside of poor decisions made under impaired cognitive functions – Tinder appears to be the gold standard with travellers these days (I feel so old).

I experimented with swiping (briefly) and I can tell you that I matched with way more locals than white chicks mostly centred in Colombo. I can also tell you that if it was a choice between getting laid in Colombo or not being in Colombo, I would choose the latter every time.

Summary of findings: Tinder still eats farts for breakfast.

Right, now for the good stuff: the things you’re putting inside your body! (There was a spectacularly inappropriate segue there too but my editor said it had to go…)

Starting at the bottom, booze is easily available and fairly cheap though, as always, the real killer for anyone backpacking Sri Lanka on a budget.

Lion is your go-to beer and the Lion Strongs are gonna give you the most bang for your buck (if getting royally shitfaced is the goal). Arrack is the local distilled option and the cheap swill tastes fairly close to rum.

How much is a beer in Sri Lanka? Usually around the $1.50 mark , a bit more at your hostel, and pricey at the tourist traps. Outside of beer and arrack, booze is expensive.

It also bears mentioning that cigarettes are expensive (which is very weird for Asia). A pack of cigarettes costs the same as in Germany ($7ish) and rolling tobacco is damn hard to find (though possible).

What about the real goodies? Teehee.

The Party Scene In Sri Lanka

Drugs first because some would say that’s my area of expertise (sorry, Mum).

I can confirm that you can get pretty much anything your heart desires (mushrooms being a notable absence). The prices are a lot higher than India or Nepal (honestly, some stuff can approach Australian price-levels) and the quality isn’t as high (pharmaceuticals notwithstanding) but they definitely do the job.

Now, on the topic of smoke, you have weed and you have hash. Ganja is cheaper, but it gets messed with – chemicals and the like. The locals call it KG (Kerala Gold but my hairy ass it’s Kerala Gold) and most local stoners won’t touch it except on the odd occasion.

Hash is yummy but pricey. You can get crap hash and you can get good hash; that depends on you. Also, expensive or not, this is still South Asia so get used to rolling big spliffs and sharing them around. Forget the puff-puff-pass BS; sharing is caring.

As for the party scene in Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka’s nightlife is not my vibe, but you’ll find lotsa parties at the beach towns ( Arugam Bay , Mirissa , and Hikkaduwa in particular). Think Thailand party vibes with more head wobbles: house and techno, dudes in fruit-print shirts, and hostel hookups navigating shared dorm spaces. (The dude I saw in Arugam that got out of bed and waited outside while his mate got a root is an absolute legend of time and space.)

Are there any good parties in Sri Lanka? You know the ones I’m talking about; with the good drugs and the weirdos. There aren’t many hippie places in Sri Lanka and disappointingly you’re not going to find the psy-hippy scene of (old) Goa but Tomorrowland in Ella is a very good start and also happens to be my absolute favourite place to stay in Sri Lanka. You’ll find some normal people there.

Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Sri Lanka

Leopards, elephants, severe indigestion from rice and curry buffet overloads – a lot can happen in Sri Lanka! That’s why it’s always better to have full travel insurance when you’re moving.

Because shit happens.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

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• Best Travel First Aid Kits
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Well, it wouldn’t be much of a travel guide for Sri Lanka if I didn’t tell you how to travel it! How you’re getting in, how you’re getting around Sri Lanka, and, then, how you’re getting out again.

Some might say that’s incredibly crucial information. At the very least, I’d be shit at my job if I didn’t tell you.

Entry Requirements for Sri Lanka

Ok, this is a weird one. Prior to the COVID shutdowns, there were none (for the usual First-World players). A visa waiver program was initiated in Sri Lanka in response to the flagging tourism numbers following the 2019 terrorist attacks.

The government was trialling a 1-month-free visa-on-arrival for Sri Lanka, and it was stupidly easy to get. Show up with that stunning smile you’ve been perfecting, acquire the appropriate stamp, and then go receive your first “ Tuk-tuk? ” from the tuk-tuk mafia.

The trial period for the zero requirements Sri Lanka visa was set to end on the 31st of January 2020 , then the program was extended, and then COVID happened. What will happen next is anyone’s guess, however, you can expect this section to be updated when we know. Regardless, when tourism reopens, you can expect the Sri Lankan government to want to make it as simple a process as possible.

I’m linking the official site for Sri Lanka visas so you can check everything yourself. If you are from somewhere that isn’t blessed with free entry, you’ll need to apply online before arriving or get a visa-on-arrival at the airport. It should be $35 for a visa online or $40 for a visa-on-arrival.

For the record, I had no onward ticket but that’s obviously very case-by-case. I haven’t needed one in my travels yet; it must be that winning smile!

Continuing on, extensions on your Sri Lankan visa are easy too! They’re also considerably more excruciating. The classic red-tape bureaucracy flavour with a South Asian twist!

Option one is to go to Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo. Things to do in Colombo:

• Get your visa extended.

The process is pretty painful, not gonna lie, although that may have been courtesy of the whopping ear infection I had at the time. Expect to be waiting a minimum of 4 hours among several different waiting areas so bring a Rubik’s Cube and snackos.

The fees for a Sri Lanka visa extension are cheap too. I paid $30 USD (as an Australian) for two extra months (3 months total) and a further 3-month renewal on your Sri Lanka visa is possible (for another $30 ). The process is convoluted but easy and there’s a useful guide on Sri Lanka visa extensions here in case you’re confused.

Option two , however, means you won’t even have to visit Colombo, and that’s a pretty damn good option! Not many people know this but you can renew a visa from anywhere in Sri Lanka via courier (and, yeah, that means giving the courier your passport). I’ve got this on good standing from an ex-pat living in Sri Lanka who’s used the service multiple times.

Get the ball rolling by emailing [email protected] and start the process by correspondence. It’s easy but it means you’ll miss out on the joys of Sri Lankan bureaucracy.

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Well, the good news is that it’s ridiculously easy: it’s almost too easy! The public transport in Sri Lanka is distinctly South Asian but also extremely capable. It helps that it’s a small island.

Something beautiful is never too far away!

Travelling by Train and Bus in Sri Lanka

The trains in Sri Lanka are tight! They run to a number of major points across the island and Sri Lanka Railway’s ticket prices are cheap . The rides are bumpy, slow, and teeming with local goodness.

The buses in Sri Lanka are also ridiculously cheap! Will you get a seat? I dunno, guess you’ll just have to show up to find out!

Bus ticket prices in Sri Lanka are based on the grade/type of the bus and that topic is a hot mess. Let’s just summarise it as cheap, local, unreserved buses vs. expensive, AC, reserved ones  Again you’re looking at bumpy rides and the local buses tend to play loud music so settle in with favourite pair of travel headphones and watch the sky.

Travelling by Tourist Transport Services in Sri Lanka

If you’re happy to pay more, the going only gets easier. Tuk-tuks, share taxis, vans, probably hot-air balloons: there’s plenty of tourist transport services in Sri Lanka! Sri Lanka has magic tuk-tuks; they just always seem to appear.

Booking is as easy as going into town and haggling a good price. Option two is to just ask through your accommodation but probs-defs at a higher price than your devilish silver tongue can acquire.

Honestly, dude, getting around Sri Lanka is a piece of cake. Even at the bottom-rung of dirtbag style, it’s easy. Uncomfortable and unpredictable at times but still the best I’ve seen this side of Myanmar.

In terms of buying tickets for the trains and buses in Sri Lanka, it’s a matter of showing up and saying the name of your destination (perhaps with that dazzling grin again). That’s for the el cheapo unreserved seating. The fancier classes require more pre-thought.

In terms of booking the fancy-pants classes, go to the station, talk to your appointed legal guardian at your hostel, or, option three, book online. Check out 12Go.asia for booking trains and buses in Sri Lanka because Sri Lanka is in Asia. Couldn’t be simpler!

Tuk Tuk Rental in Sri Lanka

How about the absolute best way to travel Sri Lanka? Well, that’s probably still a motorbike. The runner-up is definitely a tuk-tuk though… unless you find that hot-air balloon.

Ok, so I promised I’d spill the deetz on what a tuk-tuk rental in Sri Lanka is like. First things first, it’s more expensive than public transport, no doubt. Between fuel costs and rental prices (20 bucks a day) , it’s not even a competition. So why is it the second-best way to travel Sri Lanka?

You’re paying a premium to drive a goddamn tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka! Think about it: this (wonderful) couple rolls into the most – potentially only – hippie place in Sri Lanka – and recruited yours truly… They basically paid to travel with me!

And what an adventure! There were joints and middle-of-nowhere-rotis. There were wrong turns and elephants. There was actually driving to the dealer’s house – instead of waiting for him to come back – and smoking up with him beneath the watchful benevolence of a giant Buddha statue! It was dope (heh).

Have I piqued your curiosity? Good, then check out tuktukrental.com. These guys run a real tight ship on the whole operation.

They’ll figure out your Sri Lankan driver’s licence (it’s a lot easier than you may have heard), sort out your insurance, and give you a jam-packed instruction booklet on… well… everything! That thing is stacked – discounts and all!

So, what do you do? You follow the link, scope out if renting a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka is for you, and then enter the code brokebackpacker at the checkout for a discount. And remember:

Drive Shanti; we’re running on Sri Lanka time.

Plus… those buses will smoke ya.

Hitchhiking in Sri Lanka

Well, this is definitely the cheapest way to get around Sri Lanka provided you don’t accidentally hail an unmarked taxi. Locals will tell you it’s “ not possible ” but it is. The best part is you’ll definitely end up in some of Sri Lanka’s more uncommon places to visit!

