Menü
Sri Lanka is a beautiful, vibrant and diverse country which has a lot to offer. So I created this post to help you plan your own itinerary and experience all highlights.
The best time to visit Sri Lanka depends on which part of the country you plan to explore. Due to the island’s distinct weather patterns, Sri Lanka is influenced by two different monsoon seasons.
We were backpacking in Sri Lanka in February/March. This is considered the peak tourist season in Sri Lanka due to the favorable weather across most parts of the country, especially the southwestern and central regions. You can enjoy the beaches, cultural sites, and hill country without the inconvenience of heavy rain. In the north and east, however, it is the rainy season during this time. The high season there begins in April.
By planning your visit between December and March, you’ll likely experience the best overall conditions across the majority of Sri Lanka. But you can also travel to Sri Lanka during the rest of the year, you just have to bear the two diffrent monsoon seasons in mind when planning your route.
In order to experience this beautiful island, we decided to stay for four weeks. If the tourist visa had been valid for longer, we would probably have stayed even longer. In the end we found four weeks to be a good time to explore the inland and relax on the countless beaches in the south. However, if you have a little less time, you can also explore Sri Lanka in two or three weeks.
Negombo is very close to the international airport and is therefore the perfect place to arrive. As we arrived in the evening, we only spent the night there and continued our journey in the morning. If you arrive in the morning you could also skip Negombo, as it’s not very special.
Anuradhapura is an ancient city famous for its history. We stayed there for two nights. One night could also be enough to visit Mihintale in the evening and the ancient city early in the morning.
Sigiriya is a small village, famous for the Lion Rock. I recommend staying there for two nights. However, as we found nature and our accommodation so beautiful, we booked one extra night and explored Dambulla as well. If you have the choice betwenn staying in Dambulla or Sigiriya, I would 100% chose Sigiriya.
Kandy is a small but busy city in the heart of Sri Lanka. In my opinion one day is enough to explore the city, which is famous for the temple of the tooth. On our second day we went on a hiking trip to the Knuckles Forest.
From Kandy we took the famous train to Ella, where we stayed 4 nights in total. Ella is quite touristy, but there is much to do, so I recommend at least 3 nights in this area. As we liked the cooler air and the nature in the highlands we stayed for four nights to refill our batteries.
From Haputale it is easier and cheaper to reach Lipton’s Seat and Diyaluma Falls. We therefore decided to stay in this less touristy place, but you can also do these things from Ella.
Udawalawa national park is the perfect place to go on safari. Depending on what time you plan your safari, you can also stay just one night and travel straight on after your safari. A safari is a must do on your itinerary.
Tangalle offers a peaceful escape from busier tourist spots but is less suitable for swimming. It is the perfect place for secluded beach walks and tours through the mangroves though. One of my personal highlights were the baby turtles hatching there.
The area is becoming increasingly popular among travelers seeking a laid-back atmosphere, with cozy cafes, boutique accommodations, and yoga retreats. It was a bit overcrowded in my opinion, but the vibe and the food were great.
Mirissa Beach offers golden sands, clear turquoise waters, and the famous coconut tree hill. The small town is also known for its nightlife, featuring beachside bars and restaurants serving fresh seafood.
Habaraduwa was the perfect starting point to visit places like Ahangama, Galle or Unawatuna. You can discover a lot by bus in both directions.
It is difficult to highlight individual places, as there were highlights to discover everywhere. These can usually be reached from different places, which is why it is not so important where you stay overnight, especially in the south. There are also safaris through national parks in many places. Nevertheless, I would say that Sigiriya, Ella and Mirissa are three main destinations for tourists that should not be skipped due to the sights that are located there.
If you have any experience of these places, we would be very interested to hear about it, as we weren’t there 😊
In hindsight, I would plan a little less time in the south and explore Nuwara Eliya instead. We found the south to be a bit too hectic and crowded for our taste. In general you can’t expect untouched nature and secluded beaches here. Aditionally, the water was also not always suitable for swimming due to the waves. However, if you enjoy partying, surfing, and connecting with other travelers over a beer, the south coast is the place for you.
Overall, the itinerary is very flexible due to the short distances in Sri Lanka. So make a rough plan and decide spontaneously where you would like to stay longer. Don’t hesitate to ask the locals for recommendations. They are always willing to help and will usually also help you with the organization. As a rough guide, most people travel either clockwise or counter-clockwise through Sri Lanka. Also note the rainy and dry seasons that prevail within the country. Then I’m sure you’ll have a great time <3
I love being surrounded by greenery and the sea, so I travel whenever I can. Join me as I show you colorful places and share tips on how to explore the world on a budget by yourself.
© All Rights Reserved 2024 HEXploretheworld
