Considered as the new surfing destination in the world, the country also offers much more besides its deserted beaches. Check out what to do in Sri Lanka!
The interior of this island in the Indian Sea is rich in culture, temples, outdoor activities and tea. Lots and lots of teas. I went there to check it out and prepared a screenplay 10 days infallible for you to enjoy what this country has to offer.
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Check out what to do in Sri Lanka:
DAY 1: Arrival at Bandaranayake Airport
Overnight in Colombo or Negombo.
The country's main airport is Bandaranayake, located 33km north of Colombo, capital do Sri Lanka, and that's what you're likely to come to. The decision of where you are going to spend your first night should basically depend on your next destination.
If you arrive at the airport after dark or do not want to continue your journey on the same day, you have two options: Colombo or Negombo. If your plan is to follow this route, head to Colombo, where you'll have to pass either way (by train or bus) to head south. If you choose to take the opposite route, go to Negombo, where you can arrange bus connections to the east of the country.
Yes, it's true, the capital of Sri Lanka doesn't deserve much attention and, therefore, most travelers choose to stay the first night in Negombo, the seaside town that is only 5 km from the airport. My recommendation, however, is that if you are on a tight schedule and arrive in Bandaranayake in the morning – and still have the energy to face a train journey – don’t go to either one or the other, but go straight to the your next destination, Galle.
Day 2: Train ride to Galle
Overnight in Galle.
Depart in the morning for Galle, a city on the south coast of Sri Lanka, and gateway to several paradisiacal beaches full of waves located to the north and east. Galle can serve as a base for those who want to enjoy the beaches of this region, but remember that here, the main attraction is still the fortress, and if you are looking for the experience of waking up and then putting your foot in the sand for the next few days, choose to stay in Hikkaduwa or Bentota, to the north (between Galle and Colombo) or in Unawatuna, the next stop east of Galle.
The train journey from Colombo to Galle, in itself, is already an attraction and is considered the second most scenic train journey in the country, right after the famous section between Ella and Kandy, in the Sri Lankan countryside. Therefore, I recommend that you try to do this route by train (instead of by bus) and in the morning. Don't forget to sit on the right side of the train, so you're guaranteed to enjoy the view of the dozens of beaches on the west coast.
Galle it is ideal for lunch and spending the late afternoon wandering the alleys of the fortress founded by the Portuguese in the XNUMXth century. Another suggested tour is to climb the wall itself and surround the entire old city enjoying the view of the colonial houses on one side and the sea on the other. Snap photos in front of the lighthouse and stop at Flag Rock for sunset, where youngsters will be daring leaps and almost ornamental leaps into the sea below.
Day 3: Departure by bus to Mirissa
Overnight in Mirissa.
Mirissa not only does it have great restaurants, lively nightlife and good accommodation options, but it is also strategically located in the middle of the best beaches on the south coast and a great beach to hang out on the sand and enjoy the sea.
It is also from Mirissa that go on boat trips in search of one of the largest groups of blue whales in the world, which resides throughout the year in the waters near the coast. Although this tour is considered a must-see by many, I cannot recommend it. Besides being very expensive (around 50-60USD) when compared to other tours around the country, depending on how rough the sea is, a day that should be unforgettable and pleasant, can become unforgettable and horrible.
There are hundreds of true horror stories on the high seas of people who have had bad experiences. Depending on how long it takes to find the whales, the tour can take up to 8 hours, with people feeling sick during the entire journey.
Many report that the rate of people who feel sick is up to 50%! In addition, there are dozens of boats with hundreds of tourists in a day chasing fins in a zigzag pattern. Can't recommend it, right? If you have the opportunity to take another whale watching tour somewhere else where the scenery is different, go for the second option.
Day 4: Explore the beaches between Galle and Mirissa by scooter
The beaches between Galle and Mirissa are where the southern party happens, especially when referring to the sea. With beaches still full of coconut trees and waves to call their own, this corner of the country has become the true paradise of world surfing.
There are waves for all levels of difficulty. There is even the possibility of learning to surf here, in the waves of Weligama! It is also on these beaches, mainly in Dalawella and Koggala, that you can see the famous fishermen of the Sri Lanka, who balance sitting on top of a thin log, in the middle of the sea, to fish. They hang out in groups of dozens at various points on the beaches, and they won't hesitate to get off the trunk in seconds to ask you for a tip as soon as you point a camera in their direction.
The best way to visit the beaches in this region is, without a doubt, renting a motorbike. Only then will you have enough time and flexibility to enjoy every corner of this unexplored paradise. To use the bike for 24 hours you will pay less than 6 dollars/rent (800 rupees), plus 2 dollars for gasoline. I suggest a stop in Thalpe for those who want isolation and tranquility, stops in Dalawella, Koggala and Anhangama to photograph the fishermen, and stops at Unawatuna, Midigama and Weligama for surfing.
Day 5: Explore the beaches between Mirissa and Tangalle by scooter
Overnight in Tangalle.
It is possible that on that day you will barely see someone crossing your path across the sands. The beaches here are not wonderful, but deserted. The reason for this is that the waves here are rough and break very close to the beach, which makes them neither suitable for surfing nor ideal for a calm dip. Few end up coming to these parts, but believe me you will see few beaches as beautiful as these in the entire country.
