Telephone dialing code for Sigiriya and Dambulla is 066
Telephone dialing code for Polonnaruwa is 027
Telephone dialing code for Anuradhapura is 025
| Destination | Opening Hours | Adult Price | Child Price | Comments |
| Dambulla Cave temples | 7am-7pm daily | Free | Free | 5 caves worth seeing |
| Sigiriya Rock Fortress | 7am-5.30pm | $30 | $15.00 | Visit early morning to avoid crowds and sun |
| Sigiriya Archeology Museum | 8am-5pm Wed-Mon | Free | Free | |
| Sigiriya Eco Culture Centre | Pass enroute to fortress | |||
| Polonnaruwa Ancient Cities and info center | 7.30am-6pm daily | $25 | $12.50 | Cycle or stroll by foot. Start at the Rest House and museum |
| Anuradhapura Ancient Cities | 7am-7.30pm daily | $25 | $12.50 | Cycle or Tuk Tuk around the expansive grounds and relics |
| Anuradhapura Archeology Museum | 8AM-5PM Wed-Mon | |||
Giritale standing Buddha along side the 7th century lake is a great picnic spot and photo opportunity.
Enroute to Dambulla caves from Kandy or Matale, you should definitely stop off at the Rock Monestry. Here you can admire the monastic lifestyle and for just Rs20 a monk will use ancient carving techniques to produce a Sinhala version of your name upon a Ola (palm leaf). They make great momentoes and book marks.
There are 2 National Parks in this region although they are not the best for sightings.
Minneriya
Entry adult $27.00 / child $13.50
June –September is the best time to visit.
Tickets can be bought at the Wildlife office in Ambagaswewa
Kaudulla
Entry adult / child $27.00 / Child $13.50
August- December is best viewing period.
At both you will see Sambar Deer, elephants, birds, fishing cats. Take a 4WD from the town for R1000 or from Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya for R2-3000. Or an enchanting and relaxing way to see the animals at the waters edge, is on a Catamaran. Ask at the Wildlife Centre.
Habarana : is the land of Elephant safaris. Its fun but expensive. $20-30 / hr. The elephants will take you on a trek around the lake and through the low waters and you can be at one with the birds.
In this area you will see lots of history mango trees, cashew nut trees and sweetcorn. The fruit and vegetables are in abundance and very tasty. The river fish is popular but can lack flavour so it tends to be deep fried with chips.
For lunch bites, we would recommend the local stalls and rest houses. Expect to pay Rs2-300 / head.
Buffet Lunch or A la’ Carte can only be found in the hotels surrounding these key tourist attractions.
| Sigiriya |
Elephant Corridor (stunning boutique hotel/ restaurant with fantastic views over land, lake and Fortress rock) Sigiriya Village (large 5* hotel)- $7/head plus $1 for pool use Sigiriya Rest House (casual local and western dishes) - $4.50 /head |
| Polonnaruwa |
Sudu Araliya (buffet style lunch and ayurvedic centre) Deer Park (luxury 5* hotel) |
| Anuradhapura |
Tissawewa Rethouse (Colonial and listed building . Home of British army) Palm Garden Village Hotel (4* large complex) - $11.50/head |
Birds and wild elephants who seek water and shade in the night.
Bus
| Dambulla |
1 1/2 hrs to polonnaruwa |
| Polonnaruwa |
6 hrs to Colombo departing every 30 mins on Airconditioned bus |
| Anuradhapura |
2 Bus stations and the private express buses depart close to the old bus station |
Trains
Stations are at Habarana, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.
6-7hrs from Colombo to Polonnaruwa (Kaduruwela) 2nd class sleeper
7hrs from Colombo to Anuradhapura 1st class. Departs 6 times /day.
Tuk Tuk’s
Tuk Tuk’s are available throughout and you will require one in Anuradhapura if you are not cycling or driven.
Less expensive and less in demand in Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa
Bicycle
A fun way to view the ancient cities. Most guesthouses rent out bicycles or hire them from the main suppliers in town centers.
Sigiriya – in village
Polonnaruwa- 2 suppliers on main street in town
Anuradhapura – in new town
Expect to pay Rs2000 / day from shops and Rs 1000/ day from guesthouses. However, you get what you pay for so don’t expect new and gears for Rs1000.
For detail on drivers and getting around the island click here.
There are banks are in Polonnaruwa, Dambulla , Habarana and Anuradhapura within the main streets of town centres.