Results for "Sri+Lanka"
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3-Week Itinerary in Sri Lanka with Two Kids
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Sri Lanka for three weeks in July with two kids (ages 6 and 13). We’ve drafted a rough itinerary but would love to hear from those who’ve already been there 😊 Of course, we want to see everything, but we have to make choices—even though three weeks on the ground lets us do quite a bit. We originally planned a schedule that felt too packed, so we had to cut one stop. We decided to skip Tangalle, even though we were really tempted. The monsoon won’t let us swim there, and the weather in the south is too uncertain, so we preferred to keep our stops on the east coast. Plus, we don’t think it’s reasonable to cut nights from other places. We’ve added a stop in Batticaloa, which we think will be a nice break between Arugam Bay and Sigiriya. What do you think? We’re also debating between Batticaloa and Passikudah. Does the itinerary seem logical to you?
Here it is:
Sri Lanka Itinerary Day 1 Arrival around 1 PM at the airport Night in Negombo Day 2 Drive from Negombo to Galle Visit Galle and surrounding areas Night in Galle Day 3 Visit Galle and surrounding areas Night in Galle Day 4 Visit Galle and surrounding areas Drive from Galle to Udawalawe Night in Udawalawe Day 5 Visit Udawalawe National Park Night in Udawalawe Day 6 Drive from Udawalawe to Ella Night in Ella Day 7 Ella Rock + Nine Arch Bridge Night in Ella Day 8 Visit Haputale Lipton’s Seat and Dambatenne Tea Factory Train ride back from Haputale to Ella Night in Ella Day 9 Little Adam’s Peak + drive from Ella to Arugam Bay Night in Arugam Bay Day 10 Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas Night in Arugam Bay Day 11 Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas Night in Arugam Bay Day 12 Drive from Arugam Bay to Batticaloa Night in Batticaloa Day 13 Visit Batticaloa Night in Batticaloa Day 14 Drive from Batticaloa to Sigiriya Night in Sigiriya Day 15 Lion Rock and Pidurangala Night in Sigiriya Day 16 Visit Dambulla Drive from Sigiriya to Trincomalee Night in Trincomalee Day 17 Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas Night in Trincomalee Day 18 Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas Night in Trincomalee Day 19 Drive from Trincomalee to Anuradhapura Night in Anuradhapura Day 20 Visit Anuradhapura Night in Anuradhapura Day 21 Visit Mihintale Drive from Anuradhapura to Negombo Night in Negombo Day 22 Day in Negombo and return flight
We’d love to hear your thoughts and tips! Thanks in advance!
We’re heading to Sri Lanka for three weeks in July with two kids (ages 6 and 13). We’ve drafted a rough itinerary but would love to hear from those who’ve already been there 😊 Of course, we want to see everything, but we have to make choices—even though three weeks on the ground lets us do quite a bit. We originally planned a schedule that felt too packed, so we had to cut one stop. We decided to skip Tangalle, even though we were really tempted. The monsoon won’t let us swim there, and the weather in the south is too uncertain, so we preferred to keep our stops on the east coast. Plus, we don’t think it’s reasonable to cut nights from other places. We’ve added a stop in Batticaloa, which we think will be a nice break between Arugam Bay and Sigiriya. What do you think? We’re also debating between Batticaloa and Passikudah. Does the itinerary seem logical to you?