There’s no ‘Hitching Sri Lanka Guidebook’ (although we do have this sweet Hitchhiking 101 Guide ), but here are a few tips specific on grabbing a ride in this part of the world:

• Wave your hand, signal the direction you’re going, wobble your head (seriously, try it): a thumb may still work but it’s not a universal symbol here.
• Get someone to write you a sign in Sinhalese and Tamil if possible. It’ll grab attention at the very least.
• If the communication levels are there, remember to explain you only need to go in the direction  of ‘X’.
• In smaller towns and areas (Ella comes to mind), you can grab local hitches pretty easily. Truck drivers are super chill about you just sitting in the trailer.

Even with the dirt-cheap public transport, hitchhiking will bring your cost of travel for Sri Lanka down quite nicely. It does, however, come with the caveats of hitching in South Asia.

It’s just, like… exhausting, man. Tuk-tuk drivers stop and linger thirstily, locals constantly question you and argue the feasibility of what you’re doing, and deciphering potential rides from unmarked taxis takes a developed hitcher’s second-sight. If you do get a ride, more times than not you’ll be asked for money at the end (giving a tip is alright but there’s a line).

For the challenge and adventure, yeah it’s definitely worth it! Otherwise, considering the stupidly cheap transport, it’s not. I’ll just tell you what I always tell people about my long-distance hitch across India.

“ I’m so goddamn glad I did it, and I’d never do it again. ”

Onwards Travel from Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island so unless you happen to be a polar bear, you’re catching a plane. There’s no ferry from Sri Lanka to India (which pains my overlander’s heart). There is, however, an underwater bridge built by ancient gods, but I’ve heard it’s kinda hard to find.

Actually, I’m going to be serious for a second. Considering most travellers I meet here are either short-term, relatively fresh, or travelling from Southeast Asia , I’m giving some sincere, genuine advice (as opposed to all that false advice I give you to maliciously mislead you… muahahahah).

If you haven’t yet explored South Asia, fly to Nepal . Go see the giants, roll some joints with them, and then, when you’re feeling appropriately levelled-up, cross the border to Mama India . That’s a nice progression.

Hell, if you still got some spoons after that, head travel west to Pakistan – now we’re cooking with crazy! Why stop there? Go to Afghanistan ! (No, jokes, don’t do that)

All I’m saying is up the ante after your trip to Sri Lanka (if it’s calling you). Major airports in Asia are relatively cheap to reach (Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Incheon, etc.) but you’ve come this far. May as well go earn your Shiva Stripes!

I certainly did meet other travellers working in Sri Lanka, and it’s certainly a country I would consider fit for the digital nomad lifestyle (I enjoyed it anyhow). The WiFi is fairly tosh in most places you’ll stay, however, it does have its moments. There is some good WiFi in Sri Lanka if you’re willing to pay extra for a nicer bit of accommodation (or hunt around).

You’re also not looking at India-level mobile data, but again, it’s serviceable. I would definitely advise getting a local SIM card in Sri Lanka and to go with Dialog as your provider; they never caused me any grief. I’d also stay away from the tourist SIM cards you can buy at Bandaranaike Airport when you arrive.

Head to an official store once you’re in town. Take your passport, specify that you want data only (unless you do want phone credit), and top it up without any SIM purchasing fees. I got enough to last me nearly a month of travelling at medium-ish usage for $3 .

Sri Lanka is also a solid choice of country for teaching English abroad . Between a colonial history and an increased reliance on English in both administrative positions and the tourism industry, people (and their kids) are definitely seeking English teachers!

All in all, for people looking to extend their travels through working means, Sri Lanka may not be as obvious a destination as Thailand or Vietnam, but it still as a lot to offer. Bar moments of severe Jungle WiFi-induced frustration.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Volunteering in Sri Lanka

Or, if you’re looking for a way to extend your travels (or just be a ten-outta-ten human), volunteering is definitely a thing there too! It comes with the necessary disclaimers about volunteering in developing countries – both concerning doing your research and not letting your guard down too much – but using a reputable platform for volunteering abroad is a great way to connect with local communities AND travel for longer.

There’s a decent chance you might sniff out a cool gig just backpacking around Sri Lanka. Some hostels are keen for a helper in exchange for a bed and daily curry and rice buffet! If you got the gift of the gab (or know like five yoga poses), you can probably hustle something up.

Alternatively, scooch on over to Workaway’s online platform or give our favourite volunteering organisation a shot – Worldpackers!

Worldpackers is another group connecting the well-intentioned dirtbag sorts to meaningful and rewarding volunteering opportunities. They tend to run a bit lower on actual gigs available, however, quality not quantity!

What gigs are available on Worldpackers are personally vetted by their hardworking crew and you can expect a whole host of the nifty community features to come along. PLUS, as a Broke Backpacker reader, you get a yummy discount! There’s a fat 20% off your signup fee if you use the code BROKEBACKPACKER at the checkout or, alternatively, just click the button below.

This is the part where I attempt to respectfully generalise a group of 20+ million people… fun!

As much as Sri Lankans hate the comparison, lines can be drawn to Indians – South India in particular – but with the unique Indian intensity considerably turned down. The head wobbles and rapid hand gestures are still in full force but the flow feels slower.

There are some key differences that I’ve felt while visiting Sri Lanka but please remember that this a very broad brush. It’s also worth mentioning that this is the experience of a white man backpacking around Sri Lanka (and, yes, that sadly makes a very big difference):

• Sri Lankans smile a lot more and more often smile first.
• They’ve still got the classic South Asia soul-burning stare but, generally, they come across as a bit shier.
• The vibes are just… friendlier.

I don’t feel well-equipped enough to make pointed comparisons between the Sinhala and the Tamil peoples but, as a whole, the people are very inquisitive, friendly, and happy to help a traveller in need (even, sometimes , the tuk-tuk drivers).

Less-traditional Sri Lankans also tend to be super-chill with good vibes. Once you’ve got a crew, get used to sharing. Everything is passed around from cups of tea to cigarettes and the feeling of brotherhood runs very strong between friends here.

It is worth noting, however, that this is the experience of a traveller accustomed to this part of the world. Many greener travellers that I’ve met (usually just on a short trip to Sri Lanka) often still struggle with connecting with the local people. You can expect a cultural adjustment period and the odd moment of wanting to throw someone off the nearest overpass; that’s just called ‘travelling Asia’.

On a final note, I’ve heard traveller-reports that Sri Lankans aren’t nearly as concerned with squeezing your cash from you as in Indians. I can’t say I agree. White person tax is still in full effect here, and I’ve met no shortage of people who almost have Scrooge McDuck dollar signs explode in their eyes when they see a foreigner approach. As always, that stuff depends on the person; not on their race.

The Language in Sri Lanka

So, I’ll admit I haven’t put as much effort into the language here as previous places I’ve visited. I still, however, have picked up some phrases and a minimal understanding of the grammar of Sinhala (Sinhalese). Not enough to discuss the metaphysical quandaries of the universe or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, mind you, but enough to make a Sri Lankan grin appropriately.

Attempting to master the Sinhala language means you’ll need to wrap your head around the first thing necessary when learning a new language for travel : the grammar . Sinhalese’s grammar is typically similar to that of many Asian countries: sentences end with verbs and unnecessary exposition is often omitted contingent on context. Friends are generally casual with each other and even strangers prefer a subtle movement of the head than the word for ‘thank you’ .

Learning to talk with your hands and head-wobbles and bobbles while backpacking Sri Lanka will go almost as far as learning the language itself. It’s no different to mastering your slight-bow and affirmative ‘un’  for those backpacking Japan.

It’s worth noting that there are two major languages here: Sinhala is the most widely spread (spoken by the Sinhalese people) with Tamil spoken by the Tamils. Minimal-to-competent English is also common in the cities and most of the top travel places in Sri Lanka but the further out in the sticks you head, the less you’ll find.

Useful Travel Phrases for Sri Lanka

If speaking conversational Sinhala is the goal, I wish you luck. They talk hard and they talk fast.

After hanging out smoking with Sri Lankan dudes, I can tell you they like to talk a lot of shit and all at the same time. It reminds me of the boys back home. Cultural differences aside, people really ain’t so different.

I’ve got a few practical phrases I’ve picked up that may net you a lower price if you use them right. Otherwise, just a few words to use when you make some mates:

• Hello –  Hallo (is most common)
• Thank You – Isthutee  (ee-stoo-tee) / Nandri  (in Tamil)
• Bye – Bye (is most common)
• Yes/No –  Ou/Nehe  (oh/neh)
• Excuse me/Sorry –  Samavenna (sah-mah-vehn-nah)
• How are you? – Kohoma-dha
• Good – Hondai
• Ok ok, no problem. – Hari hari, owoo lak nehe
• Enough, enough – Heti heti
• Brother – Machan/Bhang
• How much? –  Keeya-dha
• It’s too expensive. –  Ga nang vedi
• I want ___ – Mata ___ one  (o-neh)
• Water –  Vathura  (Vah-too-rah)
• I’m hungry. –  Mata badagini  (bah-dah-gee-nee)
• I want to go to (the) ___ – Mata ___ yanna one
• Smoke one joint. –  Joint ekkak gahomuu
• Respect phrase when passed the joint –  Boom bhole/Boom Shiva  (bhom bo-lay)
• Awesome – Vassi
• Let’s go! – Yamu!
• Pronunciation is tough and has those airy voiced-sounds of Sanskrit/Brahmi-based languages (that’s only for the language nerds; if you don’t know/care what I mean, don’t worry).
• ‘Nehe’ is good for saying something does not exist (eg., Vathura nehe – No water) and also for seeking agreement (eg., Hondai, nehe? – Good, no?).

