Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), or simply Trinco, is one of the most exotic and picturesque places in the country. The city is located 256 km from Colombo in a deep-water bay. Many legendary travelers visited here – Marco Polo, Claudius Ptolemy, Admiral Nelson. The latter described the bay as a great place and convenient for navigation. Already in the XII century, the bay was a significant seaport that provided communication between the island and the outside world. Today it is a quiet resort, where people go to enjoy the pristine nature and local flavor.
General information
Trincomalee is the administrative center of the Eastern Province of the island and one of the main ports of Sri Lanka. Located an 8-hour drive from Colombo Airport and 180 km from Jaffna. Today, almost 127 thousand people live here. The settlement is located on a peninsula that separates two ports – external and internal.
The bay is so large that it can accommodate ships of any size. It is the fifth largest port of natural origin in the world. This is not the most noisy resort in Sri Lanka. If you want to dance and have fun, it is better to choose a resort in the western part of the island, for example, go to Hikkaduwa-a settlement with the most developed tourist infrastructure.
How to get
How to get from Colombo to Trincomalee by train
The ticket office of the Colombo Fort railway station sells a three-class ticket. If you want to travel comfortably in 1st class, you need to buy tickets 4-5 days in advance, as they are dismantled. The train departs once a day at 21: 30, arriving at trincomat at 5: 30.
- Class 3-static seats, the position does not change in any way, there are no air conditioners, the fare is about 325 LKR;
- Class 2 – the seats are slightly tilted back, there are no air conditioners, the ticket price is about 520 LKR;
- 1st class – full sleeps, air conditioning, the cost of a travel document is 900 LKR.
- Be sure to check out the current train schedule in advance. You can do this on the official website (www.railway.gov.lk) or by using a special smartphone app.
A tip! The train to Trincomalee from Colombo takes about 8-9 hours, so it’s best not to buy third-class tickets.
From Colombo by bus
There is a direct bus number 49 from Colombo to Trikomali, leaving from a bus station called Pettah (located near the railway station). The journey takes from 6 to 8 hours. A regular bus ticket costs 306 rupees, a semi — comfortable bus ticket costs 459 rupees, and a comfortable (commercial) bus ticket costs 610 rupees.
Buses leave almost around the clock every 15-40 minutes, at night a little less often. The schedule may change, please check before traveling on the website www.sltb.lk.
It is important! Tickets are sold on the bus. Commercial comfortable buses can be found close to the bus station.
By plane to Trincomalee from Colombo
Flights operate several times a week from Bandaranaike and Ratmalana airports. All international flights are operated by the main airport in Colombo-Bandaranaike. You can get from one airport to another by taxi.
A tip! Several airlines operate flights to Trincomalee from the main airport, so after arriving in Colombo, ask about such a flight.
Taxi
Renting a taxi from the main airport in Colombo will cost approximately $150-200. The cost of the trip depends on the car.
It is important! You can get to Trincomalee from Colombo by car in 5-7 hours, depending on the time of day. You can order a taxi in advance, and you will have to pay quite a bit for the service, but the driver is guaranteed to be waiting for you at the airport.
How to get to Trincomalee from other Sri Lankan cities
- Buses depart from Kandy every hour, the journey takes approximately 4 hours, and you cannot buy a ticket in advance.
- From Sigiriya or Dambulla City, take the 49 Colombo – Trincomalee bus. The journey takes 3 hours, tickets are purchased directly at the bus station, they are not sold in advance.
- Buses run from Batikaloa every half hour. You also need to buy tickets at the bus station.You won’t be able to purchase them in advance.
A tip! There is a small resort near Batikaloa called Pasikuda or Kalkuda. Be sure to visit its beaches whenever possible.
What to see and do
If you are interested in luxury holidays and comfort is of particular importance, Trincomalee is unlikely to interest you. People come here to lie quietly on the beach, go snorkeling, visit one of the national reserves of the country and the ruins of ancient buildings, as well as practice yoga.
Fort Frederick
Built in the 17th century by the Portuguese, today this once majestic and secure fortress has become a Trincomalee landmark. A military garrison has been preserved on the territory of the fortress. Today, there is an active military base here, so travelers often meet people in uniform with weapons, they do not need to be afraid. In general, the fort gives the impression of an abandoned and forgotten building. Tourists are impressed by the wild peacocks that walk impressively nearby. There are also deer walking everywhere on the territory, which can be fed and petted.
