SRI LANKA

Here are the best tourist attractions in Sri Lanka:

1. SIGIRIYA

Sigiriya (Lion stone) is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in central Matale
District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens,
reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also famous for its
ancient paintings (frescos), which is reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves in India.
This place is most visited by both local and foreign tourists and is on a cultural heritage
recognized by UNESCO. Sigiriya is also known as "fortress in the sky" which is renowned as
a fantastic heritage in the islands of Sri Lanka. Another name that is a stone lion was called
because there is a lion statue in front of the entrance to the fort is 600 feet tall and on top of
the castle, you will see the remains of the Sinhala kingdom.
Reviews:
1

A must attraction in Sri Lanka- Fhain B

We had seen pictures of this place (it even appeared in the classic Duran Duran video
- Save a prayer). But nothing can actually prepare you for this place. Climbing to the
top was actually easier than we expected. Views from the top were magnificent.

Lions Rock- Fedejourney

We went to Lions Rock in Sigiriya after 4 o clock, they close at 6 so the last entrance
to the site is at 5. Having seen the rock , the height and how steep it is we thought we
would probably just make it to the caves. (Being over 60 and no so fit!)But we did it
and reached the summit which has spectacular views. Parts of it are an easy climb and
others very steep but there are railings and I just kept looking ahead and never down
while climbing!! Definitely worth the effort but beware, choose your timing as there
are so many coach loads of tourists from all over. Go either early or later on the day.
Visited January 2017

Amazing views- Jenny C

Really enjoyed our time seeing this, our driver arranged a guide which we didn't
originally think we wanted but was really pleased we did else we would have missed
a lot. There are people there to give assistance if you are not of 100% fitness. And the
1s stage of the climb up with stairs is easily the hardest, so don't be put off, plenty of
places to rest and catch your breath/enjoy the view, on the way up. Visited January
2017

Effortive rise- 580haraldz

If you are already there you have to climb this rock. Unfortunately, it is forbidden to
photographed the paintings. The view from above is great. Visited December 2016

A great walk but beware of the scamers!!!!- sbrandrith London, United Kingdom
This is a great place to visit but please dont fall into the tourist trap that we did! We
visited around 7:30 in the morning to avoid the heat and am really glad we did. We
were told to avoid the guides which we managed to do at the enterance. You really
dont need a guide. About 2/3 of the way up a sri lankan gentlemen waited for us to
pass on the steps, then started climbing the steps behind us asking us questions. We
then came to a section that was very steep going around the side of the rock. Even
though i didnt need help he grabbed my arm to help me along. At first i thought it was
a nice gesture and he was just being friendly but i was wrong. Around 15mins later we
had reached the top..still with this sri lankan man behind us. There he demanded 3000
Lkr!!! We said to him we didnt ask for a guide and didnt want one. He countinued to
follow us around as if he hadnt heard us. Every where we went he went trying to tell
us about the rock. We rested for a while to try and shake him off but he just waited for
us. This really ruined our day trip here and made us feel really uncomfortable. Please
be aware off this!! They are very calculated and are waiting for people like a predator
waiting for prey. The site should really do more to prevent these people entering the
site!! Visited January 2017

Highlight of Sinhaleae culture- David H

Sigiriya Rock isn't just a natural wonder but the remains of the throne of an ancient
society. Atop this rock you'll be rewarded with endless stretches of green and beautiful
ruins - but you'll have to climb up top to see just how beautiful the surrounding
countryside is. Your visit begins with a 4500Rs ticket (expensive, but worthwhile)
and a trip to the museum. Good displays and relevant information do a nice job of
informing visitors of how old the site is, what is was used for and why.
Next, the hike. Good walkers should have no trouble scaling the many steps and, at
times, precious rails to get to the top. If you're less ambulant, you can take your time,
or a guide may be able to help you climb slowly. You'll be rewarded with splendid
views and access to the ruins that sit atop the rock. Throne, ponds, cisterns and
demarcations all stand as testament to the mini that once stood atop this grand
mountain. It's quite remarkable. I travelled on a wet day, 11 to 1 pm, a Friday. Crowds
were reasonable. Ignore the guides, you won't need one. Ignore the touts - they sell
rubbish. Visited January 2017

Good experience- krupamahesh Penang Island, Malaysia

Different place, it's just ruins but the climb makes it fun and interesting. We went with
kids aged 6 and 4 and they climbed it easily. Getting down was challenging as the
steps are narrow JD winding. But if you go with kids I wouldn't suggest this as a day
activity, it's better to stay in sigiriya as it might get a bit tiring. Visited October 2016
8

Amazing- 893fleurg
A have to see in Sri Lanka. Best to get up early to avoid the crowds and to climb in
the relative cool. Did pass a few people who were a bit freaked out by the heights but
well with the effort to get to the top. We did not have a guide and did not think it was
necessary here. Visited December 2016

Beautiful place but ridiculously expensive - Food_Lover_186254

This place is a beautiful site, a good workout if you do the climb and has amazing
views. However, even without a guide, the price charged to tourists to visit this site is
$30, so as a couple it was $60 which is pretty steep when you have to factor in travel
etc yet as well. The climb is a bit of a challenge in the heat and it is worth getting a
guide to hear the stories and history behind the place. The stairs to climb up dont feel
the most stable or safe and do shake quite a bit, a few people passed out in the heat as
we were walking up too! Great views when you finally reach the top and a few murals
to see en route too. Visited February 2016

10 Amazing and Unique!- balabhagavath Pittsford, New York

We went to this attraction with some trepidation as we had a 8 year old and 12 year
old in tow. We were not sure if they would stop midway and refuse to climb the steps.
We need not have feared! They were leading the way. We are a reasonably fit family
and none of us felt any strain. The views as you climb up the steps are breathtaking.
The paintings are unfortunately barely preserved and is such a shame. However, it is
still amazing to note they managed to paint on a rocky overhang so high up 1000
years ago. The prize is really at the top. I admit going up the rickety metal staircase to
the ruins is a bit stressful. But, the whole climb would be a waste if you did not go up
and see the ruins of the palace. One can never imagine the size and splendor. In
addition, the views from the top are simply breath taking. This was the best attraction
in our travels in Sri Lanka. Visited December 2016
11 Wonder!- Teo O
This was a beautiful hike to the top of Lion Rock. Also take care of people who are
terrified with height. I saw few guys holding other people hand totally "green" in face.
I climbed up with 2 kids (7 and 10) and they survived :). View from top is really nice
and worth walking 1200 stairs. Visited January 2017
12 Awesome-GaneshKrish12
The effort to visit this World Heritage site is worth its pain. Preferable to time your
climbing either before noon or after 3.00 [Link] foot only While climbing you will
come across breathtaking views in and around this solitary hillock. Climbing is
thrilling too as one has to climb through precariously placed iron steps. Once you
reach the top you will be welcomed by a strong,enjoyable [Link] how these
people built such a huge palace on the top of difficult to accessible hillock. The story

connected with the kingdom is interesting too.A must visit while you are in Srilanka.
Visited February 2016
13 Rock- Mateusz B London
Well it's a rock my girlfriend described it as expensive rock but the view from the top
its amazing :) Visited January 2017
14 Awesome - MandMontour
Probably our best experience so far in Sri Lanka. So worth the climb up the dicey
steps. The view is sensational. Don't leave food visible in your pack though. The
pesky monkeys will spot it in no time! Take water and a hat. Get there early. Visited
January 2017
15 Iconic landmark - SRSHOBA
Lions rock at Sigiriya is one of the Iconic landmarks. Located at a very picturesque
place. There is an entrance fee for foreign visitors. Be ready to pull up your socks to
climb 1200 steep steps to have a stunning view and also to see the ruins on top. Must
visit!! Visited January 2017
FACTORS MOTIVATING THE TOURIST:

2. KANDY

Visit the traditional market, arts and crafts centre, as well as the manufacturing hub of gem
stones. Historically, Kandy is a hill the venue for the annual Perahera ceremony. The last
place where the Singhalese king handed over power to the British Empire in 1815. Kandy is
also an example of the cultural heritage of Buddhists in Sri Lanka. One of the famous sights
in this city is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, built in the 4th century, where Buddha's
tooth was brought to Sri Lanka in the Orissan princess hair without removing the element of
holiness.