What to Eat in Sri Lanka

I’d say you’re going to go one of two ways with the food in Sri Lanka:

• Either you love curry and every new curry is a whole new world; therefore, the food in Sri Lanka is so varied!
• All curries are the bloody same; therefore, the food in Sri Lanka is boring.

Truthfully, you’re not going to find the massive spread in Sri Lanka that many other Asian destinations (like Thailand, for example) offer. Sri Lankan cuisine is very similar to Indian – including a number of shared dishes – with the differences only being noticeable for those with more nuanced spice palettes.

Expect plenty of dahl, fried snacks, heaps of coconut, and to consume more rice daily than you ever have in your entire life. Oh, and chilli! Things are gonna get spicy.

If you can’t handle chilli, remember to always tell the chef “no chilli” and to still expect your food to be kinda spicy when it arrives regardless. If you love your heat, remember to specify in the tourist bubbles that you like your food “Sri Lankan spicy” or you’ll be eating bland dahl for din-dins!

Must-Try Dishes in Sri Lankan

Oh, you want more. Fine… Here’s the best-of-the-best Sri Lankan food! (Minus kottu because I think you’ve got the idea already.)

• Rice and Curry – Naturally… what else were you expecting? Rice and curry is a breakfast, lunch, and dinner food. It’s also a way of life! Curries come in a variety of types: eggplant, dahl (obviously), beans, jackfruit (the most surreal meat substitute after facon)… Sometimes, you get six curries; sometimes you get three. Probably, you’ll get papadams, and maybe it’s a buffet too (do not underestimate the sway a buffet has over me). The point is, get used to rice and curry. Definitely get used to rice.
• Coconuts – I’m not sure how many coconuts I’ve seen in my life but I think after Sri Lanka it may have broken seven digits. Roadside coconuts are everywhere for drinking, they’re in the curries, and they’re used for both sweet and savoury Sri Lankan dishes.
• Sri Lanka’s Street Food – Including the pre-cooked bites you see in shop windows. Roti stuffed with vegetables or egg, samosas, dosa… once I found a bag of lightly fried and seasoned chickpeas and that was so damn good!
• Sri Lankan Tea – As described by a Dutch ex-pat as “ Not a lot of tea with a lot of milk and sugar! ” He’s spot on and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
• Hoppers – Specifically, egg hoppers. A hopper is a bowl-shaped pancake served with sambol on the side. An egg hopper has a freshly-steamed egg sitting in the middle so it’s a direct upgrade.
• Ice-Cream – At any old shop that has an ice-cream freezer you can buy an ice-cream for 25-50 cents. That’s not exactly Sri Lankan food but it is cheap ice-cream!

Books to Read About Sri Lanka

“Today I’m going to stay in the hostel and read.” Six hours and three joints later, two pages were read. All the same, here are some books about Sri Lanka to read when you find the time…

• Trainspotting – This is in no way a book about Sri Lanka whatsoever, but it’s the book I was reading while backpacking around the island and it’s damn good! Junkies in Scotland glassing each other and injecting skag into their Willy Wonkas. What’s not to love?
• Elephant Complex: Travels in Sri Lanka – A travelogue written by a traveller – like you! Elephant Complex documents John Gimlettes journey and all the people he met along the way. This dude didn’t backpack through Sri Lanka; he travelled it.
• Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew – Yeah, it’s backdropped against cricket but don’t tune out yet! Chinaman follows one alcoholic sports-journalist attempts to uncover the truth of Sri Lanka’s lost legend of the field and in doing so presents a humourous yet a sobering journey through the turmoil of Sri Lanka’s politics. You had me at alcoholic sports-journalist.
• This Divided Island: Stories from the Sri Lankan War – Something concerning the topic of Sri Lanka’s violent and troubled history. The Divided Island is not a straight historical recount of the war but rather a collected oral history through the eyes and experiences of many Sri Lankans from many walks of life. A very good read on the civil war.

A Brief History of Sri Lanka

Right, I’m about to attempt to summarise the entire history of Sri Lanka in 600-words-or-less… Yamu!

The division between the Sinhala and Tamil people only becomes more apparent once you start examing the ancient history of Sri Lanka. Every sacred site, village, and piece of history carries a different story and name attached to it.

Even the great epic of Ramayana carries two versions. The fable tells of the Hindu god Rama building a bridge of rocks (Adam’s Bridge) across the Indian Ocean from Deep South India to Sri Lanka to rescue his beloved Sita from the clutches of Ravana. Ask the Sinhala people and they’ll tell you that Ravana was a real upstanding dude; ask the Tamils and they’ll tell you he was a total dick.

In truth, the Tamils and Sinhala may not be so different after all. Sri Lanka has long-standing historical evidence of immigration from South India, Southeast and East Asia, and the Middle-East. In time, the people have intermarried and assimilated.

Regardless of this, the ethnic division became a mainstay of the Sri Lanka isle. As South Indian Tamil kingdoms solidified power in the northern region of Jaffna and below, Sinhala and Buddhist power increased further south initially in the capital of Anuradhapura before moving to Polonnaruwa and then later heading further southwest.

Centuries past and the separation of the Sinhala people and the Tamils only increased. A large buffer zone through the jungles of central Sri Lanka further divided the two people and the two kingdoms developed relatively isolated from each other.

And then the white man came.

Sri Lanka in Modern Times

We’re fast-tracking through the colonialism stuff. Suffice to say, first, the Portuguese did their damage followed by the Dutch and ending with the British. The advent of colonialism in Sri Lanka further upset the already unstable natural divides of the country. By the time Ceylon  (Sri Lanka’s name at the time) achieved independence, Jaffna had lost it’s considerable power and Tamils had spread throughout all of the island.

That set the stage for what happened next.

In the wake of the British, a corrupt – and now independent – government (it’s usually the way) repeatedly enforced legislation that served to bolster the Sinhala and subjugate the Tamil people. The government of mid-20th-century Sri Lanka crafted an assault of fear-mongering against the Tamils.

Twenty-six years: that’s how long the civil war lasted, and it was bloody. The mid-70s saw the rise of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE or colloquially the ‘Tamil Tigers’); terrorists or revolutionaries depending on who you talk to. In 1983, the Tigers ambushed and killed 13 Sinhala soldiers and hell broke loose.

‘Black July’, the event of the Tamil massacres in Colombo; 400 to 3000 Tamils were murdered and brutalised – beaten, clubbed, burned, raped, shot, hacked apart… The resulting flood of Tamil war refugees migrating to other countries caused the world to start taking notice of the events occurring in Sri Lanka.

The following 20+ years were marked by bloodshed. At a civilian level, the people just wanted peace but extremists from both sides and a petulant government perpetuated the conflict. Despite the half-hearted calls from the global community to cease the violence, they didn’t…

Until April 2009 when the Sri Lankan military confined remaining LTTE fighters and tens of thousands of Tamil civilians to a single beach in northeastern Sri Lanka. What ensued was a massacre. LTTE fighters shot Tamil citizens attempting to flee, government officials murdered and raped many who surrendered, and what is truth and fiction remains impossible to separate.

What I do feel comfortable saying is that the world failed Sri Lanka. Throughout the war, countless Sinhala and Tamil people needlessly died while the world watched apathetically.

Despite the recent bomb attacks, Sri Lanka is now a peaceful country. The government still sucks (big surprise) and assholes still exist (even bigger surprise), but that is not representative of the people. The people just want peace.

Here’s a relevant quote I found from a Sri Lankan:

“Everyone agrees they’d rather die than live through the war again.”

You’ve got questions and rightly so. So here are some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about backpacking Sri Lanka.

How long do you need to backpack Sri Lanka?

With 2 – 4 weeks, you’ll have time to see some of the best parts of Sri Lanka and also have some time to make a more flexible itinerary for when you find those magic spots. With anything less, you’ll find yourself very pressed for time.

Is Sri Lanka good for solo travel?

Absolutely! It’s more than good: it’s one of the best places to solo travel. Even for female travellers, backpacking Sri Lanka is super accessible and very safe.

What the… is Kottu ?

Oh, you’ll find out before long. It’s basically stir-fried roti mixed with… whatever they’re making. It’s cheap, it’s everywhere, and you’ll have a love-hate relationship like every other backpacker in Sri Lanka.

Is backpacking in Sri Lanka cheap?

Yes, Sri Lanka is a cheap country to travel. You can get by on as little as $10 a day if you’re a true dirt bag traveller. With a bigger budget, you’ll find you can travel very well.

Hey, mate, got any tips?

Yeah, I got a tip… buy your own tips! Na, I’m just kidding; tips are for everyone. Roll that sucker up.

Have some Sri Lanka backpacking tips in your travel guide! But just the tip. Aww… maybe a little bit more.

A Few Final Tips of the Sri Lanka Backpacking Travel Guide

Consider this section your little guide book for Sri Lanka. A few miscellaneous tips I wanted to mention to keep you operating smoothly when you’re on the island.

• For Shiva’s sake, please do not ride the elephants.  If you do, I’ll come find you, put chains on your feet, and ride you through town while someone stabs you repeatedly in the ankles with a bullhook. Guys, let’s be better, please.
• Similarly, animal abuse is a sad cultural truth in this part of the world. You’re gonna see a lot of unloved and diseased pooches and you’re probably going to see them struck. I really, truly do hate saying this but you gotta keep your cool: you’re not the Batman for Asian canines.
• Although demonisation of LGBTQ locals is common, reports from LGBTQ travellers is quite positive. The foreigner card trumps your sexuality here.
• Don’t even bother with hailing tuk-tuks in Colombo: stick to Uber. UberEats is also a thing in the capital and it kicks ass!
• It’s customary (and respectful) to exchange money (or anything for that matter) with the right hand only. Nobody wants your left hand; we all know what you’ve been doing with it.
• When sharing drinks from bottles, it’s also customary to air-sip .
• Respect for Buddha is taken seriously in Sri Lanka; people have been deported for displaying tattoos of Buddha. Don’t turn your back to Buddha and no.. no selfies.
• Try to keep your knees and shoulders covered – especially at temples. There are some more touristy spots where you can get away with more skin showing. Just try to be respectful. 

