Editor: Irina
What are your associations for the word "Ceylon"? Tea and elephants.
Association to "Sri Lanka"? Ocean, palms, tropical fruits.
For those who did not know, this is one and the same thing - an island, a former English colony, and now a popular tourist destination. Finding out where is better in Sri Lanka: lists of resorts and beaches, plus useful information on the weather.
When is the best time to go on vacation to Sri Lanka?
No matter what time of year you come, there is always an excellent "dry" beach on the island. But the rainy season in Sri Lanka has not been canceled, and in order not to travel around the country in search of good weather conditions, here is information about the features of the climate of Ceylon:
➢ First: the temperature in Sri Lanka is a constant value. About + 30 ° С "on land", + 28 ° С "at sea", which is in January, which is in May.
➢ Secondly: monsoons decide how comfortable a vacation on the island of Sri Lanka will be. They bring rains, and the dry season gives way to the wet one. The weather gets worse, it gets stuffy, there are big waves in the ocean. This is a good time to explore the island as prices are lower. But it is not a fact that it will be possible to catch clear days among rainy vacation days.
What is the “duty schedule” for dry and wet seasons? It all depends on the location. The main resorts of Sri Lanka are located on the southwestern and northeastern coasts:
✓ On South good in december, january, february, march
✓ North-east it makes sense to move in May-August
Sunny weather can be caught in November, October and September, but no guarantees. If you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka in 2021, check our table by month when is the best.
Where to go to Sri Lanka?
| Resort / Month | Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | But I | Dec |
(from Tangalle to Negombo) | + | + | + | +/- | — | — | — | — | — | — | +/- | + |
(Trincomalee) | — | — | +/- | + | + | + | + | + | + | +/- | — | — |
Where to look for cheap tours?
Regardless of the chosen place and time of travel, the tour is easiest to find here:
- Travelata
- Level.Travel
- Onlinetours
A logical search, a selection of "hot" offers, the lowest prices on the market. The sites work within the meaning of the popular aviasales.ru: only, instead of plane tickets, they offer vouchers.
Tours to Sri Lanka this winter, with a flight from Moscow, for a week for two - from 75,000 rubles.
But, in the experience of our friends, Sri Lanka is more for self-tourism. In this case, for air tickets on Aviasales, and for guesthouses - on RoomGuru (or Booking, if you are used to).
Where is the best place to go to Sri Lanka? Resorts
If you fell in love with Sri Lanka, and did not decide where to go to rest on the island, do not stay at one resort, explore the whole of Ceylon! He is beautiful.
But seriously, the choice of location depends on two factors:
➢ “travel time-season” ratio (so as not to get wet in the rain)
➢ requests on the scale of "entertainment" (so as not to fade from boredom)
We tell you more about the best resorts in Sri Lanka and their features. Spoiler alert: they go to the southwest to party, to the north and east - peace and solitude.
Hikkaduwa
Be prepared to suddenly find yourself on the board catching a wave by the end of your vacation. Even if you are 80 years old and the most extreme thing you have done in your life is crossing the road to blinking green. The energy of the place is as follows - everyone surfs. |
Hikkaduwa as a resort began to be developed 50 years ago, which is a lot for the island. Now there is a developed tourist infrastructure: hotels, cafes and restaurants, motorbike rentals, surf schools, parties and much more. For example, Russian tourists :) Entertainment from the "must-have" program:
✓ Hikkaduwa has good beaches, but surfing is a priority - waves are conducive. The cost of renting a board is about $ 15 per day, one lesson with an instructor + $ 15- $ 20 (about 2 hours)
✓ Laguna Beach is good for swimming, the ocean is quieter in this area. Divers and snorkelers will appreciate the coral reef and shipwrecks - the cost of one scuba dive is around $ 50
✓ For those who prefer a non-extreme pastime, you can take an excursion on a boat with a transparent bottom - the price is around $ 12 (at a stationary point - a booth on the beach - cheaper than private traders traveling among tourists), maximum number of passengers: 6 people
| Pros: | Minuses: |
| + Surfing and diving + Large selection of hotels + There are parties / discos / night clubs | - Not suitable for families with children (waves, reverse currents) - Noisy and crowded - The beach is located close to the highway |
| pros |
| + Surfing and diving + Large selection of hotels + There are parties / discos / night clubs |
| Minuses |
| - Not suitable for families with children (waves, reverse currents) - Noisy and crowded - The beach is located close to the highway |
Good value for money hotels:
- 3 * Asian Jewel Boutique Hotel - the hotel tries in every possible way to compensate for the remoteness from the beach with the atmosphere and service
Price per night: from $ 80 - 3 * L&D Lodge - near the beach, helpful staff. Cons: located close to the railway station, you can hear the noise of trains
Price per night: from $ 40 - 3 * Blue Fox Holidays - clean, conveniently located. The hotel has mostly Russian tourists - there will be someone to exchange a few words with in their native language
Price per night: from $ 40 - 3 * The Oasis Villa - according to some tourists, the best hotel in its price segment
Price per night: from $ 40 - 4 * Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon - for those who like more posh. Rooms, service, food - at the level
Price per night: from $ 100
Bentota
A place of pilgrimage for newlyweds who come for their honeymoon, and those who are just planning to become a family: wedding ceremonies in hotels take place almost every day. |
Beach holidays in Sri Lanka among flexible long palms - here. Gentle entry into the water + relatively calm ocean + no noisy parties = child-friendly resort. Bentota is famous for its luxury hotels, there are many "package" tourists.