Reviews:
1) Interesting local market for fruit and vegetables- Konrad M Melbourne, Australia
This place caters for locals doing their fruit vegetable and meat/seafood shopping not
to tourists. Yes it could be cleaner. If you find it dirty and unhygienic there is the
supermarket around the corner. The full goats head was tempting for goats head curry
lol. However there are some fantastic local fruits and vegetables I haven't seen
anywhere else. How about cheese apples with texture like a cheesecake (the orange
fruit in the picture), wood apples, different varieties of mangoes and passion fruits
(both sweet and sour). On the veggie side, both green and purple wing beans. Buying
the local yogurt or curd is also unique being sold in ceramic pots. It's right in the city
centre so a quick easy walk. Some sellers can be quite persistent and occasionally
overbearing and really want to sell spices to you but there are quite a few that aren't.
Visited December 2016
2) Dont bother- Travel825
Really don't bother to go here. Place is smelly, unhygienic, and stuffed with bad food
and ugly handbags, really disappointed at this place. Visited December 2016
3) Nice stop on a Kandy city walk- Roman D
Clean and well presented market in beautiful arcade around a central garden. Food
and spices on the ground floor and non-food goods on the first floor (mostly touristy
stuff such as leather bags, clothes and souvenirs). Worth a brief stroll during a walk
through Kandy's city center. Visited December 2016
4) Visit to Kandy City- Laurence771
Tour of the markets whilst visiting Kandy City, this is were the locals cone to buy and
sell there vegatables and fruit 6 days a week. Visited October 2016
5) Ranjana's is amazing- Bissan A
After looking at many souvenir shops and Laksala's I was feeling dejected because I
couldn't find a shop to buy decent souvenirs without being ripped off. This is my
second trip to Sri Lanka so I had a good idea about prices. My last stop was at this
market to check out Jayamali Batik on the second floor of the market. While he did
have beautiful batik of very high quality I wanted something less pricey. He pointed
me to a Ranjana's. I walked into the unassuming shop, no. 201 and 202 and felt I was
I hit the jackpot. I purchased a large mask dyed with natural dyes and many wood
carvings, batik table cover, simple dress and two batik head covers, snow globes etc.
All for USD 190. Selvam, the owner, helped me a lot along with his wife. They were
friendly, honest and sweet. Please visit them if you are ever in the Market. Visited
October 2016
6) Local place for fruits and vegetables- Maria C
Despite the fact that it is also a famous attraction for tourists, the "backyard" or the
less exposed area of the market provides plenty of opportunities both to do your
veggies and fruits shopping (at a local price, no bargaining, no headache) and to enjoy

the craziness of any local market. Another highlight is trying the local fruits. Go to the
first stall on the right from the entrance and ask for Nissan and he'll give you passion
fruit, avocados, mangoes, watermelon... you can have a second breakfast of the day.
He likes talking to foreigners and chat for a while. And he's one of the nicest in the
market as others will probably push you to buy or confront you if you're just
"window- shopping". It's a nice place for a stop over and get some "fruit supplies" for
the day. Visited August 2016
7) We'd have spent more money if we'd been left alone- Sarah P
We weren't sure what to expect from the market, we had a little look around the
ground floor and a helpful gentleman, who said he was the manager, advised that
there was clothing upstairs... we headed up and he started a conversation, we had a bit
of a chat with him... had he left it there we'd have happily browsed and spent plenty of
money but he was on us at every turn and made us feel slightly uncomfortable to the
point where we made a couple of purchases and then left... tip to shop owners leave us
to browse and we'll spend more money!! Visited September 2016
8) Fresh fresh food- Lovehols4
Good to see the many varieties of fruits and vegetables on display and at very good
prices. If you are squeamish do not walk through to the fish and meat section! Visited
September 2016
9) Everything under one roof - Roshan
Kandy Market Hall has all kinds of shops, fruits, produce, meat, fish, grocery, spices,
book shops, post office and many more for a reasonable price. If you are in Kandy
this is the place for the food shopping. Visited August 2016
10) Nice for shopping- Danijel K
If you want to fing good leather, tea, and shirts this is the place. You can buy cheap
fruits and clothes. Visited July 2016
11) Great Market for Bargain Prices- Katie L
Great market experience. Lots of locals come here to buy fruits and veggies on the
ground floor. Second floor has more touristy items. We came here to buy cheap, fresh
fruits, as well as spices/ Ayurvedic creams and oils / teas. We would highly
recommend stall 22! The store has been in the family for three generations. Gives you
fair prices. We bargained a little, but not much. Compared to other vendors, spice
garden, tea factories, his prices are very reasonable. Do not go the vendor selling teas
/ spices / lotions on the second floor. We were conned by a man in the Kandy city
centre. He said he was on his way to get a cup of tea at the market, and he would
show us a great place to get spices. After having spoken to him about his family and
work at length, we trusted him and followed. However, the prices of the store he
brought us too were as much as 5x more than the stall downstairs, for the exact same
products. Great place to buy things, but watch out for scammers. An unfortunate and
disappointing experience, but there are still some friendly faces in the market. Visited
July 2016

12) Interesting place to visit (Great for fabrics)- Sara T

I visited the Market hall as part of an overall trip to Kandy. It was an interesting
experience, seeing all the produce and shops. I went especially to find fabric and I
wasn't disappointed. Really fabulous material at great prices. I didn't stay too long in
any other section as I wasn't interested in buying anything else but it was still good to
see. Visited May 2016
13) Just a place to buy fabrics and produce-Greenpossum
Might suit someone interested in such things but I just wanted to have a look. If you
are looking for T-shirts or tea or pictures of colourful fruit you're at the right place.
Visited May 2016
14) It was new year holiday, so many shops were closed, but I don't think it made
difference- Arackhaen
This isn't my kind of a place. Mostly it was interesting to see what they are selling and
to experience (good and BAD) smells. It wasn't a place where I want to buy things.
Visited April 2016
15) Well worth a visit- worldtraveller_8508
We visited the Market Hall one morning to check out Jayamali Batiks. We weren't
planning on buying anything else at the market as the quality didn't look so good. We
came across this spice and oil shop and ended up buying a lot of things. Mohamed,
shop keeper was very friendly and knew what he was talking about. Shop 22 is
definitely worth a visit, so is the batiks shop there. Visited April 2016

3. NUWARA ELIYA

Nuwara Eliya or better known as "Little England" is an area located on the plateau
surrounded by mountains, hills, waterfalls and tea plantations are beautiful and spacious. This
is the place that has the coldest air in the islands of Sri Lanka. Around it, you can see the

various buildings of the British heritage. Can be seen from some of the houses built by the
British architectural styles.
Reviews:
1) Gregory lake - rukesh2014
On the outskirts of Nuwara eliya city, On the way to Sitaamma
temple, this lake, is spread which is quite long n really much
beautiful. Favourite tourist place as well as recreation place for
locals , boating , water sports are added attraction to lure you.
Visited January 2017

2) Very nice- Zob99

It is very good for evivnig time to visit . Gregory lake near to . Town
center. . Kids can enjoyed lot. Visited January 2017

3) lots of locals having fun- Paul W

Nice walk around, lots of locals having fun kids playing and water
sports, was so local but we felt welcome. Visited January 2017

4) Very pleasant- Sus 1952

This lake is large and extremely pleasant. We were impressed with
the area around the lake as there are a lot large old colonial houses
in this area. A nice place to enjoy on a boat for an hour or two.
Visited January 2017

5) Beautiful lake with lots of things to do- Sr2001indian

This lake is in the middle of city, surrounded by scenic views. One
can do Jet ski, take pedal boats or speed boat or small motor boat.
Before taking any boat, confirm the charges as different operators
ask different amount, generally it is 2-2.5 K LKR for 30-40 minute

ride in boats there are 8-10 small shops selling noodles, and hot
snacks, tea and coffee. Worth a visit. Visited January 2017

6) Beautiful- Shumaila R
It was beautiful however they charge a ticket of 200lkr for the lake.
It shouldnt be paid as from the back side down the road lke is open
to visit without any tickets. Visited January 2017

7) Nice Place- Juviroloe

Also very nice place. We really enjoyed being there. The weather
was very nice. Any time and any day I would go back there. Visited
January 2017

8) Nothing for that price- Lykan T

Crafty lankian people takes 200 LKR just for walking near the lake.
Okay, not bad view, but a lot of people and boats. Can be seen near
the walking road for free. Visited January 2017

9) Lovely!- Tracy Y
Power boat rides and jetski rides are thrilling but have to make sure
no silly maneuvers are performed. Visited January 2017

10)

Ok- Wpei L

We went there in November. Not a good timing perhaps. The lake

was half dried up. Looks like a good place to have a stroll.

