Visiting Sri Lanka

Tuk Tuk Ride

There are a lot of great day trips from Colombo that can easily be done when visiting Sri Lanka.

One of the most popular day trips is a visit to Mount Lavinia. The coastal town on the outskirts of the city has great beaches, and is frequented by locals and visitors alike.

You can easily get to Mount Lavinia by train, taxi, or tuk tuk from the city center. If you have time, go for lunch at the excellent seafront restaurant at the historic Mount Lavinia Hotel.

Another of the best day trips from Colombo is Negombo. Located near Colombo airport, the area is home to beaches, shops, a bustling beachside fish market, a large harbor, a lagoon and river, and numerous bars and restaurants.

A great day out for wildlife enthusiasts is to visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. There you can see the elephants in their enclosures or bathing in the river. You can enjoy lunch or a drink at one of the restaurants, go shopping at the artisan stalls along the walkway to the river, or visit a nearby facility for an elephant ride.

Additionally, Bentota makes for a great day trip from Colombo. Located right on the coast, it is home to great beaches and a relaxed atmosphere. You can spend the day in Bentota swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying lunch at a beachside restaurant.

Sri Lanka

The best time to visit Sri Lanka depends on where you want to go and what you want to do when you’re there.

There are two distinct climactic regions in Sri Lanka, one in the east and one in the west. The east is rainy and cool from October to January, while the west is sunny and warm during that period.

The opposite is true from May to September, when the east is warmer and drier and the west experiences its monsoon season.

That said, in recent years there has been more rain and cooler weather on the west coast during the dry season, so make sure to pack a light jacket no matter what time you visit Sri Lanka.

The Hill Country in the middle of Sri Lanka is cooler and wetter throughout the year.

If you don’t care about the weather, you can visit Sri Lanka any time. There are festivals throughout the year, and visiting during a festival period is a great way to gain insight into Sri Lankan culture.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is one of the highlights of traveling between Colombo and Kandy.

The elephant orphanage is one of many elephant-related sightseeing destinations in Pinnawala, with others focusing on elephant safaris, elephant baths, and other activities.

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka houses a large herd of elephants. Visitors must pay US$20 to enter the orphanage, or to see the elephants bathing in the nearby river on their twice-daily excursions.

The elephants are fed and bathed at different times of day, so if you want to see a specific part of their routine, make sure to call ahead so that you don’t miss it.

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a great place to visit, and many visitors see it as a worthy cause to support.

However, there has been controversy over the years about the orphanage’s breeding program and its use of the elephants in cultural activities, so make sure to read up on it if you have any reservations about visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka.