Things to Do in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is remarkably compact for how much it holds: beaches, tea-covered highlands, leopard country, ancient rock citadels and eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, all within a few hours of each other on one island.

Our programs are based on the south coast around Galle and Kosgoda, which puts the beaches on your doorstep and the hill country and safari parks within an easy weekend.

The best things to do in Sri Lanka

1. Galle Fort

A Dutch colonial walled town on a promontory, and one of the best-preserved in Asia. Walk the ramparts at sunset, past the lighthouse and the old Dutch Reformed Church, through streets of boutiques and cafés in restored merchant houses. It is a short ride from most of our placements.

2. The south coast beaches

Unawatuna for calm swimming, Mirissa for whale watching (blue whales pass offshore between roughly November and April) and Weligama for learning to surf on gentle beach breaks. Hikkaduwa has reef snorkelling and turtles that come right up the beach.

3. Sigiriya and Dambulla

The Lion Rock rises 200 metres straight out of the plain, with a 5th-century palace on top, frescoes halfway up and water gardens below. Nearby Dambulla is a complex of five cave temples filled with Buddha statues and painted ceilings. Together, an overnight trip north.

4. Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth

The last royal capital, set around a lake in the hills, home to the relic of the Buddha’s tooth and the Esala Perahera festival, when elephants parade in procession. Also the gateway to the hill country.

5. Ella and the hill country train

The train from Kandy to Ella is routinely called one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world — tea plantations, waterfalls and cloud forest for seven hours. At the far end, Ella has the Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak and cool mountain air.

6. Yala and Udawalawe

Yala has the highest density of leopards anywhere, plus elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles. Udawalawe is smaller, more open and almost guarantees wild elephants. Both are a few hours east of Galle and work as a weekend safari.

When to visit Sri Lanka

The south and west coasts, where our placements are, are best from December to April. The east coast has the opposite pattern (May to September), so the island always has good weather somewhere. Whale watching at Mirissa runs roughly November to April, and the hill country is cool and can be wet year-round.

Getting around

Trains are cheap, scenic and the best way to reach the hill country — book reserved seats for the Kandy-Ella run. Buses go everywhere for very little money but are crowded and fast. For safari parks and multi-stop trips, hiring a car with driver for a day or two is inexpensive and much simpler. Tuk-tuks handle short local hops; agree the fare or use a metered app.

Seeing Sri Lanka as a volunteer

South-coast placements put the beaches minutes away and the rest of the island within a weekend. Our Sri Lanka placements are based in Galle and Kosgoda, include accommodation, meals, airport pickup and 24/7 in-country support, and leave evenings and weekends free — which is exactly when most of this list gets ticked off. See volunteer programs in Sri Lanka for live prices and dates, or read our complete guide to volunteering in Sri Lanka for costs, visas and safety.

Sri Lanka travel FAQs

When can you see whales in Sri Lanka?

Blue and sperm whales pass Mirissa on the south coast roughly November to April, with the best conditions from December to March. Choose an operator that keeps a respectful distance and limits boat numbers.

Is Sri Lanka good for first-time solo travellers?

Very — it is compact, inexpensive, English is widely spoken and the transport network reaches everywhere. Our volunteers routinely travel independently at weekends after their arrival orientation.

Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Most nationalities need an ETA (electronic travel authorisation) obtained online before arrival, which covers standard volunteer placements. We confirm requirements for your nationality after you apply.

Which national park is best for elephants?

Udawalawe is the most reliable for elephants and is less crowded than Yala. Yala is the better bet for leopards. Both are within reach of the south coast for a weekend safari.

Photo: Tlbatt / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)