Last updated on June 16th, 2021 at 11:55 pm
Is Sri Lanka on your bucket list? It definitely should be! From the beaches, to the yummy food, to the scenery—it has so much to offer. Most of all, it’s affordable as heck!
One reason I love Sri Lanka so much is the lack of western influence and that their culture is preserved. I’d definitely go back in a heartbeat.
Sri Lanka has a bit of everything, which is why any, and everyone could enjoy themselves. Through this 12-day itinerary, you’ll see the highlights each city offers and can pick the places that are the best for you!
But first, here’s what you should know before going.
Colombo ➡️ Kandy ➡️ Ella ➡️ Mirissa ➡️ Galle ➡️ Colombo (or Negombo)
Day 1: Arrive in Colombo
Sri Lanka is a smaller country, so most international flights will arrive at Colombo Airport (CMB) which is actually about 40 mins outside of the city. If you want to spend the day/night here after a long flight, you should.
Colombo is a bustling city full of tuk-tuk’s, traffic, people, and so much culture to take in. But I’d only suggest spending one day here at max. There isn’t much to do, but of course you can always find delicious local food and see some temples.
The moment you leave the airport, the tuk-tuk drivers will insist you ride with them. Just be sure you negotiate a price beforehand.
Colombo train station has a direct route to pretty much any city in Sri Lanka. Whether you want to go the south coastal route, central or north.
The only reason I chose Colombo over Negombo was to be closer to the train station, which was my primary mode of transportation.
How to get there:
You have plenty of options to get to the city—taking the bus, PickMe/taxi, or getting a driver.
I used PickMe (similar to Uber) to get around, so I didn’t have to pay in cash. This gave me the lowest rate, which was the most convenient option. Also, you can pre-book a driver to pick you up from the airport.
If you wait until you arrive, it will be expensive.
You can also take the bus, which doesn’t have a fix schedule, but departs outside the airport. It could come anywhere from 30min-1hr. This is the cheapest option and will cost you 130LKR (less than $1).
But if you want a certain level of comfort—this isn’t it. The buses are cheap, but they tend to be overcrowded. You’ll have limited space for your luggage.
Where to stay:
Step packers hostel is an inexpensive option that will cost you $6/night. They offered breakfast, which consists of fruit, toast, and eggs. I enjoyed the bathrooms, rooms, and overall space.
If you’re looking for a chill hostel with little social interaction, this is just right. The only downside is the “curfew” which just meant they were locking the gate outside after midnight. It’s a good thing for safety reasons, but if you plan on staying out late, be mindful.
Marino beach is a five-star hotel centrally located and not too far from Galle Face Beach. If you’re looking for a pleasant view, you’ll get one from the rooftop pool. It’s on the more expensive side for Sri Lankan prices, but it’s also a great place for solo travelers looking to wind down and relax.
What to do:
If you are keen on exploring the city, an option is hiring a driver or a tuk-tuk to show you around. But if you’re a self-explorer or budget traveler, here are two places to check out.
Galle Face Green is like a boardwalk, so it’s a long strip of land by the Indian Ocean. It’s a nice place to walk along or sit and take in all the scenery. The cool thing is there are also food vendors, so grab a bit to eat. During the day it is busier, but at night the crowd dies down. And the best part is, it’s free!
Sri Kailasanathar Swami Devasthanam is the oldest Hindu temple in Colombo and beautifully crafted. If you’re a lover of the arts and colorful buildings, be sure to check it out. Yet again, another free thing to do in Colombo.
Day 2-3: Kandy
Kandy is a major city in central Sri Lanka with mountainous views, chiller winds, and historical sites all surrounded by a lake. Many people come here for the cultural aspects and to experience the holy Buddhist sites.
Whatever the reason is, you’ll have plenty to do and see. From the architecture, to the botanical gardens, to the religious monuments, and the tea plantations. Two days is the perfect time to experience Kandy.
How to get there:
The easiest way to get there is by train, but the price will vary depending on what class ticket you want. I was comfortable with 3rd class since it was less than a 3-hour trip. You can pre purchase your ticket this way, but there’s no guarantee your ticket will be redeemed. If it isn’t, they will refund you.
I tried to do this method and ended up having to go to the station to buy my own. This third-party site ran out because of the scarcity of tickets. But others have successfully gotten tickets this way, so it all depends on your timing.
Another option is to contact your hotel or hostel and ask someone to purchase a ticket for you at the station. Since you’re traveling to Kandy, the train is emptier compared to other destinations, so you can buy tickets the day you leave.
