Is it safe to travel to the East coast of Sri Lanka?
What is the political situation like there at the moment?
Hi I am a lone English female about to cross over to Sri Lanka from India for a spot of diving. I heard that the seas on the West coast are too choppy this time of year, but that the East coast is ideal with good dive companies. However, I am concerned about the safety of aspect of travelling to the East as the political situation is always up in the air. Has anyone got any advice?
Reply to this Did hear that much about diving in Sri Lanka...will be very curious to see your entry about the blog...why don't you go also down to Maldives?
Peter...just back from Palau...
Reply to this would love to but on a tight budget...trying not to work 4 as long as possible, but u never know where the wind can take you, will bear it in mind if I come across a wad of cash xx
Reply to this Nice comment....I can't tell you that Maldives is cheap....that would certainly be not true...sadly...
Let me know what you find in Sri Lanka, I'm curious. As far as I know, you need to avoid the north, but beside that it's ok, and they are not known for targeting tourist. Just small word of advise, a lot of the bombs that went out went out around bus stations...that's where you want to spend as little time as possible if you travel on a budget. Have fun! I've only been to Colombo...interesting city....
Reply to this Thanks Les, will be going there around mid July to renew my Indian visa...any recommendations for 1 day/night in Colombo?
Reply to this Didn't sleep there...and if you are on a budget, I'm not a great adviser. Rent a motorbike with driver, kind of tuk-tuk to get you around town, they know all the temples to see...it's a city full of trees....don't ask to see the parliement, far away...modern building, not much interest...
Reply to this Sri Lanka has some lovely beaches down south and good scuba diving spots. There is a lovely coral reef that can be explored in Hikkaduwa.
Reply to this Oh great, I still haven't got myself there yet but hopefully will soon...do you know any names of dive schools there?
Reply to this the best places to dive in sri lanka out of the places i have dived on the west coast is in unawatuna and negombo.
Unawatuna www.divinginsrilanka.com (which I'm a part of)
negombo it's at blue oceanic hotel www.srilanka-divingtours.com
East coast I recommend baticaloa and is also handled by the same guy at blue oceanic. But east coast diving can be a bit more expensive what with the cost of getting there and everything. Also there are no diving schools there yet. Dive operators work from colombo and do tours to baticaloa.
I have travelled as far up north as tricomalee and it's safe to go there. All the other places down south on the east coast is also safe from baticaloa to arugam bay.
Hope this helps.
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