Sri Lanka
Destination Guide
How to use my destination guides
My destination guides are organised in two main sections:
Overview
This will help you to decide if this is a location for you, and if so, where you may want to spend your time. For larger countries, I also provide additional overviews of different regions, states and territories.
Specific Recommendations
Here I list specific things to see and do. For each, I provide star ratings so that you can easily see how good, unique and adventurous each place is. This means that you can easily pick out where sounds right for you!
Photos note: All of the photos you see on my website are taken by me or of me!
Overview
Sri Lanka is a beautiful island nation located south of India in the Indian Ocean. It has good food, fascinating history, incredible beaches and a lot of elephants! Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is a small country around the size of the Republic of Ireland and is home to around 22 million people. The majority of the island’s population are Singalese with a minority Tamil population located primarily in the north and east of the country.
I found Sri Lanka to be a perfect place for adventurers. It’s easy to navigate, affordable, safe and has beautiful weather. The people are lovely and being a former British colony, you will find that many people speak English. Sri Lanka is a great place for a well-balanced travel experience. Its affordability means that living in luxury won’t break the bank, and its stunning beaches give great opportunities to relax. You also have plenty of opportunities for adventure, such as exploring the ancient capital of Sigiriya, surfing, driving, whale watching, driving a tuk tuk, taking trains through the mountains, or going on safari. Sri Lanka really does offer something for everyone.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful island nation located south of India in the Indian Ocean. It has good food, fascinating history, incredible beaches and a lot of elephants! Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is a small country around the size of the Republic of Ireland and is home to around 22 million people. The majority of the island’s population are Singalese with a minority Tamil population located primarily in the north and east of the country.
I found Sri Lanka to be a perfect place for adventurers. It’s easy to navigate, affordable, safe and has beautiful weather. The people are lovely and being a former British colony, you will find that many people speak English. Sri Lanka is a great place for a well-balanced travel experience. Its affordability means that living in luxury won’t break the bank, and its stunning beaches give great opportunities to relax. You also have plenty of opportunities for adventure, such as exploring the ancient capital of Sigiriya, surfing, driving, whale watching, driving a tuk tuk, taking trains through the mountains, or going on safari. Sri Lanka really does offer something for everyone.
To me, there is also the perfect level of tourism. There is an established tourist industry here with nice hotels and a great calibre of backpackers to socialise with; however, with fewer tourists than in more popular places such as south-east Asia, despite there being very cheap flights to and from there. Sri Lanka is easily one of my favourite countries, so be sure to consider it for your next well-rounded travel trip!
To me, there is also the perfect level of tourism. There is an established tourist industry here with nice hotels and a great calibre of backpackers to socialise with; however, with fewer tourists than in more popular places such as south-east Asia, despite there being very cheap flights to and from there.
Sri Lanka is easily one of my favourite countries, so be sure to consider it for your next well-rounded travel trip!
The Language
The majority of the people are Sinhalese and speak the Sinhalese language. There is a minority Tamil population who speak Tamil. As a former British colony, many people speak good English, making it easy to befriend the lovely locals!
Economy and Safety
Sri Lanka is a developing nation, so it’s very affordable for foreigners. It is largely clean and well organised, with buses and trains available. The British built many trains during their government there and these train journeys are some of the must-do tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. Most famous is the route from Kandy to Ella through beautiful mountains and I also enjoyed taking the train from Galle to Colombo along the coast.
I love Sri Lankan people and found them incredibly laid-back, friendly, open and approachable. Most people have a stress-free visit; however, I do have a female friend who did have some bad experiences with men in the country, including once at her accommodation, where a local was forward towards her, so I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that here. If you are a female traveller, it may be best to consider staying in hostels or hotels where you are in a group just to be safe.
Travel Ease
Sri Lanka is very easy to navigate. Many towns and cities are walkable and you can easily hire tuk-tuks as a taxi to drive you around either for individual trips or for the day. I found activities like Safaris were easy to organise, with it being convenient to book things last-minute and travel spontaneously for the most part. You may find, however, that some activities aren’t possible at certain times of year, so check the seasons before you go and how it affects what you would like to do there.
Buses in Sri Lanka are crazy and they drive like the Night Bus from Harry Potter. They are terrifying, but also a must-do experience. You will also find that most have a conductor on them as well as a driver, which makes stopping more efficient. Typically, you will enter a bus and find a seat. The conductor then comes to you to take your payment in cash once you are seated.
I found trains easy to book, although for the famous Kandy-Ella train journey, see my travel-specific recommendations for more information on how to ensure you get a good seat.
