Sri Lanka?

[Tinytigertail]

We are looking at travelling around Sri Lanka over Christmas but are slightly off put regarding the economic situation and resulting unrest they have had out there. Travel agent is advising us to take a private tour but obviously this makes the trip considerably more expensive. Has anyone been recently and if so, were you hindered by hyper inflation/fuel shortages/curfews etc?

I went in April but have been several times Alot of hotels have closed down during covid and some of the shops and restaurants we've previously gone too have as well but others are thriving.
We use the same driver we meet on a visit 15 years ago and also trains to get around for day trips. . It's a really lovely way to see the country.
Welcome to PM if you need a driver. The travel agent will inflate the costs and its better to give the money directly to those who need it.

Private tours are definitely the way to see Sri Lanka, but I would also say to organise one/several/all week privately and not through a UK travel agent.

Someone else I was with in Sri Lanka booked a driver they had used before, so I don't have their details. But if the poster above can give their recommendation, that's one option already 😁

Just double checked one of my favourite restaurants I'd still thriving and open, and it is! Phew.

I notice they have a tour company of their own now, and solely based on previously loving the restaurant, I'd personally check that out for our future trips.

www.lordsrestaurant.net/

What is the weather like in April? I’ve heard from at least 5 unconnected people (all Sri Lankan but who now live here) that it’s unbearably hot but all the websites say April is a good time to visit so we’re torn!

I'll DM you. Can I ask, do you base yourself in one place and then take day trips or do you stay in different hotels? If the latter, do you prebook?

We've done both, moved about and stayed put.
Last month we went to a villa near Bentota and had plenty of excursions using it as a base. We took the train to Galle. Saw the turtle sanctuary , visited some architecture and other hotels and some days just chilled with massages and pool time.
The food is absolutely incredible so make room in your tummy.
I have always prebooked as travelling with kids.

We went in April, it was lovely, hot but breezy by the sea. A beautiful friendly place, I would love to go back.

I have booked accommodation through a local company called awesomelanka tour agency ( the are on Facebook) . The driver we used works with them and is called Nuwan. He takes you to off the beaten track places and has excellent historical knowledge.

I've also been in April and didn't find it over hot at all, but I did used to live in much hotter countries!

We went at Xmas and it was great.

The traffic is awful, so trips can be quite slow. I’d suggest a multi location trip to see more of the beautiful country.

We pre booked everything as Xmas is busy.

I did an 11 night holiday there in March covering 5/6 different place with approx 2 nights in each. I arranged everything myself using train travel then taxis where trains weren’t available. Much much cheaper than a tour and it averts the possibility of having a tour guide that you don’t get on with.

i wasn’t affected by anything economic wise or with regards to political activity. Shoujd this happen the effects Would be felt much more in Colombo than anywhere else and I personally wouldn’t recommend too much time in Colombo or kandy. One full day at the most -obviously this depends on how much time you have.
very friendly people. Very friendly drivers, and a very affordable holiday.

Definitely recommend Red Dot Tours. Sri Lankan travel agency so much more affordable than British ones. So so helpful and will know all about current situation. They will look after you!

The roads are nearly as bad as ours! Plus there are dogs lying all over the roads snoozing the day away - bit of an extra hazard!

Joking aside, don't think of driving yourselves as the driving is a bit crazy and bear in mind that what looks like a short distance on the map can take forever in reality.

Get a driver and speak to a good local travel agent if possible. We had a driver who basically went where we went - he was great! We said where we wanted to go and it was all done / hotels booked etc. a private tour essentially. It's a really beautiful country but we went Pre Covid & current unrest. Fabulous food, that probably hasn't changed! We only stayed 1 or 2 nights in most locations so it was quite hectic but we did see a lot of the southern half of the island. If I went again I wouldn't spend quite so long in the van! It wasn't as expensive as it sounds - choose hotels carefully.

Thanks everyone. I've spent a fair amount of time in India and South East Asia, so totally get the crazy traffic and bad roads comments!
We're happy to stay in fairly basic accommodation, we really don't enjoy the resort type of vibe. I've seen a few eco lodges that look amazing. It really was more the political and economic situation that was giving us pause for thought, and why we thought it might be worth throwing some money at it to do a private tour via Trailfinders,.but it just doesn't feel quite what we're after. I think we will get flights booked and the first few nights accommodation and then go from there. It's lovely to hear such unanimously positive feedback! I'm trying to DM to get the driver info, but am using the app and can't work out how to do it!

I love srilanka have a driver (it's very common) and inexpensive

Do a three centre. Sigary, candy and a beach resort

@Tinytigertail def contact Red Dot Tours and they'll help you with a driver and any hotel/safety help. I don't work for them
promise 😂 just had a great honeymoon there

No issues at all, dp is there a lot for work.

Can't help with a driver as we have use of a staff driver when I visit

don’t go whale watching, worst day of our life😂

Oh no! Do tell....

Hi
we went in April and didn’t find it too hot. We also had a driver who was amazing! Like you, we didn’t want big resort type places. We booked a couple of places through this cohttps://www.backofbeyond.lk/. some better than others, but the treehouse in the jungle will stay with me forever!
I’d def recommend the train from Nuwara Elia to Ella too, fantastic! There is so much to see/ do that the main decision is what to leave out for next time! Have the most amazing time!

Hi all sorry to jump on thread can anyone tell me if July is a good time and if it is suitable for a family 2 adults 2 children 10 and 13. Could anyone reccommend a driver?