Sri Lanka Travel Forum

Hello. My partner and I are looking to combine a trip to the Maldives with 6 days in Sri Lanka. We would like to base ourselves in a hotel and then travel to see the country, but have a couple of questions...!

Where would be best to have our 'base'? Definites for us to visit are the elephant orphanage and some of the ancient cities. We are happy to use public transport (is it safe?) and would like to experience some of the real Sri Lanka, as opposed to staying in the resort. Having said that, it would nice if the hotel had a beach etc so that if we're exhausted we can stay at the hotel and relax!

I realise it's a long wish list but any ideas?!! Any suitable hotel recommendations? Also are there any other 'must see's'?

I was originally looking at the Mount Lavinia hotel but i'm not sure it's in the best place for sightseeing.... The idea of a different hotel appealed though, as opposed to a very polished or diso-every-night resort (which isn;t really our cup of tea).

Thanks for any help!

Sarah

How many days will you stay in Sri Lanka?

The idea of 'basing' yourselves somewhere on the coast and doing day trips to see Sri Lanka is not a good idea. Distances to the sites are long and travel in Sri Lanka is slow.

IMO the 'must sees' include Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Polonnaruwa Ancient City, Dambulla Cave Temple, Kandy (Tooth Temple, Botanical Gardens, the hill (tea) country and a national park.

Public transport is safe, but stressful, and on buses you only bring backpack size luggage.

My suggestion could be:

Stay 1 or 2 nights in Negombo (20-25 mins from the airport) to recover from the flight. Negombo has everything from simple guesthouses to posh 5 star hotels.

Hire an AC car/van with driver/guide and do a 4 days/3 nights tour:

Day 1:
- visit Polonnaruwa Ancient City
- Jeep safari in Minneriya National Park. You can see 100's of wild elephants and many kinds of birds
- Elephant ride at Habarana (about 1 hour)
Stay overnight in Dambulla

Day 2:
- climb Sigiriya Rock
- visit Golden Cave Temple Dambulla
- visit Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala
- visit Kandy Cultural Show
- visit Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of Tooth)
Stay overnight in Kandy

Day 3:
- visit Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya
- Kandy City tour
Drive to Nuwara Eliya via Ramboda Falls
- enjoy the scenic route
- see waterfalls
Stay overnight in Nuwara Eliya

Day 4:
Drive to Negombo via Hatton and Kitulgala
- visit tea plantation and tea factory
- en route see St Claire waterfall and Devon waterfall
- visit place where "The Bridge On The River Kwai" was filmed

Price (based on 2 pax):
Entrance tickets for above sites LKR 31000
Hotels (mid-range) double room with half board LKR 20000 (approx)
Transport LKR 27000 (approx)
Total LKR 78000 (approx)

Stay the remaining time until your flight to Maldives in Negombo.

You will not find 'polished or disco-every-night resorts' in Sri Lanka.

hi.....

Kandy is ideal location to be based explore cultural sites and hill country . you could catch train from Colombo 2 hrs will be the cheapest way. There plenty of guest houses range from 10-15 us$ upward with indeed local atmosphere clean & basic accommodation.
Going there from pinnawala elephant orphanage 1 hr , nuwaraeliya tea plantation 2 hrs and sigiriya/dambulla 3 hrs ,so easy approachable for most main attractions .

Have a nice trip.

Micy

Kandy is an ideal place to stay... After reading your question I fell what you need is a "down to earth" trip where you can use public transport etc. It's safe in day time. Night, I would recommend you hire a taxi. But if you see total comfort, I will always advice you go with a tour guide who will sell you a package.

I'm not a tour guide but I have been living here almost 30 years. Let me know if I can be of any help. I don't charge :)