Many people choose to rent a tuk-tuk and drive around the island, which can be a lot of fun. You can rent a tuk-tuk in Negombo, which is a district just north of Colombo and close to the international airport. Many rental companies will also organise for someone to drive your tuk-tuk from Kandy to Ella for you so that you can take this famous train journey and pick it up again from the other side. Note that you will need an international driving licence and to also get a further Sri Lankan driving licence to do this when you arrive. You can do this in Colombo, or some tuk-tuk rental companies take a fee to do this for you.
The Beaches
Sri Lanka is an island nation with beautiful beaches. I had many a happy time surfing and relaxing at the beaches on the south coast. There are plenty of places to choose from, some quiet and some like Weligama being more touristy.
The Wildlife
Sri Lanka is famed for its incredible wildlife. Whether it’s whale watching or diving to see the incredible marine life, or going on safari to see elephants and, if you’re lucky, leopards! Also, when I say elephants, you should know there are loads of them! Wild elephants in Sri Lanka are no joke; however and around 150 people die per year in Sri Lanka from elephant-related attacks.
The Cities
Sri Lanka isn’t a place to see large, sprawling cities. Its capital, Colombo, is nice enough, but nothing overly memorable. Some other settlements are more interesting in my opinion, like the mountain city of Kandy in the centre of the island. Some older towns also have character, like the former Dutch and later British coastal fort town of Galle.
The People
Sri Lankan people are incredible! I found them to be great fun, lively, happy, laid back and approachable all at the same time. Because so many people speak English there its also easy to make connections with the locals.
History
Sri Lanka is a great melting pot of culture. Historically, it has been home to several kingdoms controlling various parts of the island. One of which had potentially the coolest title of any ruler ever: The King of Kandy. A must-see in Sri Lanka is Sigiriya. Located in the centre of the island, this is a huge, steep-sided rock with a fortress on top and ruins in the lowlands around it. Other temples, caves, ruins and large buddhas are located around the country, which make for great places to visit.
The Dutch colonised some of Sri Lanka and created the beautiful fort town of Galle on the south coast. You can still see the Dutch East India insignia in the fort. The British later took possession of Sri Lanka, which was then called Ceylon. The British were also the first to take control of the whole island and ruled for 150 years. Sri Lanka was made independent in 1948; however, many signs of the British remain and I saw many red British postboxes dotted around still, which made for a nice reminder of home. Tea plantations occupy many of the highlands, particularly around Kandy. A hill station called Nuwara Eliya is also a popular tourist destination and is often called ‘Little England’ as many of the houses have a British architectural style.
Sri Lanka had a civil war from 1983 to 2009. This was a result of tension and conflict between the majority Sinhalese population and the minority Tamil population. Most of the conflict took place in the north and east of the country. Many Sri Lankans have family and friends who were lost in the conflict, so use tact if you wish to discuss this period with the locals.
Sri Lanka has a fascinating history. The ruins of Sigiriya are my favourite and are really mindblowing and are a testament to human ingenuity and determination.
Overview Summary
Sri Lanka is a true hidden gem. It is one of the best places for travellers of all kinds, from backpackers to honeymooners. It had great people and a wealth of fun things to do, as well as offering plenty of opportunities to relax. It’s affordable and has incredible people and I can not imagine anyone not having a great time here! It’s also a great place to visit if you have a shorter amount of time for travel, such as 2-4 weeks, as you can see a lot in a short space of time. That being said, you can easily stay here for much longer too.
Specific Recommendations
How to interpret my specific recommendations
My specific recommendations are listed below. Firstly, you will find: its name, a quick link to locate and save it to your Google Maps, and for some, a photo. The photos, if present, like all those on this page, have either been taken by me or feature me in them. If you save the location to your Google Maps, I suggest that you add a note on there too, to remind you that you heard about it here. A good way to do this is by copying my website link into the location description. This way, you can check back here nearer the time of your visit to jog your memory as to what is there. I use Google Maps to plan all of my trips and, when used to its full potential, it is incredible! If you haven’t already, check out my blog post on how I use Google Maps to revolutionise my travels!
I provide a description of each location, as well as a duration estimate for how long you may want to spend at that location, to help with your planning.
I also provide star ratings for three categories.
Andy Argo
My overall rating
Worth seeing if you’re passing
Worth a detour if you have time
A must see!
Adventure
The level of exertion and danger involved
Easy to access, low risk and no strenuous exercise required
Some exercise is required, such as hiking. Some risks, such as bad weather, uneven ground, steep edges, etc.
Involves more exercise, greater danger or both. Examples include diving or scrambling up mountains, where experience is required.
