Sri Lanka: Where should we go for a short and CHEAP stay?

Rockers

Hey

We're tossing up heading back to Australia via Sri Lanka in late Jan 06.

We have limited time and even less cash... is it worth the stop over with only 4-6 days?

What would you do if you had 4-6 days and limited cash in Sri Lanka?
Where would you: Stay? Eat? Travel? Shop? Relax?

We're a small group of women in their early 20s who would have already travelled through Southern India (Chennai, Trichy, Thanjur, Kerala, Nagapattinam etc...).

Any tips would be fab!

steven_ber

Just a quick reply....

The cost of the flight alone (for people with limited funds left available) could make the last week in India so much more enjoyable.

Is 4 - 6 days in Sri Lanka (with not enough money to enjoy the place) going to give the country a fair chance?

If you forget about Sri Lanka and spread the cost of the flight over your last week or two in India, it will make a big difference to your budget.

Now, if your return flight to Oz was from Sri Lanka and the cost (including the flight from Trivandrum to Colombo) was the same as a return flight to India, that would be different.

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Rockers

Hey thanks for your response.

We're flying out of Cochin to Colombo. Its our cheapest route home. We figure we could justify an extra week away if it meant getting to check out another country.

I'll be heading back to India every year so a quick experience of Sri Lanka now may let me know if I should plan an extended stay next time.

Thanks!

lyndy

What a fabulous country and even with only a few days, it's worth discovering a little about Sri Lanka. We've just returned after 4 weeks there and are planning to go back in April 2006. We also love India and now will certainly include a stop in Sri Lanka each time we return to India, having experienced the fun of travelling in Sri Lanka. The food is also great, and very cheap!

Taxis are available in the airport to take you anywhere you want to go. Just hop a taxi to a nice hotel or guesthouse in Colombo, taxi should be around 1800 rupees. We stayed at the Hotel Renuka US50 per night with a pool. We liked the Cinnamon Gardens area better than Galle Road, where the Renuka is. Hit the shops for bargain designer clothes at Odel's then catch a train up to Kandy in the hills or down the west coast to Bentota or Unawatuna. There is tsunami damage to buildings but the beaches are lovely and lots of places are open and have been re-built.

We found several tourist hot spots were most over-rated. Places like Dambulla & Sigiriya just can't compare to Angkor or Bagan or even Hampi.

Let me know if I can help with any other info. All the best.

citybell

Hi,
Since you have the oopertunity to go via SriLanka, why not use the chance. Arrive in Colombo and stay at some guest houses..you can find a guest house for around 1000rupees (bout 10 euros). After a short stay, head for Kandy about 3 hours journey by bus.Bus is really cheap and airconditioned one too.At this time of the year, lodging is very cheap. There is an elephant orphanage at Pinewalle near to Kandy.Worth visiting for a day tour.
You can always negotiate for the price in Colombo for lodging or at the guest houses.
have a nice time.

kiwi_razz

see my earlier thread:

4 days in Sri Lanka

mercedes10

Yes, definitely stop in Sri Lanka. Its an amazing country with something for everyone - and it's small, so in 4-6 days you can see a lot! It's a beautiful place and the people are warm & friendly. It has some similarities with India, but I'd say it's like a 'tamer' version and of course culturally it's quite different because it's largely buddhist. I would recommend: Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Polonaruwa (Sp?), Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Caves, Kandy (temple of the tooth), & Nuwara Eliya (one of the hill stations - visit the tea plantations). You can easily fit these in in the time you have. The beaches of course are also fab and you might also want to do a safari in one of the national parks (though if you're short on time I'd leave this as a lesser priority). There is a turtle sanctuary near Bentota (on the coast) that is worth a visit if you have time, and you can go on amazing boat trips through mangroves, visit cinammon island, and see lots of huge monitor lizards! Sri Lanka rocks!!! If you need any more info. just ask!

Rockers

Thanks all for your handy info and the link to the previous thread. I'm convinced.

We'll be checking out Sri Lanka on our way home, I only wish we had longer. I'm going to try and convince the boss tomorrow that I need another 2-weeks annual leave! Dont like my chances...

I'm sure I'll post again when I get to nutting out the specifics.

Thanks again! Happy travels.

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