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Colombo, Sri Lanka
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
119 - Police
110 - Fire
1990 - Ambulance
1969 - Highway Emergency
VISA: Electronic Visa which should be obtained prior to arrival (approx 10 days before arrival, about $75). You need proof of onwards travel and sufficient funds
DRIVING: International drivers license is required as well as Temporary Sri Lankan Driving License (AAC). Most hire companies such as TukTuk Rental will assist with this process. Bring home license!! *see bottom for specific TukTuk tips
CASH OUT: Cash is king in Sri Lanka!! ATMs with free withdrawal include Bank of Ceylon (BOC), People’s Bank and Commercial Bank
SIM: Dialog (online purchase)
APPS: Pickme or Uber to book TukTuk
*See Other Tips at bottom of notes
*Consider doing Itinerary Anticlockwise as it might mean trains/buses aren’t as busy
TUKTUK / BIKE TIPS
- Tuktuk hire is more expensive than motorbike hire
- However long maps says it’ll take via TukTuk > double it
- Download offline maps to use while driving TukTuk
- TukTuk Rentals can sort out Sri Lankan Drivers License
- As TukTuks take so long maybe reconsider using them for long trips (stick to south coast)
- You can pay for a local to drive TukTuk from Kandy to Ella (vice versa) so you can take scenic train
- If you past elephant while driving, wait for larger vechile to lead you past as they move fast. Never few elephants.
- Police are everywhere but these interactions are normal positive
- You always need to bring license even on motorbike
SOME OTHER TIPS
- For clean toilets go to Cargalls (and always bring hand sanitiser)
- Cultural Etiquette: Don’t pose with statues, dress modestly. Room shoes before walking in home stays
- Sri Lankans shake their head to say yes
- Red buses are government run while all others are private
- Lots of reviews are fake
- Bargain !! Negotiate everything and compare prices
- ATMs are unreliable and sometimes don’t work
- AirBNB’s and Home-stays are often cheaper than hostels!! Search by breakfast provided. You also get great local tips from home-stays
- If in danger / sketchy stuff is happening start filming
- Wifi is shit and their is a cap on downloads > Dialog is a good sim provided
- Supermarkets are limited so bring all toiletries etc
- Hot showers are hit and miss and black outs occur often
- Don’t be afraid to say no (don’t make drivers wait, don’t follow them into shops)
- Don’t go into spice gardens when they push you to. Market as free but charge heaps for little things
- Plugs are same as UK
- Drinking tap water isn’t recommended
- Tipping 10% is normal
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Negombo, Sri Lanka
🚌 COLOMBO AIRPORT to NEGOMBO
* Pay with cash - see Google Maps for bus details
NEGOMBO - 1N
Find feet and relax
Explore town
🚌 NEGOMBO to SIGIRIYA (4-6hr)
* Pay with cash - see Google Maps (or TikTok) for bus details
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Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
🚌 NEGOMBO to SIGIRIYA (4-6hr)
* Pay with cash - see Google Maps (or TikTok) for bus details
SIGIRIYA - 3N
MUST DO 🌞
- Climb Lion Rock (about $50)
- Pidurangala Rock at sunrise and sunset !!
- Ederagala Wana Senasuna Viewpoint
THINGS TO DO 🤍
- Dambulla Cave Temples (do on way to Kandy)
- Tailor-made Bookmark in City
- Elephant Safari - Hurulu Eco Park*
TIPS 🧞♂️
- Don’t go out in the dark due to large elephants roaming streets
- *Consider rethinking Elephant Safari if doing Shuttle with Udawalawe Safari from Ella to Tangelle
🚌 SIGIRIYA to KANDY (3hr)
* Sigiriya to Dambulla (stop in and do cave temples?)
* Dambulla to Kandy
* Leave early in day for more time in Kandy (if following day itinerary)
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Kandy, Sri Lanka
🚌 SIGIRIYA to KANDY (3hr)
* Sigiriya to Dambulla (stop in and do cave temples?)
* Dambulla to Kandy
* Leave early in day for more time in Kandy (if following day itinerary)
KANDY - 1N (Arrive Early, Leave Late)
*stay an extra night if time permits
THINGS TO DO 🤍
- Temple of the Tooth
- Botanical Gardens
- Big Buddha Temple (Free)
- Kandy Spice Garden (Free)
- Traditional Kandy Dance Show
- Go to the lake at dusk
- Local Markets
- Bogambara Prison Park
- Ambuluwawa Tower
- Wood Carving
- CAFE : Buono
🚂 KANDY to NUWARA ELIYA (4hr)
- [ ] BOOK TICKETS EARLY !!
* Nanu Oya station for Nuwara Eliya
* Can book ticket on 12go Asia / Railway website (might be cheaper)
* Book Colombo-Badulla train
* Ticket release 1 month prior
* Book reserved 2nd of 3rd Class carriage seats
* No hang out windows in 1st Class
* About $20pp
* If you book late and don’t get seats try getting on at Peradeniya station (before all tourists get on)
* SIT ON RIGHT HAND SIDE OF TRAIN FOR BEST VIEWS
https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/
🛺 Tuktuk from Nanu Oya station to
Nuwara Eliya - PickMe (10km)
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Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
NUWARA ELIYA - 2N
THINGS TO DO 🤍
- Lover’s Leap Waterfall 🌞
- Ramboda and Lower Ramboda Falls (1hr away, motorbike hire?)
