Photo: Sri Lanka south coast
Tropical Escapes
Sri Lanka
Golden beaches mixed with tea country, leopards, ancient temples and a little more adventure. The secret is choosing the right coast for when you travel.
A beach holiday with so much more.
Sri Lanka is the perfect place to combine beach time with real adventure. In one trip you can see leopards and elephants, climb an ancient rock fortress, ride a train through tea plantations and then finish with a week on a beautiful beach.
Like Thailand, Sri Lanka's coasts have opposite weather. The south and west coasts are at their best from December to April, and the east coast from May to September.
Choosing the right coast for your dates, and how to combine it with the rest of the island, is the most important decision you'll make, and it's where I can help most.
Find your place
Which area is best for your holiday?
Four areas compared side by side, each with something different to offer.
About 2 to 3 hours by road from Colombo
The south coast
Sri Lanka's most popular beach coast, stretching from the historic Galle Fort to the wild beaches of Tangalle. It has golden bays, laid-back beach towns and some of the island's most beautiful boutique hotels.
Beach and water: Golden sandy bays, some sheltered and some with surf.
The feel: Relaxed, stylish and full of character.
What's good: Galle Fort, whale watching, beautiful hotels and easy to combine with Yala.
Worth knowing: Some beaches have strong currents, so the right hotel matters.
Things to do
Wander the ramparts of Galle Fort, whale watch from Mirissa, take a surf lesson in Weligama, see stilt fishermen at Koggala or go on a leopard safari in Yala.
Best for: Couples, families and first-timers.
About 1.5 hours by road from the airport
The west coast
The closest beaches to the airport, with long stretches of sand at Bentota and Beruwala, a river for boat trips, and well-established resorts that are good value and easy to reach.
Beach and water: Long sandy beaches, best for swimming from December to April.
The feel: Easygoing and convenient.
What's good: Close to the airport, good-value resorts and great for families.
Worth knowing: It's busier and less dramatic than the south.
Things to do
Take a river safari on the Bentota River, visit a turtle hatchery, explore Brief Garden and Lunuganga, or try water sports on the lagoon.
Best for: Families, short stays and the end of a touring holiday.
About 4 to 5 hours by road, or a short domestic flight
The east coast
Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Pasikudah have calm, shallow bays and beautiful white sand. It's the place for a beach holiday from May to September, when the south and west are wet.
Beach and water: Calm, shallow, turquoise water, ideal for swimming.
The feel: Quiet, unspoilt and peaceful.
What's good: Beautiful beaches in our winter, snorkelling and dolphin and whale watching.
Worth knowing: It's further from Colombo, and there are fewer luxury hotels.
Things to do
Snorkel at Pigeon Island, watch for blue whales and dolphins off Trincomalee, visit Koneswaram Temple on the cliffs, or surf at Arugam Bay.
Best for: Families and winter escapes from May to September.
Combine with any coast
The Cultural Triangle and tea country
Not a beach, but the reason many people come to Sri Lanka. The Cultural Triangle has ancient cities and Sigiriya's rock fortress, while the hill country is cool and green, covered in tea plantations.
Beach and water: No beach, but cool mountain air, waterfalls and lakes.
The feel: Fascinating, green and unforgettable.
What's good: History, wildlife and some of the world's most scenic train journeys.
Worth knowing: Roads are slow, so allow time between places, ideally with a private driver.
Things to do
Climb Sigiriya, visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, see elephants in Minneriya, ride the train through tea country to Ella and stay in a colonial tea bungalow.
Best for: Combining with a beach stay.
A few ways it could look
Ways to build your Sri Lanka escape
Simple inspiration rather than fixed itineraries. Every trip is shaped around you.
7–10 nights · South coast
One perfect beach
Settle into one beautiful hotel near Galle or Tangalle and properly unwind.
14 nights · Classic Sri Lanka
The grand tour
Sigiriya, Kandy, tea country and a leopard safari in Yala, finishing with several days on the south coast.
10 nights · Hill country → South coast
Tea and beach
A few days in a colonial tea bungalow, then a scenic drive down to the sea.
12–14 nights · Sri Lanka → Maldives
Adventure and island
Wildlife and culture first, then a short flight to finish on an island in the Maldives.
Where you might stay
Some gorgeous places to stay in Sri Lanka
From family-friendly beach resorts to colonial tea bungalows, Sri Lanka offers accommodation for different budgets and styles of holiday. Here are eight worth considering.
Tangalle, south coast · Couples · $$$$
Amanwella
A serene beachfront stay with clean, simple design on a wild stretch of the south coast.
Weligama, south coast · Couples · $$$$
Cape Weligama
Clifftop villas with sweeping ocean views and a spectacular crescent-shaped pool.
Tangalle, south coast · Families and couples · $$$
Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort
Set on a rocky headland above a golden beach, with pool villas and a kids' club.
Bentota, west coast · Families · $$
Cinnamon Bentota Beach
A stylish, relaxed resort where the river meets the sea, close to the airport.
Trincomalee, east coast · Couples and families · $$$
Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes
Cabins tucked into the forest above a quiet beach, perfect for the east-coast season.
Pasikudah, east coast · Families · $$$
Uga Bay
Contemporary rooms on Pasikudah's calm, shallow bay, ideal for children.
Hill country · Couples · $$$$
Ceylon Tea Trails
Restored colonial tea planters' bungalows with butlers, fine food and views over the plantations.
Cultural Triangle · Couples and families · $$$$
Water Garden Sigiriya
Villas among lotus ponds and rice paddies, with views of the Sigiriya rock.
Indicative price positioning only: $$ comfortable, $$$ premium, $$$$ luxury. Actual rates vary by season, room category, inclusions and transfers.
Practical tips
Planning your Sri Lanka escape
When to go
December to April
South and west coasts
Sunny and calm on the south and west coasts, and a lovely time to tour the Cultural Triangle and tea country.
May to September
The east coast
Calm, sunny beaches on the east coast while the south and west are wetter. A great winter escape.
Peak times
Book early
Christmas, New Year and Easter are the busiest times, especially for the best boutique hotels.
A guide to costs
Sri Lanka suits every budget and offers wonderful value. Here's a simple guide to what you can expect at each level.
Comfortable
Good four-star beach resorts and characterful boutique hotels, with excellent value.
Luxury
Five-star resorts, stylish villas and colonial tea bungalows, with beautiful spas and food.
Ultimate
Sri Lanka's most exceptional hideaways, with private villas and outstanding service.
Prices change with the season, the room and how you get there, so these are a starting point only. My planning fee is $250, and I'll compare resorts and packages to find you the best value for your dates.
Getting there
Fly to Colombo direct from Melbourne, or with one stop from Sydney via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Sri Lanka is five and a half hours behind Sydney in summer.
Getting around
Distances look short on a map, but roads are slow. A private car and driver is the best way to travel, and I'll plan each day so the journeys are comfortable.
Is a meal plan worth it?
Breakfast is often all you need on the coast. When touring, half board can make sense, as many hotels are in quiet countryside settings.
Visiting temples
Dress modestly at temples, covering shoulders and knees, and remove shoes and hats before entering. A light scarf is always handy.
Made for you
Your Sri Lanka escape. Your way.
I'll help you choose the right coast for your dates, the right hotels and a route that flows, with a private driver to take you between them.
Tell me your dates, who's coming and the kind of holiday you have in mind, and I'll find the place to match.
All you need to do is pack.
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