Historically known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is a gem of a country in South Asia that needs to be on your list of must-visit destinations. Despite its compact size, this island country offers different experiences that will captivate any traveler.
Imagine this: one day, you’re lounging on pristine beaches; the next, you’re exploring fascinating historical sites. If you’re a culinary enthusiast, Sri Lankan cuisine will tickle your palate with bold spices and exciting flavors, and you’ll even have the chance to savor some of the world’s finest teas.
Whether you’re a beach lover, a foodie, or an adrenaline junkie, Sri Lanka has something special in store for you. The big bonus? With its scenic landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and stunning coastlines, Sri Lanka offers some of the most breathtaking road trip routes in the world.
From thrilling mountain paths to tranquil coastal drives, each route deserves to be part of your Sri Lanka itinerary. Buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable journey through Sri Lanka’s best road trip routes.
Go Coastal: Colombo to Galle Route
Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital is the perfect starting point of your journey. Here, you can feel the energy of the city just by exploring its lively markets and nightlife scene before setting off on your road trip adventure.
Just a short drive from Colombo is a local hotspot, Mount Lavinia Beach. As you soak up the charming colonial-era atmosphere, you can sink your toes into the golden sand. This beach offers a relaxing escape with ocean views and a historical backdrop.
From Mount Lavinia, embark on a scenic drive along the Colombo-Galle Main Road. In an hour and a half to two hours, you’ll arrive at Bentota Beach, a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. It’s the perfect spot for thrilling activities like jet skiing, windsurfing, and snorkeling. The best part? You’re surrounded by coastal beauty as you indulge in these activities.
Next, continue your adventure to Hikkaduwa Beach, known for its excellent surfing conditions and coral reefs. The crystal-clear waters make it perfect for snorkeling and diving, allowing you to discover the colorful underwater world. As you stroll along the shore, keep an eye out for sea turtles that often make appearances here.
From Hikkaduwa, a 20-kilometer drive brings you to the historic city of Galle. Explore the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can walk along streets showcasing colonial architecture and museums. The fort’s walls offer panoramic views of the ocean, making it a perfect spot to watch the sunset.
Go on a Mountain Drive: Kandy to Ella Route
Breathtaking scenery can make long drives worth it, and this route is all about marveling at hills and panoramic views. Start your road trip from Kandy, the cultural heart of Sri Lanka, known for its colorful history and vibrant arts scene.
Don’t miss the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites. Enshrined in the temple is a tooth relic of Gautama Buddha, making it a pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide. While in the temple, make sure you take time to appreciate its Kandyan architecture and elaborate interiors featuring carvings and frescoes.
From Kandy, make a quick stop at the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where you can wander through lush landscapes and marvel at tropical flora. This garden offers a respite before you continue your adventure to Nuwara Eliya.
Nuwara Eliya, often referred to as “Little England”, is known for its cool climate, tea plantations, and colonial architecture. The town features English-style cottages and gardens that reflect its storied past. While at Nuwara Eliya, don’t miss visiting the Horton Plains National Park where you can take a hike to the World’s End viewpoint. The cliff offers a jaw-dropping view of the landscape that’s worth the climb.
As you approach Ella, sights like the Ravana Falls will captivate you. Make sure you also visit the Nine Arches Bridge, a piece of railway engineering set against greenery that’s perfect for photography.
Cap off this road trip route by hiking up Ella Rock, where the climb will take you to a vantage point offering views of the countryside. It’s a memorable way of ending your journey on a serene note while admiring Sri Lanka’s natural beauty.
Go up North: Anuradhapura to Jaffna Route
Take a deep dive into Sri Lanka’s rich history by starting your road trip in Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient temples and stupas. Stupas are mound-like or hemispherical structures that contain relics and are used as places of meditation.
Anuradhapura’s archaeological wonders highlight the country’s spiritual heritage. Make sure you see the Jetayanaramaya, considered as one of the tallest stupas in the world, and the Bodhi Tree, a direct descendant of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
As you continue heading north, stop at Mihintale, also known as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Here, you have the option of climbing the 1,840 steps to the summit where you can find the Mihintale Monastery, the Ambasthala Dagoba, and the Aradhana Gala rock. You’ll surely relish a spiritual experience as you take in the views. Before leaving, don’t miss the opportunity to see the Mahaseya Dagoba, a large stupa that stands as a testament to the area’s religious significance.
From Mihintale, your journey will take you through the Elephant Pass, an important geographical landmark that connects the Jaffna Peninsula to the rest of Sri Lanka. Be on the lookout for the large boulders and commemorative plaques that mark the pass so you’ll know you’ve arrived at the historical site.
Elephant Pass served as a strategic military location throughout history and is surrounded by lagoons and salt pans. Here, you can take numerous photos while soaking up its history.
End your journey in Jaffna, a city steeped in culture and history. Visit the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, one of the most important Hindu temples in Sri Lanka. It stands out with its striking Dravidian architecture and tower. Just nearby is the Jaffna Fort, also known as the Dutch Fort. Another historical landmark, the Jaffna Fort features preserved ramparts and bastions. Explore the grounds, see the ruins of ancient buildings, and enjoy the views of the Jaffna Lagoon from the fort’s walls.
