2 Weeks in Sri Lanka- a $10k Vacation for $2200

Looking for the best way to plan your visit if you’ve got 2 weeks in Sri Lanka? You’ve come to the right place, my adventuring friend. As I mentioned in my post Luxury Travel Savings You Won’t Believe, one of my favorite ways to plan a trip is to see what the luxury travel agencies are doing and recreate it in a more budget-friendly way. I based this Sri Lanka itinerary on an Abercrombie & Kent trip that costs an astounding $10,595.

I know, right? No shade to A&K whatsoever- they are the best in the business when it comes to ultimate luxury travel and I know their clients rave about their service. I also just looked at my bank account and know that I can’t afford to drop over 10 grand on a two week trip, though. So what’s an adventure-hungry, creature-comforts-loving girl to do until her lottery numbers come up?

By making a few tweaks and changing up accommodations to less expensive (but still super dope) choices, I managed to turn this over the top luxury itinerary into 2 weeks in Sri Lanka for $2,172. Two weeks of adventuring through an amazing tropical island for $155 a day? Yes, please.

Because Lonely Planet named Sri Lanka the 2019 destination of the year, I know a lot of you are doing your own Sri Lanka itinerary planning and trying to figure out how to get the most bang for your adventuring buck. I hope this plan for how to spend 2 weeks in Sri Lanka will be a help! You can find the rest of my extensive Sri Lanka content here.

A note about prices: I’ve made every effort to make sure all the prices I list are accurate the time of publication, but keep in mind that prices are subject to fluctuate, especially if you visit during the high season.

I’ve only included prices for the items that were included in the original, ultra-swanky itinerary so you can compare apples to apples. I’ve only included lunch and dinner costs where they’ve done the same. Most hotels in Sri Lanka include breakfast in the cost of the room. All prices listed are in US dollars, unless otherwise noted.

Finally, none of the hotels I’ve chosen are the least expensive in the area, so if you’re on an even tighter budget, you can always find a way to make this trip even less expensive. Airbnb is prevalent throughout Sri Lanka and has great prices; you can use my link for a discount on your booking if you prefer to go that route.

Tip: Don’t forget to sign up for MyPoints and install the browser extension before you start booking your trip! The points you can make from booking one trip will have you well on your way toward paying for the next one.

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day One- You Have Arrived!

Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo & transfer to your hotel.

One of the first things you’ll see when you get off the plane is an enormous white Buddha statue. It’s pretty, but if you’re not from a Buddhist country you may not be aware of the etiquette involved in photographing it. Check out my post on things *not* to do in Sri Lanka to be sure you don’t start your trip off with an embarrassing gaffe.

Undoubtedly the $10,000 fancypants trip includes a uniformed chauffeur to meet you in the arrivals hall with your name printed on a sign and you’ll feel very posh as he takes your luggage and whisks you off to the car.

We don’t have that on this itinerary, sorry.

However, a taxi from one of the many stands in the arrivals hall to your hotel will only cost you about $6, so hopefully that goes a long way toward easing your suffering.

Don’t bother booking a taxi ahead of time. I did and they didn’t show up. There was no wait at the taxi counters, just walk up and tell them where you want to go and you’ll be on your way.

Hotel- The luxury Sri Lanka itinerary has you spending your first night at a swanky $500/night resort with gourmet food, set in lush gardens and featuring a tropical pool where you can relax away your jet lag.

Well, so does this one, but for only $66 a night. The Tranquil Negombo Boutique is only slightly less impressive than the high end resort, but the welcome is just as warm and the surroundings are just as enchanting. They also have a free tuk tuk service to take you to the nearby beach. Just like the upscale choice, breakfast is included (and people rave about it!)

Spend the rest of your first day relaxing by the pool and resting up for tomorrow.

If you plan to eat dinner at the hotel (and you should) let them know when you arrive if you want to try a local curry. This is good advice anywhere in the country- Sri Lankan chefs spend hours preparing their signature curries and will go to the market every day to buy the freshest ingredients for their guests.

