From the very beginning, I knew Sri Lanka was an amazing travel destination. However, as a picky eater with a sensitive stomach who doesn't eat vegetables, I kept convincing myself that both my appetite and my tummy needed to be ready first before finally booking a trip.
Fast forward to May 2026, and after doing a bit more research, I realized that was never really the issue. Despite the internet warning that it was already monsoon season, I finally went. And I spent most of the trip wondering why I hadn't visited sooner.
This travel story is a summary of our 8-day journey through Sri Lanka and serves as the main hub for all my detailed guides.
Before the Trip: Applying for a Sri Lanka ETA
Before the trip, we sorted out the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), as recommended by fellow travelers. The process was straightforward, and no documents were required during the application.
I've documented the application process, requirements, fees, and our experience in a separate guide below. Link coming soon!π
π Related Post: Sri Lanka ETA Application Guide
How Did I End Up Visiting Sri Lanka in May 2026?
Sri Lanka wasn't originally part of my travel plans this year. However, rising airfares to many destinations due to the ongoing tensions in the region unexpectedly made Colombo one of the more affordable options from Dubai.
After months of feeling completely burned out from work, I decided to stop overthinking and booked the trip. At that point, I wasn't looking for a bucket-list destination or a mountaineering achievement. I just wanted a change of scenery and a chance to recharge.
By combining the four-day Eid holiday break with two days of annual leave and a weekend, we managed to spend a total of eight days in Sri Lanka. During this trip, we focused on visiting:
- Sigiriya
- Trincomalee
- Colombo
Since May is considered part of the monsoon season, most recommendations suggested sticking to the north-eastern and central parts of the country. This allowed us to avoid most of the rain while still enjoying nature, historical sites, and outdoor activities at their best.
To our surprise, rain was hardly an issue during the trip. If anything, there were moments when I found myself wishing for a quick downpour just to escape the heat. Even in Colombo, where it had reportedly rained the week before, we barely experienced any rain during our visit.
First Leg of the Journey: The Greens & Ancient Cities of Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa
We began our trip in Sigiriya, using it as a base to explore some of Sri Lanka's most iconic attractions. Straight from the airport, we booked a transfer and headed to Sigiriya right away.
From climbing Pidurangala Rock before sunrise to visiting the ancient fortress of Sigiriya and cycling around the ruins of Polonnaruwa, this leg of the trip was filled with history, nature, and surprisingly active mornings.
On top of these adventures, we also went on an Elephant safari at the nearby Huluru Ecopark, where the Asian elephants currently roam freely.
π Related Posts (currently a work in progress):
- Pidurangala Rock Hiking Guide
- Sigiriya Fortress Hiking Guide
- Cycling in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
- Elephant Safari in Hurulu Eco Park
- Hotel Review - Lion Gate Hotel Sigiriya
Second Leg of the Journey: The Blues of Trincomalee
After Sigiriya, we headed to the northeast coast of Sri Lanka and traveled to the port city of Trincomalee by public bus. Nothing beats an adventure on public transportation!
In Trincomalee, my active persona completely switched off and my lazy alter ego took over. Slow mornings, cozy cafés, lazy walks followed by tuk-tuk rides when it got too hot, chilling on the beach, seafood meals⦠you name it.
Last but not least, we spent our final morning in Trincomalee on a dolphin-watching and snorkeling tour. Did we see any dolphins? What was the snorkeling like? You'll have to find out in my future blog post!
π Related Posts (currently a work in progress):
- Travel from Sigiriya to Trincomalee by Public Bus
- 4 Days in Trincomalee - Things We Did, Saw, and Ate
- Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling Tour
- Hotel Review - Pearl Diamond Resort
Final Leg of the Journey: The Colors of Vesak in Colombo
Although completely unplanned, we were lucky enough to witness Vesak, a festival that was entirely unfamiliar to us.
The light displays, temple visits, incense sticks, Vesak lanterns, and even the fireworks were magical to my virgin eyes. I felt like I had stepped into the unknown, and it made me even more curious not only about the tradition itself but also about Buddhism as a whole. It genuinely felt like I was in the right place at the right time.
Since we only had one day in Colombo, we squeezed in a bit of sightseeing while I focused primarily on souvenir shopping. Oops! No Filipina can go home without bringing souvenirs for friends and officemates.
π Related Posts (currently a work in progress):
- Travel from Trincomalee to Colombo by Train and/or Public Bus
- 1 Day in Colombo during Vesak Season
- Sri Lankan Souvenirs To Bring Home
- Hotel Review - Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge
Sri Lanka Travel Cost for 8 Days (2026):
For those planning a similar journey, I've broken down all our expenses, including accommodation, transportation, activities, and food. The page is still a work in progress, but I'll share the link here as soon as it's ready.
π Related Post: Sri Lanka 2026 Travel Cost Breakdown
Final Thoughts on Sri Lanka Travel
When people think about Sri Lanka, they often think about tea plantations, scenic train rides, beaches, and historic cities influenced by the Dutch and Portuguese.
For me, the country became a combination of ancient cities, temple visits, giant rock formations, wildlife encounters, coastal towns, and even experiencing one of the most important Buddhist festivals in the country.
This Sri Lanka travel story reminded me why I enjoy traveling in the first place.
Would we come back? Absolutely.
There are still so many hikes to climb, train routes to take, stories to learn, and corners of the country I haven't seen yet.
For now, I'll be busy sorting through thousands of photos, writing all the stories from this trip, and reliving the experience one blog post at a time. But I'll also be quietly daydreaming about my next trip back to Sri Lanka.