One of the best lines I’ve seen was written by a hostel in Sri Lanka (about themselves) and I feel it summarises South Asia perfectly: We know we are not perfect. Sometimes things work and sometimes they don’t. Expect confusion and when it’s not going right, understand that there’s probably a reason for it even if you don’t know it. If your laundry doesn’t arrive “ on schedule ” take a chill pill and remember that you paid the same price as a large cappuccino.

Be Good to Yourself and Sri Lanka

Be good: nothing summarises it better. I’ll tell you what a wizard in New Zealand told me.

“ A traveller is a visitor and a visitor shows respect. “

Have fun on your backpacking trip to Sri Lanka. Drink the Lions, smoke the fineries, gorge on Sri Lanka’s street food, and let loose! Just don’t lose yourself.

I’m not gonna lie: sometimes travelling over this way is fucking infuriating. Try being stranded in a leech-infested jungle in a storm, tripping dicks, shoe-less, and still being asked for money by a local to be guided out. Take a breath and remember that one shitbag is not representative of the whole; blame will be the cause of World War III.

He didn’t represent the local people and you don’t represent the tourists. That wall will always be there no matter what you do. You represent yourself.

Don’t be a holidayer, don’t be a tourist, and don’t be an ‘ influencer ‘.

Be a traveller. Be a visitor. Be respectful and be good.

If I have to explain to you how to not be a jerk, it’s probably time to drop a tab of acid, go back to the drawing board, and figure out what the hell went wrong. I will say, however, I don’t think it’s just about being polite.

It’s about showing an interest and a willingness to partake: a sincere desire to learn about the culture you’re in. To walk the land and be amongst the people you’ve chosen to enter the home of.

Don’t let Sri Lanka be the means to an end; the end being your no-filter-needed beach-holiday bender. You’re there for Sri Lanka. Be a damn traveller.

And remember to smile.

And we are done! Man, oh man, that is a hella  full-power travel guide for Sri Lanka! We had some twists, we had some turns, we got too political at points, and now we’re bringing it full circle.

Yeah, at times I felt jaded; I grew up in a tourist bubble, so I’ve got a chip on my shoulder for the bubble wrap. But what’s the universal truth of bubble wrap?

It’s downright sick! Absolutely vassi , man. Sri Lanka has something for most people. Not everyone, mind you, but most people.

It’s not a hard country to travel and that suits a lot of people just fine. It’s also considered a step above the ‘easy’ Asian countries in the backpacker hierarchy. Consider it your warm-up to where things get really crazy.

Initially, backpacking Sri Lanka’s typical tourist trail burnt me out somewhat. It left me with a sour taste in my mouth over the vibe of the travellers here.

And then I stopped somewhere and I planted my feet; I travelled the way that I like to travel. I spent time somewhere and truly began to know the people that surrounded me. And through them, I started to see the nuances of the culture.

Not the old temples, and famous rocks, and pretty beaches, but the people; the real people. The people that call Sri Lanka their home. I found my boys to boogie with, and I started to see the little bit of magic flowing through the wonders of Sri Lanka. I saw it reflected in the smiles of my friends.

So, should you travel to Sri Lanka? I dunno, I just wrote a mammoth backpacking Sri Lanka travel guide; read it and make up your own damn mind! I’ll tell you it’s an exquisite country though and I’ll tell you that I miss it.

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Ziggy Samuels

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Great article – full of valuable and insightful information without all the the usual tourist jargon. I visited Sri Lanka in January ’24 as a solo 72 year old backpacker. As an experienced traveller, I loved Sri Lanka and the people – full of diverse experiences. I did the usual touristy tour of Colombo- Sigiriya ( Lion Rock)- Kandy ( train ride) – Ella and the southern beaches ( Talalla was my favourite). I was also invited to join the backpacker WhatsApp group during my time there which was a great tool to find places to stay, off the beaten track accommodation and links to people travelling to various locations or just partying ( not much to contribute there apart from 70 plus years of learning from mistakes !) I was surprised how the backpacking community accepted an old ‘dude’ into their community. I am just about to return to SL in early May to travel round the eastern coast and possibly Jaffna – your advice has been excellent. Thank you.

Ace article! I’m in Sri Lanka right now and having an amazing time. Anyone who enjoys hiking should check out the Pekoe trail, a 22-stage hike through the hill country. They’ve not opened up all stages yet, but some stages can be found on All trails. I did stage 1 (Kandy to Galaha) and had an amazing view over tea plantations, met loads of locals and didn’t see a single other backpacker.

Incidentally another tip that I’ve found helpful is the bus information that you find online is not accurate! Don’t be discouraged if Rome2Rio says that the only way from one destination to another is by expensive taxi. Local buses will get you all over, just ask around or ask at your accommodation.

Great great article. So much fun to read. Thank youuuuu

I had so much fun reading this and it made me so keen to travel there in March! Thank you Ziggy 🙂

This is an outstanding article. Comprehensive and engaging. Thank you Ziggy.

Oh wow! I’m a Sri Lankan, living in Sri Lanka and I feel like you have done a better job of describing everything than I ever could 😀

Best broke backpacker review I’ve read yet

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Itinerary Sri Lanka 2 & 3 weeks: the ultimate itineraries for backpacking in Sri Lanka!

The ultimate itinerary for sri lanka.

Sri Lanka is a beautiful and versatile country. It is not big and the distances between destinations are short. You can visit Sri Lanka with a fixed itinerary, but this is not necessary. Booking a hotel last minute is easy and transport is often available without a reservation. Due to the many highlights, it can be difficult to make choices: there is so much to do, even in two or three weeks you will not be able to see everything.

Don’t worry, whatever your itinerary for Sri Lanka is, you’re going to have a fantastic time anyway. To get you started, we have put together three different itineraries for Sri Lanka that will let you experience culture, nature and beautiful beaches. Then you will find a short description of what to expect here a little further in the article per destination in Sri Lanka. This way you can judge for yourself whether you add the destination to your tour through Sri Lanka!

Our trip through Sri Lanka:

Looking for inspiration for nice hotels and unique places to sleep? Then read our hotel guide for Sri Lanka!

Sri Lanka itinerary 2 weeks

Do you want to visit the most authentic destinations of Sri Lanka in just a short time? Then consider the following 2 week Sri Lanka itinerary. With this tour you visit the old capital of Sri Lanka; you can see different beaches and experience the special train journey from Kandy to Ella . You will also visit the beautiful Sigiriya with its characteristic temple on top of the rock and you can enjoy hiking in the beautiful surroundings of Ella . Want to take it slower, then scrap the beach town of Mirissa and use the extra days for Ella or Arugam Bay.

This 2 week Sri Lanka itinerary is as follows:

Negombo – Anuradhapura – Sigiriya – Kandy – Ella – Arugam bay – Dickwella – Mirissa – Colombo

Day planning itinerary Sri Lanka 2 weeks:

Day 1: Negombo – Anuradhapura (4-6 hours drive) Day 2: Anuradhapura Day 3: Anuradhapura – Sigiriya (2 hours drive) Day 4: Sigiriya Day 5: Sigiriya- Kandy (2 hours drive) Day 6: Kandy – Ella (7 hours train) Day 7: Ella

Day 8: Ella – Arugam Bay (3 hours drive) Day 9: Arugam Bay Day 10: Arugam Bay – Dickwella (2 hours drive) Day 11: Dickwella Day 12: Dickwella – Mirissa (1.5 hours drive) Day 13: Mirissa Day 14: Mirissa – Colombo (3 hours drive)

Do you want to know how we spent our time in Sri Lanka? Then read my diary blogs about Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka itinerary 3 weeks

This 3 week Sri Lanka itinerary takes you past the ancient royal city of Anuradhapura , the spectacular Lion’s Rock, Ella and beautiful beaches. You will also stop here in the old colonial village of Nuwara Eliya where you can visit the traditional tea plantations. Challenge yourself while climbing the most sacred mountain in Sri Lanka: Adam’s Peak . For spotting wildlife, you have to go to Yala National Park . Here you will find herds of Asian elephants and with luck a leopard. You will spend the last days of your trip at the beach and if you haven’t seen enough culture yet, you can always consider a visit to Fort Galle .

This 3 week Sri Lanka itinerary is as follows:

Negombo – Anuradhapura – Trincomalee – Sigiriya – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Adam’s Peak – Ella – Yala National Park – Dickwella – Mirissa (Galle) – Colombo

Day planning itinerary Sri Lanka 3 weeks

Day 1 : Negombo – Anuradhapura (4-6 hours drive) Day 2: Anuradhapura Day 3: Anuradhapura – Trincomalee (2 hours drive) Day 4: Trincomalee Day 5: Trincomalee Day 6: Trincomalee – Sigiriya (2 hours drive) Day 7: Sigiriya Day 8: Sigiriya- Kandy (2 hours drive) Day 9: Kandy Day 10: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya (3 hours train) Day 11: Nuwara Eliya & Adam’s Peak

Day 12: Nuwara Eliya – Ella (4 hours train) Day 13: Ella Day 14: Ella Day 15: Ella – Yala National Park (2 hours drive) Day 16: Yala National Park – Dickwella (safari + 2 hours drive) Day 17: Dickwella Day 18: Dickwella Day 19: Dickwella – Mirissa (1 hour drive) Day 20: Mirissa (Galle Fort) Day 21: Mirissa – Colombo (3 hours drive)

Visiting the most sacred mountain in Sri Lanka? Then climb Adam’s Peak early in the morning!

Combined trip India, Sri Lanka & the Maldives

A tour through Sri Lanka can also be combined well with the Maldives. From Colombo you can fly to Male in no time and from this travel, if the budget allows it, to a beautiful overwater bungalow. Allow at least 4 days for the Maldives. For backpackers who have more time to spend, India is a nice destination that is easy to combine with Sri Lanka. From Kochi you fly directly to Colombo. Traveling through the Maldives is considerably more expensive than backpacking through India or Sri Lanka. A possible itinerary from which you can further explore each country is:

Kochi – Colombo – Male

Highlights of Sri Lanka: all destinations at a glance!

Although Sri Lanka is a relatively small country, it has many highlights! For your convenience, we have made a map with all the highlights of Sri Lanka. 

Map with the highlights of Sri Lanka

The destinations in Sri Lanka are quite diverse. Below we have briefly described what you can expect at each Sri Lankan highlight.

Colombo: International airport

In Colombo you will find Sri Lanka’s international airport. Chances are that you will start your journey through Sri Lanka here. Do not stay here too long, Colombo is mainly a large and busy city. Consider spending your first night in nearby Negombo to acclimate to Sri Lanka.

Negombo: Beach place

Negombo is not a huge highlight, but a beach place where you can relax perfectly before your trip through Sri Lanka starts.

Anuradhapura: Spiritual place of prayer

Jaffna: culture & island hopping.

Jaffna is located in the quiet north of Sri Lanka. If you really want to get off the beaten track, consider discovering this area. You will meet considerably less backpackers here and the city has only been open to tourists since 2009. Enjoy the beautiful temples or go on an island hop tour in Jaffna!

Trincomalee: beaches

Sigiriya: lion’s rock, a beautiful rock formation, kandy: busy city + start of the famous train journey kandy to ella.

Kandy is a typical Asian city: busy and chaotic! But if you have the time, immerse yourself in this bustle and enjoy the scents, colors and sounds that belong to Sri Lanka! Plus Kandy is the starting point for one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world: the train ride from Kandy to Ella! You can read everything about Kandy in Sri Lanka  here.

Nuwara Eliya: Tea Plantations & Adam’s Peak

On the way from Kandy to Ella, the train also stops in the village of Nuwara Eliya. This green hilly area is known as little England. It is a lot colder here in comparison to the rest of Sri Lanka and very green. Visit one of the tea plantations or depart from Nuwara Eliya to the top of the sacred mountain Adam’s Peak ! Read all about Nuwara Eliya in this blog .

Ella: nature and fun!

Ella is known for its many beautiful walks and delicious food. Read here about the seven activities that you should not miss in Ella, Sri Lanka!

Arugam Bay: surfing!

Yala national park: safari in sri lanka.

In Sri Lanka you also have several safari parks with elephants and other wild animals. One of these is Yala National Park. A cool park perfect for a safari! Consider this day safari in Yala National Park and  Udawalawe National Park.

Dickwella: surfing

Dickwella is the hip and slightly undiscovered sister of Mirissa! Just 1.5 hours away you will find this relaxed village with Hiriketiya Bay as its highlight. The ultimate place to learn to surf as a beginner. Read all about our favorite beach town Dickwella in this travel guide!

Mirissa: Beaches and whales

Mirissa is known as a relaxed beach spot. You will find cute bays, wide sandy beaches and many beach bars here. Mirissa has now become a real hotspot that attracts many tourists every year. Don’t fancy that? Then consider choosing Dickwella instead of Mirissa. It is possible to spot whales in Mirissa, but read carefully about the animal welfare of such a whale safari! Read all about Mirissa here.

Galle: beach resorts & old Dutch fort!

Sri lanka tips: good to know before traveling to sri lanka.

Finally, some useful tips and facts about traveling through Sri Lanka.

1. Sri Lanka is not an expensive country!

Sri Lanka is by no means an expensive country! For example, you can eat delicious curries at local restaurants for just a few euros. Accommodation is also not expensive and for a few euros you can travel all over the country by public transport. An average daily budget for a backpacker in Sri Lanka is between 30-40 euros.

Curious how expensive a trip through Sri Lanka can be? Read all about traveling on a budget in Sri Lanka here in this blog.

2. Good English is spoken in Sri Lanka

Do not worry whether you can make yourself understood: people speak good English in Sri Lanka. In addition, the population is often very helpful and nice.

3. Traveling around Sri Lanka is simple!

Transport options in Sri Lanka

You can travel in Sri Lanka by public transport or by private transport:

• Public transport in Sri Lanka: If you are traveling on a budget, you have to rely on colourful buses or the train. The buses in Sri Lanka connect all over the country and run several times a day. A ticket for the bus is cheap (1-2 euros for a distance of 100-300 km). A ride on the train in Sri Lanka is a special experience (especially between Kandy and Ella!). Keep in mind that the trains are sometimes full and that they do not run throughout Sri Lanka.
• Private transport in Sri Lanka: If you are in a hurry or need more comfort, you can opt for the tuk-tuk, taxi or pick-up service from the hotel. This is more expensive, but faster than public transport.
• Independent driving in Sri Lanka: Would you rather be in control yourself? You can rent a tuk-tuk to drive all over Sri Lanka yourself. It is also possible to rent a scooter on location for a day to see the nearby area.

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More blogs about Sri Lanka

Travel guide: all you need to know about the ancient city of anuradhapura in sri lanka, what are the best beaches of sri lanka a beach guide to sri lanka, trincomalee travel guide: endless white beaches in sri lanka, itinerary sri lanka 2 & 3 weeks: the ultimate itineraries for backpacking in sri lanka, sri lanka budget: how much does it cost to backpack in sri lanka, adam’s peak: everything you need to know about this cool hike in sri lanka, the ultimate travel guide mirissa: trendy restaurants and golden beaches in sri lanka, travel guide ella in sri lanka: seven activities you cannot miss in ella, leave a reply cancel reply.

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The best train journeys in Sri Lanka – and how to book them

Feb 23, 2022 • 9 min read

Sri Lanka may be relatively small, but it packs in some epic rail journeys © Ben Pipe Photography / Getty Images

There are train rides, and then there are Sri Lankan train rides. The teardrop island in the Indian Ocean may be small, but it packs in some of the world’s most thrilling rail journeys.

You could find yourself rattling past suburbs with a fellow commuter dozing on your shoulder, or perhaps weaving in and out of emerald-green tea gardens and thickets of tropical rainforest while tucking into a packed-to-go meal of curry and rice – and sometimes both in the same trip.

The steam trains that once transported tea and spices along these weaving rail lines have mostly vanished, but the colorful diesel locos that replaced them offer the same evocative effect as they transect the Sri Lankan landscape. If you’re a lover of travel by locomotive, consider booking passage on one of these four epic train journeys around Sri Lanka .

Colombo to Kandy

The best train ride in sri lanka.

Start – Colombo Fort; End – Kandy; Distance – approx. 80 miles/125km

The one rail journey that features on almost every Sri Lankan itinerary, the three-hour trip from Colombo to Kandy will whisk you away from the big-city sprawl to the genteel greenery of Sri Lanka’s spiritual capital. Some of the services on this line continue onto Badulla (see below), although it’s worth breaking the journey and exploring Kandy, home to the legendary Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic , enshrining what’s claimed to be a genuine tooth of Buddha.

On the way there, you’ll rattle past rolling hills, paddy fields, lush stands of tropical forest, palm trees waving like giant hands and miniature village train stations with tin roofs and station attendants standing at attention in immaculate uniforms. You’ll also feel the air cool as you leave the baking coastal plain for the more pleasant climate of the hills.

The Colombo-to-Kandy line was the first major route established by the newly formed Ceylon Government Railway in the 1860s, slicing through the forested hills inland from the capital to bring tea and coffee down to the coast to further the economic ambitions of the British Empire. Today, travelers ride in the opposite direction, on a journey that offers by far the most atmospheric and enjoyable way to reach the Hill Country from Colombo.

Kandy to Badulla

Best for spectacular views.

Start – Kandy; End – Badulla; Distance – approx. 100 miles/165km

The trip from Colombo to Kandy is just a warm-up for Sri Lanka’s most beautiful train ride: the British-era Main Line, built as a conduit for Sri Lanka’s most famous export: tea.

The journey from Kandy to Badulla takes seven to eight hours and carves through Sri Lanka’s tea country, passing swirling, curling plantations that appear hollowed into the hilly green landscape like the enormous fingerprints of a giant. Tidy fringes of lemongrass and canna bushes provide an ornamental trim around the edges, while tea pickers in rainbow saris create vivid flashes of color amongst the emerald sea. To make the most of the views, take your turn sitting in one of the open train doorways, with your feet dangling above the track.

The final stage from Ella to Badulla is perhaps the most dramatic section of the journey, with some spectacular feats of 19th-century engineering carrying the train across valleys and ravines and around problem outcrops.

Just north of Ella, the tracks curve over the brick-and-stone Nine Arch Bridge before tackling the Demodara Loop, where the line circles a hilltop and passes back under itself. Many travelers end the journey at Ella and hike to viewpoints around the bridge for one of Sri Lanka’s most popular photo opportunities.

Colombo to Galle

Best coastal rail trip .

Start – Colombo Fort; End – Galle; Distance – approx. 75 miles/120km

The Indian Ocean washes almost up to the rail tracks on the ride south from Colombo to the Portuguese-founded city of Galle , bringing fresh breezes and the smell of sea salt right into the carriages. So long as you sit on the right-hand side of the train, you’ll have views of the ocean as the train clatters out of Colombo.