• Daily costs: $6 taxi, $66 hotel = $72

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day Two- The Cultural Triangle

The zillionaire itinerary for day two just has your driver shuttling you from one hotel to the next by car, but I’m going to save you money and make sure you have more fun. You’re welcome. I love you, too.

Instead of hiring a driver to take you all the way to Anuradhapura, ask your hotel to arrange a taxi to take you to Colombo Fort Station (about $14) and then take the train to Anuradhapura. This will cost anywhere from $1-4 depending on which train class you’re in. Some of the trains have first class observation cars with huge windows at the end. If you have the option for one of these cars, definitely take it.

You could spend a lot more money hiring a taxi or private driver to take you from door to door, but there’s no reason to. Sri Lankan trains are magical, especially if you’re lucky enough to get a seat in the observation car. There’s nothing else like it in the world, especially considering the price.

Hotel- The A&K itinerary has you at a $200/night beauty filled with fine art, wood carvings, and an impressive lobby area with views of the tank. (Tanks in Sri Lanka are ancient man-made reservoirs that look like lakes and lagoons.)

I stayed at the similarly impressive Heritage Hotel Anuradhapura. The rooms aren’t as splashy, but they’re large and comfortable with nice balconies. Mine looked out over the tank and was the perfect place to relax with a cocktail in the afternoon. (On that note, try the local liquor, arrack, mixed with ginger beer over ice. Divine.)

The lobby is plush and the location makes it perfect for walking and enjoying the water view. The service is top notch, too. While lying poolside one afternoon, I overheard a guest tell the bartender at the pool bar about a drink she’d had elsewhere that was made with a fresh coconut. He asked her to wait a moment and then headed off into the trees with a machete. He returned a few minutes later with a fresh coconut and made her the cocktail. How’s that for luxury hotel service?

Similarly, I chatted with the manager at dinner one night and he asked how I was enjoying Sri Lanka and how long I would be there. I said, truthfully, that it was one of the most amazing countries I had ever visited and that I was in the middle of a three month trip. Later that night he had a cake from the hotel bakery sent to my room with a note of appreciation for the kind things I had said about his country.

Not bad for a $68/night bargain, right?

After your long train journey to Anuradhapura, you might just want to relax by the pool, which is totally fine. But if you’ve got some energy, ask the front desk to arrange a tuk tuk to drive you around and give you an overview of the temple complex. You’ll be exploring it in detail tomorrow, but there’s so much to see.

Alternatively, you could walk around the tank and spot some of the small homemade shrines dotted all over the place.

• Box: Daily costs: $14 taxi, $4 train, $68 hotel = $86

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day Three- Anuradhapura & Mihintale

You can hire a guide to take you through Anuradhapura by tuk tuk today or rent bicycles from your hotel for a self-guided tour. I did a self-guided tour as that’s my usual preference, but I visited on a full moon poya day and the place was absolutely packed. I might have been better off going with a guide to help me navigate my way through the throngs of people.

Entry to Anuradhapura is a steep $25, so make sure you give yourself enough time for a good leisurely wander around to see as much as you can.

The site is very spread out, and Anuradhapura is hot, so make sure you’ve got bottled water with you. Consider bringing a reusable bottle so you’re not adding to the country’s plastic waste.

Keep in mind that Anuradhapura is a sacred place to the locals and when they descend on the temples en mass for a full moon day, it’s worship and not a party. They dress all in white, which you might want to consider- it’ll help you blend in and help you beat the heat. There are also signs outside the gates on poya days announcing that dark colored clothing won’t be allowed inside.

When you’ve seen enough of Anuradhapura, hire one of the tuk tuk drivers waiting outside to take you to Mihintale (about $8 for a round trip) if you haven’t hired a driver for the day.

Have the driver take you back to the hotel so you can collapse from sheer exhaustion and get ready to do it all over again at a different set of ancient ruins.