The entrance to the attraction is open from 6: 00 to 22: 00.
Koneswaram Hindu Temple
The temple dedicated to the deity Shiva is located on the territory of the fort, it is much better looked after than the fortress. Under the open sky is a large statue of Shiva. The temple itself is decorated with many sculptures. Nearby there is a viewing platform with a magnificent view of the Indian Ocean.
- Admission costs Rs 20 and is open every day from 6: 00 to 13: 00 and from 16: 00 to 18: 45.
- Women should wear clothing that covers their knees. If there isn’t one, the robe will be issued at the entrance.
- All visitors must remove their shoes before visiting the temple. Keep in mind that part of the road will have to go on hot ground (during daytime).
- You can only take photos of the temple from the outside.
Velgam Vihara Buddhist Monastery
More precisely, not the monastery, but its ruins. This is the oldest building in this area of Sri Lanka. There is a special peaceful atmosphere here. You are surrounded by ancient monuments, among which you can walk freely without feeling the onslaught of a crowd of tourists. The most impressive attraction is the full – length Buddha statue.
- Admission is free.
- The city can be reached in just 20 minutes.
Port
Be prepared for the fact that you will be charged for admission, but there is no such rule, and no tickets are issued to tourists. So feel free to defend your rights.
The most interesting thing in the port is a real graveyard of ships, which makes a rather creepy and depressing impression.
Pigeon Island
Today, Pigeon Island or Pigeon Island is a national park. It is home to a rare breed of pigeons-the blue pigeon. In addition, the island has unique coral species and exotic fish species, sharks and sea turtles swim.
The coast of Pidgeon is shallow, so there are excellent conditions for snorkeling. You can get to the island by buying a tour at one of the beaches or at any hotel. The tour costs an average of Rs 5,000 per person. Snorkeling equipment rental is included in the price.
- It is best to go to the island early in the morning, while it is still not hot and on weekdays, when there are fewer people.
- Don’t forget to bring cream and drinking water.
- There is no place to eat here, so it is also better to take food with you.
Kanniyai
These are seven hot springs. The place on the Internet is quite advertised, but get ready for the fact that you will not be able to lie down and relax. In fact, 7 springs are wells from which you need to draw water and pour it on yourself.
Catholic cemeteries
An interesting attraction, there are ancient graves with bizarre monuments in cemeteries.
Jungle Safari
In just a couple of hours, you will see wild peacocks, wild boars, deer and buffaloes in their natural habitat-the jungle.
Photos with deer
At the hottest time of the day, animals are saved in the jungle, but from 16-00 hours they can be found near the bus station, where deer are looking for food.
Deer can be found right on the streets of the city, they are used to people, and take food from their hands. My favorite treat is bananas.
It is important! There is surfing in Trincomalee, but real windsurfers will say authoritatively that there are no real waves here.
Whale and dolphin watching
A favorite activity of tourists is whale watching and dolphin watching, which is quite likely near the coast of Sri Lanka. Scientists have recorded 26 species of whales that swim all year round in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean off the coast of the island. In addition, whales that migrate from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal pass by the island every year.
Marine life runs along the entire coast depending on the time of year – in winter, marine life gathers in the western part of Sri Lanka, and in summer – in the east.
Whale watching excursions are conducted in the open ocean. Of course, this is possible only in good weather. Boats depart from the port around 7-00, the duration of the tour is from 3 to 5 hours. The ticket price varies from 10 to 15 thousand Sri Lankan rupees and is determined by the class of the vessel. The payment usually includes drinking water, mandatory insurance, and one-time meals.
A tip! Some companies will refund some of the money if you can’t see whales or dolphins during your trip. This point of the agreement must be specified before the trip. Be sure to bring sunglasses and a UV protection cream.
Beaches
Trincomalee beaches are one of the reasons to visit Sri Lanka. Tourists are attracted by wide strips of clean, fine sand, equally clear water and colorful underwater fauna. If you prefer a relaxing, traditional beach holiday, come to Trincomalee.