Talalla, Dikwella and Tangalle beaches are my recommended stopovers for the day. Dondra makes it worth the short d-tour from the main road to visit the lighthouse that also marks the southernmost point of the country. Further on, after Tangalle, if you still have time, be sure to visit Marakolliya, with waves so strong that they invade a good part of the tombo beach, and Rekawa, which has its own institute to observe the sea turtles that use the beach to lay their eggs. your eggs.
Day 6: Trip to Ella with stop at Uda Walawe National Park
If your budget is not so tight, now is the time to invest in a more premium service and hire a driver and car to make the journey directly from Tangalle to Ella with a stop at Uda Walawe.
If you're there during peak season, it shouldn't be hard to find other travelers to share that expense either. By public transport, you may have to go back to Matara to catch the next bus towards Ella, a journey that takes more than 7 hours. Without private transport, it would also be even more difficult to stop, carrying suitcases, to see the elephants of the Uda Walawe National Park, in the middle of the way, and then follow the journey also by public transport.
Uda Walawe National Park is the best place to get in touch with the wild elephants of the Sri Lanka, and the best times to see them in greater numbers are from 6:30 to 10:00 or between 16:00 and 18:30.
Day 7: Explore Ella
Take the day to explore what Ella has to offer: its mountains and valleys between tea plantations.
Start the day by walking 30 minutes along Estrada Passara towards the east of Ella and access the trail (well signposted) that will eventually take you to the rustic and simple Café Asanka, with great natural juices and with the best view of the Nine Arches Bridge, the most photogenic bridge in the country.
Schedule your visit to be there when the train goes over the bridge, which is every day at 9:20, 10:55, 11:55, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30. After the train passes you can freely descend to the bridge and take pictures of the dramatic scenery and explore the tunnels and tracks. Nearby.
To get even closer to the tea plantations, head to Ella's Rock or Little Adams Peak, the two mountains that you can climb in the same day and promise unforgettable views.
Day 8: Take the train from Ella to Kandy
Sri Lanka has a train route between Ella and Kandy, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. On the express train, it takes 7 hours between hundreds of kilometers of tea plantations through the mountains that surround the villages in the interior of the Sri Lanka. The most beautiful stretch, in my opinion, contrary to the opinion of many tour guides, is between Nuwara Eliya and Hatton, not between Ella and Nuwara Eliya. This will be one of the highlights of your trip, so book your window seat in the “Observation Car” or second class at least ten days in advance.
No Sri Lanka, train doors and windows are open throughout the journey (with the exception of first class, which has air conditioning). Some say that the best place to enjoy the view during the trip is at the door of the train itself, and therefore, this is a very popular place among travelers, who do not want to miss having the classic photo hanging out of the train. Be careful not to fall while the train moves and brakes abruptly, as there are no means, under these circumstances, to guarantee the safety of passengers.
If you can't secure your reserved seat for the trip, chances are you'll have to walk almost the entire way, so I recommend that before boarding this, try to book the slower train that leaves from nearby Ella noon. This train takes 11 hours to reach Kandy, so it is not used by tourists and locals alike, but the part of the journey that will take place at night is the least interesting, so, without a doubt, prefer to board this train with a reserved seat. than on the express train where you will have to walk.
Day 9: Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Tour
Virtually everyone who is in Kandy is there to use the base city to visit the other attractions in the surrounding area. Some choose to sleep in Sigiriya or Dambula, but it's also possible to cover these two places on a long day tour from Kandy. Although it is much more comfortable to travel by private car/van/tuk-tuk and sharing the costs with other travelers, it is also possible to visit both places using public transport and tuk-tuks to reach the attractions.
If you can get a group to share the costs of the tuk-tuk or van, start the day as early as possible and around 5 am. This ensures that you will arrive in Sigiriya shortly after sunrise, when the temperature is at its most pleasant for hiking. I cannot stress enough how much I recommend going up Pidurangala mountain, from where you will have the most beautiful view of the valley with Sigiriya mountain in the middle, rather than going up Sigiriya itself (which would prevent you from seeing the whole scenery) .
The price difference between the two is also staggering. To go up to Sigiriya, it's 4500 rupies, while to Pidurangala, it's only 500 rupies! Both are relatively easy to climb, and only take 30 minutes on average.
go on trip to Dambulla, to visit the Buddhist temples embedded in the mountain caves. There are hundreds of statues of… – whoever thought of Buddha got it right – among caves with reddish paintings on the walls. This silent and exotic setting will leave you in awe.
Return to Kandy and in the late afternoon visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth of Buddha, opposite the city's lake, Kandy's main attraction and well worth a visit.
Day 10: Return to Colombo and airport
If you opt to stay overnight in Kandy the day before, head to Colombo by train or by bus directly to Negombo, the city closest to Bandaranayake Airport. If you have opted to stay in Dambulla, there are bus connections directly to the city of Negombo.
additional days
If you have more than 10 days to explore Sri Lanka, here are my suggestions for filling them in:
– Add a day to relax on the beaches in the south of the country;
– Add a day and visit Yala National Park, the best place in the country to find the famous leopards;
– Add two days to visit the ancient city of Anaradhapura in the north;
– Add two to three days and visit the beaches on the east coast of Sri Lanka, still very little explored by tourism, but already famous among the adventurous surfers of the world. The best beaches on the east coast are Aragum Bay, Passekudah, Kalkudah, Uppuveli and Nilaveli. From the latter, it is possible to embark on a boat trip to one of the best places in sri lanka for diving and snorkeling, Pigeon Island.
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