North Sri Lanka next summer? Good for teens?

[Bollyhood]

Thinking of going to North Sri Lanka next summer, as it's the best area weather wise then.

We have two 14 year old boys. If you went with teens, what did you do and did you all enjoy it?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/holidays/5070472-anyone-been-to-sri-lanka

Here is a recent thread @Bollyhood - I have not been to that part as travelled in our winter - took 6 teens - magnificant holiday - so many experiences.

Thanks so much

@Bollyhood - there are loads more if you look at the end of the thread where it says similar threads.

I live in Sri Lanka. There’s not a lot of things to do in northern Sri Lanka and not many hotels either. Also it takes a long time to get there from the airport as there’s no motorways. I would suggest going to Arugam Bay (south east Sri Lanka) where there is surfing and safari nearby. Also, Trincomalee (east) has whale watching and dolphin watching at that time of the year. Also diving and some water sports. Passikudah and in particular Kalkudah (again east) has lovely beaches but not much for teens to enjoy.

Hi - thanks. But what is the weather like in those places in July/August?

Eastern Sri Lanka has good weather at that time. Rain at that time is in western and mainly south western Sri Lanka. Also, since you are coming out all this way, think of visiting places like Ella which is quite popular with tourists (there’s a train ride which has beautiful views and people seem to love hanging out of the doorways). Also, there’s ancient cultural places in the middle of the country like Sigiriya rock which you can climb. Have a look at a few you tube videos to help you decide.

Forgot to add, during July Minneriya national park (near Sigiriya rock) has lots of elephants to spot. I was the err this July and there was no rain.

Hi, i had a look at another thread as per @Smirke suggestion and this route sounded good - yes?

"We went for the last 2 weeks of July and first week of early August about 5 years ago. It was hot but not unbearable. Be aware the roads and public transport are very slow! Its doesn't look far on a map but when travelling at 50km an hour, it can take a long time to travel between places. Our itinerary was,
4 nights Negombo to ease in, beaches, visited local schools and went out with local fishermen
3 nights Kandy - temple of tooth, spice farms, tea plantations
3 nights Dambulla - Sigiriya and Royal Cave Temple
3 nights Williputa Safari (Amazing! saw Leopard, bears, elephants, crocs)
3 nights Polonnaruwa
Then beach resort near Trincomalee before transfer back to Columbo."

Hi, I wouldn’t spend 4 nights in Negombo as the beach there is not the greatest and there’s a chance of rain as it’s in western Sri Lanka.
I’d spend some nights in Ella perhaps right at the beginning and from there go to Kandy. Wipattu safari is good for bears and leopards but if you want to see lots of elephants do safari in Minneriya (which you can do while staying in Dambulla). I’d probably spend more time at Trincomalee/Nilaveli. Other places to consider is Sinharaja rainforest or whitewater rafting at Kithulgala since you have teens. Galle is also worth considering as it has old Dutch and Portuguese buildings and a nice vibe eventhough it’s in the south west. Can’t remember if I’ve already mentioned Arugam bay for the surfing.

Thanks so much. That's so helpful. And are all these places you\ve mentioned good for July/August weather?

Agree Negumbo not nice IMHO .... just go further up the coast to the the Kalpitiya peninsula - beautiful unspoit beaches and incredible dolphin watching and whale watching trips. Easy direct transfer after flight. We stayed at The Omeesha Beach Resort.

Its also just a daytrip to Wipattu safari which is stunning - the jungle / flora as much as the animals.

Then go on to climb Sigria Rock - amazing experience - we did this as part of our travel day from Kalpitiya to the Knuckles range - but you could stay nearby to see the elephants do safari in Minneriya at this time of the year.

I thought Kandy was a busy mess - had been 20 years before when it was stunning and under developed - so glad we didnt stay there. However we stayed outside and did the most amazing guided treks in the Knuckles range.

I would try to do the amazing train journey from Kandy to Ella and then head to the beach Trincomalee/Nilaveli to chill after that amazing adventure. Not sure how you would get back to Colombo - maybe an internal flight? As others have said its very mountainous in parts so slow by road.

Food is magnificent everywhere.

Just looked might not be the best season to see the Dophins at Kalpitya.
This looks good though:

https://www.elements-resort.com/

Thanks all! So helpful

Definitely recommend internal flights - we used Cinnamon Air & saved loads of time (30 mins for a journey vs 5 hours by road). They have scheduled flights or you can charter them. The roads / driving are a bit hair-raising: www.cinnamonair.com/promotions/fly-from-east-coast-to-colombo-fligh-offer.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw0aS3BhA3EiwAKaD2ZYXxqc9qnhHPxZZlUVWiufu6-GDE_Ih00Z02_bZlcJfMzJJTKNn31hoCysQQAvD_BwE