wylie

We are travelling to SL next November. Day 1 stay at airport hotel Negombo drive to Dambulla either heritage Kandalama or Ullagalla Resort. Use either as a base to go to Sigiriiya Rock and Polonnaruwa on to Kandy for 2 nights, pls recommend d a nice place to stay. Then am train to Hatton stay at Ceylon tea trails? Hike around lover's Leap waterfall tea plantation tour Then after 2 night stay drive to Galle now I need some help. Should we stay in Galle for a night to tour city and Fort or go to beach resort and visit Galle for day. Should we stay at a beach hotel in Bentoto or Mirissa. Which is a nicer beach and town to see local authentic life. Where are there better lodging. Where to stay. Any comments on whale watching? Heard they are not too animal friendly and seasickness. We also are avoiding animal parks, been to Tanzania plan to go to SA, thought we would leave animals to those areas? Any comments would be most helpful!

Kathie

You sound like you are rushing through this marvelous country. I'd recommend three nights in the cultural triangle, two in Kandy (I recommend the Kandy House) and 3 or more at Tea Trails.

We see whales all the time in Puget Sound and in Hawaii, didn't even look for them in Sri Lanka, so can't help.

CounterClifton

After being in country, we sort of decided it was very hard to tell exactly what we were getting into with boat operators. And with a travel agent go-between, it was even less clear. So we didn't go, last minute. Still regret that - have watched humpbacks but to see the blue whales would have been a whole other thing. But safety mattered.

We loved the beach at Tallala. Quiet and beautiful. But the hotel complex was pretty basic. More a yoga retreat.

crellston

I think Mirrisa is the nicer place and it has a superb beach. Goyambokka is also nice and has much more of a local feel.

If you have been to Tanzania I feel you will be hugely disappointed with wildlife in SL so I would spend your time more on the culture than animals.

Mohammed

In Sri Lanka these days you can see Blue Whales most days on March/April and Mirissa is a good place to base yourself in of you want to go whale watching.

wylie

Thanks we will be there end of November- DECEMBER. Any hotels with character on the beach?

Valary

If you want to experience some whale watching best area is Mirissa in Sri Lanka.Generally whale watching season is from 1st of December to 30th April.And there is a good hotel round Mirissa called CASA Colombo Collection Mirissa if you want a luxury stay and fine Sri Lankan dining. It is only 20 minutes away from Mirissa Beach.They also provide airport transfers via luxury multi-purpose vehicles if necessary.

maiglobe2013

Heritance Kandalama is an amazing hotel and often fully booked, alternatives could be Vil Uyana or Wild Grass if you like smaller places surrounded by nature. Ulagalla Resort is about 1.5 hours away from Dambulla in Anuradhapura, so I wouldn't recommend staying there. Dambulla is a great base to visit Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, but 1 night will be enough to see both. Kandy is lovely and has many fantastic hotels and attractions! I'd recommend you staying there 2 nights. Tea trails is certainly a fantastic luxury hotel and Hutton surrounded by tea plantation simply amazing!

If you want to hike at Lover's Leap better stay in Nuwara Eliya, which is like Hatton surrounded by tea estates. Bentota: great for water sports and has many luxury resorts. Mirissa: great for surfing and whale watching and has the more beautiful beach. You can make a day trip to Galle (only 45 minutes' drive away). When going whale watching choose a reputed tour operator. There are some who really care about the whales and don't go too close, some others are very disturbing! What you should know: the drive from the hill country (Nuwara Eliya or Hatton to the south coast is very long and if you mind spending a full day in a car better plan an overnight stay somewhere in between).

In Sri Lanka it's very cheap to travel in a private vehicle with driver, I would highly recommend you to do that for your own convenience.

annhig

I agree strongly with hiring a car and driver - don't try to drive yourselves.

I also agree with Kathie about the time you need in each of the places she mentions; as for Galle we were going to stay on a beach a few miles away but changed our minds when we saw it, and stayed in town at the Fort Printers - we never regretted it. It's a lovely town with lots of quaint corners to explore, and if you want to go to the beach, you can hire a tuktuk for not very much.

and the food there is excellent.

You will have a wonderful time.