Here it is:
Sri Lanka Itinerary Day 1 Arrival around 1 PM at the airport Night in Negombo Day 2 Drive from Negombo to Galle Visit Galle and surrounding areas Night in Galle Day 3 Visit Galle and surrounding areas Night in Galle Day 4 Visit Galle and surrounding areas Drive from Galle to Udawalawe Night in Udawalawe Day 5 Visit Udawalawe National Park Night in Udawalawe Day 6 Drive from Udawalawe to Ella Night in Ella Day 7 Ella Rock + Nine Arch Bridge Night in Ella Day 8 Visit Haputale Lipton’s Seat and Dambatenne Tea Factory Train ride back from Haputale to Ella Night in Ella Day 9 Little Adam’s Peak + drive from Ella to Arugam Bay Night in Arugam Bay Day 10 Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas Night in Arugam Bay Day 11 Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas Night in Arugam Bay Day 12 Drive from Arugam Bay to Batticaloa Night in Batticaloa Day 13 Visit Batticaloa Night in Batticaloa Day 14 Drive from Batticaloa to Sigiriya Night in Sigiriya Day 15 Lion Rock and Pidurangala Night in Sigiriya Day 16 Visit Dambulla Drive from Sigiriya to Trincomalee Night in Trincomalee Day 17 Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas Night in Trincomalee Day 18 Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas Night in Trincomalee Day 19 Drive from Trincomalee to Anuradhapura Night in Anuradhapura Day 20 Visit Anuradhapura Night in Anuradhapura Day 21 Visit Mihintale Drive from Anuradhapura to Negombo Night in Negombo Day 22 Day in Negombo and return flight
We’d love to hear your thoughts and tips! Thanks in advance!
Leeches in the Knuckles (Sri Lanka)
Hi there,
We’d planned a hike in the Knuckles at the end of February, but everything I’m reading about leeches is freaking me out—I know I wouldn’t handle having one on me (call me a wimp if you want 😅).
Is it really that bad? Plus, it sounds like a lot of tiring road just for a day trip.
What do you recommend?
Thanks so much! 😊
Kandy to Ella Train (Sri Lanka)
Hi there,
It's really tough to book seats for early February.
After trying multiple times on the official online sites, everything seems to be fully booked already.
Hiring a taxi is an option, but even then, there aren’t many choices—agencies prioritize tour packages.
Do you have any tips for making the trip from Kandy to Ella?
Thanks!
Have a great day.
Are 100 Euro bills accepted at exchange offices in Sri Lanka?
Hi,
Are 100 € bills accepted at exchange offices in Sri Lanka?
Thanks for your replies.
Sri Lanka Trip Report – December 2024
Hi there,
I just got back from a trip to Sri Lanka from December 18th to January 1st with 2 adults and 2 kids (12 years old).
If it helps, here’s my itinerary.
We left on December 18th from Madrid with Qatar Airways. No complaints. I booked my tickets back in March for 800 € per person. (I flew from Madrid because I live near the Spanish border and was too worried about strikes in France.) We arrived on December 19th at 4 PM (local time). Before leaving France, I’d booked a taxi through MyTransfer for 59 € to Sigiriya. A van was waiting for us at the airport exit. A never-ending 3-hour drive to Sigiriya. We stayed at Samana Guesthouse—very simple, clean, with a pool and an excellent Sri Lankan breakfast. Shower and straight to bed.
Friday, December 20th: Beautiful weather, but very humid and hot. We visited Lion Rock (36 € for adults) and then Pidurangala. I loved both sites—they’re a must-do in my opinion. Spent the late afternoon by the pool.
Saturday, December 21st: Another gorgeous day. The guesthouse manager offered us a free 2-hour tuk-tuk tour. We first visited a lake, rice fields, the temple, and the Sigiriya market, plus the usual tourist trap—the botanical garden (no pressure to buy anything at the end). Then we took a tuk-tuk to Dambulla Temple, the Golden Buddha, and the wholesale market.
Sunday, December 22nd: Still beautiful weather. I’d booked a taxi for 8 AM. We did all the long trips by taxi to save time. I’d ask for prices from 2 or 3 WhatsApp taxi agencies 2 days or the day before—super responsive, always got replies within 5 minutes. We headed to Ella (4-hour drive) for 22,000 LKR. Arrived in the afternoon at Rest Full Homestay—a small, family-run guesthouse. Clean, cozy, and an amazing Sri Lankan breakfast. In the afternoon, we went to Nine Arches Bridge. It was a Sunday, a Sri Lankan holiday, so it was *packed*—mostly locals and very few white tourists! Even though it was crowded, it was cool because it was all Sri Lankans. We waited an hour for the train. It’s worth seeing, but honestly, I didn’t think it was that amazing. Then we headed to the station to check if we needed to book tickets for the train to Haputale—turns out, no.
Monday, December 23rd: Beautiful weather. We hiked Ella Rock—a gorgeous trek. The final stretch is steep but shaded, so it wasn’t as tough as I’d read. The whole hike is stunning from start to finish. We saw the train pass twice (one blue, one red) and lots of women picking tea. After that, we did Little Adam’s Peak. It’s not hard, but it was *packed* with tourists—meh. Luckily, at the top, you can walk a bit farther (down one side and back up) to get some space to yourself. What I *didn’t* like was the commercial vibe at the big café/restaurant with a pool at the entrance of Little Adam’s Peak. Loud music, all that money being made right next to little souvenir stands run by Sri Lankans or tea-picking women. Felt off. Ended the day buying souvenirs at one of the few shops we found during the trip.
Tuesday, December 24th: Beautiful weather. Took the train to Haputale. We got to the station 30 minutes before the 9:30 AM train. We could’ve taken 2nd or 3rd class—I went with 2nd (160 LKR per person). It was crowded, but we managed to get seats—first 2, then 3. Only a 1-hour ride, but I *loved* it—windows and doors open the whole time. Arrived in Haputale around 11 AM, and the mist was already rolling in. We walked to our guesthouse, The Mist Holiday Bungalow. Simple but clean, with a great view of the tea plantations. The owner’s wife is Vietnamese and used to work for French tour operators, so her French is still pretty good—helpful for us since our English is terrible. They booked us a tuk-tuk for 4:45 AM the next day (2,000 LKR) to Lipton’s Seat. Spent the afternoon wandering around Haputale. Not much charm, but there’s a nice fruit and veggie market and a short walk through the tea plantations.
Wednesday, December 25th: Beautiful weather. The tuk-tuk was on time to take us to Lipton’s Seat. We were the first ones there—the sky was just starting to turn pink. In the end, only about ten of us watched the sunrise. The guesthouse had packed us breakfast, and we walked back down (half on the road, half through the plantations). Didn’t see any tea picking since it was Christmas, but the walk was still incredible. We took detours through villages full of kids. After that, we visited the tea factory. The tour was really interesting, and we took the bus back down to Haputale. Such a great moment—whole families were heading to mass, dressed up and made up. All so beautiful.
At noon, we left for Udawalawe National Park. Taxi for 14,000 LKR. Stayed at River Inn Safari Cottage. *Warning*: It’s the same place as Eagle Safari Cottage. I don’t recommend it. We’d always stayed with families before, but here it was just staff—totally different vibe. The pool was nice but not very clean (water was murky). The bungalow was big and fine, but it was brand new—so new the asphalt floor wasn’t fully dry. It’s in the middle of nowhere, so we had to eat on-site. Couldn’t leave a review on Booking because they never confirmed we’d stayed, and they canceled our reservation the next day.
Thursday, December 26th: Beautiful weather. I’d booked a safari through the hotel for 5:30–10 AM for 54 USD. Honestly, yes, there are a lot of jeeps, but it was great. The kids loved it—we saw everything there was to see. Left by taxi at 11:30 AM for Welligama (12,000 LKR). We didn’t stay in Welligama city but at Coconut Beach, between Welligama and Midigama. *Total crush* on the guesthouse: Sky Mountain Café with View. Such a lovely family. The mom makes amazing meals at reasonable prices. The view from the hill over the sea is unreal. Spent the afternoon walking along the beach.
Friday, December 27th: Beautiful weather. My kids are surfers. Unfortunately, there weren’t any boards their size to rent at Coconut, so we took a tuk-tuk to Welligama Bay (1,000 LKR). They surfed from 8 AM to 5 PM—rental was 5,000 LKR for the day. Meanwhile, we walked the beach and swam. Water was 29°C.
Saturday, December 28th: Beautiful weather, rain from 4 PM until midnight. Same surf day. They were so well-behaved the whole trip, so this was their reward.