• Daily costs: $22 full day tuk tuk rental with driver + $25 Anuradhapura entry fee + $3 Mihintale entry fee + $68 hotel = $118

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day Four- Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa

Have your hotel arrange a driver for today (expect to pay about $25-30 for a driver with an air conditioned vehicle) and tell them you’ll need an early wake up call. The very best way to see Sigiriyais with as few other tourists around as possible, and the only way to do that is to be at the gates when they open.

The Sigiriya complex includes a museum (fairly sparse) and some gardens to walk around in, but ignore all of that for now and head straight for the base of the rock as soon as you get your ticket ($30) from the admission window. Most people will mill around for a little bit before meandering their way to the rock. Power walk right past them to start your climb; you can always come back and look at the other things later, when the stairways up the rock are so jammed with people they resemble a Tokyo subway car at rush hour.

Before you approach the base of the rock, you will need to stop at a small gatehouse where a guard will check your ticket. When you leave the area, your ticket will be checked again at the gatehouse on the other side. You cannot go back. Anything you want to see in the gardens around the base of the rock or whatever, you have to see before you cross the barrier because they won’t let you re-enter. Even if you just really, really need to run to the bathroom. (Ask me how I know.)

Ask your driver to recommend a local place for lunch on the way to Polonnaruwa so you can relax a bit after climbing Sigiriya. Admission to Polonnaruwa is $25 and you’ll want to plan for several hours of walking around the complex, but there are no super strenuous climbs here. You’ll have to take your shoes off before you enter and the afternoon sun will turn the walkways into molten lava, so have a pair of socks in your bag.

Back to the hotel for a cocktail at the pool bar, dinner, and another really good night’s sleep

• Daily costs: $30 driver + $30 Sigiriya entry fee + $25 Polonnaruwa entry fee + $68 hotel = $153

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day Five- Dambulla and Kandy

There’s no good public transport option for getting from Sigiriya to Kandy, especially if you want to stop at the Dambulla Cave Temples along the way (and you should, they’re magnificent). So you’ll want to take a taxi again for the day or hire a driver. Expect to pay around $40 for the drive plus waiting time for you at Dambulla ($8 admission plus 25 rupees for the shoe keeper at the entrance).

Before you go, read my post on visiting Dambulla with the worst driver I’ve ever experienced in my life. And then make sure you use a different company to arrange your transportation!

The fancypants itinerary would have you stopping at a spice garden in Matale on your way to Kandy, but I would advise you to skip it unless you have an extreme interest in spices and/or herb gardening. If you don’t, you’re likely to find them an overpriced tourist trap where you’re pressured to buy spices in the gift shop for about the same prices you’d pay in a Western supermarket (and much more than you’d pay in a local one).

Budget about $7 per person for lunch in any of the establishments around Dambulla.

The A&K itinerary would also have you spending the night in a $400/night clifftop manor house hotel with lush tropical gardens and an infinity pool. The views from the hills around Kandy are  worth splurging a bit for, but I don’t think you need to go quite that extreme. Sky Pavilion will give you the same views, lovely light monochrome rooms with the same breathtaking vistas, and a pool in which to float away the afternoon, all for only $116/night.

I’m also partial to Villa Rosa, which was one of the loveliest places I stayed in all of Sri Lanka, but they don’t have a pool. They did have an agreement with another local accommodation to use their pool, but you might find that a bit inconvenient. If you do choose Villa Rosa, make sure you stay for dinner- the chef is excellent.

• Daily costs: $40 driver + $8 Dambulla cave temples entrance + $7 lunch + $116 hotel = $171

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day Six- Kandy

All of Kandy’s main sights are within an easy tuk tuk ride of each other. Your hotel may have a tuk tuk and driver on staff, or they can easily arrange one for you. They can also arrange air conditioned taxis, but I find tuk tuk rides so much more fun. As a bonus, they’re also a lot less expensive. Expect to pay about $20 for a full day tuk tuk excursion.

Your first stop should be the Royal Botanical Gardens ($10)  as they tend to get really crowded later in the day. Don’t miss the trees full of giant flying foxes- this is the best part of the gardens. Hardly anyone actually walks into the grove of trees where these massive (and massively adorable) bats roost, so if you do you’re in for a treat. It feels like something out of Jurassic Park to walk through the dense woods with these huge, screeching creatures flying overhead.

