Welcome to Jaffna

A bastion of Hindu tradition, art and creative culture, Jaffna welcomes visitors warmly. It’s intriguing, unimposing, slightly off the beaten path and a thoroughly rewarding place to discover Sri Lankan Tamil culture.

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Inescapably, decades of war, emigration, embargoes and loss of life and property deeply affected this historic town, but the city is surprisingly green and leafy, with attractive palm-shaded colonial-era suburbs and beautiful temples and churches. Physically, new projects and upgraded transport connections show that Jaffna's days of isolation are long past.

Ancient sights both in the centre of town and on the outskirts make for compelling attractions. And while there is enough to do after dark to create a nascent buzz, it's still mellow enough that you won't get run over while walking.

The city is an ideal base for forays to the idyllic islands just to the west and trips along the coastline and lagoons of the surrounding peninsula.

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Top experiences in Jaffna

Amazing hotels and hostels

We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

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Travel guides

Starting at $32.49

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Jaffna activities

$54.13 Transfers & Ground Transport

Private Departure Transfer: Jaffna to Colombo Bandaranayake International Airport CMB BIA

Once you have completed your holiday in Sri Lanka and are ready to head back home, your friendly driver will meet you at your hotel in Jaffna and drive you directly to the Bandaranayake International Airport. Whether you’re traveling individually, with a partner or in a group, your ground transport needs will be covered by this private transfer service. Avoid the confusion of taxis or public transport and enjoy a hassle-free ride. Airport departure transfers have never been this easy! Travel in style and comfort with unparalleled safety in your luxurious vehicle and get to your flight in good time and great order. Your English-speaking chauffeur is always at your service! SKU: LK41103200
$54.13 Transfers & Ground Transport

Colombo, Sri Lanka Airport (BIA-CMB) to Tilko Jaffna City Hotel, Jaffna

Once you land at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA / CMB), your friendly driver will meet you and drive you directly to your hotel,  Tilko Jaffna City Hotel, Jaffna. Whether you’re traveling individually, with a partner or in a group, your ground transport needs will be covered by this private airport transfer service. Avoid the confusion of taxis or public transport and enjoy a hassle-free start to your vacation. Airport transfers have never been this easy. Travel in style and comfort with unparalleled safety in our luxurious cars and get to your destination in good time and great order. Your English-speaking chauffeur is always at your service. SKU: LK43204470
$54.13 Transfers & Ground Transport

Private Ground Transfer: Jaffna Hotel to Negombo Hotel

Once you check out from your hotel in Jaffna City, your friendly driver will meet you at your hotel in Jaffna City and drive you directly to your hotel in Negombo City. Whether you’re traveling individually, with a partner or in a group, your ground transport needs will be covered by this private transfer service. Avoid the confusion of taxis or public transport and enjoy a hassle-free ride. Ground transfers have never been this easy! Travel in style and comfort with unparalleled safety in our luxurious cars and get to your hotel in good time and great order. Your English-speaking chauffeur is always at your service!SKU: LK42386100
$100 Outdoor Activities

Minneriya Jeep Safari from Habarana Hotels

We will pick you from Any hotels from Habarana. We do Morning and Afternoon Safari Minneriya National Park is a wildlife sanctuary located in the North Central province of Sri Lanka. Nature lovers on Minneriya Jeep Safari often spot large number of Sri Lankan Elephants gathering around to grass fields on the edges of the reservoir during the dry season. In addition there are two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka, Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer, Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear, the gray slender loris, large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican, little cormorants, Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron. The endemic birds such as Sri Lanka jungle fowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet, eight species of endemic reptiles, saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitors and more. Minneriya Jeep Safari would be a valuable opportunity to observe unique and amazing wild animals in their natural habitats. Suggested times to start and end Minneriya Jeep Safari are 5:30am to 8:30am during the morning time or 3:00pm to 6:00pm in the afternoon.
$650 Private & Custom Tours

Discover Jaffna 03 Nights and 04 Days (All-Inclusive Private Trip From Colombo)

DAY 1 Colombo/Jaffna You will be beginning your visit at 0630 hrs from your inn in Colombo, where you will be grabbed by your chauffeur. Ensure that you carry a pressed breakfast with you on the off chance that you can't have your feast at the hotel. Start - and exchange to Jaffna Enroute You will have the uncommon chance to witness direct the obliteration and improvement occurring along the A 9 Highway and achieve Jaffna late Afternoon.Evening at Leisure Overnight Stay at the Hotel.DAY 2  Jaffna Early Breakfast Visit Jaffna City Center,Dutch Fort,Jaffna Library,Jaffna Museum and Nallur Hindu A Temple afternoon visit  /Naga Vihara/St James Church and Seminary (Taste the Best Nelli Drink on the planet) In the event that time allowing you would get the chance to have a Swim at Casuarina Beach. DAY 3 Jaffna/Nagadeepa/Jaffna AM : Breakfast at the Hotel. Start touring in Jaffna including a visit to the Point Pedro Light House, the northern most purpose of Sri Lanka, Vallepuram Kovil.Kopai Crematory PM : Leave for Keeramallai to visit sacred washing lakes. Lunch claim plans. Visit Madagal ( Dambakola Patuna) where "Reverend Sangamitta" arrived with the Bo sapling Night : Visit Kandarodai Viharaya and this sanctuary should be 2000 years of age. Begin Jaffna city visit including a visit to NagaVihara, , Jaffna Library and Jaffna Fort. Overnight remain at Hotel DAY 4 Jaffna/Colombo At Leisure continue to Colombo.
$400 Private & Custom Tours

Discover Jaffna 03 Nights and 04 Days (Vehicle only Private Trip From Colombo)

DAY 1 Colombo/Jaffna You will be beginning your visit at 0630 hrs from your inn in Colombo, where you will be grabbed by your chauffeur. Ensure that you carry a pressed breakfast with you on the off chance that you can't have your feast at the hotel. Start - and exchange to Jaffna Enroute You will have the uncommon chance to witness direct the obliteration and improvement occurring along the A 9 Highway and achieve Jaffna late Afternoon.Evening at Leisure Overnight Stay at the Hotel.DAY 2  Jaffna Early Breakfast Visit Jaffna City Center,Dutch Fort,Jaffna Library,Jaffna Museum and Nallur Hindu A Temple afternoon visit  /Naga Vihara/St James Church and Seminary (Taste the Best Nelli Drink on the planet) In the event that time allowing you would get the chance to have a Swim at Casuarina Beach. DAY 3 Jaffna/Nagadeepa/Jaffna AM : Breakfast at the Hotel. Start touring in Jaffna including a visit to the Point Pedro Light House, the northern most purpose of Sri Lanka, Vallepuram Kovil.Kopai Crematory PM : Leave for Keeramallai to visit sacred washing lakes. Lunch claim plans. Visit Madagal ( Dambakola Patuna) where "Reverend Sangamitta" arrived with the Bo sapling Night : Visit Kandarodai Viharaya and this sanctuary should be 2000 years of age. Begin Jaffna city visit including a visit to NagaVihara, , Jaffna Library and Jaffna Fort. Overnight remain at Hotel DAY 4 Jaffna/Colombo At Leisure continue to Colombo.
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