bigtravelbuzzA beautiful tropical island nestled in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has to be one of the best travel destinations of all time. Three weeks is ideal for his Sri Lankan itinerary as it traverses jungles, mountains, tea plantations and a paradise coastline. Start in the big city and relax on a beautiful beach with a coconut in hand. Everything you can dream of is in this beautiful country with the perfect Sri Lanka itinerary.
Sri Lanka route guide
This his 3-week Sri Lanka itinerary is a daily Sri Lankan itinerary. The island is easy to navigate and can be reached by bus, tuk-tuk, motorbike, taxi or private driver. One of the most popular options is to ride a traditional Sri Lankan train. Gain great insight into Sri Lankan culture as you fly through beautiful landscapes.
Cover the top things to do in Sri Lanka with this 3-week itinerary. I’ve added some additional options if I have time.
Days 1-2: Relax in Negombo or Colombo
Start your trip in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Here you’ll discover a unique blend of modern and traditional, with soaring skyscrapers and gorgeous rooftop bars juxtaposed with stunning mosques, traditional houses and bustling street markets. After a busy day of sightseeing, head to one of our beautiful parks to relax and see unique tropical plants, trees and flowers. Alternatively, you can stroll down to the town beach to watch the locals fly kites in the coastal breeze or cheer for points at cricket.
However, Colombo is not the nearest city to the airport, for more convenience, head to Negombo, a laid-back town right next to the airport. A great place for budget accommodation with a swimming pool to relax and unwind after your flight. The beaches are also much more picturesque in this city.
Day 3: attractions in Kandy
Kandy is her second largest city in Sri Lanka and he one of the most beautiful cities in all of Sri Lanka. Discover old colonial buildings that line the banks of the vast central lake and keep an eye out for exciting wildlife and unique flora. Plus, bustling streets full of coconut vendors and stalls are just a stone’s throw from this natural wonder.
Don’t forget to visit the Royal Botanic Gardens. This is a fantastic, quiet wilderness within the city, filled with a variety of plants, trees and flowers. Look around and you’ll see mountains and rainforests are not far away! This proximity makes Kandy a great base for day trips.
Day 4: Sigiriya
Sigiriya’s Lion Rock is he one of the most famous landmarks in the country. Huge natural formations jut out from the flat landscape, dominating forests and meadows inhabited by elephants. On the 200m square rock are the ruins of an ancient palace and gardens, with many rock carvings along the way.In addition, Lion Rock is one of his eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. It’s one. This is yet another reason to add it to your Sri Lanka itinerary.
Or visit the nearby Lion Rock’s little brother, Pidurangla Rock. This rock is smaller, but has a better view as it faces Lion Rock directly. Admission fee is also cheap!
If you have time to spend a few nights in Sigiriya, we recommend relaxing in one of the many beautiful hotels surrounded by nature, hiking the rocks or going on an elephant safari in the flat valleys. Hire a driver or look for a shuttle bus to get there (3 hours drive from Kandy).
Day 5:
Kandy to Ella by Train
Return to Kandy and board the most beautiful train in Sri Lanka. One of the top activities on your Sri Lankan itinerary, this long train journey takes you through breathtaking hilltops, rainforests and lush tea plantations. Step outside the door and feel the weather cooling off as the wind hits your hair as you step into the fog and clouds of the highlands of Sri Lanka.
Days 6-7:
Nuwara Eliya
The train from Kandy to Ella makes several stops along the way. Get off a bit early and spend the night in the natural beauty of Nuwara Eliya, famous for its tea plantations.
One of the world’s most famous tea producers and exporters, he is best known as the home of one of the Lipton Plantations. In fact, the history of British colonization here has also influenced architecture, with many British-style bungalows dotted across the fields, and Nuwara Eliya earning the nickname ‘Little England’. increase.
Days 8 – 10:
Ella
Visit one of the most beautiful and natural places in Sri Lanka,
Ella. Small towns have a laid-back hippie vibe, complemented by the large mountains and hills that dominate the city. Stay in a hilltop guesthouse with stunning views and use it as a base for climbing Adam’s Peak, Ella Rock and the enchanting Nine Arch Bridge. After your hike, head to one of the many scenic waterfall pools for a refreshing swim.
Ella is one of the most beautiful places in the country and a must-see in Sri Lanka.
Days 11 – 13:
Arugam Bay
Ready to catch some waves? Sri Lanka’s most famous surf spot is Arugam Bay. The weather is sunny and warm from April to October, and the waves are good, making it popular enough for many surfers to call it home. It’s easy to see why people spend a lot of time here for a relaxed lifestyle, living in wooden beach shacks, surfing and sunbathing during the day, and great bars and restaurants at night. The atmosphere is here with a real hammock swing and coconut sipping.