When you’ve had your fill of bats and exotic flowers, head back into town for a drive around Kandy Lake. The A&K itinerary suggests stopping at the gem museum and lapidary, which you can certainly do if you’re really interested in gems.

More usefully, there’s a small shopping mall on the edge of the lake with a pretty good supermarket if you want to stock up on supplies. This would be a great place to pick up snacks for tomorrow’s train ride.

Finish the day at the mesmerizing Temple of the Tooth, the holiest site in Sri Lankan Buddhism. Give yourself plenty of time for walking around the temple and surrounding grounds as there’s so much to take in.

That’s where the high dollar itinerary ends, but they skip two of my favorite Kandy attractions, both of which are a stone’s throw from the temple. The World Buddhism Museum and the Kandy Garrison Cemetery are both worth a visit. See my post Highlights of Kandy, Sri Lanka for more details and tips on all of the main sights in Kandy.

• Daily costs: $20 tuk tuk driver + $10 Royal Botanical Garden admission + $6 Temple of the Tooth Admission + $116 Hotel = $152

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day Seven- Into the Hill Country

If you thought Sri Lanka was gorgeous up until now, just wait. As soon as the train starts climbing up the misty hills past waterfalls and tea plantations, you’re going to have to hold your jaw closed.

You can have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before having a tuk tuk drop you at the station to board the train around 11 a.m.. You’ll want to be sure to book a first class observation car ticket for this trip! If you forgot to buy snacks at the supermarket yesterday, don’t fret. A man with a plastic tub full of fresh samosas will be along soon, and you should definitely buy some.

The hoity toity itinerary would have you staying at a $700/night tea plantation estate tonight, full of unique art and big fluffy beds and dinner served by candlelight in the lush tropical gardens.

They’ve got a point- that is absolutely the way you want to roll when you’re in the hill country. But you can get the same things at the Ceylon Tea Bungalows for about $130 a night and still feel like you’re in the lap of luxury.  The only thing you’re missing by not spending $700/night is a swimming pool, but the chilly hill country is the last place you’re going to miss that.

• Daily costs: $4 train ticket + $4 snacks for lunch + $130 hotel + $17 dinner = $155

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day Eight- Hill Country

The Abercrombie & Kent itinerary gives you a free day to relax today, and that’s not a bad idea after several days of hardcore sightseeing and travel.

Because you’re staying on a working tea plantation, you can take a walk and see the Tamil women picking tea. Take a minute to appreciate how hard they work, carrying huge heavy sacks of tea leaves out in any kind of weather, every single day. I haven’t been able to drink a cup of tea since without thinking about how they do that backbreaking labor for $1-2 a day.

Today would be a good day to rent bicycles and ride around the area just to enjoy the scenery, if you’re into that sort of thing.

I chose to get a tuk tuk ride to nearby Ella, since I heard it was a can’t-miss spot.

I heard wrong.

No doubt I’ll get some hate mail for this, but I found Ella to be so crowded with tourists and backpacker hostels and juice bars and other westernized dreck, it had lost nearly all of its charm. It’s basically Hikkaduwa Beach moved into the mountains. The walk to Ella Rock was scenic, but mostly ruined by hordes of poorly behaved tourists.

If I were to do it over again, I’d skip Ella entirely and head to Lipton’s Seat or Little Adam’s Peak for more scenery and less tacky backpacker oversaturation.

• Daily costs: $17 lunch + $17 dinner (assuming both at hotel) + $130 hotel = $164

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day Nine- Yala National Park

For many people, a safari at Yala is the highlight of their 2 weeks in Sri Lanka. If you’re lucky enough to spot some of the elusive leopard population in the park, you’ll understand why.

You’ll want to hire a driver to get to the park, and it’ll probably be the most expensive transfer of your trip- budget $80-90 for the six hour drive. The roads aren’t great in many places, so pack some motion sickness pills if you’re prone to getting queasy in the car.

