Anyone been to Sri Lanka?

[liveoppositeacrazyhorse]

Would love to go this summer for 2 weeks, end of July. Will we melt in the heat? Know it's monsoon in the south west but can work around that and go to the east coast.

The places that really appeal so far are Kandy, Arugam Bay (surfing), Yala (safari) Ella (the train there) Sinharaja rainforest and Rekawa beach if we can see turtles.

We are a very active family with older teens, we all love the sea/ wildlife/ culture. Is there anywhere you'd recommend for cycling (nothing too serious) or kayaking?

All your top tips and advice greatly appreciated!

Also, do we need a visa? And what's the best way to transfer between places? Book different drivers when there?

@sunseeker19 I have the same wish list! Though would also like to fit in some cultural landmarks and landscapes (more for me than DC I’ll admit).

I am thinking August, April sounds too hot for us, we can manage 30 ish but mid 30s and humid is too much.

I'm no expert but if you go in August then Trincomalee/ pigeon island is where I'd recommend for relaxing and seeing turtles. It's beautiful up there.
We didn't see any on the south coast as the sea was too rough. Well we saw some injured ones at a turtle rescue place but not in the sea.
Elephants - loved Minneriya. We also saw them in Yala. And then there were ones crossing the road on the way to Yala.
Not sure re zip lining and rafting as we didn't do that. Surfing in Arugam Bay was great but very busy.
I just looked at the itineraries online for Audley travel etc and got an idea of routes from there.
We hired a driver and it worked well for us. Lovely guy,
Least favourite place was Kandy but I think we'd seen too many temples by that point. It was also handy to stop there as the drive to Ella would have been too long otherwise
We didn't stay in fancy hotels, but we stayed in lovely ones with pools and high ratings and didn't pay more than £50 a room. Average was about £35 a night. We needed 2 rooms though.
We had the Rabies jabs before we went which was really expensive. £90 per shot x 3 x 4 people. The stray dogs were very docile and didn't seem like a threat but who knows. There are lots of stray dogs. And saw cows walking down the beach, all completely normal!!
You'll have a lovely time if you go, the people are the friendliest I've ever met.

That is all super useful, thank you so much!

We thought we were visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary
When we visited the second time ( different year) we walked early to the bathing stream ( as we knew where it was this time) and saw them chain up the bull elephant in the middle of the river to a rock. By the time the tourists all arrived ( ushered by the elephant handlers ) the river water had risen so no one could see the chains. The bull was there so they could easily get the females and babies into the river. My son, a zoologist, explained why they were doing this and like us was disgusted.

This is just an example of the basic level of tourist deception. So, no, there are no ethical places to visit elephants.
They are all treated badly in order to tame them so tourists don’t get injured.
The only ethical places are ones where humans can’t get anywhere near them.

In terms of turtles it’s much the same.
Many places will allow you to set free baby turtles as the sun goes down. This is too early and those babies, unless released in the dead of night, won’t survive.
Visit, donate but don’t release them unless it’s pitch black and they are old and well enough.

Id keep to the South and SE coast maybe
Near Galle maybe would be interesting then head in to Kandy. Fire walking traditional dancing etc. our kids were 9,9 and 12 when we took them. We toured around but if you want to not travel so much these two places would be on my list. Don’t stay in Columbo It’s too hot, sweaty and can be a bit depressing. A friend of mine had three nights booked in Columbo and once there lasted half a day and quickly got out. The noice etc is just too much even though they live in London and HongKong.

I can’t recommend beaches etc as we didn’t go to any. But there are some lovely fishing villages that sprawl the coast.

I think you're better in the north than the south in August for beaches.

Just saw your post. I wouldn’t spend much time in Colombo (although that’s where I live!) Also, 4 nights in Kandalama is too much for me. Perhaps switch to another hotel around there? I loved Vil Uyana and Uga Ulugalla. You could go to Ella from Kandalama. Get on the train from Nanu oya I think. Tangalle and Galle are both not far from each other. I assume you want to spend a lot of time relaxing on beach? Sorry I’m not sure if you mentioned on earlier post as to when you are going, but bear in mind the south west (Tangalle and Galle) monsoon is in the middle of year.