Go on a wilderness expedition: Sinharaja to Yala Route
Thanks to its diverse ecosystems, Sri Lanka is home to a variety of wildlife, making it a must-visit for animal lovers and nature enthusiasts. Start your journey from Colombo and head to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, another UNESCO World Heritage site. This rainforest is considered as a biodiversity hotspot teeming with endemic species. Here, you can spot birds like the Sri Lanka blue magpie and the green-billed coucal. If you have enough time, you might even see the purple-faced langur and the giant squirrel.
Continue your expedition to Udawalawe National Park, famous for its large herds of wild elephants. Aside from the elephants, Udawalawe is home to water buffalo, spotted deer, and a variety of bird species. Given the park’s landscapes that feature open plains and the Udawalawe Reservoir, it provides opportunities for safari drives and wildlife photography.
Conclude your journey at Yala National Park, the most-visited and second-largest national park in Sri Lanka. Yala is renowned for its high density of leopards, giving you a chance to see these elusive big cats in the wild. Booking a jeep safari is the best way to explore the park as it allows you to navigate the varied terrains – from lush forests to sandy beaches. The bonus? You get to see wildlife in their natural habitat.
Go through the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka: Colombo to Sigiriya Route
Embark on a journey through Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, which encompasses the ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Sigiriya. Begin your adventure in Colombo, and make your first stop in Kandy to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Make sure you witness traditional rituals and marvel at the beauty of Kandyan architecture.
From Kandy, head north to Anuradhapura, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Here, you’ll find numerous dagobas or stupas, which are dome-shaped structures containing Buddhist relics. The city’s preserved ruins, which include ancient monasteries, palaces, and Buddha statues, give a glimpse into early Sri Lankan civilization.
Next, journey to Polonnaruwa, another UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s famous for its beautifully preserved ruins, the Royal Palace, the Audience Hall, and the Gal Vihara, a rock temple that features impressive Buddha statues carved out of granite. Wander the archaeological park and admire the different statues and stupas.
Cap off your cultural exploration at Sigiriya, also known as Lion’s Rock. Rising 200 meters above the surrounding plains, the rock fortress allows you to see stunning frescoes of celestial maidens, the Mirror Wall with ancient graffiti, and the Lion Gate flanked by lion paws.
When you reach the summit, make sure you explore the ruins of the royal palace and take in the views of the surrounding jungle and countryside.
Choose Your Own Adventure
No matter which road trip route you choose to embark on when you visit Sri Lanka, prepare to be mesmerized by its natural wonders, rich history, and vibrant culture. So, don’t rush! Savor every moment and see how you can accomplish all five road trip routes. If you can’t explore them all at once, don’t worry! Sri Lanka will always welcome you back for another memorable journey.
What You Need to Know About Driving in Sri Lanka:
1. Take time to read a driving guide on Sri Lanka to familiarize yourself with the country, the languages spoken, and other important details you need to know.
2. A road trip in Sri Lanka can be more fruitful and memorable if you avoid mishaps along the way. Securing an International Driving Permit or License is a must so you can maximize a hassle-free trip. The good news is you can get your permit in just eight minutes.
3. To go on a road trip, you need a car! Look up car rental services in Sri Lanka, compare prices, and make sure you learn the road signs, rules, and regulations ahead of your trip.
4. Plan your road trip. Given the different road trip routes in Sri Lanka, make sure you finalize your itinerary so you can make the most of your visit.
5. Get used to left-side driving and if possible, rent a car with automatic shift.
6. When driving in large cities, head out early as traffic can get heavy in the early afternoon.
7. Use a good navigation system so you can get to your destination easily. While road signs are helpful, Google maps and other apps prove to be useful as well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
The best time to visit Sri Lanka depends on the route you want to take and places you want to explore. The best months to explore Colombo and the West Coast are from November to March, while the Southern Coast can be best enjoyed during the dry season from December to April.
Curious to see the Cultural Triangle? You may want to schedule your trip around February to March.
Do you need a visa when traveling to Sri Lanka?
All travelers are required to have Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a visa to be able to enter the country. Whether you’re visiting friends and relatives, going on a holiday, or participating in sporting events, you need an ETA. Only nationals of Singapore and Maldives are exempted from visit visas. For more information, visit the Sri Lanka eVisa website.
Is it safe to drive in Sri Lanka?
Expect that some roads, especially in remote areas, may be in poor condition. Keep your eyes on the road and stay alert for pedestrians, bikes, and tuk-tuks. As much as possible, avoid driving at night.
Are there enough accommodation options in Sri Lanka?
Yes! Depending on your budget and preferences, you can book a stay in a hotel, resort, hostel, or homestay.
What do you need to pack in your suitcase when traveling to Sri Lanka?
Aside from bringing your travel documents and other personal essentials, make sure you have a pair of comfortable shoes, long-sleeved shirts, and pants. Dressing modestly is key in Sri Lanka, especially if you plan on visiting religious sites and temples.