Sunday, December 29th: Beautiful weather. Beach day at Coconut. *Warning*: It’s a reef break. For surfers, there are three spots (Coconut Left, Middle, and Right). The boys bodysurfed (with fins) all morning, and at 1 PM, we took the bus to Hikkaduwa. Stayed at Hotel Universal Beach. Nothing special—right on the water, but the rooms were dark even though they were clean. The manager was super nice, but the rest was meh, and breakfast was mediocre compared to what we’d had before (2 eggs and 3 slices of toast). Plus, it was late—8 AM. First impression of Hikkaduwa wasn’t great—way too many Russians for our taste.
Monday, December 30th: Beautiful weather. Spent the whole day exploring. Turtle Beach, then the other side of the beach (toward Galle) near the fishing port. The beach there is much wider, with scattered hotels and super quiet. It’s beautiful—I should’ve booked somewhere in that area. Ended up having a great day away from the crowds.
Tuesday, December 31st: Overcast, then beautiful, rain at 4 PM. Had to end the year (and the trip) with some surf. Rented boards for the kids (3,000 LKR per board for the day). Bad luck—the waves were on a reef break but small. Not great for them, but no big deal. They still got out of the water by 2 PM. Walked the beach (which is gorgeous), had a juice, and went for a swim. Then back to surfing in the rain at 4 PM.
Wednesday, January 1st: Left by taxi at 5 AM (18,000 LKR). Flight at 10 AM. Arrived in Madrid at 8 PM.
We left on December 18th from Madrid with Qatar Airways. No complaints. I booked my tickets back in March for 800 € per person. (I flew from Madrid because I live near the Spanish border and was too worried about strikes in France.) We arrived on December 19th at 4 PM (local time). Before leaving France, I’d booked a taxi through MyTransfer for 59 € to Sigiriya. A van was waiting for us at the airport exit. A never-ending 3-hour drive to Sigiriya. We stayed at Samana Guesthouse—very simple, clean, with a pool and an excellent Sri Lankan breakfast. Shower and straight to bed.
Friday, December 20th: Beautiful weather, but very humid and hot. We visited Lion Rock (36 € for adults) and then Pidurangala. I loved both sites—they’re a must-do in my opinion. Spent the late afternoon by the pool.
Saturday, December 21st: Another gorgeous day. The guesthouse manager offered us a free 2-hour tuk-tuk tour. We first visited a lake, rice fields, the temple, and the Sigiriya market, plus the usual tourist trap—the botanical garden (no pressure to buy anything at the end). Then we took a tuk-tuk to Dambulla Temple, the Golden Buddha, and the wholesale market.
Sunday, December 22nd: Still beautiful weather. I’d booked a taxi for 8 AM. We did all the long trips by taxi to save time. I’d ask for prices from 2 or 3 WhatsApp taxi agencies 2 days or the day before—super responsive, always got replies within 5 minutes. We headed to Ella (4-hour drive) for 22,000 LKR. Arrived in the afternoon at Rest Full Homestay—a small, family-run guesthouse. Clean, cozy, and an amazing Sri Lankan breakfast. In the afternoon, we went to Nine Arches Bridge. It was a Sunday, a Sri Lankan holiday, so it was *packed*—mostly locals and very few white tourists! Even though it was crowded, it was cool because it was all Sri Lankans. We waited an hour for the train. It’s worth seeing, but honestly, I didn’t think it was that amazing. Then we headed to the station to check if we needed to book tickets for the train to Haputale—turns out, no.
Monday, December 23rd: Beautiful weather. We hiked Ella Rock—a gorgeous trek. The final stretch is steep but shaded, so it wasn’t as tough as I’d read. The whole hike is stunning from start to finish. We saw the train pass twice (one blue, one red) and lots of women picking tea. After that, we did Little Adam’s Peak. It’s not hard, but it was *packed* with tourists—meh. Luckily, at the top, you can walk a bit farther (down one side and back up) to get some space to yourself. What I *didn’t* like was the commercial vibe at the big café/restaurant with a pool at the entrance of Little Adam’s Peak. Loud music, all that money being made right next to little souvenir stands run by Sri Lankans or tea-picking women. Felt off. Ended the day buying souvenirs at one of the few shops we found during the trip.