Uniqueness
How well known and unique a destination is
A well-known destination or one that is not overly unique. I have listed restaurants in this category as food is everywhere.
Somewhat unknown or unique
Very unique
Some other points to note are:
- I like a bit of danger and history, so you may find that my ‘Andy Argo’ star ratings are sometimes (but not always) a little biased in favour of these types of locations.
- On my ‘Andy Argo’ stars, if I have given something one star, it’s good and worth doing. Having one star doesn’t mean it’s bad; it’s still high praise, as I only include the crème de la crème on this list!
- My duration recommendations are based on what I think is the minimum amount of time you would want to spend there. I always recommend being spontaneous when travelling and changing plans depending on your circumstances, how you feel, and following advice from locals. Remember you’re there to enjoy it, so don’t feel rushed and stressed, you’re on holiday!
- In a small handful of instances, I have included somewhere I have been with zero Andy Argo stars. I have done this a handful of times for very touristy places. These are locations which I have been to and which are sufficiently famous that I think people would wonder why they aren’t on the list, but which, in my opinion, don’t make the cut and are overrated (sorry).
- I have been to the vast majority of these recommendations; however, sometimes I include several locations which I haven’t been to for the following reasons:
- A friend of mine has been there and has highly recommended it to me.
- Internet searches suggest it sounds noteworthy enough to include.
Disclaimer – I am not responsible for your safety or enjoyment at any of these locations. Everything I have recommended here is based on my experience and opinion. I may have recommended places I visited years ago or, as mentioned previously, a handful which I have had recommended to me. Do your own research before visiting any attractions to ensure that you think you will enjoy them and that they are sufficiently safe. My recommended duration times are also estimates based on my opinion; do your own further research and plan accordingly. I have recommended places which I think people will like, but it is all based on my opinion; I may love something that you hate. Be sure to have sufficient travel insurance and make your own judgments. Check weather forecasts and consult reputable local guidance before visiting anywhere you seek to visit. For more adventurous activities, ensure that you are physically and mentally prepared and that you have the right supervision, equipment, and training for the activity. Long story short, use some common sense and don’t sue me, I’m broke enough already. Happy travels, Andy
Specific Recommendations
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: District and beach
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Negombo is a coastal town with a beach located north of Sri Lanka’s capital city of Colombo and close to the international airport. Colombo as a city is ok, but to be honest its small and without anything overly unique, so not really worth spending much, if any time there.
Negombo, however, is nice, and it’s a good place to stay before or after a flight in and out of Sri Lanka. It also has the beach where my main title image was taken, with the small boats on it. It is a good place to rent a tuk-tuk, which you can drive. Some people drive themselves around the whole country and return it here. There are also options for someone else to drive your tuk-tuk from Kandy to Ella for you to pick up again, as many people like to take the iconic train ride between the two towns (more on that later). I rented a tuk-tuk in Negombo for one day as I wanted to use scooters, trains, local buses, etc. to get around. I would recommend renting a tuk-tuk, as there aren’t many places where you can drive them and they’re a lot of fun. I expected it to be similar to driving a scooter, although they are a bit more awkward at first, the handling is interesting and also changing gears is different to that of a car and motorbike. Most people refused to rent me a tuk-tuk for just one day, so I offered a bit over the day rent and secured one for a day. I loved driving around Negombo with a friend I made from my hostel, who tagged along. I also picked up a stranger in it, which was a laugh and ended up being one of the more unusual ways I have made friends with strangers.
Note: If you would like to drive in Sri Lanka legally, you have to bring your driving licence and an international driving licence. You then take these and your passport to one of their government offices to get a Sri Lankan driving licence. I haven’t had this in any other countries, but it was actually quite quick, cheap and easy and made for a good souvenir. Some rental companies also offer services to obtain a Sri Lankan licence for you.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: City
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Kandy is a fun small city located in the centre of Sri Lanka. It was once home to the Kings of Kandy, which is potentially the coolest royal name ever. It’s a nice town with a lake and lots to do.
Below are some of my top recommendations for things to do in Kandy, along with quick links to add them to Google Maps:
- Kandy Lake
A nice lake in the city - Old Royal Palace
Former residence of the King of Kandy (best title ever) - Mallawaarachchi Kandyan Dance, Red Cross Hall
Here you can buy tickets to see a traditional Kandyan dance, which I enjoyed. - Arthur’s Seat View Point
A nice viewpoint overlooking the city - Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
Some nice botanical gardens - Tea Plantation/herb garden
Best of all, I would recommend going to a herbal garden/tea plantation tour. There are a few around. The tours are often free with an expected tip at the end. You will be shown traditional plants and told of their uses in medicine, you can sample the amazing local tea and at the end, you are often given a shoulder massage. I also did a separate tour of a tea plantation because I’m English and love Ceylon (Sri Lankan) tea, so I did another tea plantation tour and tasting experience.