Day 14:
Go on Safari in Sri Lanka
Going on a nature safari on a day trip from Arugam Bay to Yala National Park is pretty easy. You might even get lucky and spot the elusive leopard! Join
Tours, hop in a jeep and embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Cross rough dirt roads, drive around lakes and through bushland to see huge herds of wild elephants and other animals. Sri Lanka has many national parks, the most popular being Udawalawe National Park or Yala National Park.
Days 15-16:
Mirissa
Head south to the heavenly seaside town of Mirissa. Take off your shoes, slow down, feel the sand between your toes and the waves on your feet, and say goodbye to normal life. But Mirissa isn’t just about beaches. There are beautiful coconut palm forests to explore, charming tidal islands and an endless chain of great restaurants.
Mirissa is also one of the best places in Sri Lanka to spot migrating whales here from November to March. This part of the country is home to some of the most spectacular sunsets and is a great combination with a sunset whale watching tour. Tips:
Are you someone who is always looking for a secret beach?Find your perfect beach with his list of 10 best beaches in Sri Lanka.
Days 17-19:
Unawatuna
The Unawatuna area is home to some of Sri Lanka’s most famous beaches, known for its white sands, great surf, lively beach he bar, and Instagram-famous palm swings. The town is small but has great shopping, guesthouses and trendy restaurants.
It’s also a great jumping-off point to nearby local attractions such as Galle Fort, Koggala Lake and even Colombo’s bright lights. This beautiful little seaside town is a quick destination and the perfect place to relax and unwind at the end of your Sri Lankan itinerary. Days 20 and 21:
back to colombo
Complete your trip with a stay near Colombo’s airport. If you have a little more time before your flight, visit Barefoot Handicraft and its amazing restaurants, or check off sights you may have missed at the start of your trip.
optional location
Sri Lanka is an absolute mind thief and can make you want to stay longer than 3 weeks. Extending the route will allow you to visit even more amazing places, especially in the northern part of Sri Lanka (there are some hidden gems here!). Some of the most popular places on Sri Lanka itineraries are:
Trincomalee
Jaffna
Dambulla
Polonnaruwa
How to get to Sri Lanka
International flights land at Colombo Airport (actually closer to Negombo than Colombo). From here, you can easily travel by public transport to your next destination or be picked up by a driver.
moving sri lanka
by car
Hiring a driver in Sri Lanka is very popular as it is very cheap. This usually costs about $50 per day, so you have more flexibility in your itinerary. It also helps you get to more remote locations that would otherwise be very difficult.
by bus
Buses are a very cheap option. Only a few dollars for a day bus ride. Please note that buses are usually full and you will need to stand. Don’t expect air conditioning, but you can enjoy local TV with Sri Lankan music videos!
on the train
Train travel is a must do thing in Sri Lanka. Home to some of the world’s most scenic train journeys, the country is world-famous for the experience of hanging out of a train door as tea plantations and rolling hills pass by.
Prices for second class cabins range from $1.50 to $4. Sometimes they run out of seats so you have to stand or sit on the floor. But enjoy this beautiful experience as the locals do!
Best time to travel to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a year-round travel destination. There is no such thing as a best time to travel, as each side of the island has its own “best time to visit”, as sun is always there. Monthly drying times and destinations are as follows:
North – May to September
Center – January to April
Southern – December – March
If you visit these areas during the rainy season, you can really have a good time. Prices are cheaper, there are fewer people, and the nature is especially rich. However, be aware that rain can bring rough waves to the coast. At this time the beach is very dirty and unusable.
Sri Lanka visa
A Sri Lanka visa is required to enter Sri Lanka. Fortunately, arranging a visa is not difficult at all. All you need to do is make sure your passport has at least 6 months left on it. Sri Lanka has several visa options to choose from depending on your length of stay and reason for your visit.
online visa sri lanka
The first option is to apply for a Sri Lanka visa online. We recommend applying at least a few days before your arrival. Applications are usually approved within hours and you receive your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). A 30-day tourist visa costs $35.
visa on arrival
You can get a Sri Lanka visa on arrival on arrival without having applied for an ETA. Colombo airport has a counter and you can go there. However, paying the extra $5 usually results in long lines. For this reason, we recommend that you apply for your visa online early.
How much is Sri Lanka?
In Sri Lanka payments are made in Sri Lankan Rupees (as opposed to Indian Rupees). One dollar is currently equivalent to two Sri Lankan rupees. In general, Sri Lanka is cheap to travel, especially in remote areas such as the north and central regions.
Accommodation ranges from budget guesthouses to luxury beachfront hotels. You can also find cheap and delicious food on the streets and in small restaurants everywhere you go (a bowl of local rice and curry is usually US$1-3!).
Budget
Hotel: $10-$30/night
Hostel: $10-$20/night
Restaurant: $3-$10
Enterance: $2-$30
Transportation: $2-$50/day
4 Simcard: 7 USD/6 GB
Immunizations Sri Lanka
It is recommended that you have the following two immunizations regardless of the length of your trip. Next, you should be vaccinated against hepatitis B and rabies. There is no risk of malaria in Sri Lanka.