Marble Beach
Small, cozy beach, clean enough. The only thing that can overshadow your vacation is a lot of locals, especially on weekends. Beach facilities include sun loungers, umbrellas, showers and cabanas. The beach is divided into two parts – public and VIP area. Tourists prefer to relax in a more well-groomed and less crowded part of the city.
Uppuveli
This beach is located 4 km from Trincomalee city center. In high season, the beach is clean, the infrastructure is quite up to par, there are cafes and shops, bars right on the beach.
The water in Uppuveli warms up well (up to 29 °C). Walking along the shore is pleasant – a wide strip of golden sand is regularly cleaned.
The map of the city shows the bus stop “Uppuveli beach”, if you get off here and walk to the shore, you will find a crowded, well-equipped beach with everything you need for a beach holiday. The further away from the bus stop you go to the right, the less vacationers there will be and more local flavor – fishing boats and residents of the city.
If you are interested in active recreation, go to the left. There are diving centers, volleyball courts and cafes.
Guests can enjoy a meal at Fernando’s bar on the beach. Many travelers note the affordable prices, pleasant music and friendly atmosphere.
Nilaveli
It is located 12 km from Trincomalee. This is a sandy beach covered with fine, white sand. It is Nilaveli that is considered the best beach in Trincomalee, despite the fact that the infrastructure here is still developing.
On weekends, it is quite noisy and crowded, on weekdays there are almost no tourists. The sand is clean, there are no shells or rocks. There are not many hotels, if we talk about budget options, there are no more than ten of them.
There is almost no place to eat here, there are only small shops on the shore, where they sell only drinks.
Construction is actively underway, most likely, very soon this beach will become a favorite holiday destination in Sri Lanka.
Pigeon Island
People come here from April to October, when the water is as clean as possible. During this time, it is best to go diving or snorkeling. There is no civilization here, since the island is a national park, the efforts of the city authorities are focused on preserving the pristine nature.
If you want to enjoy the unique exotic nature, come to the island. It is only a short boat ride from the mainland. You can rent a boat from local residents on Nilaveli Beach. Entrance to the park is subject to a charge.
Sandy Cove Beach
The beach is located on the shore of Manayaueli Bay in the south-east of Trincomalee. The length of the beach is about 300 meters. It has clear water, a gentle approach to the ocean, and small or no waves at all. The water is turquoise and clear. The place is not crowded at all. Some of the disadvantages are poorly developed infrastructure. You can get here on your own by bike or tuk-tuk.
Despite the fact that there are many fishing boats on Sandy Beach, the beach is clean and the people are friendly. On the left side of the beach there are corals, and, accordingly, a variety of fish.
A selection of the best beaches for swimming on the coast of the entire island can be found on this page.
How to get to the beaches
- Buses leave from Trincomalee Bus Station every 20 minutes. You can get there in 7 to 20 minutes. The ticket price is from 20 to 80 LKR.
- On a bike. Rent a transport will cost approximately 1500 LKR per day. Advantages-police officers rarely stop European tourists, but you need to ride in a helmet.
- Knock, knock. A tuk-tuk ride will cost 250-300 LKR. Feel free to bargain and bring down the price, most likely, at first you will be asked for much more.
It is important! There are no large supermarkets on the beaches, you can only find small shops with drinks and ice cream and cafes. You won’t be able to buy alcoholic beverages on the beaches, so you’ll have to drive alcohol from Trincomalee.
Climate and weather, when is the best time to go
Sunny weather in Trincomalee persists almost throughout the year. It rains sometimes, but infrequently and ends quickly. However, travel companies distinguish between high (dry) and low (rainy) seasons.
The high season in eastern Sri Lanka starts in March and lasts until the end of summer. At this time, there is no wind, precipitation and high waves – ideal conditions for relaxing on the beach.
The low season starts in September and lasts until early spring. At the very beginning of the season, bad weather can be ignored, it gives a special flavor, but in November and December, the weather becomes unsuitable for beach holidays – strong monsoons, heavy rains, high waves.
A tip! If you want to celebrate the New Year according to local customs, come to the city in April. The exact date is determined annually by local astrologers.
Undoubtedly, Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) belongs to the exotic resorts. The city is sure to appeal to those who love pristine nature, silence, tranquility and want to forget about the noisy metropolis for a while.
