| R Hulme |
09 August 2005 |
Stayed at Deer Park Hotel - Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka.
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We would recommend anyone visiting Sri Lanka to stay somewhere near to Polonnaruwa as a visit to Sigiriya and the ancient cities is a must. We thought Sigiriya was spectacular and the climb to the top was not as difficult as expected (try to go at the end of the day when temperatures are cooler). Beware of guides who insist on helping you and then ask for a large fee 30 USD is not appropriate and somewhere around 500 rupees is all that is required. Polonnaruwa needs a minimum of 4 hours and the visit should commence with the excellent museum. We found a guide to be invaluable and very reasonable. Unless you have a second stop near to Anuradhapura we did not think sightseeing worth the long journey if you have already visited Polonnaruwa. We rented a micro bus and driver for our trip and found it both excellent value and a pleasurable way to see the country. Our guide spoke excellent English and directed us to various places to stop on route, including a pineapple farm and spice/herb garden. 12 days vehicle hire covering 1500km (Colombo-Polonnaruwa-Anaradhapura-Kandy-Bentota-Galle-Colombo) cost approximately 200GBP
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| S Parr |
22 March 2005 |
Stayed at Suisse, Hotel - Kandy, Sri Lanka.
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Temple of the tooth and cultural show are worth visiting. Evening meal at Madame Helgas although fairly expensive is a must for ambience, fantastic food, and breathtaking views.
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| A Kirk |
18 March 2005 |
Stayed at Grand Oriental Hotel - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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Just a short visit to Sri Lanka of 7 nights and although usually an independent traveller preferring to use local transport, we booked a very good holiday with Mr. Lindley who has a Tourist Office right near the Ist Class Booking Office at Colombo Fort Railway Station. For a modest fee two of us had our own use of a mini bus and driver with bed and breakfast at hotels in the Central Highlands. Sri Lanka is very cheap to travel in as is eating out. A good place to visit with friendly people.
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| P Hoddinott |
19 February 2005 |
Stayed at Deer Park Hotel - Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka.
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Sigiriya was the highlight for us, and a jeep safari which enabled us to view many elephants and buffalo in the wild. We hired a car with English-speaking driver from Colombo for 30Rps per Km plus 300Rps per day per diem for the driver. A six day tour of the main sights was about 1200Kms.
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| E Gerritsen |
08 November 2004 |
Stayed at Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel - Negombo, Sri Lanka.
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After the first relaxing days at the beach of blue oceanic we made a fantastic tour through the country. We used Lanka travel associates, contact Alastair at 0777-308915.
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| C Yvon |
25 October 2004 |
Stayed at Sea Garden Hotel - Negombo, Sri Lanka.
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It's easy and recommended to ask for a driver because driving in Sri Lanka is very dangerous for foreigners! You can find a driver in each hotel and it's not too expensive (4500 rs all included per day).
In Hikkaduwa, taxi service DOUGLES B. GAMAGE was great (091-2277773 or 077-6065819). We had a 4 day-tour with him; sailing an old catamaran at Negombo, bodyboarding at Hikkaduwa,tea plantations and factory, orphanage elephant were great .
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| S Kealy |
01 October 2004 |
Stayed at Suisse, Hotel - Kandy, Sri Lanka.
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Kandy isn't that nice a place, it serves a purpose - being a base so you can visit the Ancient cities. It is dirty and busy and you constantly get hassled. Some people try to con you - if you get taken by a 'dance teacher' to see the Orphange School in the grounds of the Monastry - please barter with them when they try to sell you Batiks painted by the children! Very expensive otherwise. There are bargains in the shops if you so wish. We took a tour to some of the Acient Cities with Queen's tours (based inside Queen's hotel). It cost R5500 and is well worth it. Put comfy trainers on though!
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| E More |
21 September 2004 |
Stayed at Colombo Plaza, The - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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Travel whenever possible out of Colombo and into the country side to see great natural beauty; travel is time consuming but well worth the effort.within Colombo, a walk along the oceanside Galle Face is beautiful, especially at sunset, when many locals and their families come to enjoy the end of the day.
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| J Beckett |
17 September 2004 |
Stayed at Taj Exotica - Bentota, Sri Lanka.
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Recommend the visit to the Elephant Orphanage at Pinewallah, worth the 0630 start. Probably best to hire a driver for the day, but ask around as prices vary wildly. We secured a deal for Rps 15 per KM, which is about average, so our trip which included The elephant Orphanage, a spice garden, a Tea Plantation, a pineapple grove plus lots of roadside sights came to £36.00GBP for 2 of us. Be aware though that this is a long day, we left the hotel at 0630 and got back at 2015 hrs.
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| R Rogers |
08 September 2004 |
Stayed at Mount Lavinia Hotel - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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Avoided all organised tours, took bus to Trincomale & then on up to Nilaveli, stayed and Nilaveli Beach Hotel - fantastic value, super friendly & beautiful location. Train Kandy to/from Colombo highly reccomended. Visit Dambulla Cave Temples & Temple of the Tooth in Kandy - so worthwhile.
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Traveller's Tales: Things to do in Sri Lanka
