Target Travels blog

Travel to Sri Lanka

Travel light!

Most essentials are available in the cities in Sri Lanka; items are cheap and laundry services generally speedy. Take light cotton clothes – it is a good idea to have some very lightweight long sleeve cotton tops and trousers in pale colours for evenings, as they also give some protection against mosquitoes. Don’t forget the mosquito repellent. lt can be cool at night in the Central Highlands and some warm clothing is essential. Dress is usually informal, though one or two clubs and hotels expect guests to be formally dressed at evening meals. You can check with your Target Travels representative on the details. In Colombo short-sleeved shirts and ties are often worn for business. For travelling, loose clothes are most comfortable. Trainers or canvas shoes are good options for protecting feet against cuts and so on. Women should dress modestly. Even on the beach, very revealing swimwear attracts unnecessary attention. Remember the adage, take twice as much money and half the clothes that you think you will need.

Items you might find particularly useful include: toiletries, including barrier contraceptives and tampons (available in the larger towns but you may prefer to take your own supply); personal medicines and inhalers and a copy of a prescription; international driving licence; photocopies of essential documents flight information, passport identification and visa pages) or email yourself this information; spare passport photographs (in case you want to extend your visa); hats and sunglasses; insect repellent; high factor sun protection cream; Swiss army knife; torch; wet wipes; zip-lock bags; contact lens cleaning solutions (available in the larger towns and cities but it is best to bring your own).

Budget travellers may also want to take the following: sheets & sleeping bag (for when the sheets are less than clean); earplugs; eyeshades; padlock (for room and baggage); soap; string (or washing line); towel; washbasin plug; a fork (useful for eating lunch packets with when you don’t feel like plunging your filthy fingers into the rice). Mosquito mats/coils are readily available in Sri Lanka but take your own mosquito net (these are standard in all but the very cheapest hotels many have holes or are filthy).

Budget or fancy Sri Lankans retain a different standard when it comes to hotel basics and standards so don’t be alarmed if you don’t get what you were expecting. Visit Sri Lanka with an open mind and let the uniqueness of the island mesmerise you.

What to see in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Beaches

Sri Lanka’s superb beaches lie all along its coastline, with sandy coves and estuaries and long palm-fringed stretches. They vary greatly in character. Beaches on the west coast of the island, conveniently close to Colombo and the airport, tend to be the most crowded, but offer opportunities for water sports and buzz with busy bars and restaurants. Here, also, away from the package hotels, are some of the most exquisite places to stay, notably in Bentota. For many travellers however, the picturesque beaches of the south coast, often with magnificent sweeps of white sand, are the biggest draw. Quieter than the west coast, Unawatuna and Tangalla are the best established here, offering opportunities for diving and packed with reasonably priced accommodation. Picture-perfect, laid-back Mirissa is increasingly popular with budget travellers, and there are plenty of other options in this area that you might just get to yourself. Further off the beaten track, but at last accessible once more, the beautiful and deserted beaches of the east coast are worth seeking out during the off-season in the west coast. Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka’s surf capital, is the latest hotspot, while north of Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Uppuveli, with gentle clear waters perfect for swimming, are beginning to come alive again.

However, most of Sri Lanka’s beautiful and interesting sights are away from the

Temple of the Tooth Sri Lanka

coast. By venturing a few hours inland you can explore the island’s abundant cultural Heritage. ln lush verdant hills, the last Buddhist capital of Kandy is found. To the north are the other two points of the Cultural Triangle – the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa – and the extraordinary royal citadel atop the giant rocky outcrop of

Sigiriya, decorated with its world famous frescoes. Close to Anuradhapura is Mihintale where the first royal conversion to Buddhism was inspired, while Dambulla has impressive paintings in its rock cave. While visiting Kandy you can also see baby elephants at bath time at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Nearby, are interesting spice plantations and several temples.

The central mountains provide a refreshing break, with spectacular waterfalls and some great walking trails around Nuwara Eliya, surrounded by tea gardens. To the east,

Sri Lanka Ella Gap

The ‘gaps’ at Ella and Haputale provide spectacular views, while some travellers are lured by the attractive gem capital of Ratnapura.

Sri Lanka’s varied wildlife can be explored in its impressive network of national parks, such as Ruhuna or Yala to the southeast where the fortunate traveler may even spot a leopard, and Uda Walawe, famous for its herds of elephants. There is plenty of bird watching along the shallow coastal lagoons, while Sinharaja Biosphere Reserve is the last significant stretch of pristine rainforest in left in the island.

Choosing a route obviously depends on your interests, the time of year and to

Sri Lanka Sinharaja Rainforest

certain extents your mode of travel. Hiring a chauffeur driven car allows you greater flexibility. Using public transport may not be the best option for tourists as the systems are yet unorganized and fairly chaotic for travellers who are unable to converse in the native language. Even if you are staying at a beach hotel on the southwest or south coast it is easy to get up to Kandy and make that a base for further exploration.

Best time to visit the East Coast/Trinco, Sri Lanka

Monsoon seas in the north and east is November to February. The best time to visit in May to September when the rest of the country is experiencing the southwest monsoon. For Surfers, April to October is the best time to visit Arugam Bay. Whale Watching season is December to April but the Naval vessels do operate off the coast of Tricomalee in from May onwards and regular sightings are reported.

Getting to the East Coast/Trinco, Sri Lanka

By Air:

Expo Air (www.expoavi.com) flies several times daily between Colombo and Jaffna. Sri Lankan Airlines’ Air Taxi service operate scheduled flights up to Dambulla in the North Central region of Sri Lanka.

By Rail:

Several services daily (plus overnight sleeper trains) from Colombo to Trinco (appro. 7 to 8 hours) and Batticaloa (8 hours). Rail services between Colombo and the north extends only as far as Vavuniya (about 140km/90 miles south of Jaffna).

By Bus:

Trinco from Colombo (7 hours), Batticaloa from Colombo (6 to 7 hours) and local buses along the coast road from Trinco to Pottuvil via Batticaloa. Jaffna from Colombo (8 to 10 hours).

Getting Around East Coast/ Trinco, Sri Lanka

Getting around in public transport with the North & East of Sri Lanka will certainly be a challenge. The buses, three wheelers are not as common as it would be in the west of Sri Lanka and within Colombo region.

If you are planning a holiday to the part of the region, its best to look out for hired taxis, hotel transport, or the services of a professional travel agent.

However, three-wheelers, local buses and taxis operate in and around Trinco and Jaffna and along the coast. Boasts operate across Jaffna lagoon and to the outlying islands in the region.