Trincomalee Travel Guide

  view from Fernando's Bar
by jo104
 
  • view from Fernando's Bar
      view from Fernando's Bar
    by jo104
  • cricket on the beach
      cricket on the beach
    by jo104
  • Starting our open water course
      Starting our open water course
    by jo104
  • spear fishing
      spear fishing
    by jo104
  • seer fish Sri Lanka's finest & most expensive
      seer fish Sri Lanka's finest & most...
    by jo104
 

Explore Trincomalee

Things to Do  

Whale watching

Whale watching, Trincomalee

 jo104 Says:  The best season in trinco for whale watching is February, March, April. Most other days during seasonal times until October you can see dolphins in the early morning. If you go in a fishing boat they only take a maximum of 4 persons as when you spot a whale you have to give... 

World War 2 Cemetery

World War 2 Cemetery, Trincomalee

 mafi_moya Says:  North of Trinco town, on the road to Nilaveli, is the British war cemetery. It's well worth stopping off for a quick look if you're heading that way. If you're particularly interested in WW2 cemeteries and history then there's enough to keep you occupied here for a while. I... 

The Bay

The Bay, Trincomalee

 mafi_moya Says:  The bay (or rather bays) are what Trinco is most famous for. There are three main bays - Back Bay to the north of Fort Frederick, Dutch Bay to the east of the town, and the Inner Harbour to the west. Trinco is on a peninsula so the town is surrounded by water. The Inner... 

Pillaiyar Kovil

Pillaiyar Kovil, Trincomalee

 mafi_moya Says:  Another interesting Hindu temple is Pillaiyar Kovil on Dockyard Road. While on the subject of religious buildings, there are also several mosques (try the North Coast Road) and churches worth a look too. 

Sacred tree

Sacred tree, Trincomalee

 mafi_moya Says:  Behind Komeswaram Temple is a sacred tree, planted precariously on the cliff face. Worshippers tie strips of cloth to the branches as a prayer offering. Even if you don't want to tie some cloth, lean over to the tree and see the sheer 100 metres drop below. Unless you're... 

Lovers Leap

Lovers Leap, Trincomalee

 mafi_moya Says:  Next to Koneswaram Temple is Lovers Leap. The name kind of gives it away but it is indeed a favourite suicide spot, with a sheer drop to the ocean crashing against the rocks below. There's a memorial and shelter, commemorating the legend behind the name. Apparently the... 

Koneswaram Rock Temple

Koneswaram Rock Temple, Trincomalee

 mafi_moya Says:  The Koneswaram Kovil is found on Swami Rock, just above Fort Frederick. Forgive my lack of knowledge of Hinduism, but apparently this rebuilt temple is dedicated to Siva. The unbelievably intricate designs of Hindu temples, with their ornately carved figurines, is an... 

Fort Frederick

Fort Frederick, Trincomalee

 mafi_moya Says:  The small peninsula jutting out of Trinco town, near the stadium and the main shopping streets, is the Portuguese built Fort Frederick. It's still a working military base but, unusually, you can walk through it. Inside the fort grounds are plenty of colonial style British... 

Swami Rock - Lovers Leap

Swami Rock - Lovers Leap, Trincomalee

 Jeanlyon Says:  Right out on a sheer rock, there is the temple that I mentioned before and next to it, is Swami Rock (Lovers Leap), as in legend a girl jumped to her death over a lover.As you stand looking down, the fishermen from Trincomalee, divert their boats past the temple and stop to... 

Hindu Temple at Trinco

Hindu Temple at Trinco, Trincomalee

 Jeanlyon Says:  This is a beautiful Hindu temple called Konishvaram right next to Swami Rock (Lovers Leap). There is an enormous Banyan tree in the courtyard. 

Hotels  

Nilaveli Beach Hotel

 106 Opinions

Pigeon Island Resort

 81 Opinions

Hotels  

Aqua Inns Hotel: Best beachside budget accomodation

Aqua Inns Hotel: Best beachside budget accomodation, Trincomalee

 jo104 Says:  A young couple run this family hotel with 20 rooms aimed to provide affordable, comfortableand clean accomodation for those visiting Trincomalee. Set on a prime beach location with Trinco's only upper deck bar serving as the restaurant. Under new management since Jan 2012... 

