Negombo Travel Forum

hello everyone,
thank you all for your answers to my previous questions.
i am planning to do some excursions to dambula,polonaruwa,sigiriya,aukana,habarana and pinawela,i ve been offer a price of 23000 ruppee for the driving there and 9000 ruppee for all the entrance tickets,do you think it s a reasonable price or is it too much?does anyone have the email adress of the beach hotel in negombo?
thank you.

Hiya

This is not really my subject because I normally travel around Sri Lanka with friends, either in their vehicle or by public transport (I like the trains). However I will have a go at answering your question.

Firstly 9000Rs for the entrance fees to all those site feels about right, it is a lot of money in Sri Lanka but foreigners do pay a premium on entrance fees.

Secondly, on a long trip what you pay should depend as much on how long the journey takes you as the mileage. For example, if your journey takes three days and the price includes two nights accommodation then 23000 Rs is not too bad. However, if this is simply for the driving and you are only away two days you are paying too much.

Tourist numbers are down just now so this is a buyers market and you should shop around, lots of VTers have favourite drivers who they can personally recommend.

Regular VTer M.Fink will send you contact details of couple of tourist drivers if you contact him (hope this is ok Mike?)

You can also look at some of the tips on transportation on VTers Sri Lanka pages, start with my friend Sambawalk at: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/80ca6/788/9/

As for the email address of the beach hotel in Negombo, try thebeachres@sltnet.lk

I am sure other people will give you better answers soon, in the mean time take a look at the VT Sri Lanka travel tips and please get back if you have any more questions

Regards

Mark

Hi Evamolle,

The entrance to the sites are, Dambulla Rs.500, Sgiriya US$20, Polonnaruwa US$20, Elephant orphanage Rs.1000 and Aukana Rs.250. If it is a tour for a week or more you can get a taxi for a daily rate. For excursions they would charge per Km. It should be around Rs.35 per Km.

You can contact The Beach hotel through www.jetwinghotels.com.

Cheers,
Frank.