Tuesday, December 24th: Beautiful weather. Took the train to Haputale. We got to the station 30 minutes before the 9:30 AM train. We could’ve taken 2nd or 3rd class—I went with 2nd (160 LKR per person). It was crowded, but we managed to get seats—first 2, then 3. Only a 1-hour ride, but I *loved* it—windows and doors open the whole time. Arrived in Haputale around 11 AM, and the mist was already rolling in. We walked to our guesthouse, The Mist Holiday Bungalow. Simple but clean, with a great view of the tea plantations. The owner’s wife is Vietnamese and used to work for French tour operators, so her French is still pretty good—helpful for us since our English is terrible. They booked us a tuk-tuk for 4:45 AM the next day (2,000 LKR) to Lipton’s Seat. Spent the afternoon wandering around Haputale. Not much charm, but there’s a nice fruit and veggie market and a short walk through the tea plantations.
Wednesday, December 25th: Beautiful weather. The tuk-tuk was on time to take us to Lipton’s Seat. We were the first ones there—the sky was just starting to turn pink. In the end, only about ten of us watched the sunrise. The guesthouse had packed us breakfast, and we walked back down (half on the road, half through the plantations). Didn’t see any tea picking since it was Christmas, but the walk was still incredible. We took detours through villages full of kids. After that, we visited the tea factory. The tour was really interesting, and we took the bus back down to Haputale. Such a great moment—whole families were heading to mass, dressed up and made up. All so beautiful.
At noon, we left for Udawalawe National Park. Taxi for 14,000 LKR. Stayed at River Inn Safari Cottage. *Warning*: It’s the same place as Eagle Safari Cottage. I don’t recommend it. We’d always stayed with families before, but here it was just staff—totally different vibe. The pool was nice but not very clean (water was murky). The bungalow was big and fine, but it was brand new—so new the asphalt floor wasn’t fully dry. It’s in the middle of nowhere, so we had to eat on-site. Couldn’t leave a review on Booking because they never confirmed we’d stayed, and they canceled our reservation the next day.
Thursday, December 26th: Beautiful weather. I’d booked a safari through the hotel for 5:30–10 AM for 54 USD. Honestly, yes, there are a lot of jeeps, but it was great. The kids loved it—we saw everything there was to see. Left by taxi at 11:30 AM for Welligama (12,000 LKR). We didn’t stay in Welligama city but at Coconut Beach, between Welligama and Midigama. *Total crush* on the guesthouse: Sky Mountain Café with View. Such a lovely family. The mom makes amazing meals at reasonable prices. The view from the hill over the sea is unreal. Spent the afternoon walking along the beach.
Friday, December 27th: Beautiful weather. My kids are surfers. Unfortunately, there weren’t any boards their size to rent at Coconut, so we took a tuk-tuk to Welligama Bay (1,000 LKR). They surfed from 8 AM to 5 PM—rental was 5,000 LKR for the day. Meanwhile, we walked the beach and swam. Water was 29°C.
Saturday, December 28th: Beautiful weather, rain from 4 PM until midnight. Same surf day. They were so well-behaved the whole trip, so this was their reward.
Sunday, December 29th: Beautiful weather. Beach day at Coconut. *Warning*: It’s a reef break. For surfers, there are three spots (Coconut Left, Middle, and Right). The boys bodysurfed (with fins) all morning, and at 1 PM, we took the bus to Hikkaduwa. Stayed at Hotel Universal Beach. Nothing special—right on the water, but the rooms were dark even though they were clean. The manager was super nice, but the rest was meh, and breakfast was mediocre compared to what we’d had before (2 eggs and 3 slices of toast). Plus, it was late—8 AM. First impression of Hikkaduwa wasn’t great—way too many Russians for our taste.
