Located southeast of India and northeast of the Maldives, the small island of Sri Lanka can easily be over looked. But, despite it’s size, Sri Lanka has it all – jungle beaches, mountain hikes, interesting wildlife, temples, surfing, friendly people and the most amazing street food. This country definitely deserves to be on your bucket list!
Here is my 2-week itinerary for discovering Sri Lanka!
Tips for Planning Your Trip
When to Go
Although Sri Lanka is a small island, the weather can seem complicated. It is hot year-round so you won’t have to worry about that. However, I found figuring out the monsoon seasons a little more confusing. The monsoon season brings rain to the west and southwest coasts and hill country from May to September and then to the east coast from November to March. Basically, the best time to visit the west and southwest coasts and hill country is from December to March. And the best time to visit the east coast is from April to September. We visited in October, which can be a bit of an in-between month of uncertainty. Luckily, we had great weather the entire time!
Visa
You will need to get a Visa to travel to Sri Lanka. For most people you can get this at the airport upon arrival, check online here. I’d recommend using the online system to get your Visa ahead of traveling. Mine was approved online within 24 hours. I would budget 2 weeks for approval just in case though.
Essential Items to Pack
Packing for Sri Lanka is really dependent on where you are going and what you will be doing. We were there in October for two weeks and spent a lot of our time hiking. Therefore, our packing list probably looks a lot different from someone that is there to just have a chill beach holiday. Below I’ve included some key items to pack for the various parts of Sri Lanka that you may visit.
No matter where you go, I’d recommend having a rain jacket and shoes that can get wet! I love these Salt Water sandals which can be worn in and out of the water.
For the beach:
On most beaches, normal beach wear (one piece or bikini) are acceptable. It can get hot so billowy summer dresses or lightweight clothing is good to have for wandering the beach towns. Also pack a sun hat, sandals and sunglasses. I also always love to pack a Turkish towel to have with me for beach days.
For the hill country:
In the hill country, the temperatures can be much cooler and it’s good to pack some warmer items in case. I love this Uniqlo Down Jacket for traveling because it is so lightweight but still warm. There is also a lot of hiking in the hill country and hiking boots or sneakers are good to have.
For safari:
We went on safari in Udalwalawe National Park and camped at a nearby lodge. Mosquito repellant was key for camping! I also always find face wipes and a head lamp useful to have when in more rustic accommodation.
For temples:
In the temples you will need to cover your knees and shoulders so be prepared to have clothes that provide a bit more coverage. Since it can get so hot, particularly inland, I would recommend packing a pair of linen pants or a maxi dress. I also always pack a lightweight scarf, which is useful as a blanket for the plane, but is also useful for covering my shoulders when entering temples.
Other Things to Know Before You Travel
- Don’t let the small size of Sri Lanka fool you. Distances can take a really long time to travel so don’t overcommit to too many activities around the island. I’d recommend spending, at minimum, two weeks in Sri Lanka.
- English is widely spoken around the island, although less so in the north where there is less tourism.
- Don’t drink the water – buy bottled water!
- It’s very much a cash based system, so don’t assume you can always pay with credit card for things like accommodation.
**The 2-week itinerary below is based on what we did and does not include many of the other amazing spots around the country. There is so much to see in Sri Lanka and two weeks is only enough to scratch the surface! The hotels we stayed in were a mix of budget and splurge. Where there was a hotel we did not like, I’ve included another option in its place.
14 Nights:
Colombo – Galle / Unawatuna – Mirissa – Udawalawe – Arugam Bay – Ella – Nuwara Eliya – Kandy – Colombo
Day 1: Land in Colombo and head to Galle
We decided to skip Colombo and head straight down south to Galle and the beach! If you are up for the adventure right after your long flight, take the 3 hour train (180 rupees, second class) from Maradana Station to Galle. You’ll have to get a tuk tuk from the airport to the station. Another option is to take a taxi straight from the airport to Galle for around 6,000 rupees. We stayed a little bit outside of Galle in Unawatuna, which we found to be much more relaxed but still close enough that we could easily scooter into the city.