New Silver Star: Reasonable Budget Accomodation

New Silver Star: Reasonable Budget Accomodation, Trincomalee

 Maxus Says:  I’m working on this page, in the meantime - give me a shout if you have a question Across the road from Bus Station - handy for town, 10 walk City BeachLocks up at 9pm 

Palm Beach: Palm Beach or Luca and Donna place.

Palm Beach: Palm Beach or Luca and Donna place., Trincomalee

 pepprom Says:  I was living for a year inside the Palm Beach and service was excellent and food great.... in the town there are several options but if you look at same time a place friendly and for sometime you look instead of the spicy Sri Lankan food but to have a break with a proper... 

Restaurants  

City Hotel: Cafe opposite the bus garage

City Hotel: Cafe opposite the bus garage, Trincomalee

 jo104 Says:  This is a muslim run clean cafe style restaurant opposit the bus stand very convenient if you want to grab a snack before catching the bus to an onward journey they do plenty of shorties such as meat or vegetable samoosas, egg rolls and roti as well as a few sweet... 

Fernando's Beach Bar Grill & Restuarant: Trinco's only Upper Deck Beach Bar

Fernando's Beach Bar Grill & Restuarant: Trinco's only Upper Deck Beach Bar, Trincomalee

 jo104 Says:  Fernando's Bar operates a BBQ in season time turning out delicious grilled food. There is something to delight everyone's palate. If you are sick of eating rice & curry at Fernando's you will be able to sink your teeth into a juicy homemade hamburger with handcut wedges.... 

Zim Zam: Local cafes

Zim Zam: Local cafes, Trincomalee

 jo104 Says:  If you feel like venturing into town for some local food this is a pretty clean cafe to eat in. They do kotthu which is a thick rice noodle with chopped chicken, egg & chilli's a real art to make you will know if they serve it just follow the chopping sounds. This place also... 

Happy Cream House: Fresh Fruit Juice

Happy Cream House: Fresh Fruit Juice, Trincomalee

 jo104 Says:  A popular place to get delicious fresh fruit juice in town. Drop in here if you are feeling a bit hot and bothered whilst shopping in town. You can enjoy your fresh fruit juice even with a scoop of ice-cream. Do be sure to tell the staff you don't want added sugar as locals... 

Transportation  

Getting there
mafi_moya profile photo
mafi_moya 482 reviews
Trinco

In terms of public transport, you can get to Trinco by either bus or train. Air-con luxury buses from Colombo cost about 150 Rs and takes about 7 hours. The time can be affected if there are roadblocks and police checks but these are pretty infrequent nowadays. Buses also travel between Kandy, Anuradhapura and other major cities. The train is cheaper but takes a lot longer - the best one is the overnight sleeper train from Colombo.

Written Dec 4, 2003

Was this review helpful?

Warnings and Dangers  

Evening Travel
ardelean profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

ardelean 105 reviews

September 2005

There is no formal curfew, but it is not adviseable to travel after 20.30, because there are lots of checkpoints and it is a hassle. Personally, I am happy with an obvious security presence during the hours of darkness.

Updated Sep 17, 2005

Related to:
 Budget Travel
 Road Trip

Was this review helpful?

Sports & Outdoors  

Scuba Diving
jo104 profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

jo104 834 reviews
Starting our open water course
1 more image

Sri Lanka's only 5* technical diving club is located at Aqua Inns Hotel beside the Fernando's bar retaurant, their reputation preceeds them and are listed in the lonely planet as being located in previous years at the 4* Chaaya Blue.

The dive instructors offer Padi courses for Open Water, Advanced and Rescue as well as recreational dives to some of Trincomalees beautiful diving spots one site has underwater caves and statues.

The team are highly professional and speak Engish, German and some other languages to a certain degree.

Accomodation can be arranged at Aqua Inns Hotel whilst you proceed with your course.

Equipment: They have all the equipment available you may wish to bring your own mask and fins

Updated Dec 21, 2012

Address: 12 Alles Garden, Uppuvelli Trincomalee

Phone: +94 71 8274470

Website: www.srilanka-divingtours.com

Related to:
 Diving and Snorkeling
 Beaches

Was this review helpful?

Comments

Map of Trincomalee