Monday, December 30th: Beautiful weather. Spent the whole day exploring. Turtle Beach, then the other side of the beach (toward Galle) near the fishing port. The beach there is much wider, with scattered hotels and super quiet. It’s beautiful—I should’ve booked somewhere in that area. Ended up having a great day away from the crowds.
Tuesday, December 31st: Overcast, then beautiful, rain at 4 PM. Had to end the year (and the trip) with some surf. Rented boards for the kids (3,000 LKR per board for the day). Bad luck—the waves were on a reef break but small. Not great for them, but no big deal. They still got out of the water by 2 PM. Walked the beach (which is gorgeous), had a juice, and went for a swim. Then back to surfing in the rain at 4 PM.
Wednesday, January 1st: Left by taxi at 5 AM (18,000 LKR). Flight at 10 AM. Arrived in Madrid at 8 PM.
The Pekoe Trail (Sri Lanka): possible to do independently?
Hi there, we’re heading to Sri Lanka in early February for 15 days. We’d like to do a few days of trekking and thought we’d need an agency and a guide, but we’ve heard about the Pekoe Trail—a long-distance trail that’s supposedly well-marked. Is that accurate? Is it doable on our own? I’d love to hear from anyone who’s familiar with it. Thanks!
What currency should I use to pay for hotels in Sri Lanka?
Hi there,
I have another question:
Should I bring dollars since hotels on Booking are listed in dollars...
or should I exchange my euros for rupees?
Thanks for your experience!
3 weeks in April 2025: Sri Lanka, Nepal, or New Zealand – anyone interested?
Hi,
I already posted an ad for April for Cape Verde, the Canary Islands, etc., but it’s possible I’ll have more time off than expected and could leave for 3 weeks starting April 19.
In that case, I’m considering Sri Lanka, which has great weather across much of the country, or New Zealand, where it’s autumn and everything’s cheaper with still-pleasant weather. Nepal could also be an option, even though it apparently starts raining there.
I’d be available for 3 weeks starting April 19, give or take. Open to other far-flung destinations with good weather.
Looking for a female travel companion.
I travel backpacker-style, on a tight budget, using local transport or renting a car (for New Zealand, for example).
Feel free to message me privately.
Sri Lanka by train: start in the North or the South?
Hi there,
I’m heading to Sri Lanka for a month on January 6th.
I’d love to know whether it’s more interesting to start in the north or the south of the country, especially for the beauty of the landscapes—by train in particular.
Thanks for your help!
Entry authorization for 24h in Sri Lanka (transit)
hi there
I’m heading to Sri Lanka for a month from January 6th to February 3rd, then I’ve got a flight to the Maldives from February 3rd to 15th, and... I’m coming back to Sri Lanka for one night from the 15th to the 16th to catch my flight back to France. Because my flight ticket is from January 6th to February 16th... I’m wondering about my travel authorization. Will I get a transit authorization for one day to board my flight?
Thanks for shedding some light on this!
Economic situation in Sri Lanka
Hi everyone, I’m thinking of visiting Sri Lanka at the end of February 2025, but I’m worried about the economic situation (shortages of food, electricity, internet, fuel, etc.) as well as the political and social climate (strikes, protests, etc.). Has anyone here been there recently and can describe what it’s like?
Is the current situation stable enough to travel in this beautiful country without any issues? Thanks for your replies.
Is the current situation stable enough to travel in this beautiful country without any issues? Thanks for your replies.
3-Month Itinerary: Sri Lanka then India
Hello
I’m leaving for just under a month in Sri Lanka. Departing from Toulouse on December 9, 2024.
No set itinerary, but roughly: the south (Galle) for snorkeling, Ella, Kandy, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Tricomalee+Nivalelli, Isurumuniya, and finishing near Negombo.
Flight to Chennai on January 6, 2025.
4/5 days in Chennai, then the Andaman Islands for 2/3 weeks. After that, Pondicherry, Madurai, Cochin, Kerala, and Goa. I’ll improvise.
Since I’m traveling for three months total, I’ll prioritize guest houses and/or mid-range hotels. I’ll also use local transport (with a few exceptions).