Sometimes travel agencies try to sell a ticket to Bentota for the monsoon season at a high price. Remember that this is the southwestern coast, it is good here during the Russian winter, check the table for the months above 🙂
From entertainment:
✓ Water safari among mangroves (around $ 11 per boat, excursion for 1.5 hours)
✓ Buddhist Temple (Free)
✓ Turtle farms (about $ 3.5 per person entry)
| Pros: | Minuses: |
| + Swim safe and many hotels have swimming pools + Secluded and beautiful: nature has been preserved in its original form + Perfect 3 km of beach | - There is muddy water due to the river - More expensive compared to other resorts, few budget accommodation - No nightlife |
| pros |
| + Swim safe and many hotels have swimming pools + Secluded and beautiful: nature has been preserved in its original form + Perfect 3 km of beach |
| Minuses |
| - There is muddy water due to the river - More expensive compared to other resorts, few budget accommodation - No nightlife |
Bentota is known for its high-star hotels with vast green areas. People come here to chill and not deny themselves anything (it is easier to save in other places). Where is the best place to live at the resort? Small author's selection of hotels:
- 5 * Taj Bentota Resort & Spa - a good "five"
Price per night: from $ 170 - 4 * EKHO Surf - cheaper, but according to reviews it does not reach 5 stars
Price per night: from $ 95 - 3 * Wunderbar Beach Hotel is a good option for your money. It should be noted that the hotel is separated from the beach by a railway road.
Price per night: from $ 80 - Mihin Villa - if you need to settle in Bentota, but cheap - a great place
Price per night: from $ 20 - 3 * Oasey Beach Hotel is a fairly secluded place, a little away from Bentota. There is a swimming pool, first line
Price per night: from $ 70
Unawatuna
They say that Unawatuna is the best beach on the whole island. Perhaps that is why the town is so popular with tour operators. |
The Sri Lankan resort of Unawatuna disposes of a measured beach holiday: shallow backwaters provided this place with an influx of guests with children, waves almost never happen due to the reefs.
You can dilute your beach holiday:
✓ Visiting Galle, which is only 6 km from Unawatuna, there is an old fort. It is convenient to get there by tuk-tuk, the price of the issue is about $ 2 one way
✓ A trip to the tea plantation Handunugoda Tea Estate - the tour itself is carried out by local guides for free (in English), and at the end, after tasting, they offer to buy tea (about $ 5 for 50 g)
| Pros: | Minuses: |
| + Beautiful landscapes, turquoise ocean, gentle entrance to the water + The most developed destination for tours + Large selection of cafes, there are dinners by the ocean | - Lots of people regarding the Unawatuna territory - The eastern part is highly eroded due to erosion |
| pros |
| + Beautiful landscapes, turquoise ocean, gentle entrance to the water + The most developed destination for tours + Large selection of cafes, there are dinners by the ocean |
| Minuses |
| - Lots of people regarding the Unawatuna territory - The eastern part is highly eroded due to erosion |
There are no large chain hotels in the resort, all accommodation options are compact:
- 3 * Hotel Flower Garden - clean, with pool, green garden
Price per night: from $ 60 - Sun'n'Sea Hotel - first line, ocean view rooms
Price per night: from $ 45 - 4 * Unawatuna Beach Bungalow - 50 m to the beach, rooms with all necessary amenities, balconies, green area
Price per night: from $ 65 - 3 * Primrose Guest House is a cheaper option. Guest house, very helpful hosts (according to reviews)
Price per night: from $ 25 - 3 * White VIlla Resort is a cozy secluded hotel in a small bay, there are practically no waves on the beach. There is a swimming pool on the territory
Price per night: from $ 90
Other resorts
A few more not so widely-known, but no less worthwhile options where it is better to relax in Sri Lanka:
Colombo
Colombo is not exactly a resort place. There is a railway along the coast, there are no beaches. But here is the capital, which means civilization and a good spot for getting to know the country.
We recommend booking a hotel with a swimming pool (there is nowhere to swim), one of the proven ones is 5 * Marino Beach Colombo (price per night from $ 100): great views and an infinity pool on the roof are included.
