Exploring the untouched east coast of Sri Lanka on an epic road trip was a super unique and completely off-the-beaten-path experience for us! We visited places like Trincomalee, Nilaveli, and Pasikuda by Jeep, covering 250 kilometers along the beautiful coastline. Discover all our top tips for driving the East Coast, including where to stop and stay along the route.
Our Sri Lankan East Coast Road Trip
We rented a Jeep and spent two days driving along the east coast of Sri Lanka. While you could do it quicker, we recommend taking your time. It’s incredible to stop wherever you want, meet super-friendly locals who rarely see tourists, and maybe even see some elephants along the way!
Day 1: South to Pasikudah
We set out from Trincomalee, heading south. Driving along the east coast of Sri Lanka was relatively easy: the roads are good, there are sufficient gas stations, and you can travel at a steady, slow pace.
We took our time, pulling over to see wild animals such as monkeys, buffalo, and more. We were lucky enough to also see elephants on route!
Some must-see places we recommend stopping:
- Marble Beach: Only 30 minutes from Trincomalee.
- Ancient Buddhist Temple Seruwawila Rajamaha Viharaya.
- Kallady Beach (near Batticaloa).
Where to Stay
On day 1, we chose to stay near Pasikudah Beach, located about halfway along the route we had mapped out from Trincomalee. It took us about 2,5 hours to get here. Another good option is Batticaloa, which is another 20 minutes farther.
Day 2: Incredible ride to Arugam Bay
Day two was the most beautiful part of the trip! The drive took around 4 hours in total. During this time, we passed national parks, rice fields, palm-fringed landscapes, and untouched beaches.
While driving on the beach, we had to find out that our 4 wheel drive function wasn’t working, so we quickly got stuck at the beach for a few hours. Luckily we got out with the help of some locals.
Eventually, we got to the surfing hotspot Arugam Bay, which is one of the most popular locations on Sri Lanka’s East Coast. Some highlights on the route were:
- Muhudu Maha Viharaya: temple complex on the dunes near Pottuvil.
- Pottuvil’s mangrove-lined lagoon (book a tour here).
- Lahugala Kitulana National Parkโjust off the route from Arugam Bay.
- Elephant Rock, once you get to the surfer’s town.
Read more: things to do in Arugam Bay
As you get closer to Arugam Bay, there is a chance to spot wild elephants on the side of the road. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse, which was a highlight of our trip! However, please always remember to admire their beauty from a distance; these are wild animals that should be left in peace.
If you’d like to see more elephants in the wild, we recommend joining this safari tour to Kumana National Park, which is south of Arugam Bay.
Hotels in Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is a fantastic place to base yourself for a few days, especially for beach time or surfing lessons. It’s close to nearby national parks like Yala and Kumana, where you can book a safari.
Most accommodations sit right next to the beach! We stayed in a mid-range guesthouse, but there are also plenty of charming beach huts and resorts.
Jeep Rental Sri Lanka
We rented our Jeep via Sri Lanka Jeep Tours for just 40 USD a day (minimum rental 7 days). We loved the freedom to stop whenever we wanted along the way, which let us discover some fantastic hidden gems.
The route can also be done by tuk-tuk or rental car, but you canโt go off-road with them, and a Jeep is way cooler, right? Another option for exploring the east coast of Sri Lanka is to hire a private driver; this way, you can also request to stop whenever you want.
Tip: During the two-day drive, we found plenty of gas stations and supermarkets to recharge. Fuel prices are as low as the price of water :-)
Driver’s License Sri Lanka
To drive a car in Sri Lanka, you need an International Driving Permit. We were told that you also need an additional license from an office in Colombo, but thankfully Sri Lanka Jeep Tours helped us navigate the process. The police checked our papers multiple times along the route, but we never had any trouble.
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Hi, when did you go? Did you experience any trouble with getting fuel along thr route due to recent fuel shortages?
Hi Jodie, we were in Sri Lanka before the fuel shortages, so can’t give any insight there, sorry. However, weโve heard things are starting to get better in the last few months ๐ค