Friendly heads up, if you get car sick, maybe don’t take the local buses! The bus drivers in Sri Lanka are incredible, but they all drive like you are on the night bus from Harry Potter. If you do like an adrenaline rush, though, be sure to get yourself on one!
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Building and viewpoint
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Located just south-west of Kandy is this awesome tower. The pictures don’t do it justice, and I really think it’s worth a visit. The tall white tower looks iconic and Disney-like.
You climb up the inside and then can climb higher on a winding staircase to the top, which wraps externally around the outside of the top of the tower. If you are scared of heights or aren’t too surefooted, maybe don’t go to the very top, as you will notice the stairs get progressively narrower and the landrail lower as you go up. Passing people can also be difficult up there. It’s a lot of fun though and the views are amazing, so it’s definitely worth going to and one of my highlights of Sri Lanka! As this is on a mountain top, the views are still amazing from the bottom, though if you aren’t brave enough to venture higher up.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Transport – Train
Recommended Duration: 7 hours
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
One of the Sri Lanka classics and classic tourist photo opportunity activities is taking the Kandy-Ella train. You can hang out of the doors (at your own risk) and take in the beautiful views as the train meanders through the mountains and tea plantations.
I got some great advice from a friend, which I took and which I will now share with you! Instead of getting the train from Kandy, go to the train station at Peradeniya (on my Google Maps link). This is the stop before the train rolls into Kandy, where all the other tourists get on it. This means that you can grab the best seat on the train! Be sure to get there very early though. I got there what I thought would be early enough, given when the train left Kandy and nearly missed it. You’re best off getting a taxi to Peradeniya Station early to make the most of this iconic railway journey. Grab some food and drink before you get on too, as you’ll be on the train for a fair while. You can also get the train in reverse from Ella to Kandy if you plan your route that way around.
Nuwara Eliya (‘Little England’)
Category: Town with interesting architecture and hiking
Recommended Duration: 4 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
Located in the tea country hills, this area is home to beautiful scenery and plenty of architecturally English-looking homes. The British governed Sri Lanka for over 150 years and many settled in this area, where it is beautiful and cooler up in the mountains. You will also find some nice hiking opportunities in this area.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Town
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Ella is a small and pleasant mountain town. There are hikes, waterfalls, swimming spots and caves in the area. There are a lot of leeches in the area though, so check your legs after hiking and wear long trousers. I would also consider tucking your trousers into your socks too.
You can get the train from here towards Kandy if you didn’t take it from there already (see my notes above on this train journey if you haven’t already).
You can also get a bus from here to the south coast. As I mentioned before though, when speaking about Kandy, this bus journey can be a little spicy as you head down from the mountains towards the coast. And by spicy, I mean the drivers drive down the middle of narrow roads, making an unofficial third lane, using two types of horn liberally as they weave through traffic.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Bridge and viewpoint
Recommended Duration: 30 mins
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This is one of the tourist classics for Sri Lanka. There is a nice hiking trail from the town down to the Nine Arches Bridge with some nice views of the valley. You will see a few tourists around, as it is one of the classic photo spots in Sri Lanka.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Waterfall and swimming
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
A nice waterfall located not far from Ella, with a small hike up to it.
Udawalawe National Park
Category: National park and wildlife
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
This national park is famous for having large amounts of wildlife, including elephants. It’s most famous for having leopards and you have a chance, not a guarantee, but a chance of seeing them on Safari there. You will find elephants at lots of places in Sri Lanka, but this is a good place to see rarer animals like leopards and Sloth Bears.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: History, viewpoint, landscapes and wildlife
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Located in central Sri Lanka, Sigiriya was once the capital of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. An impressive rock rises upwards with vertical sides and atop and surrounding it are ruins of the former capital. It’s an awesome place and a must see if you go to Sri Lanka!
As well as seeing this incredible, historical site, there are also other great things to do in the area:
Pidurangala Rock
A short hike up this rock gives great views of Sigiriya. It’s a good one to do for sunrise too.
Safari
There are lots of opportunities to see wildlife and elephants in Sri Lanka. I did a safari here and saw loads of them. I booked mine through the hostel I was staying at, which was called Tree House Hostel (more on that shortly). Whether it’s here or elsewhere, it’s definitely worth doing a safari in Sri Lanka as the wildlife is amazing! Be aware that wild elephants are dangerous and there are lots of fatalities caused by them each year in Sri Lanka, so be aware and follow local advice.
