Sri Lanka has everything you could ask for from a tropical island – sparkling beaches, sapphire-blue waves, lilting palm trees, emerald hills and the scent of seafood hanging on the breeze.
Lonely Planet : October 11, 2022
Even better, its manageable size means you can see everything on a short trip, from brochure-class beaches and elephant-filled national parks to ruined Buddhist stupas – particularly if you hire a car and driver.
While some people road-trip around Sri Lanka with a rented motorcycle or scooter, renting a car with a driver is the easiest option. Most drivers speak good English and know the ins and outs of driving in the country, including the best roadhouses to stop at for spicy rice and curry. If you arrange a driver for a longer trip, don’t be surprised if you get invited to their home for a meal before the end of your stay. To get you started, here are our favorite road trips in Sri Lanka.
Colombo to Matara
Best road trip for beach lovers
Colombo–Matara; 133 km (83 miles)
This easy excursion south from Colombo follows the path of the coastal railway, linking historic cities with some of Sri Lanka’s most famous beach resorts. You won’t find too much peace and quiet in peak season, but you will find plenty of sun-smooched sand and good places to stay, eat and catch a wave.
Start in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s history-stuffed capital city, exploring temples and markets and fine dining on crab curry, then drift south to the sands of Aluthgama and Bentota, taking time to detour inland to the charming Brief Garden. If you have the budget, this stretch of coast has some of Sri Lanka’s best Ayurvedic spa resorts. Pause for a day or two of water fun in Hikkaduwa, and drop by Ambalangoda to delve into the island’s tradition of kolam (masked dances).
It’s back to history in Unesco-listed Galle, with colonial-era streets wrapped around a historic lighthouse and a fortress built by Dutch colonizers. Eat and sleep well in the old center, then link through beachy Unawatuna and surfy Midigama and Weligama, squeezing in a detour to the Handunugoda Tea Estate before wrapping up in the authentically Sri Lankan town of Matara.
Sri Lanka has everything you could ask for from a tropical island – sparkling beaches, sapphire-blue waves, lilting palm trees, emerald hills and the scent of seafood hanging on the breeze.
Even better, its manageable size means you can see everything on a short trip, from brochure-class beaches and elephant-filled national parks to ruined Buddhist stupas – particularly if you hire a car and driver.
Colombo to Badulla across the hill country
Best road trip for tea lovers
Colombo–Ella; 240km (145 miles)
It’s not all about beaches in Sri Lanka. The trip inland from Colombo to the Hill Country is one of Sri Lanka’s most evocative rail journeys, and it’s just as impressive by road. Starting from the capital and taking regular stops to look out over the scenery, trace the A1 highway inland to higher ground and the sacred city of Kandy, home to Sri Lanka’s most revered temple.
Coming with a car and driver makes it easy to visit nearby temples and gardens and the Ceylon Tea Museum before heading to serious tea country. Take the highland road to Nuwara Eliya through jade-green tea plantations, stopping at estates such as Glenloch to learn about the tea-making process. Check into a colonial-era hotel (we rate the Hill Club) and take high tea at the Grand.