Looking for a super unique and completely off-the-beaten-path experience in Sri Lanka? Explore the untouched east coast of Sri Lanka on this epic road trip! Since the civil war ended many years ago, the east coast has opened its doors to tourism, meaning you can explore places like Trincomalee, Nilaveli, and Pasikuda. Here are our top tips for driving the East Coast by jeep, including where to stay and stop along your route.
Traveling the East Coast, Sri Lanka
The best way to explore the remote and untouched east coast of Sri Lanka is to rent a Jeep! We did exactly that, driving 250 kilometers along the beautiful coastline over two days. While you could do it quicker, we recommend taking your time; it’s an incredible way to stop wherever you want, meet super-friendly locals who rarely see tourists, and maybe even spot some elephants along the way.
Day 1: Sri Lanka East Coast Road Trip
Rent a Jeep and start your trip from Trincomalee. We found driving on the east coast of Sri Lanka to be relatively easy; the roads are good, there are sufficient gas stations, and you can travel at a steady, slow pace.
Take your time to pull over and see wild animals, such as monkeys, buffalo, and many more. We were lucky enough to also see elephants on our route!
Where to Stay on Day 1
Pasikudah Beach or Batticaloa are both good spots, located about halfway along your route on the east coast of Sri Lanka. Pasikudah is about 2.5 hours from Trincomalee (where you began your trip), and Batticaloa is about 20 minutes further on.
Day 2: Incredible ride to Arugam Bay
Day two is the most beautiful part of the trip! The drive takes around 4 hours in total, and during this time, we passed national parks, rice fields, beautiful palm landscapes, and untouched beaches.
The route will eventually bring you to the surfing hotspot of Arugam Bay. This location is one of the most popular on the east coast of Sri Lanka.
Read about: 9 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, and it was such a highlight of our Sri Lanka east coast road trip! Please always remember to admire their beauty from a distance; these are beautiful, 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 if you’re looking for beachside relaxation or you want to book surfing lessons. It’s also close to nearby national parks like Yala and Kumana, where you can book a safari.
Jeep Rental Sri Lanka
We rented our Jeep via Sri Lanka Jeep Tours for just $40 a day (minimum rental 7 days). We loved having the freedom to stop whenever we wanted along the way, which allowed us to discover some fantastic hidden gems.
The route can also be done by tuk-tuk or rental car, but you can’t go off-road with them, and a Jeep is way cooler, right? Another alternative option to travel the east coast of Sri Lanka is with 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 :-)
Drivers License Sri Lanka
You need an International driver’s license in Sri Lanka to be able to drive a car. We were informed that you also need to obtain an additional license from an office in Colombo, but Sri Lanka Jeep Tours helped us navigate the process. The police checked our papers multiple times along the route, and 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, we’ve heard things are starting to get better in the last few months 🤞