Do: Swing on the now insta-famous rope swing at Dalawella Beach (500 rupees). The actual spot is a palm tree right in front of the guesthouse, Dream Cabana. We were able to walk here from our guesthouse.
Eat: Chicken curry and ginger beers at Mama’s in Galle.
Stay: Sea Front Villa (from $30), with breakfast included. This little spot is right on the beach and has the friendliest owners who will help you with anything you need! I slept so well listening to the sounds of waves crashing against rocks right outside my window.
Day 2: Galle
Spend your first full day in Sri Lanka adventuring around the Galle area – there are so many beaches, cute boutiques, markets and restaurants to explore.
Do: Rent a scooter and spend the morning at Jungle beach with a coconut in hand. If you head down the beach a bit you can find some more secluded spots. There is also a Peace Pogoda nearby that is worth visiting. Spend the afternoon exploring Galle fort, including the lighthouse and many nearby boutiques. Make sure you also make a stop at the old Dutch market.
Eat: Mango ice cream from Dairy King. Samosas or hoppers from any of the street vendors. For a sit down meal, head to Church Street Social or Galle Things Roti.
Stay: Sea Front Villa (from $30), with breakfast included.
Day 3: Travel to Mirissa
From our hotel in Unawatuna we went by private car (2000 rupees) 45 minutes down south to Mirissa Beach. Since we only had two weeks, we mostly traveled between places by taxi as the buses take much longer. In Mirissa, we spent most of our time lounging poolside at our amazing hotel, Number One Mirissa. It has wonderful staff, an incredible infinity pool and a beautiful view across the ocean. It’s also a little bit off the main area of Mirissa so it feels like a jungle paradise!
Do: Lounge on the beach for most of the day. Keep an eye out for a fisherman on stilts – unlike other spots in Sri Lanka he is actually fishing and not just putting on a show for tourists to take photos. Around sunset, get a few cocktails from any of the beach side restaurants. Most will have happy hour specials!
Eat: Grilled squid or grilled prawns at Central Café Inn.
Stay: Number One Mirissa (from $200), with breakfast included.
Day 4: Mirissa
We spent a full day in Mirissa just lounging by the pool and beach. Watch out for sea urchins on the rocks when you go for a swim though. We ended up in a Sri Lankan doctor’s office on the side of the road after a run in with some!
Do: If you want to do more than just relaxation, take a walk up Parrot Rock. You can also spend the morning surfing or, if you are there at the right time of year, go whale watching.
Eat: For lunch, head over to No. 1 Dewmini Roti Shop. Have a nice dinner at Zephyr, which has amazing crab curry and prawn curry.
Stay: Number One Mirissa (from $200), with breakfast included.
Day 5: Travel to Udawalawe
After another morning in Mirissa, make the 2.5-hour drive (9,000 rupees) to Udawalawe National Park. There are a number of places to stay around the park but we loved staying at the more rustic Big Game Camp.
Eat: Big Game Camp provides a romantic candle lit dinner under the stars!
Stay: Big Game Camp (from $120), including all food and a morning or afternoon safari.
Day 6: Safari in Udawalawe
Udawalawe National Park is the best in Sri Lanka for spotting elephants in the wild. Wake up early (5 am!) for a safari with Big Game Camp. We had the jeep to ourselves and they provided breakfast. The drive to Udawalawe from the camp is only about 30 minutes and the safari lasts 3-4 hours. We were able to see lots of elephants, including a few babies, crocodiles, mongoose and water buffalo!
After our safari we went east to Arugam Bay, which takes 4 hours and costs 1000 rupees with a private driver.
Do: Go on a safari!
Stay: We stayed at Arugam Bay Ocean View Hotel (from $30) but it wasn’t amazing. Other spots include Hideaway Resort (from $75), which is a great spot to also grab dinner or a drink, or The Spice Trail (from $65).