Tip: if regular Dramamine makes you drowsy and you want to stay alert to enjoy the scenery, try the type that’s pure ginger. It works wonders on my motion sickness but doesn’t make me sleepy.

If you’re on an extra tight budget, you can take the bus to Yala, but the route isn’t direct and it’ll take you most of the day to get there, meaning you won’t have time for an afternoon safari. But on the plus side, it’ll only cost a couple of dollars.

The super swanky itinerary would have you chauffeured to a luxury safari camp with a jaw-dropping $1000/night price tag.

Safari camps are notoriously expensive, but they don’t have to be. Not gonna lie, Chena Huts is one of the most gorgeous resorts I’ve ever seen. But that price tag, tho.

Laya Safari is a much more budget friendly (but still perfectly luxurious) option. You get the same spectacular Indian Ocean views, gracious service, and proximity to wildlife without the enormous price. Rooms at Laya start at just $112/night. Your safari drives won’t be included, but the entire area is saturated with tour companies. Expect to pay about $35 for a morning safari, $40 for evening, and $60 for an all day safari.

After arriving at Laya, toss yourself in the ocean-view pool for a bit to relax after the drive, take your first safari venture into the park, and then enjoy one of their specialty curries under the stars.

• Daily costs: $85 Driver + $112 Hotel + $20 lunch + $20 dinner + $40 safari = $277

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day Ten- Yala National Park

Today is going to be a wildlife-spotting extravaganza, so I hope you’ve charged your camera batteries and brought an extra memory card.

The hotel will pack you a breakfast to go so you can head out on an early (and I mean *early*) morning safari for the best wildlife spotting chances.

Head back to Laya for a spa treatment, poolside cocktail, walk on the beach, nap or all of the above before dinner and another evening safari.

• Daily costs: $35 morning safari + $40 evening safari + $20 lunch + $20 dinner + $112 hotel = $232

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day Eleven- Galle Fort

If you’re me, this is one of the best days of the trip because Galle Fort is my absolute all time favorite spot in all of Sri Lanka. It just radiates charm. It’s honestly one of my favorite spots in the whole world.

Budget about $50 for a driver to take you and prepare for a lovely drive along the southern coast. Along the way, you can stop and see the famous stilt fishermen, but be aware that they’ve become kind of a tourist trap and you’ll have to pay if you want to take their photo.

If you need to tighten the budget even further, you can take the bus from Yala to Galle instead of hiring a driver. It’ll only cost a couple of dollars, but the travel time will be quite a bit longer and you won’t have the option of making stops where you want along the coast.

When you arrive and check into your hotel, you can pay a guide for a walking tour of Galle Fort, or just stroll around the ramparts by yourself. A local-guided tour will start about $35 for 90 minutes. At sunset, get a gelato from Pedlars Inn and join the rest of the town up on the fort walls. Families picnic and fly kites, couples get married overlooking the ocean, and everyone is just kind of mesmerized by the setting sun.

Speaking of hotels, the super opulent itinerary has you at another $1000/night hotel tonight. The Amangalla is a stunning piece of design for sure, but in my world $1000 is a whole other trip. Check out the Bartizan Galle Fort for a similar architectural feel at a much lower price. Rooms start at $120/night and have better views than the ultra luxe choice, too.

There are a ton of fantastic places inside the fort for dinner, but my all time favorite is Chambers. I spent three weeks in the fort and kept returning to Chambers over and over again despite my plans to check out a different restaurant every night. Get the hummus, thank me later.

• Daily costs: $50 driver + $120 hotel + $35 tour = $205

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day Twelve- Galle & Surrounds

If you can bear to tear yourself away from the darling fort, today is a day for visiting tea and spice plantations. The world famous Handunugoda Tea Plantation is a 35 minute tuk tuk ride away. There’s no charge for the tour, which ends with cake and a pot of tea to enjoy.