Negombo
Just 15 km from Colombo airport, and here it is, the beach. There is no infrastructure as such, but there are colorful fishermen, a large selection of housing, reefs for research.
Negombo is a resort when you need to rest for a couple of days before traveling around the country or, conversely, before returning home. Very convenient location!
Mirissa
Located in the south of the country. Foursome beach, often big waves, there are several surf spots for beginners. More hipsters (local), parties and higher prices in cafes. From Mirissa, you should go to Cape Dondra - the southernmost point of Sri Lanka, and then climb the lighthouse.
But the main activity in the vicinity of the resort is the whales! 🙂 Season from May to October. The cost of the excursion is about $ 50 (you can bargain up to $ 30).
Trincomalee
A small town in the northeast. The beaches in its vicinity are uncrowded, the resort is just beginning to develop. Deer and lemurs can be found on the streets. There is a beautiful coral island for snorkeling.
It is good here when the popular resorts are "not very" - from April to October.
Weligama
All you need to know about Weligama is a "hotbed" of surf schools (one and a half hours of surfing with an instructor - 2000 rupees or 700 rubles). Accordingly, its own special atmosphere. Plus, a bunch of cafes, bars and cheap guesthouses. Weligama is not suitable for ordinary bathing, you will have to move to the neighboring Midigama.
Recommended cafe:
- Ceylon sliders - many options for vegetarians and vegans, try the bean burger (Rs 1,500 ≈ 500 rubles).
- The hummus bar - when everything is clear without words :) A portion of hummus is 700-800 rupees (240-270 rubles).
- Nomad Cafe - a very popular place, cappuccino - 500 rupees (170 rubles).
Wadduwa
Most all-inclusive package offers, good infrastructure and beaches. Quite quiet, there is no nighttime entertainment, and there are not many daytime activities. Here you can take a break from the hustle and bustle, incredible landscapes contribute.
Arugam Bay
The east coast of Sri Lanka has also got its best surfing resort. An iconic place for those on the board. Accommodation is mainly in budget guesthouses and bungalows. There are many young people.
Passikuda
Quite a new resort with a gentle entry into the water. The best time to relax is from May to November. There is a large diving center.
Sri Lanka landmarks
Attractions in Ceylon are found at every turn! The island cannot be quickly explored and then wallow on the beaches with a clear conscience, it was not so. There are a lot of places to see. Main points of interest:
- Adam's Peak: a sacred mountain with a height of just over 2000 meters. A holy place for all Sri Lankans and a must visit at dawn for tourists. Above there is a print of Buddha / Vishnu / Adam (underline as necessary based on beliefs) Ascent usually starts around 3 am to see the rising sun.
How to get there? From the airport - to the city of Kandy; from Kandy by train to Hatton; then a bus to the village of Delhouse. Important: from December to April - the season of pilgrimage, on the way to the mountain of traffic jams; peak in January and February.
- Excursions "Cultural Triangle": the ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Kandy with its Temple of the Tooth of the Buddha, Polonnaruwa. Time spent - from 2 days (just jogging) to a week (at a calm pace). Entrance to each attraction is paid separately: Anuradhapura - $ 25, Polonnaruwa - $ 25, Temple of the Tooth Relic - $ 8.
- Sigiriya: the remains of a fortress from the 5th century on a rock, entrance $ 30. Not to say that the amount is worth it, it is better to climb Pidurangala for $ 3 and look at Sigiriya from the side.
- Nine Arch Bridge: over tea plantations. An iconic place in Sri Lanka, near Ella.
- Nuwara Eliya: tea plantations amid mountain freshness. Do not forget about shopping, tea is beyond praise here 🙂
One of the super-luxury holiday options in Sri Lanka is the 5-star Ceylon Tea Trails Boutique Hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Around is the huge Castlereagh reservoir, where you can go kayaking, the Dilma tea factory (yes, that one) and the mountains.
The best beaches in Sri Lanka
There are a great many beaches in Sri Lanka, that's why people come here. In general, they are divided into full of entertainment southwest and uncrowded northeast. Top:
✓ Bentota Beach - perfect for a honeymoon, and very close to the three Beruwela beaches with different waves
✓ Unawatuna - with a calm ocean non-stop
✓ Tangalle - seclusion among overhanging palms
✓ Arugam Bay - romance in a bungalow on the beach
✓ Uppuveli - a gorgeous underwater world, a calm and secluded place
Reviews of tourists about Sri Lanka
Reviews from tourists about Sri Lanka - such reviews from tourists! As with most places on the planet: from enthusiastic to "all g..no". Yes, you should not expect promoted hotels from the island (here the trick is in cozy small buildings) and neat neat beaches. But an amazing vacation in Sri Lanka, with children, in a family way, or among a youth get-together, on your own or on a tour, is more than possible. Get fresh reviews from our friends straight from Sri!
