You only really have 3 nights as it seems your final night must be spent in Colombo? Is this becase of flights?

I'd choose one destination and spend all 3 nights there, perhaps the cultural triangle. Or stretch it to two nights in one location and one in another. Otherwise all that moving around will be exhausting.

I agreed, choose one place, otherwise you'll spend all of your time on the road. If it were me, I'd spend the time in the cultural triangle. Stay at the Kandalama in Dambulla. No need to spend a night in Colombo.

Thanks. We have 4 nights: Oct 20, 21, 22 and 23.
Trying to limit first morning's drive from Colombo to 4 hours max., as we'll have been traveling for a while by the time we get to Colombo. So Kandy would be best?

When you say cultural triangle, are you saying that I hit Dambulla, Sigiriya and Kandy? We've traveled a fair bit in southern India. This is different but we don't need to hit every temple etc. Merely want to get a feel for things and see one or two must-see places.

1 night on the coast would be nice, if possible. Bentota or something near Colombo perhaps? Or would that be too much? Kandalama is fully booked! Any other $100-$125 range recommendations in Kandy or near there.

Thanks.
-manish

What attractions or activities are most appealing to you? Sounds like it may be the beach. So then what about 1 night in Kandy and 3 on the beach (or 2 on the beach and your final night in Colombo)?

Browsing on the Red Dot site might be helpful:
http://www.reddottours.com/

Hi there! We spent four days in Sri Lanka in January 2012. On the advice of an Indian travel agent, we spent 2 days in Colombo and two days in Bentota.

First, I will say, it takes a lot longer to go anywhere then we anticipated. It took 45 minutes in the middle of the night to get to the airport to Colombo. During the day there is more traffic.

Colombo for us was nothing special. I would not waste a day there unless you want some discount clothing. I would go straight from the airport to your first destination and go to straight from the airport to your last destination.

We went primarily for beach and Bentota was a dream. Easy to get to from Colombo. The water was the most beautiful water I have ever been in. Warm and soft waves. It is not really a beach to sunbathe on (you sunbathe by the pools). There is good local food. I wish I had gone straight from the airport to Bentota and then back and skipped Colombo. There are many options but we got a good rate at the Taj Bentota. The hotel caters to lots of Russians - which we did not mind - and the service was spectacular.

I agree with user. Skip Colombo. CHoose either a beach or a cultural area for your four nights.

Right. Colombo was a disappointment and I had low expectations. If you want to be closer to the airport the last night stay in Negombo.