- Join for free
- Sign In
Latest Jaffna hotel reviews
Helpfulness
Once you get to Jaffna don't hesitate to visit surrounding islands. They are beautyfull and - it's important - landmine free. You can find there some great temples, abandonned villages and friendly people.
Three of the major islands - Kayts, Karaitivu and Punkudutivu - are joined to the mainland by causeways over the shallow waters around the peninsula. Close to the beautyfull town of Kayts, at the northern tip of Kayts Island, stands the island fort of Hammenhiel, which ic accessible by boat from Kayts. The name means 'heel-of-the-ham' and relates to the Dutch view that Ceylon was shaped rather like a ham.
Delft, named after the Dutch town of that name, is 10 km off Punkudutivu and 35 km from Jaffna. Ferries go from Nainativu and Kurikkaduvan. The island is known for its traces of the Portuguese and Dutch eras, such as the Dutch garrison captain's country house, and also for its bleak, windswept beauty. The small Dutch fort is only a short walk from the port. On the island are hundredsof stone walls which, like the Dutch fort, are made of huge, beautiful chunks of the brain and fan coral of which the island is composed.
Delft is not the only island with a dutch name. You will find also Rotterdam, Haarlem, Horn and Enkuysen. Keyts Island was called Leyden, Karaitivu - Amsterdam and Punkudutivu - Middeleberg.
You can see more pictures from the islands in my travelogue.
Updated Feb 1, 2004
Helpfulness
From Colombo to Jaffna you can now fly every day. It's fast and not so expensive. But a land-trip is far more interesting. First you have to get to Vavunia - it's a "border" town. After passing several checkpoints you will leave governement controlled teritory and enter to LTTE (Tamil Tigers) controlled area. There you will easly find a bus in direction of Jaffna. From the bus window you can enjoy the views of bombarded villages, landmines fields and abandonned tanks...
Jaffna is controlled by governement forces, so few kilometers before the city once again a "borderline" with checkpoints, changing of bus etc.
This trip is very strange but interesting experience.
Updated Jan 2, 2004
Expo Air Srilanka's Leading and Reliable Domestic Airline is the best option for Air Travel as it flies daily flights to Jaffna using a Fokker 27-500 Aircraft and highly experienced friendly staff.
Greatly appreciated and recomended by all passengers travelling on Expo Air it is truly an experience to be shared apart from the visit to Jaffna. And friendly Staff of Expo Air also guides all tourists and holidaymakers to make their travel a great Sucess.
Written Oct 7, 2003
Phone: +94 71 2762589
Website: www.expoavi.com
Helpfulness
The best way to travel in Jaffna is by van. The cars are quite old and threewheelers are not all that safe.
Written Apr 24, 2003
1 - 4 of 4
Reviews and photos of Jaffna attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Jaffna sightseeing.
The best way to travel in Jaffna is by van. The cars are quite old and threewheelers are not all that safe.
2 members live in Jaffna
Q: How hard is it to go to Nainativu from Jaffna? I heard there is a ferry, and there is heaps of people waiting all the time.. How...
A: AFAIK the boat service to Nainativu is first come first served. Reservations is not possible. It is still pretty hard to find accommodation in Jaffna for 2...
Read 3 Replies
1
Jaffna was considered as a cultural and scientific capital of Sri Lanka. But it was more than 20 years ago, before the civil war between Tamil Tigers and governemental army began. Now the peace seems...
2
After almost 20 years travellers can once again visit the beautiful pennisuela of Jaffna. Jaffna is situated on the northen tip of Sri Lanka and has a predominently Tamil population. The locals of...
3
The heart of the Nothern Province.
Jaffna, was one a wonderful city in the distant past and a city that produced some of Sri Lanka's finest intellectuals. A city rich with cultural heritage and history. It used to be famous for...
Build your own Jaffna page