Definitely August is better as April is the hottest month.
Elephants- Minneriya national park -you’ll see lots of elephants in July/August
Turtles- Along the south western coast such as Mirissa and Kosgoda but bear in mind it’s monsoon there in August (although I’ve been and not had any rain so it really varies)
Zip line -Ella
Water rafting is in Kithulgala
the eastern coast is better in August so Trincomalee/Nilaveli is best for snorkeling/swimming or Arugam bay for surfing
The cultural procession with elephants and lots of traditional dancing with fire etc is on in Kandy in August too if you might like to watch it.
itinery- Minneriya and Sigiriya-Trincomalee-Ella-Kithulgala-Colombo(airport nearby)

Thank you @Wantingtomove123 ! We're going in February so hopefully the weather will be good in the places we're going to?! We won't be going to the North or North East of the island (I know that they have their monsoon season around this time)

The two nights in Colombo is only bceause we arrive on a Saturday afternoon so it was just a day / day and a half to unwind from the flight until we move on on the Monday.. I've booked a lovely hotel with a pool so we don't plan to do much there 😊

Ok so maybe 3 nights at Kandalama?

I booked Tangalle for the beaches but Galle more for the culture side of things?

Ideally would like a mix of city, culture, sightseeing and beaches.

Going to SL next August. This thread is fab, thanks but can anyone help specifically with these questions:
1 - What safari/national park is best in August, given the weather?
2 - If you've been recently and had a driver to take you around the island, I'd love a recommendation - and is that a good way to do a multi-stop trip? I'd rather not fly internally if I can avoid. Also want to do train from Kandy to Ella (I think it is)
3 - And, if you have been recently and went to Galle and thought it was worthwhile, then I'd also love to hear from you.
4 - Is it good weather in NE but not tooooooo hot?

Thanks very much

1. I personally wouldn’t recommend a safari as drivers chase the animals around who are trying to hide from tourists. It’s horrible and drivers have to be screamed at to get them to stop this. Terrible memories and my kids were very upset by it.
2. We’ve had a driver on one visit ( we weren’t allowed to drive ourselves due to security issues ) and we ve driven ourselves as well on another. Personally I’d recommend you drive yourself. You can drive the triangle which includes Kandy and Ella and book your hotels along the route.
3. I wouldn’t miss out on Galle we were there a few years back and it is completely different from other places in Sri lanka.
4. Check out average temps online. I’ve never been in August. We’ve always been May/ June. Gets very busy after that.

Thank you. Interesting about the safaris - I didn't think about that.

We won't drive ourselves. So, we will get a driver.

You might be able to book one from your first hotel …worth giving them a ring to see if they do that as it’s quite normal.
Our first visit with a driver was booked through Kuoni
Other times we do it all ourselves.

hope you have a great time

Thanks so much

Sorry, got distracted and sent with missed off crucial info. we’ve also been looking at Sri Lanka and good to know who you booked your driver through.

Hi, just reviving this thread as looking at Sri Lanka and it’s really interesting to hear everyone’s experiences.

This is my rough itinerary so far but still very much in the planning stages.

thinking of starting with train Colombo to Kandy.
Has anyone stayed in Kandy and can recommend anywhere?

Also it would be nice to stay on a tea plantation in that area if anyone has any recommendations. We don’t need fancy hotels!

Then up to Sigiriya / Dambulla / Polonnaruwa.

Then Trincomalee or Nilaveli for 5 days to relax / swim / snorkel Pigeon Island.

Then Wilpattu / Anuradhapura for safari

Then back to Colombo.

Realise this means missing Nuwara Eliya and Ella but don’t think we will have time as we would like some relaxation time on the beach too.

@Rainyblue My DC is going there this year. They looked at Audley travel itineraries. They are ending up in Galle and are visiting Yala.

We’ve stayed in a few places in Kandy
Rivora Heights and
SWP eco lodge

both highly recommended

There was a great one more central. Very small but I can’t remember atm, if it comes to me I’ll post again

We’ve only stayed in one tea factory. Right in the middle of all the tea !
The Heritance Tea Factory which is South of Kandy near Nuwara Eliya

but that’s going in the wrong direction for you …sadly

Any tips on going with a 3yr old? Flying out in the morning with mine….

Heritance Tea Factory does look lovely but I think out of our budget!

Agree. It’s an expensive view ( although to sit for breakfast surrounded by the old machinery still in place was amazing ) but I think there’s a premium to pay for being on a tea plantation.

Im afraid that’s the only one I know of I’m afraid

Have you been on booking.com etc. That’s how we book all our accommodation.

Are you going in the summer? We are and your route is very similar to ours - although we are also doing the train from Ella to Nurawa E

Yes in the summer hopefully (if I can get organised). I was also debating about Nuwara Eliya.

Yes I’ve spent a fair bit of today on booking.com! But I was a bit overwhelmed by options so thought I’d come on MN 🙂

It was more about doing the train ride there from Ella. Meant to be amazing. But I agree, it's hard to make choices!