Sri Lanka Travel Forum

Hi
I will be travelling to Sri Lanka in September 2008 and as I will only be staying for a short period I wondered if anyone had any "Must See" places to reccommend. I will be staying in Columbo for 1 night then to Dambulla for 3 nights, Kandy for 2 nights & Nuwara Eliya for 1 night. My trip then continues to the South West Coast for 7 nights.
Any suggestions very welcome.

Hi,

If you are going to stay 03 nights in Dambulla, 02 nights in Kandy and 01 night in N'eliya, you have enough time to see all sites. From Dambulla, you can make excursions to Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya. You can visit the elphant orphanage from Kandy and return to Kandy. Then you have seen almost all the sites.
If you are interested I can send you details of a very good driver guide.

Regards,

Frank.

Sri Lanka isn’t a big island and as Frank says, you can see all the usual sites in the time you have, not least Sigiriya.

I guess you may want to relax during your 7 nights on the west south coast, if not there is plenty to see down here too. The coast road is good these days so much of the south coast is reach able in a day trip, you can hire a car and driver or use the numerous AC buses, which ply the route and are as fast as anything on the road (except maybe a Government Minister) theycost next to nothing. If you have more time you can take a train as far as Matara, much more fun and cheap as chips. If you want a longer trip visit Kataragama, it’s mad.

Regards

Maxus

Hi,
As far as I can see,you are missing the following.
1.The elephant orphanage at Pinnawala
2.The ruins of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.
3.Sigiriya Rock.
have a nice holiday in Sri Lanka.
Pacified.

Galle is a typically local town that is great to just wander around. The main shopping street is a hive of activity with shops, stalls, bicycles, bullock carts etc. Just off the street are a fruit market and a fish market (on the sea side) and a veg n spice market beside the statue of Buddha. Walk due south past the brand new cricket stadium and you'll enter Galle Fort, built by the Dutch in 17th century. The old walls protected the residents from the tsunami, while the new town was devastated. As you walk in you literally enter a bygone age. If you're looking for accommodation go to the Weltevreden, 104 Pedlar St Galle Fort where Mr Piyasina, who has excellent English, will make you very welcome. If you can't stay do call in for a cup of tea or a meal. Unawatuna, the old hippy paradise, is 5kms east(200 rps by tuc-tuc, 15 rps by bus)and has a good beach and lots of restaurants and local shopping stalls. Galle is a must if you want to see Sri Lanka as it is. While in SL say a firm 'No' to the 'guides' (there won't be that many and they don't pester you like in some countries) but do get chatting to the locals. Sri Lankans are lovely people.