I’m retired and open-minded. I’ll leave my travel blog here—you’ll get a little sense of me: http://famillevoyageetlh.eklablog.com/sulawesi-p3015543?
Hervé
Since I’m traveling for three months total, I’ll prioritize guest houses and/or mid-range hotels. I’ll also use local transport (with a few exceptions).
I’m retired and open-minded. I’ll leave my travel blog here—you’ll get a little sense of me: http://famillevoyageetlh.eklablog.com/sulawesi-p3015543?
Hervé
Bus transport from Rakwana to Nuwara Eliya (Sri Lanka)
hi there
I’m planning part of my route: Udawalawe, then Rakwana and Nuwara Eliya. I can’t find a bus connection from Rakwana, so I’d love any ideas. thanks philippe
I’m planning part of my route: Udawalawe, then Rakwana and Nuwara Eliya. I can’t find a bus connection from Rakwana, so I’d love any ideas. thanks philippe
4-week itinerary in Sri Lanka in March
Hi there,
I’ve sketched out a rough itinerary for Sri Lanka (from late February to late March), starting in Colombo and then going clockwise (so I’d begin with Negombo, Anuradhapura, and I don’t think I’ll head all the way north to Jaffna because that’s a lot of kilometers just for a round trip—unless you can convince me otherwise! ;)). After that, I’ll hit the Cultural Triangle and then the tea plantations in the center of the island. The east coast will depend on how much time I have left and the weather (I’ve heard March can be rough on the east coast). I’ll wrap up my trip with the beaches in the south, back to Colombo. 😊
What do you think of this 4-week itinerary? (On the map, a few points aren’t connected by lines—that means I’m not sure if I’ll go there):
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1TX9sgHSjh9iwINIIknOG4LtCieNdUOw&ll=7.716250171694787%2C81.39557361748045&z=7
Maybe there are a few too many stops, so I’d love some suggestions to streamline this itinerary a bit.
Thanks in advance for your feedback and advice on how many days to spend in each place! :)
Bus from Tangalle (or Beliatha) to Hatton (Sri Lanka)
Hi there,
Need a little help: How do I get from Tangalle (or from Beliatha/Beliatta) to Hatton (I’m staying a few days nearby in Dickoya)?
Thanks! Florent
Need a little help: How do I get from Tangalle (or from Beliatha/Beliatta) to Hatton (I’m staying a few days nearby in Dickoya)?
Thanks! Florent
Sri Lanka Visa / ETA
Hi everyone!
So happy the forum is back—I’ve been part of it since 2012! ☺️
After lots of twists and turns with Sri Lanka’s visa (called ETA) over the past few months, here’s a quick recap of the current situation for travelers:
- You need to get an ETA, either online or on arrival. I recommend doing it online because it’s cheaper (here’s a step-by-step guide to avoid common pitfalls: https://www.tongsetsrilanka.com/mode-demploi-pour-eta-au-sri-lanka)
- It’s valid for 30 days and costs $50 online or $60 on arrival.
- It was supposed to be free starting October 1st, but due to the elections and Parliament being dissolved, that didn’t happen. Stay tuned in December in case the topic comes up again.
- The online ETA is recorded in your passport, so you don’t need to show any documents, but I’d still recommend traveling with the confirmation.
- If you didn’t receive the confirmation email, you can check the status on the official ETA website.
- The only official site is eta.gov.lk. Watch out for agency websites pretending to be the official one.
- Avoid filling out your ETA on the French version—it’s buggy. Use my guide and do it in English instead. 😅
Happy travels! Caroline
So happy the forum is back—I’ve been part of it since 2012! ☺️
After lots of twists and turns with Sri Lanka’s visa (called ETA) over the past few months, here’s a quick recap of the current situation for travelers:
- You need to get an ETA, either online or on arrival. I recommend doing it online because it’s cheaper (here’s a step-by-step guide to avoid common pitfalls: https://www.tongsetsrilanka.com/mode-demploi-pour-eta-au-sri-lanka)
- It’s valid for 30 days and costs $50 online or $60 on arrival.
