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Our last month in Sri Lanka was all about getting to Jaffna, this almost newly open destination was top of our wish list and after many years exploring south and central Sri Lanka, we had to get to the far north of the island. We finally made it. Jaffna Sri Lanka doesn’t disappoint in any way, getting there was easy and there are some amazing things to see and do. Find out more about Jaffna and how to get there in this post.
Jaffna Sri Lanka, is very much worth visiting. Learn more in our post, and check out our photos.
So what is Jaffna like and how did we get there? First the story part, our trip to Jaffna, keep scrolling down for the facts and figures on visiting Jaffna.
Jaffna Sri Lanka Getting to Jaffna, things to do and see in Jaffna and ideas for where to stay and what to eat in Jaffna Sri Lanka. In the picture, Nallur Kovil temple.
Getting To Jaffna
The easiest way to get to Jaffna is to book a driver with vehicle from any starting point in Sri Lanka, you can specify your itinerary and this works well for groups. Find your driver here.
There is also an airport at Jaffna, you can go there by helicopter.
You can catch the train to Jaffna from Colombo from as little as $10 US, a taxi would be in the region of $200 US.
We started our journey to Jaffna from Anuradhapura, another new Sri Lankan destination for us, and one we enjoyed enormously. You can read about that Ancient city and it’s 2000-year-old Bo Tree in this post, we highly recommend stopping there and the kids really loved our day of exploration with tuk tuk and guide.
Anuradhapura is north-west of Kandy, so we were well on our way to the far north already.
We opted to take the train from Anuradhapura Station (There are 2 train stations in Anuradhapura, you need the bigger one), direct to Jaffna Station, a journey of around 3 hours.
This was one of the most peaceful and luxurious train journeys we’ve taken in Sri Lanka, there was assigned seating, no crush or scrum as on the Kandy, Colombo, and Southern Beaches routes, air-con, a buffet car and beautiful scenery to pass the time.
A few fellow passengers were curious enough to ask where we were going and why we were there, tourists up here are still fairly thin on the ground.
Waiting for Train to Jaffna from sleepy Anuradhapura station, watching monkeys and tuk tuks cross the tracks.
We’d spent time researching this Jaffna trip.
We’d read somewhere that Westerners needed a permit to travel to Jaffna. We followed this up and submitted an email request to the authorities but no sweat, that rule no longer applies.
So green light, go to Jaffna.
Central Sri Lanka gives you opportunities to see wild forest elephants, we’d seen them multiple times as we crisscrossed the country by bus and car and on this train trip we passed elephant crossing signs, but no luck unfortunately.
Instead, we spotted amazing bird life, peacocks in particular were in abundance.
As the train gets close to Jaffna you can enjoy views of shallow lagoons and salt pans, if you look at the map you’ll see how the railway line hooks around onto the tip of Sri Lanka with sea to both sides.
It’s a very special ride.
The most luxurious train ride we’ve ever taken in Sri Lanka. Air-con, assigned seating, just like the Intercity back home, but better!
Arriving in Jaffna Station around lunch time we found ourselves a tuk tuk driver and asked him to show us a guest house.
As usual, 4 people, 4 backpacks in one tuk tuk.
We passed a surprising number of up-market hotels, destroyed colonial buildings still riddled with bullet holes and market stalls bursting with fruit and dried fish before finding a room in a small guest house in a quiet residential street.
We took the first room we saw, the price was good, it had 2 double beds and a shower room, it was fine.
We dumped our packs and asked our driver to show us a bit of Jaffna on our way to find lunch.
We expected a water-side restaurant as we would normally find in most Sri Lankan coastal towns, but in Jaffna that’s just not how it is.
We quickly found that Jaffna really isn’t set up for tourists at all. This is the real-deal, no bars, no tourist restaurants, you eat where the locals eat.
After finding a good rice and curry lunch in a non-English speaking “hotel” (in Sri Lanka this means restaurant), we called our new friend.
The tuk tuk guy had given us his mobile number and he spoke some English. We asked him to show us temples, the fort, anything.
Ferry boats north of Jaffna, the only way to reach the island temples.
He took us to the most stunning Hindu temple I’ve ever visited, drove us past the Dutch Fort and showed us the causeway we’d need to take to the very tip of Jaffna’s string of islands. The next day we took the local bus and ferry up there, it was too far for tuk tuk guy.
We really needed a beer with dinner so a quick Google showed us the few places that served chilled Lion beer with meals. We picked one and discovered that it served the most amazing tandoori chicken any of us had ever tried.
We ate there every night, the kids begging for chicken and garlic naan from the young chef working the tandoor. We found the most incredible modern supermarket for supplies and mostly ate Sri Lankan street food from vendors who genuinely seemed delighted to see us.
Where to eat in Jaffna? Street food and local hotels are everywhere, but if you want a more up-market meal and a beer, you’ll need to search harder.
The people of Jaffna were fabulous, not many spoke English, but everyone was friendly and curious. Generally we found Jaffna to be far more like India than the rest of Sri Lanka, but quieter, less bustle, more Sri Lankan.
It was certainly great to be away from the crowds of tourists in the south.
Jaffna was absolutely a highlight of our time in Sri Lanka, we loved it, so much so that I really don’t want to tell more people to visit, I want it to stay as special as it is.
But if you want more facts, figures, names and places to plan a trip to Jaffna, you’ll find them below.
Boys on the bus in Jaffna. On Sri Lankan buses, this is where we normally stash our backpacks, on this busy bus it made a great seat for local kids.
A quick note on getting out of Jaffna. We caught the train again, all the way from Jaffna to Mirissa in the far south, via Colombo Fort, (Mirissa is still our favourite beach spot in Sri Lanka), no changing, a direct route taking about 12 hours. This wasn’t the same air con train, but it was still a nice one and only got a little busy around Colombo. So, presumably, you could catch this same train in the opposite direction, from any of the southern beaches to Jaffna. Note that this train does not pass through Kandy.
Sri Lankan Railways Information and Getting to Jaffna
Getting to Jaffna. We picked up the luxury, air con train fronm Anuradhapura train station. Trains in Sri Lanka come in many variations, check which train is on your route.
The Sri Lankan trains app is a handy thing to have on your phone. A Sri Lankan SIM card, buy one at the airport on arrival, is a very useful and cheap thing to have. Otherwise check the Sri Lankan Railways website.
To the best of out knowledge, no trains go from Kandy direct to Jaffna, you’re on the wrong line.
To get to Jaffna from Kandy you either need to change trains or take a bus to a station on the direct train line. You’ll spend about 1 hour on the bus. For Things to See and do in Kandy we have some information here.
Getting to Jaffna from the South of Sri Lanka
You need to get the train to Columbo and on to Jaffna. It appears from the Sri Lankan train website that trains don’t go straight through Columbo and on to Jaffna, but we know from experience that some do.
Permits and Permissions for Visiting Jaffna
We found that no permit is required. We checked, Googled and sent emails, tourists do not need a permit to visit Jaffna. We had read on other travel blogs that we would need to apply for one, that rule seems obsolete.
Dried fish for sale in Jaffna. We made this pin for you to save to Pinterest. Thanks!
Where to Stay in Jaffna
Nandi, the bull, vehicle of Lord Shiva . Pictured outside Nallur Kovil Hindu temple in Jaffna. This place is stunning.
We stayed in a small family-run guest house in a quiet residential area. It’s not available to book online.
These guest houses, loved by backpackers, are surprisingly few in Jaffna. Mass tourism hasn’t hit Jaffna in any way yet but there are some luxury and mid range hotels in Jaffna.
Hotels in Jaffna, Recommendations and Finding the Best Deals
Check Agoda and as they are the Asia specialists, it’s always best to check them. Agoda are based in Asia so often have more choices and better deals, to reserve a room on a refundable basis try, Booking.com .
Mid range offers you Hotel Green Grass this place has a restaurant where you can find a beer in the evenings. On a backpacker budget, rooms start at around $10 per night, try Vidan’s Bungalow
Things to Do in Jaffna
Make sure you spend plenty of time just wandering around Jaffna, meeting the locals and exploring the shops and markets. This, for us, is the best way to tour any location.