- Bomburu Falls
- St Clair Waterfall
- Nanuoya Waterfall
- Damro Tea Plantation
- Post Office
TIPS 🧞♂️
- Hire motorbike or Tuktuk to be able to waterfall hop and travel around different attractions
🚂 NUWARA ELIYA to ELLA (3.5hr)
- [ ] BOOK TICKETS EARLY !!
* Same process as Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
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Ravana Waterfall, Sri Lanka
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Ella, Sri Lanka
🚂 NUWARA ELIYA to ELLA (3.5hr)
- [ ] BOOK TICKETS EARLY !!
* Same process as Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
ELLA - 5N
MUST DO 🌞
- Ravana Falls !!
- Nine Arch Bridges !!
- Pallewela Falls
- Little Adam’s Peak for Sunrise
- Ella’s Rock Trailhead
- Soul Cafe for train views
- Lipton Seat View
- Kumbalwela Mahamewna Buddhist Monastrey guided meditation at sunset
- Do a cooking class
- Stroll around town
THINGS TO DO 🤍
- Mountain Heavens (infinity pool with view ~ $3-$5)
- Kital Waterfall
- Diyaluma Waterfall
- Secret Waterfall
- Rathna Waterfall (1hr from Ella)
- Dunhinda Waterfall (50min “”)
- Kuda Ravana Ella Waterfall
- Flying Ravana (zipline ~ $50)
- Cafe Chill
TIPS 🧞♂️
- Hire motorbike to be able to waterfall hop for a day?
🚐 ELLA TO TANGALLE (7hr)
* No direct bus so best option is shuttle
* Shuttle through get your guide that also goes through Udawalawe Safari is approx $77
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Tangalle, Sri Lanka
TIPS 🧞♂️
- To get around beach side towns / attractions for the remainder of trip - consider hiring a TukTuk through TukTuk Rental
- TukTuk allows for pick up in Tangalle and drop of in Galle or Airport (cheaper)
- About $400 (Airport drop off)
TANGALLE - 2N
THINGS TO DO🤍
- RELAX
- Paradise Beach
- Silent Beach 🌞
- Look for turtles
🛺 TANGALLE to HIRIKETIYA BEACH
* Alternative transport method from Tuktuk is public bus (see Google maps)
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Hiriketiya Beach, Sri Lanka
HIRIKETIYA BEACH - 3N
THINGS TO DO 🤍
- Surf Lessons (Kudawella Beach, $20/1.5hr for lessons or $3.50/2hr for rent) *or another good beginner beach is Willigama
- Blue Beach and Blue Beach Island
- Watch turtle-man feeding turtles
- Lagoon Paradise karaoke night on Thursdays
🛺 HIRIKETIYA BEACH to MIRISSA
* Alternative transport method from Tuktuk is public train (see Google maps)
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Mirissa, Sri Lanka
MIRISSA - 3N
MUST DO 🌞
- Coconut Tree Hill (at sunset!!)
- Release baby turtles on Marissa Beach (also swim with turtles)
- Sunset on Marissa Beach
- Secret Beach
- Beach hop at the empty beaches
- Spend time at Weligama!!
- Weligama Beach for surfing
OTHER THINGS TO DO 🤍
- Parrot Rock View
- Nightlife: Lamanas & Doctors House
- The Cliff Weligama
🛺 MIRISSA to UNAWATUNA
* Alternative transport method from Tuktuk is public train (see Google maps)
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Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
UNAWATUNA - 2N
THINGS TO DO 🤍
- Dream Cabana at Dalawella Beach (rope swing with flag) 🌞
- Jungle Beach
- Unawatuna Beach
- Turtles at turtle beach
- Japanese Peace Pagoda
🛺 UNAWATUNA to GALLE
* Alternative transport method from Tuktuk is public train (see Google maps)
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Galle, Sri Lanka
GALLE - 1N
THINGS TO DO 🤍
- Galle Fort in evening
- Galle Lighthouse at sunset
- Walk around lush streets
- Pedlar Street (Pedlar Inn)
- Flag Rock Bastian
- House of Arts
- Spinara (souvenir)
- Stick no Bills (souvenirs !!)
- Traditional mask painting @ Fort
- Isso Rooftop Cafe
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Colombo, Sri Lanka
COLOMBO (stop on way to airport)
THINGS TO DO 🤍
- Gangaramaya Temple
- Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque
- Sammangodu Sri Katirvelauta Swamy Temple
- Pettah Markets
TIPS 🧞♂️
- Wear coverup in the city
🛺GALLE to COLOMBO AIRPORT (2hr)
* Alternative transport method from Tuktuk is buses from 12go which are about $16