Sri Lanka Travel Forum

Is anyone able to suggest a list of the "must see/do things" in Sri Lanka for a bunch of 19 year olds around Xmas this year. Also, roughly how much spending money would be advised to take (I'm Australian so if you could suggest a currency similar to that).

Thanks guys.

Hey guys,

Another travel warning question? I know there have been multiple questions on this topic already, but I'm not very advanced at browsing the forum and can't seem to find them.

I will be traveling to Sri Lanka with a Sri Lankan family and staying in and around Colombo for approximately one month between Dec 08 and Jan 09. I've read all the warnings on the Australian travel website and spoken to a few travel agents and various Sri Lankan people.

The Australian website mentioned that foreigners (I'm white) are being targeted for kidnappings.. And obviously the added risk of bombs blowing up. From what I've gathered, the chance of being blown up isn't too likely (we'll be having drivers take us everywhere).

However, I'm only 19 and this is my first time overseas and I'll be hanging out with my 19 year old sri lankan friend (he is from Australia and has never been overseas either), we'll probably be hitting night clubs there and being out on the town on our own at night. Are these kidnapping reports true?

Being that I am inexperienced with travel, would it be recommended that I do not travel to Sri Lanka? (i.e. is the risk more appropriate for experienced travelers)?

Thanks

what is the cheap way to get to negombo from the airport? do buses go there?

Hey Everyone,

I am Australian who is planning on travelling to Sri Lanka in late December this year. The government here has issued a 'reconsider all travel' warning to Sri Lanka due to the increased violence and bombings etc.

I am looking for some feedback on how safe it is for a tourist over there at the moment. So if you have been over there recently or are a local I would love to here from you.

Cheers,

Andy

Hi,
Is it possible to visit the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage, the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and then return to Colombo in one day? How long is the drive from Colombo to Kandy

It's been raining every day in Pimbura, I’m tired of it so tomorrow we are going across to stay with some SLAF friends based in Trinco, is the weather likely to be any better over there?

Hi everyone!

I am traveling to Sri Lanka (Taj Exotica) from 2 May.. and just now (nothing was told in the travel agency) I found out that it is a start of the Monsoon.. Please, can someone tell is it bad in the beginning of May??? :( And can I expect to get a tan?? :(

Thank you all in advance!

Hi i am planning to visit Comombo in the month of May for 3 days. i request anyone of members of this forum to help me with any female tourist guide.

Dear Tourists

We are planning a trip to Sri Lanka in Jan 09 and want to end it with 5 days in the Maldives. Is it possible to book this when we get to Sri Lanka or should we try to do it in the UK. We don't want to spend more than 5 days in the Maldives if possible due to costs and time constraints.Most holidays in the Uk are for 7 days in the Maldives and they fly straight there rather than stopping off in Colombo.

If anyone has any contacts or information I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for your time.

Mags.

Hi!

We are a group of friends that will be visiting India, Sri Lanka and Maldives between the 30th of December 2008 and the 18th of January 2009. Based on what I have read on the Sri Lanka Forum and the time that we have to spend in Sri Lanka (we are thinking on staying for about 4 days) we want to visit:

The Elephant Sanctuary
Sigiriya Rock
Dambulla Cave Temple
Mihintale, Anuradhapura or Pollonaruwa

However we have the following questions:

Is it "humanly" possible to visit these sights on our 4 day trip?
Where would be the most central place to stay in Sri Lanka for this trip (We would prefer to stay at a Beach Resort, but it isn't required)?
Between Mihintale, Anuradhapura or Pollonaruwa what do you recommend?

Thanks a Million!

Michael

what are the best things in batticaloa?

Hi, 2 of us are traveling from the U.S.A for a Sri-Lankan wedding of a co-worker in early May. As we are not familiar with customs, can anyone pls advise on what an appropriate gift would be?

There are no reviews to read and I'm very skeptical about this place. Can you give me any feedback on Sri Gemunu? Is the air-con working? how is the beach in front? Is there really a reef to snorkel around there? Is the food decent?

Can anyone confirm for me which month the KANDY PERAHERA is being held this year? July or August?

Hi

I wonder is anyone can suggest a website that gives a detailed map of Bentota and surrounding areas, preferably showing the hotels etc at a glance. I have tried Google earth but cant see very much at all.