Nallur Kovil
Nallur Kovil ( pictured above) is one of the most stunning Hindu temples I’ve ever visited. It’s very different from anything I’ve seen previously and I’ve been to many. As Jaffna is still so removed from the main tourist trail, men are still required to remove their shirts for admission. This is the first time we’ve ever seen this. Nallur Kovil is an absolute must-do in Jaffna and try to visit when poojas are happening. Unfortunately photography is not allowed inside, no admission fee.
Jaffna Fort
Jaffna’s Dutch Colonial Fort overlooks the water and is in fairly good repair. We didn’t feel it was worth going inside, but you can read more about the Fort’s history here. Sunset visits are recommended.
Explore Jaffna’s Markets
The markets are to be found around the bus station ( from which you will catch your bus to the island temples ferry). Colourful fruit and veg, pungent dried fish and local Jaffna cigars are a speciality.
Nagadipa Purana Vihara and Naaga Pooshani Ambal Kovil
Yes, they hand out lie-jackets! Ferry to Jaffna’s island temples
Both of these important temples lie on an island to the north of Jaffna and can only be reached by ferry after a fairly long drive, we chose to take the public bus. The ferry is an experience in itself!
Both temples are worth visiting, but would I go again? Maybe not. I’m glad I went and the bus and ferry rides were fun, but if you’re short of time they’re not spectacular.
That said, if you’re new to colourful Hindu temples, this will blow you away and most people will want to see at least some of the causeway.
These two temples, one Buddhist, one Hindu, will have their own posts soon.
A giant elephant and a small girl. Jaffna’s island temples.
Jaffna Public Library
A stunning colonial building and one of Jaffna’s main ” places to visit”. Fly by if you can
Elephant Pass
Elephant Pass is a a strategic military post and memorial to Corporal Gamini Kularathne, a Sri Lankan hero who sacrificed his life to save the garrison during the recent Sri Lankan Civil War , 1983 – 2009.
There are more things to do and places to visit in Jaffna, including, Casuarina Beach, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple, Kanthoradai Viharaya, Kayts Causeway, Keerimalai Hot Springs, Naguleswaram Temple, Nilavarai Bottomless Well, and Murikandy Pillayar Shrine
It’s worth mentioning that Jaffna is not the most northerly tip of Sri Lanka, for that you need to be slightly to the east at Point Pedro.
Unfortunately we can’t say we’ve been there, but we have been to the most southerly tip of India. It’s a shame we didn’t make it.
Where to Eat in Jaffna
You will find local style “hotels” ( restaurants) everywhere, most serving rice and curry. You get what they have available, there is no picking and choosing from the menu.
Rice and curry is the Sri Lankan version of an Indian thali, a pile of rice and a selection of curries, pickles, a popadom, and sometimes a desert.
You can also find various short eats and street food, dosa, vada, hoppers, all the usual Sri Lankan treats.
What you’ll struggle to find is tourist food. That’s got to be a good thing.
You’ll also struggle to find a beer with dinner, that’s not so good.
Jaffna is famous for its crab curry, unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to try it because of the kids’ tandoori obsession, but we can vouch for the Sri Lankan crab curry we ate at Max Wadiya in the south.
You can find a recipe for Jaffna curry here, it’s famously good. The roasted Jaffna Curry powder is a local speciality.
If you love to cook Asian food as Chef and I do, we highly recommend The Complete Asian Cookbook by Charmaine Soloman.
It’s a thing of beauty, covering most Asian countries and has been well used by both of us over the last decade.
I don’t like tandoori chicken, it’s something I would never order, but this place changed my mind, superb. At Cosy Restaurant (non veg site), they serve beer!
Where to Get a Beer in Jaffna
Most restaurants, hotels (the local word for restaurant) and cafes in Jaffna didn’t serve alcohol at the time of our visit. You have to know where to go.
We highly recommend Cosy Restaurant, their non veg site has a tandoor and produces amazing garlic naan and tandoori chicken. The kids loved this place so much we went back every night.
