Hidden Secrets within a 2.5 hour drive from Colombo

Sri Lanka sits cosily on the tourism map. A vibrant and colourful island, it is lathered both in history and cultural richness. For a country, its size it is adorned with beaches, tropical forests, hills and more. It is no surprise that an hour’s ride from Colombo yields scenic respites. There is so much waiting to be discovered.

Here is our list of what you could do in a day around Colombo.

Explore Sri Lanka in a Tuk : In and around Colombo

Tuk tuk ride in Sri Lanka

Weave through the zig-zagging curves of Colombo. With the roads being packed to the maximum with incoming and outgoing vehicles, tuks squeeze their way more easily through the city’s traffic. Learn a little bit of the country’s history at the National Museum or slip away to the far end of the city to see staggering collection of Buddhist statues at Gangaramaya.  Make sure to visit the old market at Pettah.  Don’t miss the floating markets which is a just a hop away for a boat ride and souvenirs. For nature enthusiasts, the Beddagana Wetland Park is a surprising retreat at a 30 minute ride from the bustling crowd of Pettah.  End your day on a leisurely note with the sun sinking down into the Indian Ocean the Galle Face amidst some breeze and array of lipsmacking street food.

Make Multiple Stops down South for Beaches and Sea Food

Street Food Vendor on the Beach.

Romance with Sri Lanka’s brilliant beaches and seafood with a drive down south. Taking the southern expressway is the fastest way to reach Hikkaduwa and its neighbouring Galle. On our last visit we had made the trip with Kings Rent a Car, stopping by at Kosgoda to marvel at baby turtles reared at the conservatories. Further down, you would be in Ambalongoda, famous for the iconic traditional Sri Lankan masks you often come across at the airport. 

Grab a light meal of Beef Brisket Sliders and Iced Milo from Salty Swamis Café and Surf Shop at Hikkaduwa before continuing your journey towards Galle. You might be lucky enough to witness the stilt fishermen waiting patiently for their prey. Wind the evening with a climb up the Galle Fort, built during the colonial era, at for a panoramic view of the landscape below followed by dinner at Church Street Social, before you bring the day to a fine closure.

Take the train uphill towards the city of Kings

The signature of Kandy; lush green Vegetation, hills in the distance
and the perfect weather as the train arrives in Kandy.

Kandy’s scenic vistas are best experienced on a crawl uphill from the observation carriage in a train; as against bus rides or car rental. Sri Lanka takes special pride in this hill country which was once a Royal city. Alternative to the train a drive will take you exactly two and a half hours of you smartly choose an off peak hour to drive. 

Start at the Mawanella Spice Garden before visiting the Tea Museum at Hantane for a quick round up on the history of Ceylon tea. Head towards the Garrison cemetery, the resting ground for nearly 150 British colonial officers. A striking observation to be made is how most officials died young at a healthy age in their forties. Continue to ponder upon death with a visit to Helga’s Folly, a quirky little chalet that celebrates and death through a chaotic riot of colours. 

Allow yourself to immerse in the maverick of figures adorning its walls before you take off. Perhaps a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic would be an ideal way to contemplate on the different perspectives of life and death, while exploring its magnificence. 

Bring your day to a gradual end with a walk along the Kandy Lake, as you let yourself be taken over by the serene and calming effects of its water, glistening in the moonlight.