General.
“We need to look for cheap tickets and fly here for at least two weeks! Also, do not try to do everything in a couple of days at a gallop and not be afraid that two weeks will be expensive. Good accommodation for two with breakfast here costs $ 30-40 per night. Water - 17.5 rubles per liter most often. Board rental 90-100 rubles per hour. The beaches are public, there is no paid entrance to them, sun loungers can even be found free of charge. In short, for now, Sri Lanka van love. "
Christina.
Sri Lanka or Thailand?
“They are as different as heaven and earth. Starting with the style of rest, ending with the people who live here and who rest. Visitors are younger, and very rarely you meet the so-called "Turkey" (which has already become quite a lot in Thailand). I liked Sri Lanka more. Freedom and ways of movement, there are still trains, buses, and tuk-tuk does not stand like an airplane. And of course surfing is everywhere. An additional bonus is that it is cool in the central part, and if you are tired of the heat, you can go to the mountains and stay there. Moreover, it will be 1.5 times cheaper both in terms of food and accommodation. "
Donut.
How much do fruits cost?
* 10 Lankan rupees ≈ 3 rubles
- Bananas, kg - 100 rupees
- Coconut - 20 rupees
- Papaya - 30-50 rupees
- Pineapple - 30 rupees
Pros and cons
Ceylon is still "wild" and that is its beauty.
| Pros: | Minuses: |
| + Sri Lanka - a paradise for independent travel + The nature here is luscious, better than in Tae + You can even admire the gorgeous beaches for the whole vacation, or you can go inland in search of local flavor - variety + In Sri Lanka, everything is conducive to start surfing and diving + Ceylon is available for every budget + Sri Lanka, unlike Tai or Vietnam, is not so “Russified”. The locals will not speak to you in Russian (with the exception of Hikkaduva), and "Fishing" and "Massage" will not freeze your eyes | - Underdeveloped infrastructure in most resorts, chaos in cities - Bathing beaches are not everywhere - Overpriced compared to the same items / conditions in neighboring India - Difficulties with currency exchange, can easily be diluted. Therefore - exchange at the airport - Paid visa ($ 40 at the airport or $ 35 online) |
| pros |
| + Sri Lanka - a paradise for independent travel + The nature here is luscious, better than in Tae + You can even admire the gorgeous beaches for the whole vacation, or you can go inland in search of local flavor - variety + In Sri Lanka, everything is conducive to start surfing and diving + Ceylon is available for every budget + Free visa on arrival + Sri Lanka, unlike Tai or Vietnam, is not so “Russified”. The locals will not speak to you in Russian (with the exception of Hikkaduva), and "Fishing" and "Massage" will not freeze your eyes |
| Minuses |
| - Underdeveloped infrastructure in most resorts, chaos in cities - Bathing beaches are not everywhere - Overpriced compared to the same items / conditions in neighboring India - Difficulties with currency exchange, can easily be diluted. Therefore - exchange at the airport |
Transport on the island: car rental
You can move around Sri Lanka by car, trains, buses and tuk-tuk. On the last two, it is convenient to make trips between resorts for short distances. The train is justified only in some directions (the trip from Kandy to Ella, for example, is considered one of the most scenic railway routes in the world).
Locals often ride bikes, but tourists are not advised to use this transport. The roads in the country are steep, the driving style of Sri Lankans is chaotic, left-hand traffic - everything is complicated! 🙂
For a comfortable transfer, it is better to rent a car. A cheap Suzuki Alto will cost $ 40 per day. Rental offices also set a daily mileage limit: usually about 100 km. For exceeding the km they take money. In Sri Lanka, the services of drivers with their own cars are popular, the price is around $ 50 per day. If it seems a bit too much, look for fellow travelers and share the trip among everyone.
We prefer to book a car on the RentalCars aggregator. In general, there are few online car rental offers in Sri Lanka, RentalKars is almost the only one.
Where else can you go instead of Sri Lanka?
When we calculated how much a vacation in Sri Lanka costs, in parallel we were calculating other available destinations at a similar price. If you liked this island and want similar landscapes with a slightly different infrastructure, take a look at Goa, the Dominican Republic and the Chinese Hainan.
Goa, Dominican Republic, Hainan
Sri Lanka or Goa? Here we are biased: Shri! One of the most famous hangout places in India is several times dirtier and more crowded than in Ceylon. Yes, cheaper, but not so pretty. It is possible to relax in India on beaches similar to the Sri Lankan ones only in the state of Kerala.
The Dominican Republic is a completely different story. More expensive, but the level of service is higher. We would say that this is a classic, perfectly beautiful beach holiday. But there are not so many natural attractions and distinctive atmosphere.
The Chinese island-health resort of Hainan is not inferior to Ceylon in the beauty of its beaches. And a completely different culture is a great reboot.