Thanks in advance

Jules

Hi All,
I see so much knowledge about Sri Lanka on this forum, as anywhere alse, so I believe I'll find the answers on my questions here
I'm spending my vacation this year in Beruwala (Riverina hotel) in June (from 14th to 28th). I am passionate abut fishing and I would really love to try sea fishing on Sri Lanka. Would you give me any advices if it's possible to organise a sea fishing tour in Beruwala in June? how much would it cost? where should look for it?

And by the way I have the second question about transportation: what is the best way to get to Colombo from Beruwala and also to get to Kandy from Beruwala? what are the costs?

Best regards,
thanks in advance
Wojtek

i'm planning to get married in June, in Bentota beach hotel. A friend told me that its not safe there . Also due to the monsoon season the weather isn't very good, and the sea is dangerous.is any of this true? well we be in danger by going in june?

what place or places would be best to see the pageantry and celebrations associated with this festival? i thought i read somewhere that kelaniya near colombo is a lively place to be.

is there anyone out ther who is up for a last minute [ approx april 7th ]tour of s.l. by road and rail male aged 57

I’m going for a 3 day trip with a driver ($50/day, no board), and was wondering how much to tip? I don’t want to be cheap, but also not upset the local balance of scale.

Hello, Im coming to Hikkaduwa in a week and I read a post about a $300 package deal to the maldives. Anyone know where I can find out more? Thanks, Tash x

i will be staying in sri lanka for 3 months. i want to buy or rent a moped there.does anyone have any advice on this subject or know of someone to contact there?

1. i am a u.s. citizen and have dollars but i need yo know if it is better to exchange dollars or euros to rupee in sri lanka. 2. i only have a u.s. automobile driver licence. what type of license or permit would i need to rent or buy a motorbike? if i buy one, how easy or hard is it to register?

I'm planning to visit Kandy for two or three months and would like to know where I can find a small house or apartment for that time. There are only two of us so one bedroom would be OK, but I would prefer something a little bigger to accommodate possible visitors from UK during our stay.

I have seen the various websites offering fancy places for exorbitant prices. I want something decent, not too far from town and relatively cheap.

Has anyone got any ideas?

Chris

I notice that the weather in Colombo is heavy rain, and has been for quite some time now. Is this likely to continue?

The reason I ask is that my fiance and I will be having our wedding in Sri Lanka (Beruwela to be exact) on the 26th March and would obviously prefer sunny weather. But looking at the forecast, are we likely to be soaked on our special day?

Is this current weather normal and should we just expect heavy rain for the week that we're there?

Regards

Jason

Hi guys,

Only a week till holiday, can't wait! Just wondered if someone knew if the Riverina Hotel, Beruwela has plug adaptors in the rooms, or if there is any where I can buy one before I go? I've looked on the net and in the shops but the only adaptors I can find are for europe or Australia.

Any replies greatly apprieciated,

Adam

hi everyone,first forum i've ever joined,so hope i'm doing it right!Arriving Colombo at 10.25,onward to Bangkok at 07.30 next morning.Is it possible,practical, worth trying, to get to city,or better to get Hotel near airport for the day/night?If so,any idea of costs.Also what is a day room,and how do you get one?Hope someone can help

Hey my VT freinds,

Any of you guys have a plan to visit Sri Lanka around December?

I would like to see you guys in Negombo in X'mas time.

Please contact me. I would like to invite you guys for a speciall private party.

Heard that Colombo airport has completed renovation and fully functional with new and better facilities. Are there any Day rooms where we can have some sleep fro about 3-4 hrs and a shower and then go to city centre before we take an evenIg flight from Colombo?

If no Day rooms, what are your sugegstions or alternatives so that we can have have a room for some sleep and a shower?

hi everyone,

have now been in sri lanka for about a week and having a great time....everyons adice on the cultural triangle was a great help, a terrific part of the world....made all the better by me being about the only person visiting the ruins, made for a welcome change to macchi pucchi where i was a few months earlier

anyway, i am interested in possibly doing a scuba diving course while over here.....does anyone know the state of the coral etc post tsunami?? - as i have heard snorkelling may be just as good as a result of this...pretty pricey course so just thought i would see if anyone knew

cheers

steve