11)

Peaceful spot to stop- Lousunde

Although thereis plenty of local activity around the lake there are
quiet spots to enjoy the view or have a picnic. Great for people
watching especially if there are events on around the lake. Visited
January 2017

12)
Reservoir in Heart of the Tea Country Hill City, Nuwara Eliyatravelwiththaru
Lake Gregory is a reservoir in heart of the tea country hill city,
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. Lake Gregory was constructed during the
period of British Governor Sir William Gregory in 1873. The lake and
the surrounding area make up the Gregory Lake Area. Visited
September 2016

13)

Needs professionals to operate this area.- Harsha_Pilapitiya

This is a place where one could chill out at Nuwara Eliya. The area is
now controlled by the local authorities & the gates are closed by 8
pm. The ticket office is never open on time causing inconvenience
for tourist to enter the premises. The ground is neglected & not
maintained up to the required standard. There are many touts who
loiter around causing inconvenience to the visitors. The quality /
hygiene of food in the kiosks within are not monitored & not at an
acceptable standard. The cost of boat / jet ski rides vary depending
on the time / season & the external appearance of the [Link]
water of the lake is emptied at random for unknown reasons without
notice to the public. So do not have high hopes to enjoy a full day at
the lake. Check with the local people before you plan your trip.
Visited May 2016

14)
Big beautiful lake with boating and water scooter horse riding
- ontheRocks123
Lake is good. Entry fees 200 lkr for foreigners. Bargain for water
scooter and boating and horse riding. Visited January 2017

15)

great to walk- Kiteao

Great to walk, but not a must see destination in Nuwara Eliya. good
place if you would like to take a horse ride. Visited December 2016

FACTORS MOTIVATING THE TOURIST:

Beautiful
Recreation
extremely pleasant
fun for locals and kids
lots of activites like boating, Jet ski, pedal boats, speed boat, small motor boat horse
ride, water sports are added attraction

4) DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE

The Buddhist cave temple at Dambulla is old. Really old. It's essentially five adjacent caves
filled with colourful statues carved into the surrounding rock. The first was created more than
2,000 years ago, and the rest is literally history you can find on Wikipedia.
The largest cave contains 16 standing Buddhas and 40 slightly lazier sitting ones (fun fact:
having your photo taken with your back to the Buddha is highly offensive). The other caves
vary in size, but all are deeply spiritual places and the complex is still a functioning temple.

This meant we had to take off our shoes, cover our knees and shoulders and generally be
pretty respectful.
Inside the caves the ceilings are covered with striking paintings, which haven't lost their
impact despite fading over the centuries. The Buddha statues are arranged in various poses,
showing the Buddha in different contexts - from Nirvana to death. Walking through the
temple was like immersing yourself in a world of spiritual history, and I decided on the spot
that if I ever went religious it was Buddhism all the way.
There's something very special and affecting about Dambulla. While outside it was scorching
and hectic, inside the caves were cool and serene. I felt peaceful and contemplative. It was
basically magical.
Reviews:
1) Beautiful temples!- LEH1_11
We visited several temples in Sri Lanka and Buddha-fatigue was
beginning to set in; however, we felt that we couldn't visit Dambulla
without visiting the Cave Temples. We're glad we did, because these
were by far the best temples that we visited. Definitely worth a visit!

2) A lot of Handicraft- 1ThoPa1

The monks have done a really nice work to make these lot of Buddha statues and hand
painted walls. We really liked this place.
3) one of my favourite in Sri Lanka- NelBzh NelBzh, UK
The caves are amazingly painted and carry so much history for Buddhism. The walk
to the cave is pleasant if not done in the heat of the day and you are rewarded with
such views even half way. just beware of the monkeys which can be really aggressive.
mind you phones or cameras. sunset views are beautiful. this cannot be missed. if you
do not want to climb all the stairs, round the side, there is an easier way to reach the
caves. ask your guide.
4) Well worth the effort of the climb- Tania291 Melbourne, Australia
We arrived at Dambulla rock temple at around 11 am, when it was starting to get quite
hot and our driver drove us to the half-way point, so we didnt have to climb too many
steps in the heat. However, there is no car park there, so after dropping us he had to
drive down and park at the lower parking area and wait for us. We had a choice of
climbing either steep steps or a steep cobble-stone pathway, and we chose the
pathway. Suggestion: wear comfortable good-gripping flat shoes. If you have mobility
issues, you will find this climb very challenging. There are many hawkers along the
path trying to sell their wares of souvenirs in the usual way. There are also fruit and
flower sellers, but beware of the hungry monkeys who are always ready to snatch a
quick meal. There are also drink sellers along both paths. The only cost to enter the
temple is to store your shoes at the storage area, before entering. This costs 25rp per

pair. There are also guides available for 1000rp if you need one to lead you through
the temple. The actual temple itself is absolutely amazing. Make certain you go in to
each and every cave, as each one is slightly different. There are also spectacular views
from the top. Amazing, spectacular
5) Heritage - SRSHOBA Chennai
The cave temple at Dumbulla is a must visit. There is no entry fee. One have to climb
stairs to visit the 5 caves on top which houses statues of Buddha in various postures
and beautiful paintings. The hill top also offers amazing views. heritage
6) Dambulla caves- vats2013
Caves are within city limits. Just about 1km from the road. Lord Buddha in all sorts
of positions. samadhi,meditation,reclining. must see. not for wheelchairs.
7) Well worth the climb, even though it was busy it wasn't crowded- Shags64tracey
Worthing, United Kingdom
Climbed the steps up to the five temples, I think it's better to see them in reverse order
as cave 3 and 2 are quite magnificent. Beautiful Frescos on the ceiling and statues are
everywhere. Spent 2 hours at the site. Wonderful. wonderful
8) Fantastic- Katie N Western Australia, Australia
Great and well worth it. If you go onto the road behind, there is a shortcut to get up
here, then you only have to climb 35% of what you would have had to from the main
entrance. Free to get in and only have to pay a small price to leave your shoes outside.
9) Amazingly Well Preserved - Nomes74 Tel Aviv, Israel
The five caves are reached by a set of stairs up to the top of a hill with fantastic views.
We went early in the morning and avoided the general tourist crush. The detail in all
of the caves is amazing and it is interesting to see how religious art changed over the
years. Definitely worth the visit. Fantastic view, religious
10) Worth the climb!- angmohgao Florida
It's worth hiring a guide at the entrance. They will explain everything to you. There
are four caves with centuries old history. The climb is moderate, but feels long
because you can't see it all from the bottom. Old history
11)

Fantastic historical and spiritual site Addelam

Modest climb but well worth it. The Cave temples are very special
and worth the effort to [Link] recommended.

12) Must go- Wpei L

We went there early in the morning. There were a lot of locals there as well, praying.
Entrance fee is free. The cave temple is well preserved and beautiful. A must visit
place in Dambulla. UNESCO as well.

13) A must see in Sri Lanka with fabulous art- Dude_IN_LosAngeles Los Angeles,
California
This temple is one of the top destinations for us on our long journey to Anuradhapura.
The cave temple is just magnificent with intricate artwork all around the caves. It's
better to take your time and walk through each cave temple absorbing the fabulous
art. We did not encounter any fees to get in as foreigners or locals. Great views of the
country as you climb up to the top.
Optional: our driver recommended hiring a local guide that was at the temple
premises to explain things since there is a lot of history here. We paid him 500 LKR
which we thought was well worth.
Beware of the monkeys: they don't tell you this when they sell you flowers at the
bottom of the rock to take to the temple. The monkeys are unusually aggressive and
will snatch anything from your hand that looks like food. So if you need to carry
flowers from the bottom to the top, cover them with a non-transparent bag. The climb
can be a bit tiring. Take plenty of drinking water and a towel to wipe off sweat. Since
there is no entry fee, please consider donating what you can to the temple. Visited
December 2016 fabulous, magnificent art work
14) Really wonderful- InnocentTravels Perth, Australia
First impression isn't great. It's a very Disney sort of approach, all glitzy and touristy.
Once you start climbing up though it all changes. The walk up the hill is long, if you
aren't very fit then just take your time. There are plenty of spots to stop and take in the
view. The caves themselves are very impressive, some of the paintings are as old as
time and so well preserved. Please don't be "that tourist" and try to take photos of
yourself inside, you will be spotted by the CCTV and be made to delete your photos.
Visited December 2016 very impressive

