Christmas in Sri Lanka

Hello Fellow Travelers,

After a 3 week trip to Kerala, I'd like to wind up my month long vacation by spending the Christmas holidays in Sri Lanka. This is also because my mileage ticket is in and out of Colombo, SL vs. India.

One thing I've noticed is that a lot of places seem to be adding on a surcharge because it's Christmas. I hadn't thought of that before nor did I experience it on my last trip to SL. On that trip I spent time in Kandy, Columbo, Galle and the beach area around Unawatuna although I actually stayed at Easy Beach Guest House on Ahangama Bay....I'm not a surfer, I mention this because I know this place is known a bit for surfing. I liked the kicked back feeling of Easy Beach and being able to just chill out, stare at the ocean, enjoy the great food and meet locals and travelers.

I'd love some suggestions of a similar but different place to spend this Christmas week....Dec. 20 to 27. My price range tops out around $50 or $60 USD and would prefer not to spend that much but would if necessary.

Thanks for your help.

Well, Sri Lanka has a lot of problems getting foreign visitors at all - never mind Xmas time! So prices are always high now and even higher at that time of course. This is a surcharge put on foreigners, as you could call it, and nothing can be done to avoid this. SL operates a two-tier pricing system as do many Asian countries - one is for foreigners (in partic. white people) and one is for locals. I suggest you go to Silver Sands Beach Hotel in Negombo which still has rooms at around SL Rupees 1200 or so at all times of the year! Best of luck. I may be in SL myself at that time - check out my website www.srilankaundiscovered.co.uk. I also have rooms available at reasonable rates (get in touch if you want to know the rates) and am in the Hill Country!

Hi,
I agree that Silver Sands is OK when you want a cheapish guest houuse in Negombo but the beach in Negombo doesn't quite compare with the one you mentioned at Ahangama. Or any of the other southern beaches.
I can suggest a coupole of places, which might suit you, One is my favorite guest house, near Tangalle and the other is a private home type stay in Polhenna, I'll Pm you the details.
Rod.

Hi Sadakal!
Would be glad to have your rates for Polhena guest house. A friend and I would like to come by some time in January for a couple of nights.
S

Hi Rod B
Guess you must live at least part time in SL. Would be grateful to have the details with prices for those guest houses at Tangalle and Polhena. Want to go that way with a friend in mid January. Thanks.
S

Hi suryanamaska,
I wish,
No I live here in the cold wet UK, just visit Lanka when ever I can. I've sent you a PM with the contact details.
Rod.

I am going to be in S Lanka over christmas this year (2008), I noticed exactly the same, all online book-able hotels have big surcharges. I don't mind staying at budget places, but I would like to ask if these are likely to be FULL over Christmas (25 December in particular)? I think I will be in Nuwara Eliya, do you think it could be tight on accommodation?

I haven't been back to S Lanka since 2003... don't know how 'bad' or 'good' the problems are, and how they affect tourism right now. thanks!

Khema

Hi!

Christmas holidays are the very high season for Sri Lanka, most of european like to spend their winter holidays in sunny countries! So explain why prices are high this period!

I don't know if this Christmas will be full! I live at Tangalla on the South coast and the town hasn't been full any time since 2004, because it isn't a touristic area so always quiet. I think Nuwere Eliya can be full. Very touristic place also for rich local people or european living in Sri Lanka. They like to go there to have cold weather for their holidays.

I don't really notice differents between 2003 and now, but i haven't travel since 2 years because i live here now. About problem, do you mean terrorism? Some more bombing since 2003, but target only locals. If you travel by bus, you will be really unlucky to be in one of these bombing bus, so many bus travel around sri lanka in same time. If you don't want to take any risk, use a driver, but much more expensive and no local meeting. These bombing affect tourism in the way that there are much less tourist than in 2003. And maybe the touts will be a little more agressive than in 2003.

Hope i little answer your questions,
Severine

Severine, thank you for the information,
I 'll try to get in touch with Guest Houses in N. Elyia, see if I can book in advance.