East & North Sri Lanka Tour - Sri Lanka - Living Ideas (2026)

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026

OVERVIEW

We have completed our Sri Lanka Tour. This link contains general information and important tips, tricks, and traps.

So, what are my final thoughts? What is it like to spend 1 month touring Sri Lanka? What is the best way to do it? How much does it all cost?

WHEN TO GO

Mid December through to the end of March is the only time of year when the weather throughout Sri Lanka is good. This is Peak Season. Price-wise, GRANDPAckers need to avoid Peak Season.

Mid August through to mid October is Shoulder Season in the East & North … and this is a good time to come.

A possible ‘optimal’ strategy is to land late July so that you can spend 1-2 weeks in the West & South whilst there is a ‘lull’ in the rainy season before finishing off your tour in the East & North.

RENT A TUK TUK

If I do this tour again, I will rent a Tuk Tuk. To do so you will need a valid Sri Lanka or International Driving license.

For a 4 week rental you should be able to get the 6,000r per day standard rate down to 4,000r per day (or, perhaps, lower). Lets say that you can rent a Tuk Tuk for 28 days at 4,000r per day … a total cost of 112,000r / US$340. Let’s assume that your home country Driver / Travel insurance covers you for vehicle rental whilst overseas.

I suggest the, following, itinerary starting and ending in Colombo (I do not think that the long trip to Jaffna is worth it).

This itinerary covers 26 nights. This leaves you 3 nights ‘float’ (on your 30 day tourist visa) to add to anywhere en route that you want to spend a bit more time in.

This route covers a base 1,300 kms. Your budget, below, allows for a total of 2,000 kms of travel.

As you travel, watch some beautiful scenery drift past your ‘window’ and stop for refreshments in remote and quaint ‘local’ places.

A litre of fuel costs 400r. A Tuk Tuk should do 20 kms per litre on long distance travel and 15 kms around town. Lets say that your total fuel cost is 2,000 kms / 20 kms per litre * 400r per litre … a total of 40,000r / US$125.

Your total Tuk Tuk cost for this itinerary is about 150,000r / US$455. This is THE SAME AS what you would pay using PICKME or UBER tuk tuk inter-city transport … and renting a scooter for a day in the locations where you will need one.

The difference is that you will have your own tuk tuk 24 hours each day.

COLOMBO / MOUNT LAVINIA

For more detail, please read about Mount Lavinia here. 2 nights.

Stay only long enough to sort out and pick up your Tuk Tuk.

I suggest that you do your research on where to rent before you land and, if possible, make contact in advance. Book the location of your hotel accordingly.

GALLE AREA

2 nights.

I did not visit this area but there are plenty of options to choose from.

HAMBANTOTA AREA

2 nights.

Spend 1 day visiting the Ridiyagama Safari Park.

I did not visit this area but there are plenty of options to choose from.

ELLA

For more detail, please read about Ella here. 2 nights.

Spend a day doing the famous return train trip to Nanuoya …

… and enjoy a couple of nights in the lively bars.

ARUGAM BAY

For more detail, please read about Arugam Bay here. 3 nights.

If you did not do the Ridiyagama Safari Park Safari in Hambantota, spend 1 day on a Safari in Arugam Bay …

… and a day relaxing on the beach.

And, spend a couple of nights partying on the beach.

KALKUDAH / PASIKUDA BEACH

For more detail, please read about Kalkudah / Pasikuda Beach here. 2 nights.

Spend a day relaxing on a beach.

NILAVELI BEACH

For more detail, please read about Nilaveli Beach here. 2 nights.

Spend a day relaxing on a beach.

ANURADHAPURA

For more detail, please read about Anuradhapura here. 3 nights.

Spend a day visiting the ancient ruins and another day on Safari.

POLONNARUWA

For more detail, please read about Polonnaruwa here. 2 nights.

Spend a day visiting the ancient ruins.

SIGIRIYA / DAMBULLA

For more detail, please read about Sigiriya / Dambulla here. 3 nights.

Spend a day visiting Lion Rock…

… and another day visiting the Rock Caves in Dambulla.

KANDY

2 nights.

I did not visit this area but there are plenty of options to choose from.

COLOMBO

2 nights.

Drop off your rental Tuk Tuk and relax for a day before flying home.

YOUR GRANDPAcking COSTS

Read About – GRANDPAcking Costs if you don’t know how to interpret my figures.

This would be your budget:

To view the above spreadsheet in more detail, {right click} on it and choose an option.

ORANGE COLUMNS / LEFT HAND SIDE

The left of the spreadsheet (orange columns) shows the costs for a GRANDPAcking Couple living to GRANDPAcking Standard using a Standard (Home) Bank Credit / Debit Card where possible and withdrawing cash from ATMs where cash is required.

Note that almost all hotels want to be paid in cash … as do the inter-city transport providers.

These costs are for a 30 day tour of Sri Lanka in Shoulder Season (avoiding peak times such as Easter, Xmas and New Year).

These costs INCLUDE all ‘Costs of Existence’ such as hotels, meals, getting from A to B, and having a look around in each destination. These costs EXCLUDE any ‘Costs of Living’ such as cigarettes, alcohol, and personal items.

COST OF EXISTENCE (COE)

ACCOMMODATION

Expect to pay 8,000r / US$25 per night excluding breakfast.

FOOD & BEVERAGES

Expect to pay just over 11,250r / US$34 per day eating cheaply in local restaurants in or near to your hotel.

SIM CARD / MOBILE DATA

Expect to pay 3,275r / US$10 for a Mobitel 5G SIM Card with a 1 month plan.

VISA

Free 30 day Tourist Visa.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

A typical Backpacker Level Travel Insurance policy has been pro rata’d.

NECESSARY TRANSPORT & SIGHTSEEING

Expect to pay 140,000r / US430 for tuk tuk inter-city transport.

Expect to pay 16,000r / US$50 for 1 day scooter rental in 4 locations.

Expect to pay 85,000r / US$260 for entry to the Tourist sites.

This is a total of 240,000r / US$735.

SUMMARY

Your COE is about 29,000r / US$90 per day. This is 129% of your daily budget.

You are already over-budget and you will need more funds for your ‘Living Expenses’.

This tour is ‘UNAFFORDABLE‘ on a GRANDPAcker budget.

RIGHT HAND SIDE / PURPLE COLUMNS

The right of the spreadsheet (purple columns) shows the costs for a GRANDPAcking Couple living to GRANDPAcking Standard using a Wise Debit Card where possible and withdrawing cash from ATMs where cash is required.

These columns show what costs could be if you take a cheaper approach. This cheaper approach is based around you renting your own tuk tuk and gaining all the benefits of having that freedom of movement.

It is assumed that you can pay for the Tuk Tuk rental using your WISE debit card (or by online inter-bank transfer).

Alas, still expect to have to pay for hotel accommodation in cash.