READ MORE: On Safari in Udawalwe National Park
Day 7: Arugam Bay
Coming to Arugam bay after the south cost and Udawalawe was a bit of a change. To me it felt like a strange mixing of cultures – the more conservative local Muslim community alongside the hippy vibe of all the foreign surfers who flock to the area. The pace is slow and it’s easy to lose track of time while in the bay. Take your time while visiting – rent a scooter, spend a few days surfing and explore the various beaches and temples in the area.
Do: Wake up early for some morning yoga. There are lots of spots in town that offer yoga, such as the Stardust Hotel. Rent a scooter and spend the day exploring the areas around Arugam Bay and go beach hopping. We headed south out of town on our scooter and went to Peanut Farm beach and Panama.
Eat: Cool down in the afternoon at Love Beach Bar.
Stay: We stayed at Arugam Bay Ocean View Hotel (from $30) but it wasn’t amazing. Other spots include Hideaway Resort (from $75), which is a great spot to also grab dinner or a drink, or The Spice Trail (from $65).
Day 8: Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is one of the best places to visit if you want to surf in Sri Lanka. It’s also a great spot for beginners to take surf lessons.
Do: Take surfing lessons with Safa Surf Camp. Some of the main surfing spots in and around Arugam Bay include: Main Point which is the easiest to get to but can be crowded, Peanut Farm, Whiskey Point and Crocodile Rock. If surfing isn’t your thing, these are also great beaches to relax on.
Eat: Have evening cocktails and dinner at Hideaway Resort. For cheaper dinner options, check out any of the local options in town. We found that the grungier the exterior the better the food!
Stay: We stayed at Arugam Bay Ocean View Hotel (from $30) but it wasn’t amazing. Other spots include Hideaway Resort (from $75), which is a great spot to also grab dinner or a drink, or The Spice Trail (from $65).
Day 9: Arugam Bay
Spend one last full day in Arugam bay either perfecting your new surfing skills or exploring a new beach. I’d recommend renting a scooter while you are in Arugam Bay, which is much cheaper than taking a tuk tuk from place to place.
Do: If you are up for another safari, there is the nearby Kumana National Park. The Kudumbigala Monastery is also near the national park and worth seeing if you are nearby.
Stay: We stayed at Arugam Bay Ocean View Hotel (from $30) but it wasn’t amazing. Other spots include Hideaway Resort (from $75), which is a great spot to also grab dinner or a drink, or The Spice Trail (from $65).
READ MORE: 12 Things to Do in Arugam Bay
Day 10: Travel to Ella
From Arugam Bay it is easy to catch a shared taxi inland to the small town of Ella in the hill country (3 hours). There is so much to do in and around Ella that you could easily add on a few more days here. The town of Ella itself can be really touristy but the hiking around the area is amazing! The highlights are Ella’s Rock and Little Adam’s Peak, but you could also hire a guide to take you on some hikes that are a little more off the beaten path.
Do: Spend the afternoon walking the train line to Nine Arch Bridge. For the best view of the bridge and surrounding area, get a drink at the Nine Arch Cafe.
Eat: We spent most of our evenings at Cafe Chill in the heart of Ella, which has the most reasonably priced beers. The top floor of the restaurant is a great place to relax after a long day of hiking.
Stay: Ravana Heights Hotel (from $150), Eden View Hotel (from $25). Both include breakfast.
Day 11: Ella
Spend your first full day in Ella hiking and visiting tea fields.
Do: Get up early and hike Ella’s Rock (3 hours, moderate/strenuous hike). We went well before sunrise so that we could beat the heat and the crowds that show up in the late morning. You can either go with a guide or walk there yourself. To get there yourself you will need clear directions because it isn’t well marked and it’s easy to get lost. Your hotel may be able to provide detailed directions. We used this post to get us there. In the afternoon, rent a scooter and drive out to Haputale where you can visit the endless tea fields of Lipton’s Seat.
Eat: Jade Garden and Matey Hut both have great local food options.
Stay: Ravana Heights Hotel (from $150), Eden View Hotel (from $25). Both include breakfast.