Print off a map, local tuk tuk drivers didn’t know where it was. The courtyard out the back of the restaurant is where you want to be, it was well worth going to take a look.
A few hotels and guest houses will also give you a beer with dinner, some even allow BYO. Try Morgan’s, Mango’s and Hotel Green Grass mentioned above.
For You to Bookmark to Pinterest
Is Jaffna Worth Visiting?
Yes, we found Jaffna really interesting. Jaffna is sufficiently off the main tourist track in Sri Lanka to offer a very different experience. The train ride to Jaffna from the south is a long one, but we found it pleasant. If you have plenty of time in Sri Lanka and want to discover as much as you can during your trip, absolutely it is worth visiting Jaffna.
Where is Jaffna?
Jaffna is a city located in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, it is actually the capital city of the province. Located on the south side of a peninsula in the Palk Straight, it was Sri Lanka’s second most populated city (after Colombo) prior to the war.
Sri Lanka is an island, with no land borders, surrounded by the Indian Ocean. It has maritime borders with Maldives to the south and India to the north.
Sri Lanka is entirely in the Northern Hemisphere, just 7.8 degrees north of the equator.
Sri Lankas official name is the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
The Palk Straight is famously the body of water across which Rama built his bridge to the island of Lanka.
Jaffna is just 18 Nautical Miles (approx) from the southern tip of India. And remarkably, yes, people have swum between India and Sri Lanka (source).
Opinions differ, I’ve read that you can just see India from Sri Lanka on a very clear day, other sources say it’s impossible.
That’s about it for now on Jaffna Sri Lanka, is it in your travel plans to take a trip to Jaffna? If there’s anything else we can help you with, let us know in the comments. This place is not to be missed and finally getting to Jaffna was an absolutely a highlight of our last month in Sri Lanka. Visit our Sri Lanka travel blog page for full information on travel in this fabulous country.
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About the author
Alyson Long
Alyson Long is a British medical scientist who jumped ship to chase dreams. A former Chief Biomedical Scientist at London's West Middlesex Hospital she started in website creation and travel writing in 2011.
Alyson is a full-time blogger and travel writer, a published author, and owns several websites. World Travel Family is the biggest.
A lifetime of wanderlust and over 6 years of full-time travel, plus a separate 12 month gap year, has given Alyson and the family some travel expert smarts to share with you on this world travel site.
Today Alyson still travels extensively to update this site and continue her mission to visit every country, but she's often at home on her farm in Australia.
35 thoughts on “Jaffna Sri Lanka, Why You Need to Visit!”
Two senior citizen ladies,thinking of going to Colombo and Mirissa.
What would be the best time to visit.
My husband and I spent a month in Sri Lanka last year but but
Didn’t get to Jaffna or Colombo.
The best time is always when you can go. It’s dryest generally January to July. April and May being hottest, around 33-34 C. January coolest around 28 C. After July rain increases and the wet season comes in with most rain being around November. A lot of rain, over 400mm in November. If I had to pick a best month I’d probably go with March.
Hi there great blog. This will be my first trip to sri lanka but have travelled all over asia. So get the general idea. We have 3 weeks and thinking of squeezing Jaffna in at the end of our trip. I want to see how it compares with the rest as it seems a lot more untouched.
How long would you reccomned. We will be coming up from Galle/mirissa area is there direct trains,buses?
There are, we did it. But it’s a very long day on the train. They go via Columbo, so I think they were actually advertised as going to Columbo then starting again from Columbo, but we actually stayed on the whole way, sort of by luck. I think it’s well worth going, very different vibe up there. Probably allow 3-4 days including train days, maybe 5.
Hi there, just wondering about the Colombo to Jaffna train. Have tried tripadvisor, but very sketchy replies. We are also catching the 5.45 train from Colombo and are wondering about the availability of food/drinks on this train, especially cold water. Have heard and also read on your blog about a restaurant car. Is this still available? and what do they sell? If not have been advised there are vendors on train. But do they sell (cold) water. We would prefer to buy on the train, which also helps vendors etc, but don’t want to be caught out. Previously in other Asian countries the water, when available, has been hot and unpalatable. Also as previously stated interested in what food they sell. Would be so much more convenient to not have to pack a lot.