15) An Impressive Place- KiwiCriticDunedin

Having visited many other cultural sights in the previous couple of days, we thought
we might be a little disappointed by the Dambula Cave temples, but that was
definitely not the case. By reason of age, boldness of vision, and sheer beauty and
scale of execution, the cave temples are hugely impressive. For some reason there was
no one there collecting the usual US$10 tourist admission fee when we visited; that
was a bit of a bonus, as the cost of entry to the main tourist sites in the ancient cities
region does add up, especially for a family! Visited December 2016

5) PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for
wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village, 13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of Kegalle town
in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants
in the world. In 2011, there were 88 elephants, including 39 males and 49 females from 3
generations, living in Pinnawala.[1]
The orphanage was founded to care and protect the many orphaned unweaned wild elephants
found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri
Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC).
Reviews:
1) Beware of offers to get close- Mark A
The sight of 30 elephants standing around in the shallow water is a memorable one,
and they do seem to be looked after with reasonable compassion. But all the keepers
are on the make. You will be called over and asked if you want to touch a baby
elephant, or to have your photo taken with one of them. If you agree they will then
demand money from you. Visited January 2017 memorable one, reasonable
compassion

2) Amazing Elephants!!!- Bob B

Beautiful time! Saw so many Elephants. Babies being bottle fed, enormous amount so
of milk. The highlight is watching the Elephants walk through the local village to the
river to bathe. Fantastic! Visited December 2016
3) An opportunity to see many elephants up-close- HKExpat_8 Hong Kong
A very popular attraction, but worthwhile. I especially enjoyed a long viewing of the
elephants in the river. You could sit at one of the river-front restaurants and watch
them in this large group for a long while. Visited December 2016

4) Must visit- prashant1agrawal

Fell in love with the elephants there. We got a very close look and view of the
elephants taking bath in the shallow end narrow water body . You could see their want
of being loved and touched but the handlers kept pushing them away. Its a sanctuary
for orphaned elephants who are quite poorly cared for by the handlers. We clicked lots
of close pictures and got a chance to touch them too.. On our way back we bought
lovely souvenirs and carried away great memories. Visited October 2016
5) "It's in their eyes...:(" Tdevil66 Sydney, Australia
I've not yet travelled to Africa, but the majestic presence and physical potency of
these amazing creatures was palpable. However, tacked on, in usual fashion, to this
experience are all the usual grotty cons of sideshow ally. A great visit for the whole
family, be sure on your timing to see the Elephants when they're in the river. It's a nail
biter of a ride from Colombo, don't do it with a hangover. Visited January 2017
6) Nice place to experience elephant behaviour closely- PRATIK P
I had visited this place with my family. They had different schedules
of elephant's daily activity. We saw elephant feeding themselves
playing in mud and also saw baby elephant being fed by the care
takers. We saw elephants taking bath playing in water and also the
panic after a bull elephant made his way to his shelter. Altogether a
nice experience for elephant lovers. Visited December 2016

7) Disappointing Attraction- Linda H

Too few elephants and the bathing at the river was equally
disappointing, Basically, the elephants were walked and guided to
the river for them to get soaked in the waters and mahoots sprayed
water on their backs to keep them comfortable. Tourists were made
to sit at tables at the restaurants overlooking the river, and there
was literally nothing else to do. I thought it was not as fascinating as
the tour brochure made it out to be Would give this a [Link]
December 2016

8) Must go if you love elephants- sganesan

Sight of a heard of elephants just walking few feet away from away
and into the river is something you will remember forever. Its just
amazing! Like everywhere else in Sri Lanka, this place also checks

for passports before issuing tickets, so without a SAARC passport

don't argue that you should be issued the discounted tickets that is
only for SAARC countries. You will make a fool out of yourself in front
of everybody, we watched quite a few people do that and every
single
one
failed
miserably.
Tip: Before planning your trip, check out their website for the
schedule of activities! Elephant bathing happens in the river which
is OUTSIDE the orphanage gate, which means you need to see
everything inside before leaving the gate to go see the elephants
getting in the water. You can't re-enter once you leave the camp. We
had to show tickets to get to the river but not sure if it is required if
you are not planning to enter the orphanage and just want to see
elephants in the water. There are a bunch of restaurants by the river
to have lunch and watch elephants bath so at the check port you
could tell you are going to restaurant and not need a ticket?? you
have to find out yourself. Elephant bathing starts at 2pm, we were
at the river by 1.15 and there were few elephants already in the
water. If you pay few hundered or a thousand sri lankan rupees to
the guys, they will let you touch the elephant, bathe them and take
pictures with them. Not sure about safety and legality, you will have
to figure out for yourself. When the elephants are walking down to
the river they ask for food from the visitors who are standing at the
edge of the road, and we saw few tourist giving bananas. Visited
January 2017

9) Bathing Time is wonderful - Jon-Irene

We arrived mid afternoon & wondered whether the $25 entrance fee
was worth it. We were directed to walk down past many shops to the
river because it was bathing time. About 40+ elephants were having
a great time in the river & we were glad to have arrived when we
did. Feeding is OK but all the elephants are chained up so not as
interesting. Visited January 2017

10)

It is worth it- MohammedAhassan

We went there in June 2016. It was a really good experience. I

believe there is a good cause behind this orphanage. Also it is a rare
elephants gathering to have all this number of elephants, and you
get to see them eating, swimming and just wandering off. And you
got to be really close to this magical creatures and touch them and

feel them. However it is so commercial, you can do anything

provided that you pay the keepers. I think some of the keepers are
so kind of cruel. Overall i would recommend to go, they have a good
system. And i hope the system gets better. Visited June 2016

11)

Sri Lanka Adventure- FireTim44

We enjoyed our afternoon at the Orphanage watching them feed the

young and the older ones kicking at the logs on the ground to peel
bark to eat. Then the highlight watching them bathing in the river.
Great time. Visited January 2017

12) Mixed visit- Phil Day

Not a natural habitat for elephants but incredible to get close to these stunning
animals. Beware - we were offered photo taking by the official guides and then
"asked" for a ridiculously exorbitant "donation". Gave them a tenth of the request and
then was surrounded by several guides complaining. Luckily I'm rarely intimidated by
such behavior but others might well be bullied into such extortion. Very out of step
with the manner and spirit of almost everybody else on this wonderful island. More
positively the view of the elephants bathing and feeding in the river was amazing with
a beautiful backdrop of the mountains - a highlight of our holiday. Visited November
2016
13) Very nice visit- subhster
Great place to see lots and lots of elephants and spend a lot of time with them. River
bath by a huge number of elephants is a sight to watch. Small to huge size of
elephants. Visited January 2017
14) A special place for gentle giants - Withaas
Our last visit was some years ago and much has changed since then. We visited at
midday on a weekday so there wasn't a crowd and no queuing at the ticket counter. As
with most attractions there are separate rates for locals and tourists .Elephants are
taken in groups to bathe and have a drink of water(several litres) down to the river.
You can spend as much time watching these gentle giants interact with each other and
enjoy their water play and if you wish feed bananas which they pick from your
hand. Feeding time is organised and seating areas set up so everyone gets a good
opportunity to the bottle feeding which of course lasts only a couple of minutes by
elephant standard (appetite)! Recommend picking your time and day to avoid crowds
so you can enjoy the experience. We have been here several times over the years and
never get enough of it! Visited November 2016

15) Pinnawala orphanage - Marlinin

The sanctuary is very clean and it's lovely to see the elephants! It is also sad to see
them chained but at least they have a place to stay and food to eat.... Visited
December 2016

6) TEMPLE OF TOOTH

Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city
of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of
Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has
played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic
holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is
a World Heritage Site mainly due to the temple.
Bhikkhus of the two chapters of Malwatte and Asgiriya conduct daily worship in the inner
chamber of the temple. Rituals are performed three times daily: at dawn, at noon and in the
evenings. On Wednesdays there is a symbolic bathing of the relic with an herbal preparation
made from scented water and fragrant flowers called Nanumura Mangallaya. This holy water
is believed to contain healing powers and is distributed among those present.
The temple sustained damage from bombings by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in
1998 but was fully restored each time.