Day 12: Scenic Train from Ella to Nuwara Eliya
After another early morning of hiking, catch the train from Ella to Nuwara Eliya. The journey takes 3-4 hours and costs less than $3. We chose to sit in second class so that we could hang out the train car doors and watch the tea fields and mountainside pass us by. This was by far one of the most beautiful train journeys I’ve ever been on!
Do: Get up early to hike Little Adam’s Peak (1 hour, easy/moderate hike). Spend the rest of the day on the train to Nuwara Eliya.
Eat: We needed a break from Sri Lankan food and therefore went for pizza at a small hole in the wall restaurant in Nuwara Eliya called Salmiya. Grand Indian is also a nice spot for lunch or dinner.
Stay: Villa Cassandra (from $75) or Mount Mary Inn (from $60). Both include breakfast.
Day 13: Horton Plains National Park
Nuwara Eliya, or “Little England”, itself was not my favorite city in Sri Lanka. We visited because we really wanted to hike up to World’s End (6 miles round trip) in Horton Plains National Park. The entrance fee to the park is expensive and you have to go early because of the clouds and fog that roll in. We were lucky enough to find two other people that wanted to go with us so we were able to split the cost of the taxi there (1,000 rupees each). I’ve read some blogs that say the hike isn’t worth it but I really enjoyed it and the views were spectacular!
After our hike we took the train to Kandy.
Do: Other things to do include visiting Bluefield Factory and Bluefield Tea Gardens, or spending an afternoon at Ramboda Falls.
Stay: Viyana Boutique Hotel (from $70), including breakfast.
Day 14: Kandy
To be honest, I didn’t love Kandy and I was glad we only spent one day here. That being said, many people seem to love it and there is definitely plenty to do in and around the area!
Do: Wander around Kandy Lake and go to the nearby Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Head just outside Kandy and spend an afternoon at Peradeniya Botanic Garden. Discover Kandy from above at the Bahiravokanda Vihara big Buddha.
Eat: Kandyan Muslim Hotel and Licensed to Grill.
Stay: Viyana Boutique Hotel (from $70), including breakfast.
Day 15: Travel to Colombo
After two beautiful weeks traveling around Sri Lanka, it’s time to head back to Colombo. If you decide to leave for the airport from Kandy, the drive will only take 3 hours and you can travel by train, bus or car.
READ MORE:
20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Sri Lanka
On Safari in Udawalawe National Park
12 Things to Do in Arugam Bay
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4 Comments
April
March 4, 2018 at 3:28 amWhat an incredible country! Such varied experiences in one country on one trip – thanks for the great tips.
Eleonore Everywhere
March 7, 2018 at 12:10 pmThank you for reading, April! 🙂
Xx, Eleonore
chiara
April 28, 2018 at 3:04 pmHello, what a lovely trip!
We are planning a couple of weeks in April. We will travel with our 2 children age 11 and 8. What itinerary/area would you suggest? I understand part of the island is ok weather wise, the the other isn’t. I am a bit nervous about the possibility to get hold of a doctor just in case (touch wood) and the kind of food we will find. My kids don’t eat spicy..
Many thanks!!!
Eleonore Everywhere
May 10, 2018 at 7:50 pmHi Chiara, thank you for reading!
I would recommend the south coast (Galle, Mirissa, etc.), a safari (Yalla National Park or Udawalawe National Park) which would really fun for kids, and then central hill country of Sri Lanka (Ella, Kandy, etc.). The train from Ella to Kandy is as beautiful as you’d imagine and would be safe for kids, although the doors of the train carriages are open so you’d just have to be careful with them there.
In terms of a doctor, we actually had to go to one because my boyfriend stepped on a ton of sea urchins (watch out for those with kids!). It was definitely an interesting experience – not very clean, modern, etc. but I’m sure there are better facilities in Colombo.
Food is amazing and you can definitely find options that are less spicy but it really depends how adventurous your children are with new foods. In the south lots of places have seafood which is always a safe option in terms of spice. My favorite foods were – Roti, Kottu, Dhal curry, hoppers, fish curry and samosas…and of course all of the tea, fresh juice and coconuts!
I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. Xx, Eleonore