- It was supposed to be free starting October 1st, but due to the elections and Parliament being dissolved, that didn’t happen. Stay tuned in December in case the topic comes up again.
- The online ETA is recorded in your passport, so you don’t need to show any documents, but I’d still recommend traveling with the confirmation.
- If you didn’t receive the confirmation email, you can check the status on the official ETA website.
- The only official site is eta.gov.lk. Watch out for agency websites pretending to be the official one.
- Avoid filling out your ETA on the French version—it’s buggy. Use my guide and do it in English instead. 😅
Happy travels! Caroline
Your thoughts on my Sri Lanka itinerary for November 2024
hi there,
what a joy this forum is back up and running!
so happy to be the first Sri Lanka post.
it’s helped me plan so many real trips—unlike other sites that are mostly commercial, pushing drivers, and such.
new adventure in Sri Lanka! here’s our itinerary from November 6th to 22nd, 2024.
Our plan: 3 days in Habarana (Mineriya or Kaudulla, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Sigiriya) 3 days in Kandy (including two days at the Elephant Freedom Project) 1 day on the train from Kandy to Haputale (Lipton’s Seat) 2 days in Ella 1 day in Uda Walawe 1 flexible day to adjust as needed 2 days in Tangalle or nearby (which beaches are the quietest?) 1 day in Galle 1 day in Colombo
thank you in advance for any tips or advice you can share—we’re so excited to explore this amazing country!
looking forward to hearing from you, we’ll be sure to share our experience when we’re back.
Monique
new adventure in Sri Lanka! here’s our itinerary from November 6th to 22nd, 2024.
Our plan: 3 days in Habarana (Mineriya or Kaudulla, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Sigiriya) 3 days in Kandy (including two days at the Elephant Freedom Project) 1 day on the train from Kandy to Haputale (Lipton’s Seat) 2 days in Ella 1 day in Uda Walawe 1 flexible day to adjust as needed 2 days in Tangalle or nearby (which beaches are the quietest?) 1 day in Galle 1 day in Colombo
thank you in advance for any tips or advice you can share—we’re so excited to explore this amazing country!
looking forward to hearing from you, we’ll be sure to share our experience when we’re back.
Monique
Looking for a reliable travel agency with driver and guide in Sri Lanka
Hello, we’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka in April 2025.
We’re a family of four adults, and we love getting off the beaten path while still enjoying local life and, of course, visiting the main tourist sites (after all, you can’t visit a country without appreciating its highlights!).
We’re looking for a reputable travel agency for a private trip with a driver and a guide—whether they speak French or not. Yes, it’s possible! We were lucky enough to have this experience on our last two trips to India and Laos. It was absolutely wonderful, insightful, and enriching thanks to the local visits.
Anyway, if anyone has done a similar road trip, we’d love to follow in your footsteps.
Thanks for all your tips!
NorGra
Anuradhapura et/ou Polonnaruwa (Sri Lanka)
Bonjour
Je prépare un voyage pour 02/2021 (si convid nous laisse tranquille)
Ma question est de savoir si il faut faire ces deux sites ?
Si la réponse est non : lequel des deux de préférence ? (Je pencherais pour les 2 pour le moment)
Et si nous visitons Polonnaruwa peut on avoir comme base Sigiriya et rayonner durant 3 jours (Anuradhapura non inclus dans ces 3 jours, bien entendu)
Merci pour vos retours
Ericat
Renouvelement passeport avec e-Visa encore valide pour le Sri Lanka
Bonjour tout le monde,
Je viens de prendre rdv pour renouveler mon passeport, mais je viens de me rendre compte que j'ai un E-visa pour le Sri Lanka lié a mon passeport et encore valide jusqu'en septembre. Ai-je le droit de conserver mon passeport?
Merci d'avance!
Je viens de prendre rdv pour renouveler mon passeport, mais je viens de me rendre compte que j'ai un E-visa pour le Sri Lanka lié a mon passeport et encore valide jusqu'en septembre. Ai-je le droit de conserver mon passeport?
Merci d'avance!