The rail line meets the shore just south of Galle Face Green , a large urban park in the capital, and follows it for almost the entire length of the journey. If the lure of the big blue gets too much, passengers can hop off the train at beachside towns including Moragalla (via Hettimulla station), with snorkeling opportunities amid coral reefs, or Hikkaduwa , where surfers ride the swells and sip smoothies in shorefront cafes.

Whether you choose to temporarily alight or not, make sure you sample the wares of vendors who join the carriages at tiny rural stations. Grab some buttered sweetcorn or packaged curry and rice and take in the bucolic scenes of coastal life, from children and dogs splashing in the surf to stilt fishermen sitting atop their wooden perch, all the way to Galle.

Anuradhapura to Jaffna

Best northern rail trip .

Start – Anuradhapura; End – Jaffna; Distance – approx. 120 miles/195km

The rail line to the far north of Sri Lanka was severed by fighting between southern Buddhists and Hindu Tamils during Sri Lanka’s long civil war. When the last Yal Devi Express rolled into Jaffna on June 13, 1990, it was marooned by bombing. Empty carriages were repurposed into military bunkers, tracks were ripped up for scrap metal and stations fell into ruin. For 25 years, rail travel to Sri Lanka’s Hindu north was a distant memory.

And then, in 2014, the shrill whistle of locomotives returned as the Yal Devi Express rumbled back into Jaffna, on gleaming new tracks, for the first time in a generation. Today, the three-and-a-half-hour ride from the ancient Buddhist city at Anuradhapura to Jaffna offers a window onto a different Sri Lanka.

You’ll leave the gleaming white dagobas (stupas) behind at Anuradhapura, and in their place multi-hued kovils (temples) start to color the countryside as you steam into Sri Lanka’s Hindu north. You'll also leave behind Sri Lanka's major tourist crowds, as international visitors short on time tend to skip the splendors of the island's northern coast.

On the final approach to Jaffna, the landscape flattens out, and patches of water and salt pans appear as the train crosses Elephant Pass – the heavily militarized bottleneck guarding the entrance to the Jaffna peninsula. Tall palmyra palms rise over a landscape that still bears the scars of war but also green shoots of rejuvenation, as villages and townships pick themselves up after decades of conflict. Waiting near the line end is Jaffna itself, a vibrant Hindu city with a colonial heart – an easy leaping-off point for some of Sri Lanka’s most idyllic, unspoiled islands and beaches.

Tips for train travel in Sri Lanka

Trains chug out from Colombo to most key destinations, charging slightly more than buses but offering more atmosphere and better views. Sri Lanka Railways has route details as well as a journey planner .

What ticket should I buy?

As a general rule, third class is a free-for-all, where you buy a ticket at the station on the day and fight for space in a carriage as jammed as a sardine tin. 

Second class often has both unreserved and reserved options. The unreserved compartments resemble their third-class counterparts, bar some extra seat-padding. Reserved second-class seats, on the other hand, are rightly popular, as they give you windows that open for epic views and photographs, plus reasonably comfy seats and fans overhead to keep cool.

First class brings more comfort and air-conditioning, but sitting behind sealed, often grubby glass can make you feel a little isolated from the country you are passing through. Top of the line are the first class ‘observation saloon’ carriages with a giant window for sightseeing. Increasingly, these carriages are also air-conditioned, and again, the sealed windows can dampen the vibrancy of the shifting scenery.

How do I book trains in Sri Lanka?

It’s possible to make bookings 30 days in advance for reserved first- and second-class seats and berths, as well as for the observation saloon carriages. Demand often outstrips seat supply during high season (December to April) , so plan ahead if you can.

In March 2022, the Ministry of Transportation in Sri Lanka launched its own online ticketing system , allowing travelers to reserve train tickets online. Advance reservations are available 30 days from the date of travel and up to two hours before departure. Travelers can choose which class they want to travel in, but seats are allocated automatically.

Note that you will still need to pick up your physical tickets from a station that offers mTicketing services. A full list of the stations which provide the service can be found on the  Seatreservation.railway.gov.lk website , and all of the stations featured in this article are included.

Alternatively, you can reserve tickets at the station counters, or go through an agency to book online – 12Go and Visit Lanka Tours have good reputations. If you are using an agent to reserve tickets on the popular Hill Country routes, ideally book at least 32 days ahead to allow the agent to buy the tickets as soon as they go on sale.

For unreserved carriages, just rock up, buy a ticket and take your chances in the scrum. Nearly all tickets on the Colombo to Galle route fall into this category, and it can be worth arriving an hour or so before the train departure for your best chance of a seat.

On most trains, the best spot is on the floor in one of the open doorways between carriages, with the warm breeze blowing through your hair. 

What should I bring onboard?

Although sellers are known to sway down the aisles with snacks from time to time, don’t rely on these tasty but unpredictable provisions. Make space in your bag for plenty of food and water. It’s also wise to bring hand sanitizer and toilet roll in case you need to use the onboard restrooms. 

You might also like: Sri Lanka on a budget: 17 ways to make your money go further The top 18 things to do in Sri Lanka: Experience the best of this island nation 12 places that should feature on every Sri Lanka itinerary

This article was first published November 2019 and updated February 2022

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The 14 Items You Need for Any Active Trip, From Someone Who Hiked, Biked, and Kayaked for a Week in Sri Lanka

Don't forget to pack any of these travel essentials.

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Travel + Leisure / Madison Woiten

As an avid traveler and outdoor enthusiast, I’m always looking for destinations that have a lot of opportunities to be active. Hiking, biking, kayaking, rafting, scuba diving — I do it all and I love it all. So, when I heard that Intrepid Travel was offering a hiking, biking, kayaking Sri Lanka trip, I signed up immediately, and quickly started putting together a packing list . 

Since each activity required its own gear, I had to put a lot of thought into what I brought on the three-week-long adventure. And, because I’d prefer to not be hauling around multiple massive suitcases, I always travel light with items that work well across multiple activities — say, leggings that are great for both hiking and biking , a poolside cover-up that doubles as an everyday shirt or dress, and hiking sneakers that could be worn from the trail to the city streets . I also had to take Sri Lanka's wonderfully warm climate into account (luckily, I was visiting during the dry season, but I knew rain was still possible); this meant that I'd need clothing that was moisture-wicking, cooling, and quick-drying . 

Whether you’re heading to Mexico, Morocco, or Machu Picchu (or you’re lucky enough to visit Sri Lanka), here’s what you’ll need for your next active trip this spring or summer. This foolproof packing list will keep you comfortable, dry, and safe on the trails, roads, and rivers so you can focus on having fun. 

Arc’Teryx Women’s Beta LT Jacket

I will be the first to admit that this is one crazy expensive jacket, but having worn it on hundreds of miles of hikes over the past year, I’ll add that it is 100 percent worth the price. The beauty of this jacket is that it is ultralight and breathable, so you can wear it during hot and humid hikes in Sri Lanka (which I did). But, it comes equally in handy for cold-weather hikes and snowshoe treks in Yellowstone (which I also did) when layered over fleece. Instead of stuffing your closets with multiple jackets to wear at different times of year, you just need this one awesome jacket. 

Typically, the more waterproof a jacket is, the heavier and less breathable it is, but Arc’Teryx has managed to make this insanely lightweight jacket 100 percent waterproof, which is why the price is higher than lesser-quality jackets. This way, you stay dry without totally overheating and sweating. Water-resistant is not the same as waterproof, and I was very grateful that this jacket is fully waterproof , as it got me through several rainy days in Sri Lanka in February and also a wet and wild 96-mile hike in the Scottish Highlands last summer. I also used it for biking, kayaking, rafting, and walking around town. It might not ever need to buy another jacket again — it’s that good.

Matador Beast 18 Technical Pack

Though the pack is called “technical” — and this definitely is a technical pack — don’t let the name fool you; you don’t have to be a super technical hiker trekking through the backwoods to appreciate this pack. Yes, it has all of the convenient features that you need for a hiking pack, such as plenty of pockets, water bottle sleeves, and straps to attach your hiking poles, but this also shines as a good everyday pack. I do use it for hiking, but I’ve also used it for biking since it also doubles as an excellent day bag. I wore it nearly every single day during my three weeks in Sri Lanka while touring cities and hauling my stuff to the beaches along the southern coast. 

What's more, the bag has a waterproof coating, it’s super light, and it folds down when it's not in use, so you can seamlessly fit it into your luggage and then whip it out when you arrive (I also sometimes use it as my carry-on bag to save even more suitcase space).

Smartwool Classic All-season Merino T-shirt

Merino wool is great because it is soft, durable, comfortable and it can be worn in any temperature or season. It wicks away moisture and dries quickly, which keeps you dry and cool in the summer and dry and warm in the winter. I’ve worn this shirt on hot and sweaty hikes in Tucson and Mesa, Arizona, and through chilly fall hikes in New York’s Adirondacks. This shirt was easy to wash in a hotel sink and it dried super fast, so I was able to wash and re-wear it several times in Sri Lanka.

Not all wool is ethically or sustainably sourced, so I appreciate that Smartwool uses ZQ-certified wool to ensure responsible sourcing. I also love that Smartwool is one of few outdoor brands that has truly inclusive sizing, with many of their tops and bottoms going up to a 4XL.

Cassandra Brooklyn

Smartwool Active Women’s Leggings

The name of this product perfectly describes it, as these are leggings made of wool and intended for active women. Hello, that’s me! I’ve been wearing these leggings for about a year and a half and they’ve gone all over the world with me while hiking, biking, kayaking, dancing, relaxing, and even lounging on river cruises. Like the previously mentioned Smartwool T-shirt, these leggings are also made from high-tech wool to keep you cool, wick away moisture, and dry quickly. They can also be worn year-round, regardless of the weather or temperature. 