Reviews:
1) Worth a visit- Jadedmind Chicago
We came here on a Poya Day (full moon) and I would not recommend that unless
you're a Buddhist. It was too crowded to actually look around. However, if you come
on a less-crowded day, this is an interesting temple. The room behind the shrine where
the tooth is kept has a series of paintings that tell the story of the tooth. The area
outside is quite nice as well. Things to keep in mind: women must have a skirt long
enough to cover their knees, all visitors must have their shoulders covered, and white
clothing is preferred. Visited December 2016

2) Amazing to see the ceremony- RG1984

A beautiful temple which was amazing to visit during the ceremony and see the
stunning casket that keeps the tooth in it, although it is a split second glimpse as the
queue keeps moving! Beautiful outside area to wander around and beautiful paintings
of the story of Buddha. Visited January 2017
3) Worth the trip- Spanishworld Madrid
This is the main reason for going to Kandy. The temple has a long tradition and has
significantly improved since my last visit many years ago. Spend some time enjoying
the place and the people worshiping there. Visited January 2017
4) Lovely Temple - Worth A Visit- A TripAdvisor Member
This is the first Buddhist Temple I've visited that has a genuine relic of the Buddha;
one of his teeth that survived his funeral pyre, over 2,500 years ago. The Temple is
beautiful and a good place to meditate. Visited January 2017
5) Historical Place-Kule S
Wow history of Dalada Maliga amazing, Its a Buddhist temple of Load
Buddha,amazing sculpture and nice place at kandy city. Visited December 2016
6) Try to go early- Joana C
It's a beautiful temple and if are able to overlook the amount of tourists and guides, it
may prove to be a fascinated visit. Visited January 2017
7) Probably a must see- AndrewWilko London, United Kingdom
We were about all templed out by the time we got here so perhaps didn't appreciate it
as much as we should. Really you don't need to bother with seeing the casket - after
queueing it's a glimpse in the distance whilst you are hurried through by the guards!
Visited January 2017
8) Buddha temple- rukesh2014 Gandhidham, India
This temple of Lord Buddha houses the wisdom tooth of Buddha. After Buddha died
n cremated, out of the ashes a wisdom tooth was found which has been well preserved
at this temple in a cascade. It's a very big temple spread over acres of land, devotees
throng in large numbers but on fool moon day which is a holiday in Sri Lanka,
thousands of devotees pour in dressed in white, as a tourist I was lucky to have been
at Kandi on fool moon day to pay my respects to Lord Buddha n witness the large
rush of devotees at this temple. This temple is off course a must visit for tourists.
Sober dressing is must as sorts, skirts are dresses not allowed in the temple, also
taking Selfi is not allowed . Visited January 2017
9) Buddham sharanam gachchhami.- rsjadeja Rajkot, India
A holy place for all Buddhists. Well maintained and clean. The prayer ritual is an
amazing thing to see. Visited January 2017
10) A must if you are a Buddhist and if you are in Kandy- Awesome4Gs Colombo, Sri
Lanka

As a Buddhist I wouldn't have left Kandy without worshipping the temple . If you
don't want to be amidst a big crowd of devotees then you should avoid the "thewava"
ceremony where the general public is given a chance to pay respects to the noble
tooth relic. We avoided this rush and did our rituals peacefully. Offering a lotus is
considered a must and you shoul always dress appropriately. No shorts or singlets and
preferably in white. Be prepared for a walk as vehicles are not allowed inside the
temple. Visited January 2017
11) beautiful buddhist temple in the middle of Kandy- gijs huib M
Famous for the tooth, this place is certainly worth a visit. Its busy, but when you are
inside its quiet and serene. Visited January 2017
12) Only ok.- Colum S
It's not cheap outing for a couple. 1500lrk per person. They are very strict on covering
up for both men and women so long sleeves and pants/skirt for both. Probably best to
wear flip flops as you will have to walk the grounds in your bare feet so a lot easier to
put back on after your finished. Especially if it's raining! Visited January 2017
13) Probably a must see if you are in Kandy- Martin S
Apparently the tooth of the Buddha is kept here as a relic. Its an interesting experience
to see people coming here to pray and make their offerings. And the building is worth
walking around. But I really did not like the tourists who were sticking their camera
lenses into the faces of those praying or just walking around taking a video of
themselves with a selfy stick. Its just seems wrong in a temple with worshippers and
tourists together. You have to be respectfully dressed to get in. No knees showing and
for women its more severe of course with arms and tops covered. You pay to enter and
its more than the locals. But its the tourists money that keep places like this accessible
and open to the masses - for good or bad. Visited January 2017
14) Good but very busy- rodrego Rodrego
Quite expensive to go in. It was very busy and struggled to in fact see the tooth. Nice
to walk around though. Visited January 2017
15) Temple- canoewomanT Leicester, United Kingdom
A very interesting place. We joined lots of local people all taking their flower
offerings into the temple. Very peaceful. Another room had paintings around the walls
which told the story of Buddha and his tooth which were very interesting. There are
very strict rules regarding everybody having their legs and arms covered. It is a shame
"foreigners" have to pay so much more to enter, than the local people. Visited January
2017

7) GALLE FORT

Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by
the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649
onwards. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage monument, which even
after more than 423 years maintains a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction
work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.[1]
The fort has a colourful history, and today has a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population. [2]
[3][4]
The Sri Lankan government and many Dutch people who still own some of the properties
inside the fort are looking at making this one of the modern wonders of the world. [4][5] The
heritage value of the fort has been recognized by the UNESCO and the site has been
inscribed as a cultural heritage UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria iv, for its unique
exposition of "an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture
and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries."[3]
The Galle Fort, also known as the Dutch Fort or the "Ramparts of Galle", withstood
the Boxing Day tsunami which damaged part of coastal area Galle town. It has been since
restored.
Reviews:
1) A very nice half day activity-Issa18:
This is an Old Dutch fort, later taken over by the British. It is huge in size, and totally
alive inside. You will see plenty of hotels and shops and restaurants. Just walk around
and capture the spirit of the place. There is also a nice clock tower and a lighthouse.
All around it is an ancient wall built with some corals stones, beautiful site. The view
of the cricket stadium and the ocean all around you, as well the city of Galle is
wonderful. Totally worth the visit, but no more than half a day in my opinion. Avoid
staying in a hotel there, too overpriced. Visited January 2017
2) Must see if you are in Galle- Dude_IN_LosAngeles:

This is an excellent place to walk around and see the old Dutch fort.
Just put on your walking shoes and explore the place. The clock
tower has the correct time and adds glamour to the whole site. The
ocean views are breathtaking. Attached to this are a few photos we
took. We did see a bicycle vendor selling king coconut but did not
buy any since the good ones were gone already. Don't forget to
bring a hat for the sun and enough drinking water. It can be a bit hot
and humid. Visited December 2016

3) Nice old Dutch town-Jan B:

Very nice old town with a lot of historic buildings, churches and accomodations. nice
shops with good things to buy. Visited September 2016
4) Wonderful made by Dutch-Mike556gr:
Gall fort is one of the famous made in dutch period. Nicely plan and well construct ...
also nice view from top of the wall. Crystal clear water in the sea... Visited December
2016
5) Lovely shops & restaurants....poor fort.- Pamela A M:
We were initially disappointed with the lack of care & maintenance of the walls and
surrounds of this fort. No one is minding it in spite of so many business's earning their
living from it. The many shops, restaurants and hotels are lovely and it's easy to
wander and browse. Surely it's time to put bins for the public in this fort and clean it
up for your tourists and visitors especially when the country promotes it as a tourist
spot to visit. Visited December 2016
6) Beautiful Dutch Fort:
This part of galle is lovely. Cobbled streets and little shops and restaurant. You get a
good view and nice breezy walk on the ramparts. Be sure to watch the sunset from the
fortress walls. Another attraction is that the fort overlooks cricket grounds and one
can view cricket matches for free comfortably from certain points in the Fort. Visited
January 2017
7) Beautiful views, pricey touristy area but worth a visit:
The views from the fort are magnificent, there are plenty of places to eat. The place
definitely has a huge western feel to it, so its a nice change if you are already missing
home! Plenty of western shops such as pizza hut and dominoes around the area. Lots
of places to buy jewellery, gift shops etc. Visited January 2017
8) Great place to wander around:
The fort is a must see in the city. The size and scale of the place is very impressive
and one can see why it has world heritage status. The wall walks are excellent and
afford great views of the City, the sea and the cricket stadium. A must do in
Galleywood. Visited January 2017

9) Gorgeous little town:

Great views of the ocean. Only took about an hour to walk the whole thing at a
reasonable pace. The whole town of Galle is very cute and a must visit! Visited
January 2017
10) Another item ticked off my Bucket List:
I have seen pictures of this historic Fort over the years particularly when watching
live TV coverage of international cricket matches played at Galle Cricket Stadium. An
early start of 8 am this morning to the Fort and a walkabout for an hour admiring the
views of The Indian Ocean, The Cricket Stadium and surrounds. One feels at peace
while walking along the ramparts. Several young men were playing football while a
few older individuals were practicing yoga. The Fort complex is well maintained and
entry is free. Definitely the major attraction in Galle. Visited January 2017
11) This is one place you will NOT regret visiting:
Go atop the fort, soak in the majestic views of the cricket ground, the mesmerizingly
blue waters of the Indian Ocean, and the lovely old town from above! Beautiful,
stunning, and mesmerizing! Visited December 2016
12) Great Historical Site:
A great blend of Portuguese, Dutch and British Colonial rule. Wonderful old buildings
abound with good shops and restaurants. We had a delightful lunch in the Old Dutch
Hospital. Take plenty of water with you, as it can be very hot and humid walking
around. A visit to the Dutch Reform Church is a must. The outer walls are very
impressive and a half day tour to see it all and have lunch is needed. Visited
November 2016
13) Site seen:
A must see place in Down South. Can really enjoy the view, see breeze, local
activities and even can play. All religeon places, museums, Hotels, Restaurents,
Shopping of all kind of gems, Juwellaries, antuques, souveniors, Good Essential Oils,
Herbal products at a single place. Visited January 2017
14) allow enough time.:
Unfortunately we did not allow enough time for this great area. Plenty to see
historically and wander around the many shops and cafes. Visited December 2016
15) Litter everywhere :
This place has a nice location and would be great, but it is like walking around a
rubbish tip. There is litter everywhere. Visited December 2016

8) HIKKADUWA BEACH

Reviews:
1) #SriLanka Vacay- Oceansn
What an amazing beach the water is warm....lots of activities like snorkeling/boat
rides & beautiful restaurants,...very tourist friendly beach. Ocean + Victoria all the
way from South Africa
2) Fantastic - a must see! - alanarosehumphreys Horsham, United Kingdom
Excellent beach with a lot to see and do! You must see the wild turtles on the beach
which is near the hikkatranz hotel! You can feed them for free!!
3) A varied resort offering something for everybody- Paul T
There are many good trips can be undertaken from Hikkaduwa making it an ideal spot
for your vacation. There are a lot of stores, restaurants and travel agents making the
whole lot very competitive. Only negative point is the main road to Galle passes right
through the heart of the town and makes it somewhat noisy. Visited January 2017
4) Overdeveloped- Agmyfatu London UK
In our opinion Hikkaduwa is a place to avoid, we were so disappointed when we
arrived. There is little beach as hotels and restaurants were built right on the sand, and
the little beach that exists is crowded, dirty and right by a busy road. There are many
boats anchored near the area where people would normally swim. There are turtles
near the shore and people are surrounding and touching them which doesn't feel right.
The restaurants are overpriced. We were going to stay in Hikkaduwa for 2 nights but
we left after the first night and we went to a much nicer beach further south. Visited
December 2016

5) Fantastic Beach- Lindz L London

It is hard to find any fault with this pristine beach. Three and half km's long ( we
walked it). It has beautiful sand all the way and the sea is amazing. Many beach
bars/restaurants. At the North end is the snorkel part over the protected reef with
fishing trips etc . The middle part is surfing , big waves, great beach bars with sunbeds and umbrellas's on the beach ( you are expected to buy food/drinks if you use),
all very chilled out harking back to their 70's 'hippie' origins. The South end is far
less crowded, more small hotels than beach [Link] sea is different in all parts. We
would recommend 'Chill Space' restaurant,right on the beach, music, fantastic home
made food , cocktail hour at the sundown, just watch the surfers on the large break.
Fun staff.. At the south end 'The Sunset' restaurant with the whole beach to yourself
and the sea !! The sand floor is soft and inviting.... Food is great. Visited January 2017
6) Nice beach but forget about corals- sr2001indian Hyderabad, India
Beach is nice with clear water. It is bit rocky , and has big waves so one has to be
careful. There are some sea turtles who are not exactly pet but they stay on the beach
and one can feed them sea kelp . This was a big plus for my toddler.
Beach has many water sport options - snorkeling, sea diving, motor boat ride.
Apparently due to rocks jet ski is not done on Hikkaduwa beach.
Before doing activity, it is better to negotiated and fix up the price
Do not go on this beach to see corals, they are all bleached, so you only get to see
blackish- brownish corals. i have seen far better and colorful corals in Andaman in
India .But these corals are still home to various colorful fish One can take a motor
boat in 3 K LKR for 30-40 minutes to watch the fishes , which may be good fun for
kids. Visited January 2017
7) Nice in the mornings - gaminide2017 Sydney, Australia
Just enjoy the beach near Poseidon diving centre, chest high and calm for relax swim,
go there before 9 Am noisy locals swamp the beach. If you like quiet place. Visited
December 2016
8) Cool beach- Patricja B
Really nice beach. Quiet see in the morning, wavy in the afternoon. You can buy fresh
coconuts :) not too many people, clean shiny [Link] January 2017
9) Nice beach big waves- Domi-Boo
Beach is really nice but you have to be carefull because the waves are really big there.
You have to look for some place where it is more chilly. We stayed at yula hotel, and
there were some tourists on the beach but it was not that crowded. Visited December
2016
10) Very nice beach!- ChuckOfAllTrades Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Nothing to fault here: Great sand and water, lots of eating options, and very
photogenic. Great for those seeking diving / snorkeling options as well. Visited
December 2016
11) Run Forrest Run!- Simon Art Teach... J Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

One of the best beaches I have ever run on! The sand was perfect and you can do pull
ups on the traditional boats at the far end. Visited January 2017
12) best beach for snoorkling- Hemanth R Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh, India
Srilanka with good tourisam approach had designated beaches specialised for
different activities... mirissa for whale watching.. unavattuna for different levels of
surfers and hikkaduwa for snoorkling and dive spots.... we went to possodian dive
center and they suggested us to gofor snoorkling as we had the flight in next 24 hrs...
we ended up with snoorkling kits and enjoyed snoorkling for more than 3 hrs.. The
beach was good with lot of tourists and fishes are very near to the nbeach . The corals
are totally bleached .. but sharp and very low depth .. so becarefulll and could get hurt
easily... There are lot of fishes and different colors and very beautiful .. they charge
1000LKR for the snoorkel kit with fins and another 1000 for a instructor who will
take you a bit inside upto 100 mtrs . basically its the same except some bigger fishes ..
the corals are toatally bleached even at 100 mtrs far...so better to avoid if you know
the basics of snoorkling... Visited January 2017

13)

Just WOW- YSAS70

If you are looking for a beach that you may still call virgin ... this is
it. Perhaps 3.5km of soft sandy beach, bordered by the endless
ocean on one side, palm trees bushes and wonderful colonial
cottages as small hotels on the other side. One thing I kept doing
during all our three visits to this paradise on earth was walking
barefoot, all day, everywhere ... it's culturally acceptable even
during the evening dine while dressed up at our five stars hotel (the
"Tranz"). Keep a look out for Baba the tuck tuck driver and tell him
Yasir sent you, treat him good and you will be king at Hikkaduwa.
Visited January 2017

14) Great for snorkelling beginners to medium

I have to say this was a highlight of our trip. The snorkelling was excellent and made
bringing our gear with us worthwhile. To get to the best spot look out for the coral
sands hotel as there is an alley which leads to the beach and a good safe snorkelling
spot if it gets a bit rough you can go move down the beach as a group of our friends
did and managed to swim with some turtles. Visited January 2017

15) Lots of tourists but still has a local feel. And the turtles a highlight.- Kay J
I like the idea that the beach is used by both tourists and locals. Everyone enjoying the
beach together not just tourists. So people are there but I didn't feel that it was too
crowded. The swimming is really nice, and the restaurants' food prices are reasonable.
A major highlight for me was feeding the turtles who come to the beach - a real thrill

for me. Some guys hassle you a little for snorkeling and boat trips, but a firm no is
fine, the guys don't persist. We also enjoyed singing and jamming with the local guys
on New Year's eve! Visited December 2016