Thanks for any replies
Cheers Peter
Hi Peter, sorry, can’t remember if it’s not in the post. If this is the same air conditioned, fairly luxurious train that we took, it’s not going to be hot so the water you take with you will be fine. If not…any water is good water.
Hi Alyson
We are a family of 5 with kids 8,6,3 planning to go to Jaffna around Mid December. What are your thoughts about travelling with little tykes of this age at that time of Year?
Also in your travels through Sri Lanka did you and your family ever stop to volutneer with any organisations? Any advice is most appreciated.
Somewhere around Jaffna there is a new Donkey orphanage who were asking for volunteers. Try googling it. Sorry I don’t have the time to do it as we leave for SL tomorrow and are also catching train to Jaffna.
Hi, which train did you take from Anahapura to Jaffna? As far as i know, there was only 1 train in srilanka with aircon, Exporail but they shutted down. Thanks
If it doesn’t say in the post Phoebe, try our Anuradhapura post. There is (was) a modern train that goes all the way from Columbo to Jaffna, but I prefer the old school open window types.
I love how you write! My husband and I are here on our honeymoon. We have been here for two weeks and we we leave from Colombo on 7/24. We have been to Colombo, Nilaveli, Anaradhapura, and now we are in Kandy. We are trying to figure out our next move and are in a bit of a pickle. Do we do a two day hike in Knuckles Range, head to Nourellia and Ella by train (which I hear is amazing) and end our trip in Induruwa with relaxation and massage or do we throw this plan away and just leave Kandy for Jaffna? We know we were closer in Anuradhapura but we are just realizing now that Jaffna might be calling us. So I’m asking for your advice. One last thing to throw in as that I’m an American of Indian descent and I have been all through India (my family is from Gujarat). My new husband has been to Gujarat and Bombay only. Thoughts? We would love it if you responded. Thank you!
It really depends what interests you Annie. I actually found that train ride….not at all interesting. It was a modern train, we were behind glass, it didn’t do much for us at all. Ella was nice, but if you’ve seen tea plantations before…meh. It’s also very tourist focussed. Jaffna is interesting, it’s where people go when they’ve seen all of Sri Lanka and want something new, I think. Anuradhapura would be my pick.
Not in Jaffna, no. We’ve been on the south and west coasts twice at that time, for Christmas. One time it rained, one time it was dry. Sri Lankan weather can be pretty weird. Is December monsoon time up there in the north? I’ll check.
Hi, great post, thanks. My husband & I have been to Sri Lanka many, many times but we are making our first trip to Jaffna. We will be travelling with our toddler who will be about 22 months then. Any words of wisdom? Thinking of doing the train from Anuradhapura to Jaffna. Also what are the ferry rides to the outer islands, like: is it safe & would it be recommended with a 22 month old?
I wouldn’t feel comfortable with a toddler, no. Open train doors. The ferries are very packed, you’re below deck. The bus to get there was very local and packed. But if you know Sri Lanka already, really nothing much different to what you’d find down south. The train going up was very modern. Coming back, open doors the whole way.
Train. I think, but I’ll have to wait for Chef to get back to confirm. I know the Jaffna train goes to Colombo then continues on down the coast, but I need to check if it goes through Kandy. Chef will know.
Could you help me with how to reach Colombo from Jaffna? I plan to make Jaffna my last stop and return back to take my flight from Colombo. What budget options do I have and how much time would it take?
Hi there, thanks for sharing this! I’m a single female traveller and planning to drop by at Jaffna in Nov. Is it safe to travel around (alone) there and what can I do if I have only 1 (or 2) nights to spare there?
I would exercise caution Ryn, as you would in India. I’d say this is one of the trickier parts of the world for solo female travellers, maybe pick a hostel or guest house so that there are plenty of people around you. The town doesn’t have much of a tourist hub and is very spread out so you’ll be wandering around a fair bit if you decide to venture out in the night time. I think we mention a few popular places to stay in this post. Don’t miss the temples we mention above.