Tree House Hostel
I don’t typically recommend hostels but I did like this one. It’s pretty basic, but in a great location next to Sigiriya and I met loads of amazing people here. As mentioned, I also organised my safari through this hostel.
Photos: 1) Sigiriya (top and view), 2) Sigiriya (view of rock with ruins ontop shown in photo 1) 3) Safari, 4) Safari, 5) View from Pidurangala Rock towards Sigiriya
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Buddhist Temple
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
A complex of Buddhist Temples and caves.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: History
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Just over an hour east of Sigiraya is Polonnaruwa Ancient City. The ruins are nice and by a lake. You can also head south from here to see the Statue of King Parakramabahu.
Arugam Bay Beach
Category: Beach and beginner surfing area
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
Arugam Bay Beach and Elephant Rock (15 minutes’ drive south) are said to be good beginner surf spots. Do some research though, to make sure you have timed it correctly for the seasons, as the east coast can be variable.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Category: Landscapes and hiking
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
A beautiful area of rainforests, which is renowned for hiking.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Coastal towns, beaches, surfing, wildlife, nightlife.
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
These south coast beach towns are popular with tourists and are renowned for surfing, with lessons offered for beginners. You can also do whale watching off the coast. There is also some nightlife in this are with some larger parties.
These larger parties are often advertised in local hostels so ask around when you’re there if that’s your vibe. You can also get a train from here back towards Colombo via the beautiful coastal route. If you do this I suggest stopping off at Galle on the way back (more info. on that below).
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: History (fort) an coastal town
Recommended Duration: 4 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Pronounced ‘Gaul’, Galle is a beautiful coastal town with a fort. It was founded by the Dutch with the insignia of the Dutch East India company visible in many places including on the canons at the fort.
The British later took possession of the fort and you can see how it was expanded under their rule. Inside the fort are beautiful historic streets, cafes, restaurants and ice cream parlours. A few hours there is sufficient or you could take it easy and stay a whole day if you want to enjoy what’s on offer in the town for longer. I thought Punto Cafe was good there, so be sure to check it out if you are passing. There is also a great free museum, which I loved and which I have listed separately below.
Bonus Galle Tip
There is a small, free museum just outside of (north of) the Slvar Gate. You can still see the British royal insignia above the gate. When I visited, I met a man working there who was a saint. We had a great chat, he offered me tea, food and even let me keep my large backpack at the museum while I looked around the town! Please don’t hold them to this though, as I don’t think they do this for everyone or are obliged to, but if you do need somewhere to leave your bag if you are visiting but not staying the night, like I was, then you can always ask here.
Hikkaduwa Beach
Category: Beach and surfing
Recommended Duration: 4 hours+
Andy visited?:No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
A beach with a reputation for having good waves for beginner surfing.
Thigali
Category: Wildlife
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
Located on Sri Lanka’s west coast, north of Colombo, you can find Thigali. I can’t find any information online to confirm this, but I was told by someone I met in Sri Lanka that there are wild donkeys here, so if you are an animal lover, this could be a good place for you.
Nallur Kandaswamy Devasthanam, Jaffna
Category: Hindu temple
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
Nallur Kandaswamy Devasthanam is a large Hindu temple located in the northern coastal city of Jaffna. The city looks pretty good and the temple looks large and impressive. You can also get to Jaffna by train and I presume the journey there will be beautiful, given the route it takes.
Yapahuwa Rock Fortress
Category: History
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
A large stone fortress.
Athugala Rock
Category: Large Buddha and viewpoint
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
A hike up to a large Buddha with an impressive view of the surrounding area.
Hotel Elephant Bay, Pinnawala
Category: Hotel and wildlife
Recommended Duration: 1 night+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
A woman I met highly recommended this hotel. There is a pool overlooking an area which is commonly frequented by elephants, so you can get a nice close-up view of them while you are having a soak!
I hope that you have found this free Destination Guide useful. It took a lot of time and travel for me to make this, so if you would like to show your thanks by sending a small donation, I would be very grateful. This can be done on my Support Me page. Thank you!
Happy travels!
Andy Argo
You may also like…
Enjoy hearing incredible stories of travellers from all walks of life as they share their stories of exploring the world
Check out my top tips for travellers – whether you’re planning your first trip or continuing the adventure!
Looking to save some money on travel and adventure brands? Use my exclusive discount codes to save on your next trip!
Title image: Negombo, Sri Lanka