9) ELLA JUNGLE RESORT SRI LANKA

Ella lies in one of the most scenic parts of the hill country, on the road south from
Nuwara Eliya, and relatively close to the lesser-known hill station of [Link]
eco-friendly park nestles on the banks of Kirindi river, six miles to the south of Ella
village, and is at peace with a breathtaking terrain of tropical rain forest, majestic peaks
and rushing waterfalls.
Ella Jungle Resort, opened at the turn of the century, will entice those seeking both the
solitude or an unspoiled jungle setting or the chance to indulge in a range of challenging
outdoor activities. The cosseted or faint-hearted should look elsewhere. Outdoor lovers
will enjoy the simplicity of the comfortable yet rustic accommodation. Standard and
deluxe rooms are scattered around the main resort area, in 12 acres of tropical forest.
Across the Ella-Wellaweya road, the Ella Jungle Resort stretches over another 38 acres.
Here there are also eco lodges, jungle cabins and camp sites in the valley below, a 20minute trek through jungle.
Reviews:

1) Stunning location enjoyed by glass walls in spacious rooms KappyMeLondon

Somewhat shocked at some of the recent reviews as we had a lovely time. I think
much of the disparity in view is based on category of room booked. The best rooms
really are worth paying the extra for. Travelled in family of 5 (including 3 young
children) and enjoyed our stay from beginning to end.
- food limited in variety and breakfast could have been better
- views fantastic
- rooms
- huge rooms overlooking river
- agree with previous reviews around safety angle of massive drops either side of
room entrance
- no hot water
- no storage but that was ok given the size of the room we just kept stuff in our
suitcases
- comfortable beds
- the trek to waterfall was a lot more adventurous than i had expected but we made it
and really enjoyed it.
- staff and manager all helpful and attentive
- enjoyed the zip wire experience but safety is not UK standard (no safety wire)
- slept to the sounds of the jungle including elephants in the distance
Tips:
- stay in the better rooms if you like your creature comforts
- do not plan to visit Ella while you stay here.... this is a jungle experience and not
really near Ella town
- do the trek to the waterfall but be ready for a hard climb
- take a few snacks with you for in between meal times
Stayed January 2017, travelled with family

2) Lost opportunity- Zlejins Sydney Olymoic Park, Australi

aGreat location, lovely surrounds, adventure at your doorstep, ok food - but that is
where it ends. Half finished building - like someone got some concept drawings and
then handed them out to some local tuk tuk drivers to execute. Drive way a kilometre
of hair pins on a single track road down the mountainside only navigable by four
wheel drive. A "gondola" more like a flying fox than anything you would see at a ski
resort. Full length glass windows without safety glass or proper frames, no railings,
half finished paths and the list goes on. The owner has fundamentally betrayed his
staff. Before he or she rushes off and builds more units (counting the dollars) he or
she needs to put the rest of the house in order. This is not beyond rescue but someone
needs to put in the effort and the money. The outcome would be remarkable. Stayed
January 2017, travelled with family

3) Real jungle experience!! Annie3101 The Netherlands

You need to take some effort, first A trip in a 4wd jeep to a platform were you step
into a cable car, crossing the river, to descend into the jungle resort!!
Accomodation near the river, with outside bathroom and basic bedrooms.
The setting is super, with helpful friendly staff, who even guiding you in early
morning to the nice waterfall 1/2 an hour walk from the lodge!!
In the middle of the jungle you have WiFi but just okay for a few guest, si that a
problem. Next to this no charging options for electronic devices in the cabins.
The food is local, no menu to choose, buffet with traditional Sri lanka dishes. For
european travellers with kids, not a good option!! Stayed December 2016, travelled
with family
4) Great setting Stephen L
This place is in a beautiful setting and the accommodation is comfortably close to nature. The
food was a bit of a let down, especially the breakfast. We did the zip line and had a guided
walk in to the jungle where we were taken to a really nice swim hole in the river. Overall a
fun day. Stayed December 2016, travelled with family

5) Quiet, cool and exhilarating.- Jai V

Do you feel tied down by work and your other daily obligations? Do you feel like
there is no escape from slaving within the confines of your work place? Do you need
a break? If the answer to these questions is a loud yes, the this is THE place for you.
Never have I ever been so satisfied and relaxed with a holiday resort. It is one of the
best, if not the best place to visit in Sri Lanka. Its a long 6 hour drive, but the journey
itself is enthralling. Once you reach the place, the real adventure begins. You have to
take a cable car to reach the reception as the place is deep in a valley. The cable car is
open and its a huge adventure. Within the hotel premises there is a 4 km trail which
cuts into the deep forest of the hills. Once you reach the top, there is a rock to climb,
which is challenging yet rewarding. The reward that lies at the end of the trek is a
natural pool of water surrounded by rocks and a waterfall. A great place for a swim
after a long, humid trek. Totally worth it! There are so many activities to be done
within the resort premises that it blew my mind. There are many surprises awaiting at
Ella Jungle Resort and it deserves a visit. Stayed December 2016, travelled with famil

6) Honeymoon - Meranda S
An excellent place to come and relax while forgetting all the busy lifestyle in the city.
The food and staff was marvellous although food was only vegetarian. Recommend
for those who like to stay off the grid. Cheers! Stayed December 2016, travelled as a
couple

7) Megical jungle resort!! 123CONDREA

We have spent a beautiful couple of days in this wonderfull place. The staff was very nice and
Mr Manoj took care of every need. We loved the vegetarian [Link] we had a very pleasant

dinner with local traditional live music....just for us. I strongly recommend this place. We had
a room with shared bathroom....and it is much much better than any thing you can imagine.
As i like this showers set up on the balcony viewing the river...of cours you get full privecy..
Recoment big time! Stayed December 2016, travelled as a couple

8) Exotic and unique adventure Inas S

The activities they offer is very unique..the staff especially David and manoj were
extremely friendly ,professional and actually helped us with many lovely photos in
different scenes...They make the activities in a special way as if you are in an action
[Link] bathrooms are really clean ..I really recommend this place Stayed November
2016, travelled as a couple

9) Amazing- Bianca Wray W

Impeccable surroundings, magnificent staff, amazing food! I stayed here with a friend
for two nights. We first booked the room without walls but I soon had a scare when I
saw a big spider (not dangerous but scary looking) in our attached bathroom. I told
this to staff and they immediately came to the room to find it, as it had disappeared by
then I had a small panick attack. Staff moved us within ten minutes to a new room,
with walls, free of charge. On our second day we went to the waterfall with one of the
staff members. It was an amazing experience and at a good price. The food they
served was amazing, with great flavours and 3 courses. Staff were very attentive and
extremely friendly! I would highly recommend this resort to others, just make sure to
bring your own snacks and bug spray! Also ensure you have a safe place for your
snacks (staff can provide somewhere) as you are in the jungle there are lots of animals
around! Stayed November 2016, travelled with friends

10) A Memorable Night in Nature Johann W

My girlfriend and I had the pleasure to stay last April, and its been one of the most
unique places weve stayed at when travelling the world. A calm weve struggled to
find since. Our host, Sunil Gunarathne, a man of mltiple talents, received us with a
warmth they fail to teach in Swiss hotel schools. The fact they only served vegetarian
food whilst being in a place where animals are protected made perfect sense and we
appreciated the break from our usual bad habits. The room we stayed in looked like it
was taken out of architectural digest. For a moment I thought it may have been
designed by Geoffrey Bawa. Sleek, lots of glass, minimal and comfortable. If all
jungle restrts were like this, Id go deber into the Amazon. It really is a place for those
in need of properly disconnecting from the noise and poison of the world. Stayed
April 2016, travelled as a couple

11) One night in Ella Meelis S

We stayed in Ella Mount Heavan hotel in the family room. Hotel has fascinating
views over the hills, especially nice to be out on the balcony during the sunrise! Also
visited Little Adam's peak and Demodara Nine Arch Bridge. It is possible to do both
sightseeings during one hiking tour. About 7-8 km long including climbing up to
Little Adam's peak. Stayed October 2016, travelled with family

12) Un unforgetable experience - Gab M

Ella Jungle resort is a very nice place located in the center of the jungle. The "houses"
are very nice and the room very clean. Even if it's very comfortable you are in the
jungle with all the things that comes with it : animals, bugs, noises! You can go there
with your family or in couple (it's very romantic) and the hostel manager is very kind
and will do everything to make you feel comfortable, he sing and play traditional
music instruments in front of a big fire while people have dinner (amazing and very
local experience!). Stayed October 2016, travelled with family

