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Just looking at options for next summer (mid -August) and have found a holiday there for only about £100 more per person (family of four) than the Med. My brief research says it’s safe for tourists and the weather should be good (risk of rain as it’s getting close to rainy season) but should be plenty of sun. Has anyone been and can give any advice/share experiences? Thank you.
Interested in this as it’s a location I fancy too.
linky to the deal mf?
I spent 3 long weeks in Sri Lanka a few years ago. Worst holiday I've ever had. I'm not a good traveller though so don't take that as gospel.
Pros:
- It's ridiculously cheap
- The people are amazingly friendly and will do anything to help you
- The food is great (as long as you like rice and 3 curries)
- There are some amazing places to visit
Cons:
- It's crowded and very busy
- The roads are a deathtrap. All Sri Lankan drivers are suicidal nutters
- The climate is very hot and humid. if you don't like being sweaty, think carefully about this.
- Even though it's a small country, getting anywhere takes ages. Transport is mainly on very crowded uncomfortable buses. Don't even think about driving unless you're also a suicidal maniac. Hire a guide/driver, then forget everything you know about road safety and trust in buddha that you won't die in a horrific car crash.
- It's pretty much a dry country, so if your idea of a good holiday is drinking lots of beer, forget it.
Basically if you like travelling, have a sense of adventure, aren't bothered about creature comforts, and can readjust your views on road safety, go for it. My kids and Mrs Daz loved it, I was less keen 🙂
contrary to the above, i spent 3 weeks in sri lanka about 18 years ago, when the war was still on, and thought it was great. Never had any trouble getting alcohol, and I don't mind heat/humidity.
Lot of security, but we spent time driving around (or rather being driven around; almost cheaper to hire car and driver than just car. And all hotels had accommodation for the driver thrown in). Amazing scenery, lovely ancient building etc. Then had a week in Mirissa on the south coast; really lovely. Think it mostly got washed away in the tsunami
it was busy in the strip between colombo and galle. All the rest was pretty quiet.
Loved it really. But that was only me and the [then] girlfriend.
I was there couple years ago for a month.
I would say it depends what you want to do, if it’s just a beach holiday then I think there are better places to go. Beaches look great in the pics but in reality theyre not the cleanest.
If you want to move around abit see some cool stuff it’s great. We took the train up to the mountains though the tea plantations to kandy, climbed Ella rock and Adams rock for sunrise saw the wildlife in the national park, saw Whales in Marissa- the list goes on.
We were backpacking then but two kids later I wouldn’t hesetate to go back with them. Maybe I’d hire a car and driver now though and probably stay off the maniac busses.
We were there this summer.
Its certainly different from a holiday in the Med.
As said above, lovely people (non of the hassles you seem to get in some places in India and much less of the absolute poverty of India). Amazing old sites to see and lovely lush countryside, plus great food if you like curries. Never had a problem getting a beer if I wanted one.
The downside are there but not as much as the previous poster. It’s a small country and it takes ages to get place to place (there is only small amount of M-way), but you are on holiday - take your time! The roads are busy and the driving sometimes irratic but it’s not aggressive like it can be over here and speeds are slow so generally I wouldn’t say it’s dangerous in a car/van/bus. I wouldn’t cycle there though! I caught the slowest/one of the most scenic train rides of my life.
its hot and humid (we went in August) but you can go to the tea regions for a break in cooler weather.
Id still say it’s for a slightly more adventurous traveller.
My hairdresser went with his two toddlers and had a great time.
Just got back from an impromptu trip to Galle for the 1st Test...
Its like Southern India but cleaner. Food was amazing... wildlife was impressive and England won! We did hire a driver for the Colombo to Galle transfer, but otherwise used Tuk Tuks for pennies to get about. Dail living expenses including 3 meals out, beer and cricket entry was about £25!
I gather the weather is very monsoon dependent, and the mountains in the middle of the island means the NE of the island has a different monsoon season to the SW
I am already plotting to return with my wife and daughter. A few comfortable days in Galle, taking in Jungle Beach (proper locals hangout)... followed by a trip round the southern end to a couple of wildlife parks and then back over the top via the tea plantations. Reckon i’ll hang on until my daughters 10, but that’s the only thing stopping me booking now!
I'm interested in this as Mrs BigJohn thinks we should spend a few weeks in the South next March. Bit of windsurfing, bit of moving around using local transport, fair bit of fixing up travel and accommodation plans as we move around. Might hire some bikes too a few days.
We did a last minute 10day holiday there a few years ago.
Stayed in Negombo, JetwingSea hotel.
Mainly a beach holiday with a few trips thrown in. Elephant sanctuary, Tea Plantation, Fish Markets, temple tours.
Always felt safe even when we ended up drinking in a very locals pub on night. Friendly nation never really hassled by shop owners.
On someone else's advice we opted for bed and breakfast in the hotel. Treated the hotel as if we were all inclusive for drinks etc and still worked out cheaper than paying the all inclusive price.
Eating out was penny's. As was pretty everything else.
Go you won't regret it. Awesome place for kids to see.
Closed currency so you won't get Sri Lankan ruppees down your local post office. But there is a Thomas cook travel exchange in the airport that will see you right.
Few injections to get before you go and the visa is easily sorted.
If you do go, and end up anywhere near Negombo, head to lords restaurant, owned by an expat. Best seafood I have ever eaten.
Thanks! Time for a shufty 🙂
Depends where you go - a high proportion of the last week we spent in an all inclusive never left the site (or poolside bar) so could have been anywhere. Was horrid, we spent everyday out in taxis to various sites (Brief Gardens were lovely, pretty off the beaten track but worth it).. wish we'd gone to Galle for the last week instead, it'd have been much better but we thought a week on a beach would be a nice way to finish.
The two weeks before in Kandy and the cultural triangle (close to the troubled areas but we saw no issues.. seem to remember some light 'taxation' on one trip?) were amazing experiences. Would love to take the boys over now (they are 8 10 12) so put some links up if you've seen bargains? Would like to go back to the east coast for surfing...
Not sure I'd take the kids if they were younger, just not sure it'd be enjoyable for all - was very hot and humid in August, food was essentially curry (I loved it, veggie food was amazing) which might not always work, long bumpy flight etc.
MadBill - 9 and 9 🙂
EDIT - they will actually be 10 by the time we go. And they love curry. 🙂
No idea about kids but we really enjoyed the people, culture and the food . The only things we didn't enjoy were the mosquitoes.