The side drop-in pockets are perfect for holding your phone or hotel key card, and there’s also a hidden interior waist pocket where you can hide money and credit cards. Though these are designed for “active” activities, because they are slim-fitted, pretty, and available in solid colors (I have the all-black pair), they can easily be worn with a cute top for going out to dinner or walking around town. This way, I can get multiple uses out of a single pair of pants, which is also easy to rewash in the sink and hang dry overnight to rewear the next day.

Outdoor Vitals Altitude Sun Hoodie

I got this lightweight, long-sleeve “sun hoodie” two years ago for a two-week-long summer rafting trip in the Grand Canyon, and it’s still one of my favorite tops for all sorts of adventure travel. Not only is the sweatshirt rated to protect your skin against high-altitude sun, but thanks to the hood, it provides protection for your ears and neck — two areas that often get a ton of sun exposure but less attention when it comes to sunscreen application. The shirt is so light that it almost feels like wearing nothing and it dries super quickly, so it was my go-to for kayaking in Sri Lanka. I also wore it for a 25-mile bike ride through tea plantations and as a cover-up while reading at the beach.

OtterBox Symmetry Series Phone Case

When you're always on the move, you need to make sure that every part of your travel repertoire is durable — even your phone case. I prefer sleek, thin cases that offer an extra layer of defense should my phone fall out of my pocket while I'm hiking or biking, which is why I'm a fan of OtterBox's stylishly protective Symmetry cases. They provide excellent drop protection, are compatible with MagSafe charging pads, and come in a ton of fun colors and prints. 

The cases have raised edges to help protect the camera, but I also use this OtterBox antimicrobial screen protector for even more coverage. This combo worked well for me on the Sri Lanka trip (and for everyday life in New York City) because the case is thin enough to fit in my hip pouch and prevents scratches, cracks, and other drop-related damage. If you need even more protection, opt for the OtterBox Defender case , which is a bit thicker and even more rugged.

Darn Tough Lightweight Hiking Socks

Even in the best hiking shoes or boots, your feet can get sweaty and prone to blisters if you’re not wearing good socks. While you certainly can hike in the everyday cotton socks that many of us wear at home, they don’t breathe or have grip, so your feet may sweat and slide around in your shoes. Darn Tough socks are super comfortable, ultra-lightweight, made in the USA. and they come in various weights, colors, prints, and styles (no-show, ankle, crew, and knee-high). For this trip, I wore the low-cut version for cycling and walking around town, and the crew version when hiking to offer a bit more protection from plants and bugs.

Sawyer Stay-Put Sunscreen and Insect Repellent

Speaking of bugs, this two-for-one deal ensures that your insect repellent and SPF needs are covered. It’s important to wear sunscreen on vacation regardless of where you go and what you do, but it’s especially important when you’ll be active outside in the sun for many hours. Even some of the best everyday sunscreens don’t cut it when you’re hiking, biking, and kayaking because they might sweat off before you’ve even gotten started. I love the Sawyer Stay-Put Sunscreen because it does just that — it stays put . 

I have sensitive skin, so I always apply a fancy-pants facial sunscreen from my aesthetician in the morning. But when I’m traveling, I often wind up re-applying later in the day with Sawyer's Stay-Put formula so I’m not carrying around multiple types of sunscreen during the day. I’m happy to report that I’ve never had issues with my skin breaking out as a result. This combo bundle also includes their picaridin insect repellent, which I also love because it is safer and more effective than the gross-smelling DEET sprays and lotions a lot of us grew up with. I didn’t actually encounter many mosquitos in Sri Lanka, but I was still glad to have repellent with me.

Altra Lone Peak 8 Trail Running Shoes

Hands down, these are my favorite shoes in the world. Technically, they are trail running shoes, but I never run; I only use them for walking and hiking. This is the newest version of the shoe, which I started wearing a few months ago, but I’ve worn an earlier version of this shoe nearly every day for the last two years. The extra-wide toe boxes and sticky soles make them super comfy and provide a non-slip grip that was perfect for the dry, wet, and rocky trails in Sri Lanka. I also wore them for walking around the streets of capital city Colombo and while visiting tea plantations and spice gardens. Depending on the trip, these could easily be the only shoes that you'll need to pack. 

Keen Rose Active Sandals

Even though this was an active trip, I didn’t want my feet to be stuck in hiking shoes every day, so I also brought my trusty Keen hiking sandals. Keen is known for making really rugged hiking boots, shoes, and sandals that offer great grip, comfort, and support, and I love these sandals because they’re a bit softer, lighter, and prettier than traditional hiking sandals. While I do wear them for light hiking, I especially love them on multi-activity trips because they’re cute enough to be worn with dresses, skirts, or leggings and blouses. In Sri Lanka, I wore them to hike up Mini Adam’s Peak in the tea town of Ella, to visit Buddhist temples in Kandy, and during my tuk tuk tour in Colombo.

Hydro Flask Lightweight Trail Series Water Bottle

This has been my main go-to water bottle for the last two years because it’s ultra-rugged and insulated, but also impressively lightweight. While an insulated water bottle wasn’t completely necessary for this trip, I loved carrying it with me because it was more refreshing to drink cool water during a 90-degree bike ride than it was to drink stale water that had been heating up in plastic all day. I usually stuff the bottle into the side pocket of my daypack, but because it has a sturdy handle, I used a carabiner to clip it onto my kayak or raft. And while I mostly filled this bottle with cool water for hiking, biking, kayaking, beach-going, and walking tours in Sri Lanka, I filled it with hot tea for my long-haul flights to-from the country. This bottle is not cheap, but it lasts forever (I’ve literally taken it on hundreds of miles of hikes).

Grayl GeoPress Water Filter Bottle

I refuse to buy bottled water anywhere in the world because the discarded bottles are devastating to the environment, particularly in countries that lack adequate recycling facilities. I haven’t bought bottled water in over six years, and that’s precisely because I always carry this Grayl GeoPress Water Filter Bottle with me. I’ve used it to filter and drink water from rivers, streams, lakes, and waterfalls around the world, and I also used it to filter the water in my hotels in Sri Lanka. There are newer models of the Grayl filter available, but this is the one that I use; it’s fantastic with its convenient drinking spout. I usually use it to filter the water and then pour it into my insulated canteen to carry during the day.

Bajío Eldora Sunglasses

I have a few pairs of sunglasses on rotation, but for active trips, I always opt for higher-end polarized frames like these sunnies from Bajío. Why? Because they are more comfortable, they block out more sun, and they stay put on my face without adding a ton of extra weight or making me overheat. Polarized glasses are designed for people who spend a lot of time outside, especially doing activities around water and snow, which produce a lot of glare. While I’ve worn these glasses on plenty of snow hikes in Wyoming, Wisconsin, and upstate New York, they also worked beautifully for hiking, biking, and kayaking in Sri Lanka. 

They were especially important for the kayaking trip and a separate whale watching boat tour that I did because the sun’s glare off the water was so intense. I’m also a big fan of Bajío sunglasses because there are hundreds of combinations of frames and lenses. The brand also offers unique frame shapes and pretty frame and lens colors — like these stylish hot pink frames with bright blue, pink, or purple polarized lenses. 

Catherine Dress Mini Cover-up

Even though the focus of my trip to Sri Lanka was hiking, biking, and kayaking, I also spent a couple of nights at the beach and there were great pools at a lot of the hotels. Swimsuit cover-ups are handy anywhere in the world, but they are especially important in more conservative countries like Sri Lanka, where it’s not exactly polite to run around with your butt hanging out. Do some travelers do it? Yes. Do the locals appreciate it? No. I love this cover-up dress by Catherine because it works as a swimsuit cover-up at the pool and beach, but it also doubles as a cute top when paired with jeans (or my aforementioned Smartwool leggings).   

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Communal dinners, shared rooms, and 6am wake-up calls — why do people love group travel so much?

The popularity of hyper-luxe group trips for those in their 30s and 40s has sky-rocketed since COVID. Solo traveller Lydia Swinscoe joined a Flash Pack tour with nine perfect strangers to find out if they’re worth it

In a country made up of around 15 million Theravada Buddhists, I was trying my hardest to slip into a meditative Buddhist state of compassion as the swish air-conditioned bus I was travelling through Sri Lanka on filled with inane chatter and a touch of travel bragging. As someone who loves to explore off-the-beaten-track destinations, mostly solo, and almost always on local buses and trains — where daily life unfolds at a slower pace — I was feeling slightly nervous that I’d signed up to spend 12 days trapped inside a minibus with nine strangers.

Throughout the tour, I had to bite my tongue numerous times and found out later that others in the group did too. That’s the thing about throwing a group of strangers of varying ages together (my group ranged from 31 to 49 years old), from a handful of different countries — you’re not always going to have the same outlook on life, values or interests. So just what is the appeal of group travel in your 30s and 40s?

Eager to see what the astronomical rise in popularity of group travel is all about, I joined Flash Pack’s ‘Inside Sri Lanka’ trip. Since its launch in 2014, Flash Pack has conducted thousands of group tours, and over the past few years, since battling COVID they’ve revealed 100 per cent year-on-year growth with 60 per cent of their total trip sales coming from US travellers. Similarly, G Adventures estimated annual revenue is currently hovering around £424 million ($532 million) per year, while Intrepid is also growing at a rapid rate boasting an ambitious growth strategy to ‘become the world's first $1 billion adventure travel company by 2025’. This is some serious business.

