Sunsets, Surf & Safari - Sri Lanka Escape

Colombo

My Sri Lanka journey began with my arrival in Colombo. I ordered a taxi from the airport and went directly to my hotel to rest, as it was already late. For my stay in Colombo, I chose the NH Collection hotel — close to the center. The hotel was clean and well-kept, with a rooftop bar and pool, and beautiful city views right from the room windows. For breakfast, you can find both European dishes and local Sri Lankan flavors. Many people who travel to Colombo for business meetings also prefer this hotel.

The next morning, after breakfast, I got ready and went out to explore the city. For transportation I used tuk-tuks. Almost everyone here uses them, and you can easily call one through a taxi app — it’s simple and very affordable.

My first stop was Gangaramaya Temple.
Gangaramaya is one of the most important temples in Colombo — known for its mix of modern architecture and traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist elements. It holds a large collection of statues and relics, and you can see influences from Thailand, China, and India. It’s not only a religious site but also a cultural learning space.

With the same entrance ticket, I also visited Seema Malaka — located just 3 minutes away, on the lake. It’s a very tranquil spot floating above the water — perfect for short peaceful moments and photos.

Afterwards, I noticed the shopping mall right across the street — Colombo City Centre — and went inside out of curiosity. There were international brands, local Sri Lankan brands, cafés, and restaurants.

Later, I had lunch and then took another tuk-tuk ride to the high-end area of the city where many top hotels and restaurants are located. This area is very close to One Galle Face Mall. Around here you can find cafés, street musicians, and artisans selling handmade crafts. You can also see the Lotus Tower from this area — if you have time, going up is a great experience.

I finished the day by heading to Park Street Mews — a famous bar-pub street near my hotel — and had dinner at Monsoon Restaurant & Bar.

Sigiriya & Dambulla

Early in the morning, my private car picked me up from the hotel and I headed directly to Sigiriya. The drive is about 3–4 hours by car.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress is one of the most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka — an ancient royal palace on top of a 200-meter rock. It was built in the 5th century and is famous for its frescoes, the Mirror Wall, and the breathtaking panoramic views from the top.

I spent almost three hours here, climbed to the very top, and enjoyed the stunning scenery above the jungle landscape.

Afterwards, my driver (this was a private car I rented just for this one-day trip) drove me to my hotel in the Dambulla area — Heritance Kandalama. The hotel is surrounded by lush jungle, which makes it a very unique place to stay. You can see monkeys everywhere — sometimes they even try to enter the rooms!

I spent the night here at the hotel.

Minneriya National Park Safari

The next morning, I already had a safari tour booked through my hotel for Minneriya National Park. Early in the day, they picked me up from the hotel and we drove to the park. The drive usually takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour from the Dambulla / Heritance Kandalama area.

During the safari, we had the chance to see elephants, different bird species, and other wildlife living freely in their natural environment.

Minneriya National Park is a protected wildlife area in Sri Lanka, famous for its large gatherings of Asian elephants — especially during the dry season. The park covers more than 8,800 hectares and includes grasslands, wetlands, and tropical forest areas. It is part of the “Cultural Triangle” region and is an important habitat for many species of animals and migratory birds. Safaris here are conducted in designated tracks to protect the natural ecosystem, while allowing visitors to observe wildlife in a respectful way.

Later, we experienced some rain — November can be a rainy period here — so the tour finished a bit earlier than planned, and I returned back to the hotel.

Weligama Coast

In the morning, the car I had booked in advance arrived to pick me up — this time to take me to a beautiful place on the ocean: Weligama. This is where the “more relaxing” part of my trip began. The drive from Dambulla area to Weligama usually takes around 3.5 to 4.5 hours by car.

Weligama is a lively coastal town in southern Sri Lanka, known for its golden beaches, calm surfing waves, and laid-back tropical atmosphere. Many travelers come here to learn surfing, enjoy beach cafés, and watch beautiful sunsets along the bay.

I love aesthetic hotels, so my first stay in Weligama was Sitara Weligama — a small riverside villa with beautiful interior design. I stayed here for two nights. After resting for a bit, I headed towards Mirissa. Mirissa is known for its amazing beaches, ocean-view restaurants, and incredible sunsets. I spent a few hours by the beach and then returned to the villa.

I had dinner at the villa, got ready, and in the evening I went out to Doctor’s House — a well-known venue in this area. Doctor’s House is a historic old Dutch building transformed into a bar/club, famous for its laid-back vibe, open-air courtyard, and weekend DJ events. I got there by tuk-tuk, enjoyed the music, and then returned back to the hotel.

The next day, I spent the whole day relaxing at the villa — they prepare a beautiful breakfast here — and I enjoyed a calm slow day by the river.

Weligama Marriott: Oceanfront Chill Days

The next morning, I moved to the oceanfront Marriott. I stayed here for two nights — the perfect place for full relaxation: ocean views, surfing lessons, spa treatments, and beautiful sunsets.

One morning, I walked to Nomad Café for breakfast — it’s only about a 3-minute walk. They have great breakfast options here, and it’s also a perfect place to bring your laptop and work. Around this area you can find local shops, more surf schools, open beaches, and even a nail studio.

These two days were all about slow mornings, the sound of the ocean, and enjoying the relaxed surf-town energy of Weligama.

Eraeliya Villas & Gardens

Two days later, I moved to a very aesthetic property — Eraeliya Villas. This villa faces the ocean directly, and everything here is designed with such beautiful taste. I spent two wonderful days relaxing here — slow mornings, ocean breeze, and sunset views right from the property.

This was the perfect way to end my Sri Lanka trip — peaceful, calm, and full of tropical beauty.

And with this stay, my Sri Lanka journey came to an end.