Travelling to Sri Lanka in November........what is on offer and is it safe?

Hi pussycat,
For some civil unrest,, read a full scale war with deaths somewhere in the region of about 80,000 upwards.

But even through the war tourists were never targetted so even then it was considered safe for us , unless some one was really unlucky and happened top be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Now, yes, you'll be safe anywhere except the far north and parts of the east coast where it's still not completely cleared to travel.

Weather in Nov,,,, well, it's not monsoon season but the inter monsoon which is actually wetter than the monsoon. Oct, and Nov, along with May ajnd June are usually the wettest months. That doesn't mean continuous rain.. more likely to be usually sunny mornings with cloud building up later in the day and probably heavy showers late afternoon or evening. No guarantees though.
Peak season in the west and south starts mid December.

Regarding what you said you like,,, Sri Lanka has all that.
My choice of a beacyh area to stay in would be Hikkaduwa or Mirissa but everyones ides of that differ.
Your weeik travelling around, I'd suggest spending 3 days in the cultural triangle, visiting places such as , Mihintale, Ritigala, Polonorua, Sigirya, Dambulla and Kandy.
Then the rest of your time in the hill country staying at either Haputale or Ella.

Thats if the weather hasn't put you off.

Rod.

Cheers Rod, much appreciated :)

so why would you go for Hikkaduwa or Mirissa instead of my choice.......................my reason for Beruwala was really because I found a good deal on a 4 star resort there........................how far away is Hikkadumwa and Mirissa from Beruwala out of interest?

The weatehr has not quite put me off yet.................................but one been keen to rent a motorbike when I am at the resort anyway, to explre the neighbouring areas. (dont worry i have a full bike license and have done this al over the world)

Would it be easy to rent a bike there and would it be easy to explore alot of the south western beaches from Beruwala, or any of your choices?

HI,
If you have a good deal offered in Beruwella then thats probably the place to go for.
Personally, I prefer Tangalle for a completely quiet , empty beach, ,,Mirissa for a lovely beach with a few people around and Hikkaduwa for a busy one although I reckon none of them will be busy in November.
I do know you can hire a bike in Hikkaduwa. If there's anywhere for a bike in Beruwella, I don't know,

Beruwella to Hikkaduwa is about 1 hour by bus or train.
Beruwella to Mirissa about 2 1/4 hours by distance but as public transport goes through Galle that may stretch the time a little.
Rod.

Well I have decided the weather is not gonna put me off and have booked a good deal with the reveria hotel in Beruwella for middlw of Nov.....................................now gonna have a good read of my lonely planet book so decide what else I want to do whilst I am there........................but will defo check out Hikkaduwa when I am in Beruwella as that seems an easy enough journey by train and also will check out Mirissa if I can find out whetehr I can hire a motorbike there.

thanks for all your help Rob....................and I am sure I will be back qwith more questiomns once I have read up some more stuff. :)

One last question............................really want to go and do a safari for a couple of days...........and wondered where the best place would be to do this that is closest to Beruwala? and how I would go aboput getting there?

Would actually love to stay in some small lodges in the jungle/national park to if that is possible. any advice anyone?

only 5 weeks to go cant wait!!!! :)