The east coast and the north
The east coast has its season when the south-west has its monsoon, and the north has a culture and history of its own.
These guides cover when to go east, and what to know before you travel to Jaffna.
1
Sri Lanka in July and August: Arugam Bay or Trincomalee?
In July and August, go east: Arugam Bay for surf, Trincomalee for dry-season beaches and Pigeon Island, plus the Cultural Triangle and Minneriya (2026).
2
Jaffna: etiquette first, and what to know before you go north
Jaffna in 2026: temple etiquette, the train after Cyclone Ditwah (back since April 2026), Nallur, the fort, the library, the islands and the best months.
3
The India–Sri Lanka ferry: Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai
The India–Sri Lanka ferry sails Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai six days a week, 4 to 5 hours (Oct 2026). It stops for the monsoon from about November.