Sri Lanka is one of my favorite countries but, unfortunately, the incessant rain was falling so hard when we were in Anuradhapura that we chose not to go to Jaffna and headed South instead (we only had 10 days). Would love to go though!
Great post!
I was in Jaffna last year, and loved it. I don’t think I saw any other tourists, that’s what made it special. Stayed at the green grass hotel, it was very nice sitting there in the evening with a drink, talking with the friendly locals. And I loved the Nallur Kovil!
Two senior citizen ladies,thinking of going to Colombo and Mirissa.
What would be the best time to visit.
My husband and I spent a month in Sri Lanka last year but but
Didn’t get to Jaffna or Colombo.
The best time is always when you can go. It’s dryest generally January to July. April and May being hottest, around 33-34 C. January coolest around 28 C. After July rain increases and the wet season comes in with most rain being around November. A lot of rain, over 400mm in November. If I had to pick a best month I’d probably go with March.
A very useful travelogue, made me interested in visiting and lot of time in Jaffna, Srilanka.
Great! We loved Jaffna
Thanks for your travel tips. I’m a local and planning to go to Jaffna with family. The info on how to find beer will certainly come handy.
We like to give you all the important information on this site! Enjoy Jaffna Prasanna.
Hi there great blog. This will be my first trip to sri lanka but have travelled all over asia. So get the general idea. We have 3 weeks and thinking of squeezing Jaffna in at the end of our trip. I want to see how it compares with the rest as it seems a lot more untouched.
How long would you reccomned. We will be coming up from Galle/mirissa area is there direct trains,buses?
There are, we did it. But it’s a very long day on the train. They go via Columbo, so I think they were actually advertised as going to Columbo then starting again from Columbo, but we actually stayed on the whole way, sort of by luck. I think it’s well worth going, very different vibe up there. Probably allow 3-4 days including train days, maybe 5.
Colombo …I can’t remember how to spell it!
Hi there, just wondering about the Colombo to Jaffna train. Have tried tripadvisor, but very sketchy replies. We are also catching the 5.45 train from Colombo and are wondering about the availability of food/drinks on this train, especially cold water. Have heard and also read on your blog about a restaurant car. Is this still available? and what do they sell? If not have been advised there are vendors on train. But do they sell (cold) water. We would prefer to buy on the train, which also helps vendors etc, but don’t want to be caught out. Previously in other Asian countries the water, when available, has been hot and unpalatable. Also as previously stated interested in what food they sell. Would be so much more convenient to not have to pack a lot.
Thanks for any replies
Cheers Peter
Hi Peter, sorry, can’t remember if it’s not in the post. If this is the same air conditioned, fairly luxurious train that we took, it’s not going to be hot so the water you take with you will be fine. If not…any water is good water.
Hi Alyson
We are a family of 5 with kids 8,6,3 planning to go to Jaffna around Mid December. What are your thoughts about travelling with little tykes of this age at that time of Year?
Also in your travels through Sri Lanka did you and your family ever stop to volutneer with any organisations? Any advice is most appreciated.
Somewhere around Jaffna there is a new Donkey orphanage who were asking for volunteers. Try googling it. Sorry I don’t have the time to do it as we leave for SL tomorrow and are also catching train to Jaffna.
Hi, which train did you take from Anahapura to Jaffna? As far as i know, there was only 1 train in srilanka with aircon, Exporail but they shutted down. Thanks
If it doesn’t say in the post Phoebe, try our Anuradhapura post. There is (was) a modern train that goes all the way from Columbo to Jaffna, but I prefer the old school open window types.
HI, thanks for the blog! Was there a ferry service to India from Jaffna when you visited?
No. We looked into it and could find nothing. It’s possible that there is something that isn’t online though.