Where to stay:
Owinwil Villa is a comfortable place to stay on a budget. The host was nice and cooked me dinner for a reasonable price ($3). He also made sure I had everything I needed and accommodated any requests. The views of the mountains here will surely make your morning. Especially when you’re on the balcony sipping your tea and eating your breakfast.
Ozo Kandy is a chic hotel with a spectacular viewpoint of the city and is the heart of Kandy. Offering a rooftop bar, with a breakfast buffet, and other great amenities—you’ll feel at peace.
What to do:
You must go to see the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. This is one of the holiest shrines in Sri Lanka because it contains one of Buddha’s Teeth. Although the actual tooth is locked away—so tourist cannot see—you’ll still learn about the important history. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is definitely worth checking out. Just make sure that your shoulders and knees are covered.
Udawattakele Forest Reserve is a beautiful path to walk along and feel how medicinal the greenery truly is. It’s in the center of Kandy, near the Tooth Relic temple. You can easily trek this trail.
After you’re done at the forest reserve, head over to Kandy Lake. It’s the perfect place to take a stroll and wind down to watch the sunset. If you’re a solo female traveler, I wouldn’t recommend being there after dark.
The lake is centrally located in Kandy and walking around will allow you to see much of it.
Peradeniya Botanic Garden is on the pricier side (2000LKR), but if you love nature it’ll be worth it. Here you can wander along the lengthy trees, become captivated by the plants, and amazed by the vibrant colors. To get the most for your time, I suggest spending a couple hours there and soaking it all up.
Day 4-7: Ella:
What I loved is the level of tranquility Ella brought. As a nature lover, this is paradise. I motorbiked throughout the town, embracing all it offers. This gave me the chance to go hiking, just walk around, and get lost — my favorite budget-friendly activity. Most of the places I went to were FREE!
How to get there:
This is the most scenic train route in the country. Many people prefer drivers throughout their travels in Sri Lanka, but make the exception to take the train from Kandy to Ella. I highly suggest having your hotel or hostel book your train tickets for you in advance, securing a reserved seat. Or booking here.
Tickets for this route get booked pretty quickly, that’s how fascinating it is. But I must warn you—it takes about 6.5 hours. Luckily there are local vendors selling yummy treats throughout the journey.
It’s best if you get reserved 2nd class, to ensure you’re not standing up most of the ride like I was in unreserved.
Seeing a country that’s landscape is untouched made me appreciate Sri Lanka that much more.
Where to stay:
Aspa Green is a quiet homestay downhill and close enough to the city to walk, but far enough to soak up picturesque views. My host gave me lovely suggestions on what to do while in Sri Lanka and cooked me a satisfying meal consisting of dal, roti, bread, and eggs.
They also have an option to rent a motorbike which was the most cost-efficient thing to do—only if you’re comfortable driving.
Throughout my stay, they provided excellent customer service and helped with whatever I needed.
Ehko Ella is a wonderful resort to relax at on your vacation. From the ideal location, to the views of Ella, and the exceptional breakfast. It’s also the perfect place for couples; they offer honeymoon suites with a jacuzzi surrounding nature.
What to do: Ella is heavenly—although touristy—you can find plenty of budget-friendly activities. For one, this is a hiker’s paradise and nature lover’s utopia.
Little Adam’s peak: Which is easily confusable with Adam’s Peak, but the two are distinctly different. Little Adam’s peak will take you about 45 mins to hike to the top, but it’s such an enjoyable view. As someone who likes to hike, but doesn’t do it often, it gave me the right amount of challenge while still being doable.
View this post on InstagramOkay Sri Lanka is in my top 3! Who’s bucket list is it on?? #culturedkam
Nine Arches Bridge: Located in the dense and vibrant green forest. This is one of the most recognizable places in Ella. People come to watch the train pass by, or do a photo op on the bridge. With it being walkable, you can indulge in the scenery surrounding it and off to the side of the bridge is a field full of tea leaves blooming.
In Ella there are plenty of places to hike and waterfalls to see!
Day 8-10: Mirissa
If you’re a beach bum, this town is for you. Whether you want to lounge in the sun, walk across the beach, or snorkel and be amazed by the beautiful coral—Mirissa has it all!
How to get there:
The trickiest part was getting from Ella to Mirissa because there’s no direct way. It sucks there’s no bus schedules posted anywhere either, but what I can tell you is it runs every hour. Your best bet is to ask your host/receptionist at your accommodation to help you. That’s what I did, and it worked fine.
From Ella, you’ll take bus #31 to Matara, which will take about 6 hours. Then you’ll get off and take a second bus #32 to head towards Galle, but getting off in Mirissa (1 hour).
It cost less than $2 but wasn’t worth it.
If I had to do it all over again, I’d just hire a driver or take a shuttle.