As someone who’s never joined a group trip, the concept is quite alien to me, even more so since the cost of the 12-day Sri Lanka tour comes in at £2,300 per person. That doesn’t include flights, alcoholic drinks, most lunches, and an extra nightly cost if you don’t want to share a bedroom. The itinerary saw us take a whirlwind tour of the country which included climbing to the top of Pidurangala Rock, cycling around the ancient city of Polonnaruwa with its Buddha monolith rock carvings and ornate temples, a brief stop in Kandy, an outdoor yoga class, a train ride to tea country, a safari in Yala National Park, a night in Galle Fort and a couple of night’s relaxing in Kosgoda, all the while staying in mostly four or five-star hotels and moving on to the next destination every one to two days.

Whatever you want you can probably get it, every need is catered for — it’s pretty impressive.

Along the way, absolutely everything is taken care of, right down to being handed toilet paper at public bathrooms, and hand sanitiser whenever required. ATM stops, mountain-top chilled towels and refreshments, and impromptu gin and tonics were all thrown into the mix along the way. Whatever you want, you can probably get it. Every need is catered for — it’s pretty impressive.

For the 12 days in Sri Lanka, we had our very own driver, the very efficient Shantha, and his smiley right-hand man Sachintha who ensured we never had to lift our luggage for the duration of the trip. Backpacks and suitcases were seamlessly transplanted from bus to bedroom and back, at every destination — an aspect of the tour that felt indulgent, but made travelling much easier than my usual solo experiences. And this is where the appeal lies: joining a tour is undoubtedly the easiest way to travel, plus you get to see a huge amount in such a limited time frame — it’s perfect for anyone who is time-poor, cash-rich, and curious about another country.

If I’d been travelling the same route solo, and by public transport, I wouldn’t have seen all of the places in the timeframe that we did. Sure, I would have liked to spend a few leisurely days strolling around the awe-inspiring ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa rather than half a day, and yes, I would have loved to have spent a couple of days hiking through the cloud forests and tea plantations of Haputale, but I’m very aware that most people’s holiday days are limited. It means a tour like this is the ideal way to make the most of limited annual leave.

Flash Pack highly promotes the friendship-making aspect of joining one of its tours, too. Its Instagram account muses how they’re, “On a mission to create one million meaningful friendships across the globe”. A quick scroll through their feed shows inspirational quotes about being single and travelling later in life. They’ve tapped into a growing market, and boy does it work.

For me, the first few days of the tour were kind of awkward as people figured one another out. Like most environments with a mishmash of personalities, the loudest voices dominated the conversation, and a few outdated opinions irked others, but by day six something clicked into place. During the scenic train journey from Kandy to Nanuoya, where we chugged through verdant tea plantations past waterfalls and village life, I had one of the most beautiful conversations of the trip with two incredible women. In fact, I enjoyed the company of all the women on the trip and one of the guys from the UK. With these people, when the small talk faded and we talked honestly and openly, the travel experiences I adore started to uncoil, and from there on in, it was mostly smooth sailing.

When the small talk faded and we talked honestly and openly, the travel experiences I adore started to uncoil, and from there on in, it was mostly smooth sailing.

For most of the people in the group (four guys, six women), this wasn’t their first Flash Pack experience. Many had done numerous trips, while others had tried different tour providers like G Adventures or Intrepid. I gleaned that the upmarket feel of Flash Pack’s tours was the main appeal, along with the ease and variety of the trips on offer. The company currently offers 51 tours, to countries like South Korea, Colombia, Rwanda, and Albania. For the women in my group, the appeal of travelling to places where they might usually feel unsafe as solo travellers was a big draw.

At the helm of our tour and the real highlight of the entire trip was one of the sweetest souls I’ve possibly ever met. Our group tour leader Suranga, or Razz as he likes to be known, has the patience of a saint, a truly addictive smile, and a nothing-is-too-much-trouble attitude. Every day I was in complete awe of his patience, his knowledge, and the love and passion he has for his beautiful country.

On day eight, just over halfway through the trip, we visited Yala National Park, bordering the Indian Ocean, and learned how male adolescent elephants leave their herd at about 13 years old, going on to live a solitary existence. I related to them, hard. As much as I absolutely adored being driven around, never once having to think — aside from which cocktail to order — I’ll most likely return to my solitary travel experiences.

Flash Pack is a great concept and a lucrative business model, but personally, I adore the random travel experiences I encounter when travelling alone. Such as when I met a local family on a bus on the road from Medellin to Jardin and was invited back to their home for dinner; or the time I rented a shed for the night with a fellow backpacker in Hampi, India because every room was taken due to it being Gandhi’s birthday; or drunk red wine with a random Airbnb host while reminiscing on life and love.

But, I’d go back to a Flash Pack trip in a second, if only for Suranga, Sri Lanka’s finest utterly joy-sparking guide. Along with the girls I met on the trip (all of whom I’m still in touch with), he was the real highlight — I just hope Flash Pack knows how lucky they are to have him.

Flash Pack group trips start from around £2,075 per person. To find out more or to book visit flashpack.com.

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The eco top 12: your year of sustainable travel

Why lustrous island Sri Lanka is set to sparkle again

I t’s been a difficult few years for Sri Lanka. Terrorism attacks, political instability and a financial crisis have tested the Indian Ocean to its limits. But finally it looks like change is on the horizon.

Interest in the destination is rapidly returning, with tour operators reporting a boom in bookings. Sustainable adventure specialists Intrepid saw 130% customer growth from 2022 to 2023, and this year plans to run 350 trips to meet the increasing demand.

A softening on advisories from the FCDO has also given the green light for holidays. Here are a few of the top picks for travellers of all tastes.

A cultural odyssey

For a country of its size, Sri Lanka has an impressive number of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit five key locations as part of a Highlights of Sri Lanka tour, ideal for first timers eager to experience everything on offer.

Climb ancient staircases hewn into a 600ft rock to reach the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, credited as a work of engineering brilliance thanks to its irrigation system, take a train ride through the waterfalls and tea plantations of the Hill Country and catch the sunrise at Lipton’s Seat (named after tea planter Thomas Lipton) on top of the Poonagala Hill near the Dambetenna tea factory in Haputale.

City tours in cosmopolitan capital Colombo and coastal hub Galle give a good overview of modern day Sri Lanka, while a trip to in Udawalawe National Park provides an opportunity to spot Asian elephants.

How: An eight-night trip costs from £2,095pp, including B&B accommodation and flights. Visit vjv.com .

Hiking ancient paths

Launched last year, the Pekoe Trail winds through tea plantations and hillside communities on paths used by local communities for decades. The 300km route can be broken down into 22 sections, averaging around 12km each, giving options for day hikes or multi-day expeditions.

Begin in central city Kandy, famous for the Temple of the Tooth, and head towards Horton Plains National Park, a high plateau inhabited by elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine, and leopard. Eventually finish in the city of Nuwara Eliya – dubbed ‘Little England’ due to its cool climate and colonial-era buildings.

How: A 21-day tailor-made itinerary, including trekking part of The Pekoe Trail, costs from £6,160 per person (two sharing), including flights, transfers, excursions and B&B accommodation. Visit audleytravel.com/sri-lanka.

Culinary capers

Scents of aromatic spices dance through the streets and hills of this fertile island. Cinnamon, turmeric, nutmeg and cumin all grow here, providing the foundation for a cuisine as diverse as the country’s landscapes.

For a giddy immersion into the exotic flavours, join a six-night guided food tour combining bucket-list sites with local restaurants, spice gardens and cooking demonstrations.

Explore Dambulla (a cave monastery and pilgrimage site for 22 centuries) with a bull cart ride and mud house visit, cook with a local chef in sacred city Kandy, learn about spice cultivation at Matale Spice Garden and take a train into the Hill Country and visit a tea factory.

How: From £1,799 pp (two sharing, including half-board accommodation, activities and flights. Visit tropicalsky.co.uk .

Uncovering a wild world

From jungles and plains to wetlands and coastal regions, the variety of habitats in Sri Lanka are responsible for an impressive biodiversity. Discover some of the most iconic species on a new wildlife-focussed trip from Intrepid, visiting key sites.

Go on safari in Yala National Park, home to one of the world’s highest densities of leopards, and witness elephants gather at an historic reservoir in Minneriya. Stay overnight in a rainforest lodge in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and join nature walks looking out for butterflies, jackals, big cats, wild boars and toque monkeys.

Along the coast, head out at night to watch sea turtles coming ashore to lay eggs at Rekawa Beach, witnessing the spectacle through infrared night goggles.

How: A 12-day guided trip costs from £2,435pp, including B&B accommodation. Flight extra. Various departures from June to October. Visit intrepidtravel.com .

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Sri Lankan govt introduces simplified e-visa process to attract Tourists

21 april 2024, 03:28 pm ist.

Sri Lanka | Photo: canva

Sri Lanka has launched a more user-friendly e-visa system designed to appeal to travel enthusiasts. A new visa portal has been unveiled to streamline the visa application process, aiming to boost tourism in the country.

The new e-visa system replaces the existing Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. Travellers arriving by air or sea for leisure or business purposes can now apply for an e-visa online. However, individuals from Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Syria are not eligible to apply through this online system; they must apply directly via the embassy.

To apply for an e-visa, users need to register an account on the Sri Lanka e-visa website and upload their passports and recent photographs. Payment of the e-visa fees is made online. Applicants will receive an application number upon submission, which can be used to check the status of their visa application.

Travellers entering Sri Lanka with an e-visa are required to carry a photocopy of the visa.

Last year, Sri Lanka introduced visa-free entry for citizens of several countries, including India. This scheme was in effect until March 31, 2024, and was widely utilized by Indian tourists keen to explore Sri Lanka's attractions.

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