Traveller notes: Trincomalee
We’ll call her Trinco (the shorter, sweeter and popular name for the place).
This quaint Sri Lankan beach town up north is known to very few travellers. In fact, it doesn’t make it to the usual touristy routines in Sri Lanka due to its lingering aloofness induced by the civil war. And, that’s a terrible shame! For this is the place to be when you want to indulge in the romance of azure sea or sip the finest margaritas as you roll on powdery white sands. I was so lucky to have discovered this gem during my trip to Sri Lanka.
Stay and food: Tinco Blu by Cinnamon Hotels is by far the best place to stay at Tinco. Located bang on the beach, this resort boasts of an inviting pool and some amazing restaurants and pubs. Do dine at The Crab, digging your feet in the soft sands while you gorge on some lip-smacking seafood.
Incase you are staying at the Nilaveli beach, the Nilaveli Beach Hotel should be at the top of your booking lists. Again, nestled on the beach, this place is perfect for enjoying the balmy sea breezes and the appeal of the endless expanse of the sea.
Image via
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Try: Hop on a boat and steer away to the Pigeon Island National Park for a day-long game of hide and seek with the colourful marine life during a delightful scuba dive. You can also opt for a whale-watching session or go out into the sea to swim with the dolphins. But, do set out on such adventures only if you are visiting in the summers (March-June), the best season for these activities.
Shop: Well, sad news on this front! There is nothing in particular that you can or should shop from here. The hotels usually offer small shopping nooks to pick up souvenirs and other knick-knacks in case you want to pack in some memorabilia from Trinco.
Transit: When in Trinco, make full use of the sea! There are boats available to ferry you from one beach to another. From Trinco, Nilaveli is just a 10 minute boat ride away while Pigeon Islands take close to half-hour to 40 minutes. The hotels readily arrange for these rides and the guides are likely to become best buds within the first five minutes. Visit to Pigeon Island, however, requires a special permit, which can be easily arranged for on arrival.
Wallet: Most resorts in this tiny beach town offer package deals when you set out to book. Which means, most of what you do during the stay is already paid for. Incase food is not included keep a budget of US$20-25 per meal, per person.
