Discover Sri Lanka
The pearl of the Indian Ocean: Ancient temples, green tea plantations and endless dream beaches.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
DECEMBER - APRIL & JULY - SEPTEMBER
BUDGET:
FROM 30 $ PER DAY
Discover Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka was a real highlight for me – in terms of landscape, food, and people. The island immediately captivated me: jungle, temples, scenic train rides, wild animals, surf beaches, and these incredibly friendly people. In two weeks, we only saw part of the island, but what we experienced was intense, varied, and full of little surprises. If you love Asia, you’ll love Sri Lanka. If you’re into authentic food, scooter trips, and nature – even more so.
Here I share our route, personal impressions, and lots of useful tips. Not a chronological recommendation – but an honest travel report.
Colombo – Capital Quickie
Our starting point was Colombo. We spent 2 days and one night here, visited a few temples (e.g., Gangaramaya Temple), and wandered around the city. Conclusion: You can do it, but you don’t have to. The city is loud, bustling, and has some nice spots – but if you’re short on time, you can skip Colombo and head straight south.
By train to Galle – Relaxed to the South
From Colombo, we took the train along the coast down to Fort Galle. The train ride itself was an experience – the sea always in view, open doors, wind in your face, and people selling you fresh fruit through the window. We spent a few days in Galle – and it was absolutely worth it.
The old town with its Dutch fort is beautiful. Narrow streets, colonial flair, relaxed cafés – you can easily spend 1–2 days here. Especially nice: sunset from the fort overlooking the sea.
Unawatuna – Treehouse in the Jungle
Next stop: Unawatuna, where we treated ourselves to a little luxury adventure for two nights: a treehouse with a big glass front, huge balcony, jungle view – and regular monkey visitors. No breakfast by pulley, but absolute peace, tropical sounds, and the perfect setting to unwind. We really enjoyed ourselves here – a little retreat in the middle of the jungle.
Mirissa – Surfing, Beach, Socializing
The next stop: Mirissa. We spent a few nights here. The place is touristy, yes – but also super lively. If you want to meet new people, this is the place. The beach is great for relaxing, eating out, having cocktails – and especially for surfing!
And the best part: The surf spots here were surprisingly relaxed – not crowded, no elbow fights in the water. Ideal for beginners and advanced surfers. If you want more peace, grab a board, rent a scooter, and keep exploring the coast.
Roadtrip by Scooter – Exploring the Coast on Your Own
That’s exactly what we did: grabbed a scooter, drove on spontaneously, discovered small villages, deserted beaches, delicious street food. Our destination: Rekawa Beach – a quiet stretch of coast with a real nature vibe.
Here we watched turtles laying eggs – on a guided night tour with a super friendly guide. Absolute highlight: A huge sea turtle digging her nest right in front of us on the beach. Magical!
Safari in Udawalawe National Park
In Rekawa we then hired a driver and car for the rest of the trip – just under €50 per day for 3–4 days. For two people, absolutely fair, especially since bus connections inland can take forever.
First stop: Udawalawe National Park. We spent a night here and visited the park with a guide the next day – highly recommended! We saw elephants in the wild, lots of peacocks, water buffalo, and other animals. The safari was well organized, not crowded, and very authentic.
Ella – Nature, Hiking, Views
Then we continued to Ella – and that was my absolute favorite place on the trip. Green, mountainous, relaxed vibes, cooler climate. We rented a scooter again and drove to various viewpoints, waterfalls, and hiking trails.
- Nine Arch Bridge – especially when the train passes over it
- Little Adam’s Peak – short but rewarding hike
- Diyaluma Falls – for swimming and enjoying
- Ravana Falls – ideal as a stopover
I could easily have stayed a few more days – Ella was just beautiful all around.
Tangalle – Beach and Turtles
Instead of heading on to Kandy, we went back to the south coast – to Tangalle. The beaches here are vast, wild, and much less crowded. We saw turtles laying eggs again – this time spontaneously during an evening walk on the beach. It’s impressive how many turtles are around here – nature lovers will definitely get their money’s worth.
Return & Farewell
From Tangalle, we headed back towards Galle and Colombo – with more stops along the coast, another quick swim, then off to the airport. With lots of great memories and the feeling that Sri Lanka has so much more to offer.
General Tips & Conclusion
- Food: Absolutely divine. Kottu Roti is my favorite – spicy, fatty, flavorful, and perfect after a long day. But also rice & curry, fresh fish, and roti were top. Culinary-wise, for me, clearly alongside Thailand and Mexico in first place.
- People: Extremely friendly, helpful, and honest. Wherever you go – you’ll be greeted with a smile.
- Transport: Train rides are a must! Renting a scooter is worth it (cheap and flexible), and if you don’t want endless bus rides, a driver will get you to your destination super relaxed.
- Surfing: Highly recommended! Especially on the south coast there are great spots – and the best part: not crowded. Even well-known places like Weligama or Mirissa were pleasantly relaxed.
- Language: You’ll get by well with English – especially in tourist areas. Still, locals appreciate it if you try a few words of Sinhala.
- Best time to visit: December to March – plenty of sun, hardly any rain, perfect conditions.
Conclusion:
Sri Lanka really blew us away. The island is incredibly diverse: jungle, mountains, sea, safari, temples, surfing – and all that in a relatively small area. Two weeks are enough for an intense first impression, but too short to see everything. We’ll definitely be back.
Ready for your Sri Lanka adventure?
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