Being on the bus for that long was super uncomfortable, and I spent most of it standing up. But not only that, I had to deal with a man inappropriately touching me.
This was the hard part of my travels. There was no quick or easy way to get to Mirissa that was cost efficient. But now there’s a shuttle that will take you from Ella to Matara, so this is an excellent alternative.
Where to stay:
Boho Hostel Mirissa is a hippy spot not too far from the beach. They offer morning yoga classes, a simple but tasty breakfast, and plenty of excursions you can book.
The space is neat, and each bed has a curtain, so you can have some privacy. There’s also a bar with a nice restaurant. Boho has everything you need.
Handagedara Colonial Villa is a short walk within minutes of the beach. This comfy place has a secluded pool for you to take a dip in and a nice breakfast for early risers. Whether you’re a solo traveler or with a group, this is ideally located and spacious.
What to do:
If you’re on a budget, chilling on the beach is more than enough to do. By the beach there’s a hill you can climb to watch the sunset, and boy, is it beautiful.
There are plenty of water activities for you to do, such as snorkeling with the turtles. I booked directly through my hostel for 2500 LKR. They provided transportation, snorkeling gear, and an instructor to tagalong with me. Not only did we see and feed a turtle, we also swam along the coral.
Other options include: fish tours, scuba diving, night snorkeling, whale watching, going to secret beach, or visiting coconut island.
Day 11: Galle
How to get there:
This is one of the shorter distances you’d have to travel. You can easily take the bus headed to Colombo from the main street (near the beach). Tell the driver you’d like to get off at Galle, or you can do like I did and track where you are on google maps. That way you can get as close to your accommodation as possible.
Galle is a place that can easily be explored in a day. The major attraction is the Galle Fort, and that’s what brings most tourists here.
If you are going to do a day trip, you can store your luggage in the train station. Ask an attendant if they will store your luggage in the lockers, but please be sure to have locks on your baggage.
Where to stay:
If you decide you want to stay the night, Dreamers Arch Hostel is a great option. In walking distance of Galle Fort, supermarkets and other major attractions. The space is spotless and definitely good for solo travelers.
Yara Galle Fort is centrally located; everything you would want to see is in proximity. This is a great place for solo travelers and couples.
What to do:
Galle Fort: Like I mentioned before, it’s the main reason tourists come here. It is a fort that was built in the 1500s by the Portuguese, then later fortified by the Dutch. If you continue walking the path, there’s a lighthouse at the end you can check out.
Jungle Beach: is actually about 15 mins away from Galle and is in Unawatuna, but it’s a dope beach to check out for sure. What I loved was there weren’t many westerners, and it’s a secluded area. The name really does it justice.
Day 12: Colombo or Negombo
Another option is going to Negombo, which is 20 mins away from the airport. It’s much quieter and less touristy. Choosing this route will allow you to relax, be close to the waterfront, and kick it at the pristine beaches.
I’m sure at the end of your trip you’ll want to be closer to the airport, so Negombo is that place. Besides relaxing at the beach, there isn’t much to do here, and that’s ok.
How to get there:
The train from Galle will take you directly to Colombo Fort station, where you can either take a tuk-tuk or catch the 240 bus from the Pettah Bus station to get there.
Where to stay:
If you’re staying in Negombo, Pledge Scape is a beachfront hotel. This cool spot will help you wind down and reflect on your awesome trip in Sri Lanka. Watch the sunset from your balcony, or pool side—either way you’ll feel complete bliss.
Or you can stay where you did in Colombo, that’s perfectly fine.
What to do:
Negombo Beach: I’m sure by now, you’ll be exhausted from such an adventure filled trip. But going to the beach is always a splendid choice.
Fisher’s market: If you still have some energy left in you check it out, but only if you can stomach it. You’ll see people buying, selling, cleaning, and drying the fish.
Angurukaramulla Temple: If you’re a temple lover, stop by. It’s in walking distance of the beach and it is free.
If you have less than 12 days, I would recommend skipping Colombo, Negombo, and making Galle a day trip. Whatever you do, do NOT skip Ella.
If you have more time, you can add Yala National Park to your itinerary. This is a safari in the forest full of wild animals such as bears, leopards, crocodiles, and elephants. This can easily be a day trip from Ella.
My overall experience ranks Sri Lanka as one of the best countries I’ve been to. The cuisine was simply delicious; the scenery was breathtaking, costs were inexpensive, and the people were friendly. You could easily spend weeks just traveling through this extraordinary place, but for time’s sake this will do.
If you have any more questions about Sri Lanka, please comment below!!! And be sure to share it on Pinterest, twitter, and Facebook.
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