13) Rustic luxury with a very warm welcome.- Jacqui V

A true back to nature experience with a hint of luxury. A great place to switch off
(literally) and reconnect with nature. The rooms are beautiful and situated directly on
the river so we were able to fall asleep listening to the sounds of the jungle and
running water. There are some great walks and a very pretty waterfall to climb or you
could simply step off your balcony and relax on a giant boulder ain the steam. The
place feels as though it used to be a luxury resort, but it has gone back to its roots.
Facilities are very limited: the Internet is non existent, no hot water in most rooms, no
bar or drinks except water and fresh juice and no choice of food. This may sound a
criticism, but it is not as it totally makes it the back to nature experience we were
after. The staff are all wonderful especially the host Sunil who really brings the
experience alive. The kitchen staff allowed me to help with dinner preparations as I
have an interest in Sri Lankan cookery and we cooked various curries with ingredients
grown on their farm within the resort. Getting to the resort is a bit of a mission and
involved a 4km off road ride in a 4wd vehicle and a very cute cable car into the actual
resort. We stayed for 2 nights and really enjoyed the place as it was totally different
from the usual hustle and bustle of Sri Lanka. Stayed September 2016, travelled as a
couple

14) Amazing back to nature experience UK Joe123

We visited for three nights as part of our honeymoon. The entrance included a
mountainside descent in a converted 4x4 followed by a cable car ride where we had
an incredible view over the jungle with birds eye views of monkeys in their natural

habitat. The staff were incredibly hospitable when we arrived and continued to be
throughout our stay. Our room looked out over a stream and was very private, and
had an air conditioning unit and full panoramic views as 3 of the walls were curtained
glass. The food was authentic Sri Lankan vegetarian cuisine and was consistently
tasty each night. We also took a 20 minute trek through the jungle to a waterfall
where we were able to swim and jump from the rocks. It is worth considering that
you aren't able to leave the resort in the evening, so would advise full-board booking.
We would definitely advise visiting if you love an outdoors lifestyle and an
adventure. Stayed September 2016, travelled as a couplE

15) Unforgettable experience!- Marrjolein

We absolutely loved this place from the moment we arrived. We were met by the
friendly staff at the main road. We drove down into the jungle with a 4x4, that was
great fun. The cable car to the resort was an adventure in itself, powered by a
landrover motor. How cool! The location of the resort is amazing, it is so beautiful
and quiet down there in the valley in the middle of the jungle. We are a family of four
and the cabin was perfect for us. We thought it was fantastic with the balcony facing
the river. The beds were very comfortable and the mosquito nets worked fine for us.
And we really did not mind the fact that there was no hot water in the shower. The
cold water was not that cold and actually very refreshing. Our kids were really excited
when a squirrel came into the room in the next morning just after we had woken up.
The true jungle experience. As we were staying at the resort only one night we could
not take part in the excursion the next morning. When the staff saw the disappointed
faces of our kids they decided to take us to the natural pool that afternoon. That was
so kind! The natural pool is a wonderful place and the hike up there is also nice.
Dinner was another memorable experience. The tables stood outside around the fire
under a sky full of stars. The vegetarian food was good and the entertainment really
special. The manager of the resort played the flute, drums and he sung traditional Sri
Lankan songs. The fact that the people who work here genuinely want you to have a
good time made this an unforgettable experience. We were really sad we were only
staying one night at this special place and we recommend it to anyone who likes a not
so standard [Link] July 2016, travelled with family

10) NATIONAL MUSEUM OF COLOMBO

National Museum of Colombo, also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum is one of two
museums in Colombo. It is the largest museum in Sri Lanka. It is maintained by
the Department of National Museum of the central government. The museum holds contains
a collections of much importance to Sri Lanka such as the regalia of the country, including
the throne and crown of the Kandyan monarchs as well as many other exhibits telling the
story of ancient Sri Lanka.
Reviews:
1) Getting a bit Tired michaelfitzg Toronto
We enjoyed the museum and the information on the culture that it presented. We
found that it is getting tired though and the exhibits and information need to be
refreshed. There is lots to see and the entry fees are very reasonable but the museum
and how the exhibits are layed out are dated. However, that having been said, it is
worth a visit to get a taste of culture. Visited January 2017
2) Much better than anticipated pearlkp worldwide
The major downside with this museum is that you can only buy an information
booklet at the end of your walk around. However the exhibitions are in really good
condition and there are some very nice artefacts that are well displayed. There is a
lack of information in a few areas but overall this is a good museum. We went after
we had already visited the cultural triangle and this was a handy review to tie it all
together.
3) Know the Sri Lankan culture Denis P Mahe Island, Seychelles
We had a great tour of the museum with a variety of items depicting the Sri Lankan
culture and inheritance on display.
Visited January 2017

4) Dank museum with lots of national treasures- David H

Definitely worth a visit for the icons, paintings, writings and artefacts of Sinhalese
culture. I loved seeing the ivory combs and writing implements. However, the
museum isn't set out in chronological or logical order, so I personally didn't feel like I
understood how what I was seeing fit into the larger picture of Lanka's development.
Rooms do have contexts and themes, so that does help, but the overall impression is a
hodgepodge of treasures but no sense of how it all fits together.
The museum is in need of a makeover, internally. It's a tad too dark and some displays
need a dusting, especially the painting room on the second floor. Outside, the facade is
pretty and well kept. Visit the cafe/gift shop for some decent coffee and cheap
souvenirs. Visited January 2017
5) National Museum- kasanadivenkatesha Bengaluru, India
This museum is having collection of sculptures of Buddist momuments. and cerrtain
collections of Portugese, Dutch & British period. This building is under renovation.
Visited December 2016
6) Best collection of Arts and humanities- johnbarnes2017 Abu Dhabi, UAE
We love the library, the library inside the Colombo National Museum hold best
collection of Arts and humanitie. Visited January 2017
7) a place of history- Alex s Kandy, Sri Lanka
A good place to have a taste of sri lankan history. but must mention that its
maintanance is not up to date. so many valueble artifacts and paintings are just about
to get destroyed. Visited October 2016
8) Interesting Building in disrepair- Gournemanz Hope Island, Australia
The museum is located in a huge, and I mean HUGE white colonial building that was
the residence of the British government. It must cost a fortune to upkeep it and
consequently
it
is
in
disrepair
undergoing
'some'
restorations.
The collections are so-so, with old Buddhist stone carvings and also Portuguese,
Dutch
and
British
most
interesting
and
best
preserved.
There are other displays on Sri Lanka's agriculture, that have no place in a National
[Link] December 2016
9) crying for attention and refurbishmentRoger T Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
staff at entrance are NOT allowed to smile, very depressive attitude.
the place is eaten up by humidity its a shame. Visited December 2016
10) Small museum with not too many artefacts.. - Varehman
It is a small place with a small collection spread across 2 or 3 rooms. Not too many
artefacts, would need about 20 mins to cover the entire museum.
Visited December 2016
11) Very nice - Asirf
Very nice collection of stuff of sri lankan history many things to see here a nice place
to visit in columbo

Visited September 2016

12) Best educational museum- Roshan S
Colombo national museum is one of best place for search about the srilanka history
and biological things. It is a bbig area. Nice old paintings, old sri lankan traditional
clothes. Meny things. It is really good [Link] October 2016
13)

OK if you need to fill in time in Colombo - noushymoo

We have kids aged 8 and 9 and had to kill some time in Colombo so this was ok. We
had been to Polunnaruwa so I could explain to the kids these were artifacts found at
this site, the throne is cool to see. It costs about 600 per adult, half four kids and you
pay a camera permit. Alot of it is closed. Really just a time filler, mix it in with a trip
to Victoria Park for the kids.
Visited December 2016
14) Signe Tobiassen
Half of this place is amazing with beautiful stones, fabrics and paintings and the other
half is just hysterically bad. So bad in fact that it is totally worth going. I know it's
supposed to be serious but it's hard not to laugh. The stuffed animals in their Natural
History-department are in such bad shape that they are litterally falling apart and the
posters on the walls... oh my God... it looks like nothing happened there since before
the cold war.
15) Aruna Fernando
Must [Link] place to acquire historical knowledge. well [Link] here you
could see preserved artifacts which Leeds to preserve the country's history. When I
read some reviews Some have stated this is only museum in Sri lanka its completely
[Link] are so many.