Head to Villa Mayurana  next for a tour of the cinnamon plantation and a four-course cinnamon infused lunch that will be one of the most memorable meals of your trip. The combined lunch and tour will run $60/person, which is kind of steep by Sri Lankan standards. If you’re not that into cinnamon, just have the tuk tuk driver take you back to the fort for more wandering and poking around in the neat little shops.

• Daily costs: $20 tuk tuk driver + $60 lunch and cinnamon plantation tour + $120 hotel = $200

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day Thirteen- Colombo

If you’re anything like me, you’re going to have a hard time leaving Galle Fort. I had such a heavy heart heading to the train station the morning I left. It’s just one of those places, like Athens and Edinburgh,  I just really feel like I belong.

But, all good things must come to an end, and today’s train ride almost makes up for having to leave the Fort. Enjoy the uniquely Sri Lankan experience of hanging out the open train doors to feel the cool ocean mist on your face. It’s the most delicious feeling imaginable.

Most of the Colombo to Galle route runs right alongside the water and it’s a breathtaking sight.

After checking into your hotel, the swanky itinerary calls for a guided walking tour of Colombo, including Pettah Market and the Old Dutch Museum. A private three hour tour of the city led by a Colombo native will run you about $33 with Colombo Walks. You can also take a self guided tour for free, using an app like GPS My City. If you’re going it solo, take care around Pettah Market- it gets insanely crowded at times and I encountered some fairly sketchy characters.

Whichever way you choose to see Sri Lanka’s bustling capital, make sure you factor in some time for souvenir shopping. My two favorite places in the city to pick up some unique and fairly priced items to take home are Lakpahana Handcraft and the Laksala Museum Gallery.

For your last night in Sri Lanka, A&K recommends the Shangri-La Hotel, which is a relatively reasonable (compared to their $1000 a night choices, I mean) $190 a night. If you feel like splashing out on your last night to celebrate what a bargain you got on the rest of your trip, it’s definitely not a bad place to do it. However, the nearby Cinnamon Grand will only set you back about $130 and is just as nice.

For my British friends, the Cinnamon Grand puts on the only proper Sunday Roast in the city and it’s fantastic. The only drawback is that it’s in an on-site pub that allows smoking, so if you’re a nonsmoker you’ll want to arrive early to have the best chance of a smoke-free meal.

If your last night happens to fall on a Sunday, you have to head down to Galle Face Green in the afternoon. Grab a table and order a Lion Beer and a plate of cheese kottu and enjoy the ocean breeze and fabulous people watching.

• Daily costs: $4 train + $33 walking tour + $130 hotel = $167

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary Day Fourteen- Time to Go Home

The only thing on the itinerary today is to take a cab to the airport (about $20) and cry because your trip is over and you have to go home.

I know, I felt the same way.

If you’ve decided you can’t just do 2 weeks in Sri Lanka and you need more time, check out the rest of my content on this marvelous little island to plan a longer trip. I’ve got a packing list you’ll want to print out before you go and a handy guide to extending your tourist visa if you decide even 30 days isn’t long enough. It wasn’t for me- I stayed for three months and I still wanted more time.

• Daily costs: $20 taxi to airport

Total Trip Cost for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka: $2,172 ($155/day)

2 Weeks in Sri Lanka- In Summary

Here’s the thing about Sri Lanka- luxury is everywhere. Sri Lankans are some of the most graceful, refined people I’ve ever met. Everything they do in offering hospitality to a guest, they do with absolute sophistication.

Even if you’re staying in an inexpensive guesthouse, you will most likely find a vessel of floating exotic flowers outside your door in the morning. The freshly picked tropical fruits on your breakfast tray will be carefully cut and artfully arranged, and everyone from the owner to the bellboy will greet you and fawn over you like you’re a visiting celebrity.

It’s just how they are.

I love $1000 a night hotels. I’ve stayed in them before (calm down, I used a discount code) and I’ll stay in them again and I’ll bask in every luxurious minute. But rest assured, you can have a perfectly luxurious experience for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka or even longer, even if your budget is far more modest.