Jaffna - Sri Lanka - Information (2026)

The train was scheduled to pass through Anurad (from Colombo) at 10:40am and arrive in Jaffna at 2pm. It was 1 hour late at Anurad but still arrived at Jaffna by 2:30pm. The train was very spacious and comfortable. Many people get off at Anurad which left the train with plenty of empty seats on the final part of the journey.

ABOUT

Jaffna is located at the northern tip of Sri Lanka.

It is a bit ‘out-of-the-way’ from the main tourist destinations.

WEATHER

Early October should be an OK time of year to be here. The rains start in October … but, normally, later in the month.

I was in Jaffna early October. We had no rain.

OLD TOWN

Jaffna has an historical past. Portugal established Jaffna City in 1621. This was lost to the Dutch. The British took over in 1796. Sri Lanaka gained its independence in 1948.

The Dutch Fort is its most famous Tourist Attraction.

The Old Town market area is worth a visit for a couple of hours (I purchased a couple of things there) but, otherwise, I found Jaffna City ‘bare’.

THE PENINSULA

The Jaffna peninsula is quiet and rural with few real ‘tourist attractions’ other than island hopping and some decent beaches.

SCOOTER / BICYCLE RENTAL

Most scooter rental is found in Jaffna City. Most want 3,500r per day.

You will find very few rental options elsewhere in the peninsula unless your hotel offers it (which is rare).

If you want to get out of Jaffna City into the peninsula and go adventuring on a scooter on the odd day or two (as I wanted to) … forget it. The only way to do it is to rent a scooter in Jaffna City, hit the road for a few days, and return it to Jaffna City.

EAT & DRINK

FOOD

Prices in Jaffna are the cheapest that I have found anywhere in Sri Lanka. Here is the menu from one of the hotels that I stayed in:

Prices are cheaper in the local cafes on the street.

However, if you get out of Jaffna City centre and/or into the peninsula, don’t be surprised to find that your nearest restaurant is 1km away.

ALCOHOL

Expect typical prices in restaurants (e.g. 1,000r for a 500ml can of Lion Beer). There are plenty of Government priced Beer Shops around if you want to take drinks back to your hotel. But, as always, they are normally found in inconvenient locations and your nearest one may be aover 1km away.

GROCERIES

There are many mid-sized supermarkets in Jaffna City centre. Away from the city centre you will mainly find small ‘convenience stores’. Supermarkets are far and few between.

ACCOMMODATION

WHERE TO STAY

You should have no problem finding a hotel within our GRANDPAcker price range.

I cannot recommend any specific place or area.

Jaffna City centre offers the best balance between sights to see and things to do … but, I found no decent accommodation there.

MY ACCOMMODATION

JAFFNA CITY

I used AGODA to book 3 nights in a Deluxe Double Room with Shower (Fan) at the Sobia Villa. I paid a last-minute discounted price of 3,670r per night including breakfast.

The room was very basic. Average wifi. No hot water shower. No mosquito net over the bed. There was a shared kitchen with a kettle and fridge … which was useful. The breakfast was very simple and basic. It had a small, shared balcony which was pleasant.

It is in a very quiet location. The nearest restaurant was 1km away. There were very few shops in the area. A tuk tuk into Jaffna City Centre was about 250r each way. It was OK for the price but I would not recommend it.

MID PENINSULA

I used AGODA to book 3 nights in a Single Room with Queen Bed at PJ Hotels. I paid a last-minute discounted price of 6,075r per night excluding breakfast. I chose PJ Hotels so that I could relax around the pool for a couple of days.

The room was good. Good wifi. Hot water shower. TV. Kettle. Ground Floor.

Again, I was in the middle of nowhere. No restaurants in sight. Fortunately, there was a supermarket across the road where I could buy groceries.

MID PENINSULA

I used BOOKING.COM to book 3 nights in a Single Room with Private Bathroom at the Thisha Hotel. I paid a last-minute discounted price of 4,120r per night including breakfast.