Sri Lanka is sometimes known as the Teardrop Island. It is a small, however, numerous location that makes for an incredible road journey. This tropical jewel provides a mix of adventures within riding distance, which includes vegetation and fauna-rich countrywide parks, exceptional beaches, foggy tea plantations, and ancient temples.
This guide includes all of the essential suggestions for organising a road trip throughout Sri Lanka, which include recommended routes, must-see places, and beneficial recommendations to guarantee a safe adventure.
Why Take a Sri Lankan Road Trip?
Sri Lanka is perfect for street travel as it permits you to see quite a few landscapes in a single experience. From the surf seashores of Arugam Bay to the cultural centre of Kandy, flexibility is made feasible by using well-maintained roads and short journey times.
While public transportation like buses or trains may complement your time for traffic on a decent budget, renting a car permits you the opportunity to explore off-the-beaten-path locations like mystery waterfalls or rural towns.
Recommended Route for a Road Trip in Sri Lanka!
Now, you surely might be looking for the places or routes to start the road trip in Sri Lanka. If so, you can take a look at the information below to find the same. Highlights of Sri Lanka are covered in the following number of days loop that begins and ends in Colombo:
Day 1–2: Travel 40 km in one hour from Colombo to Negombo: Start in Colombo by visiting Pettah Market and the colonial-era Fort. Take a vehicle to Negombo and spend some time at Jetwing Beach, the fish marketplace, or the Angurukaramulla Temple.
Day 3 and 4: Travel 150 km from Negombo to Sigiriya/Dambulla: Make your way to the Cultural Triangle. For sweeping vistas, ascend Sigiriya Rock Fortress and discover the cave temples of Dambulla.
Day 5–6: Travel 75 miles in 2 hours from Dambulla to Kandy. Travel to Kandy, where you could visit the Temple of the Tooth. Explore the Royal Botanical Gardens or take a stroll around Kandy Lake.
Day 7–8: Travel a hundred and forty km from Kandy to Ella, winding via the tea region. For breathtaking vistas of tea estates, hike to Ella Rock or Little Adam's Peak. See Ravana Falls and the Nine Arch Bridge. For a touch of rustic allure, live at 98 Acres Resort.
Day 9–10: Yala National Park to Ella: Take a safari in Yala to peer at crocodiles, elephants, and leopards. For comfort, stay at Cinnamon Wild Yala. Visit the ancient rock sculptures at Buduruwagala on the route.
Things to Keep in Mind while Driving in Sri Lanka!
While driving in Sri Lanka, you can use a tuk-tuk or lease an auto from corporations like Casons in Colombo. Although self-driving is popular, hiring a motive force makes parking and navigation simpler. Ensure that the most important roads are paved and kept up.
Below, you will find other things to take into consideration when driving in Sri Lanka!
Licenses: The Automobile Association in Colombo requires foreigners to have an International Driving Permit or a transient Sri Lankan permit.
Navigation: For offline routes, use Map: mee or Google Maps. Although there are road signs in Tamil, Sinhala, and English, there might not be any in rural regions.
Fuel: There are many gas stations, and a litre of fuel costs approximately LKR 350. Since card payments aren't always widely available, coins are usually available.
Best Time: The dry weather from January to April is perfect for outdoor activities and use. For a coastal tour, stay far away from the southwest monsoon season (May–September).
Safety tip: Be careful when driving because tuk-tuks and neighbourhood buses can be erratic. Avoid riding at night because of the bad lighting fixtures. Hotels and guesthouses have safe parking.
Budgeting: For mid-variety lodging, food, and sports, daily expenses are commonly between LKR 20,000. Luxury lodges like Jetwing start at LKR 20,000 per night, while guesthouses begin at LKR 3,000.
In conclusion!
In Sri Lanka, a street journey combines subculture and a remarkable journey into a quick holiday. This direction highlights the variety of Teardrop Island, from the historical rock fort of Sigiriya to the leopard-infested wasteland of Yala.
You may discover Sri Lanka's attractions at your leisure if you pick an appropriate vehicle, schedule your holiday for dry weather, and budget for gasoline and admission charges. Lighten your load, power carefully, and permit the island's breathtaking surroundings and pleasant locals to make lifelong memories.