I love how you write! My husband and I are here on our honeymoon. We have been here for two weeks and we we leave from Colombo on 7/24. We have been to Colombo, Nilaveli, Anaradhapura, and now we are in Kandy. We are trying to figure out our next move and are in a bit of a pickle. Do we do a two day hike in Knuckles Range, head to Nourellia and Ella by train (which I hear is amazing) and end our trip in Induruwa with relaxation and massage or do we throw this plan away and just leave Kandy for Jaffna? We know we were closer in Anuradhapura but we are just realizing now that Jaffna might be calling us. So I’m asking for your advice. One last thing to throw in as that I’m an American of Indian descent and I have been all through India (my family is from Gujarat). My new husband has been to Gujarat and Bombay only. Thoughts? We would love it if you responded. Thank you!
It really depends what interests you Annie. I actually found that train ride….not at all interesting. It was a modern train, we were behind glass, it didn’t do much for us at all. Ella was nice, but if you’ve seen tea plantations before…meh. It’s also very tourist focussed. Jaffna is interesting, it’s where people go when they’ve seen all of Sri Lanka and want something new, I think. Anuradhapura would be my pick.
We love the sound of Jaffna!
We are thinking of visiting in mid/late December and are worried that the Monsoon may make it hard to enjoy the sights.
Do you have any experience of this time of year? We are tempted to just risk it!
Not in Jaffna, no. We’ve been on the south and west coasts twice at that time, for Christmas. One time it rained, one time it was dry. Sri Lankan weather can be pretty weird. Is December monsoon time up there in the north? I’ll check.
Hi, great post, thanks. My husband & I have been to Sri Lanka many, many times but we are making our first trip to Jaffna. We will be travelling with our toddler who will be about 22 months then. Any words of wisdom? Thinking of doing the train from Anuradhapura to Jaffna. Also what are the ferry rides to the outer islands, like: is it safe & would it be recommended with a 22 month old?
I wouldn’t feel comfortable with a toddler, no. Open train doors. The ferries are very packed, you’re below deck. The bus to get there was very local and packed. But if you know Sri Lanka already, really nothing much different to what you’d find down south. The train going up was very modern. Coming back, open doors the whole way.
Hi, there are two of us travelling to Jaffna for the week. We would like to visit Kandy before we travel back to the U.K from Colombo.
Can you tell me the best/easiest/quickest option for travelling from Jaffna to Kandy and then onto Colombo please?
Thanks,
Michael
Train. I think, but I’ll have to wait for Chef to get back to confirm. I know the Jaffna train goes to Colombo then continues on down the coast, but I need to check if it goes through Kandy. Chef will know.
Thank you – did you get a response back or not?
Thanks for your help!
Could you help me with how to reach Colombo from Jaffna? I plan to make Jaffna my last stop and return back to take my flight from Colombo. What budget options do I have and how much time would it take?
The train is your best bet, it’s cheap and direct , maybe 7 hours Jaffna to Colombo.
Hi there, thanks for sharing this! I’m a single female traveller and planning to drop by at Jaffna in Nov. Is it safe to travel around (alone) there and what can I do if I have only 1 (or 2) nights to spare there?
Looking forward to your reply! 🙂
Cheers
I would exercise caution Ryn, as you would in India. I’d say this is one of the trickier parts of the world for solo female travellers, maybe pick a hostel or guest house so that there are plenty of people around you. The town doesn’t have much of a tourist hub and is very spread out so you’ll be wandering around a fair bit if you decide to venture out in the night time. I think we mention a few popular places to stay in this post. Don’t miss the temples we mention above.
Sri Lanka is one of my favorite countries but, unfortunately, the incessant rain was falling so hard when we were in Anuradhapura that we chose not to go to Jaffna and headed South instead (we only had 10 days). Would love to go though!
Yep,it rains, a lot. But we’ve only ever had one trip where it was a problem and that was around Christmas. It seems to be pot luck.
go jaffna and experience their culture
Great post!
I was in Jaffna last year, and loved it. I don’t think I saw any other tourists, that’s what made it special. Stayed at the green grass hotel, it was very nice sitting there in the evening with a drink, talking with the friendly locals. And I loved the Nallur Kovil!
Yep, it’s a great place Magne, and such lovely people. Sri Lankans are generally lovely, but up here they love to chat.