How To Make the Most of Your Holiday in Colombo

Colombo is one of the most beautiful places you will see in Sri Lanka and it will also be one of the first stops you make in the country regardless of where your destination will be ultimate. To know how you can make the most of your holiday in Colombo, read on.

Getting to the city

Colombo is located about an hour away from the International Airport and you will be in the city in no time after you land. If your Colombo hotel does not offer transfer services there are plenty of ways for you to get from the airport to the city centre easily. You can take the shuttle service from the airport to the main bus stop and get yourself a car from there. When you think of Colombo things to do, most of the activities are outdoorsy and involve the beaches and a few green parks here and there. If you are put up at a centrally-located hotel the likes of Uga Residence, things will be easier for you because you would be located in a place where you will not have to travel too far for the coolest attractions found in the city.

Picking accommodation in Colombo

There are plenty of places for you to choose from when you visit Colombo depending on your needs and budget. You can pick a Colombo hotel that will be the best choice for you according to your trip plan. If you are planning on doing a lot of shopping while you are in Colombo and want to stay close to the market area and the place with the shopping malls, then you might want to consider staying in Colombo 3 or Columbo 7. If you want to explore the historical side of Colombo, you might want to consider staying near the Galle Face.

Getting around the city

Travelling around Colombo is pretty easy because there are plenty of public transportation options available for you. But you must be aware that there is traffic and during the peak times it is better to plan your journey well in advance so that you arrive at your destination at the time you want to get there and not too late for any event you're planning on attending. This is important, especially if you are in Colombo for business purposes and want to make it to your meetings on time. Do not underestimate the island traffic, it can get heavy. The transportation options available for you in Colombo are taxis, trains, busses and three-wheelers. Buses are available in all areas of the city and even the suburbs but can be quite crowded, especially during the morning and the evening hours. So, if you want to get to a place faster, getting yourself a three-wheeler would be a better choice than getting yourself a cab unless of course, you want to stay in an air-conditioned space while you travel.

Shopping districts in Colombo

Shopping is one of Colombo's biggest attractions and you can easily satisfy the shopaholic in you by exploring the shopping malls. Make sure you check out Colombo City Centre, One Galle Face, Crescat, Majestic City and Liberty Plaza for big-brand shopping and great deals. There are also places like House of Fashion where you can pick up branded clothing for very nominal fees and the Barefoot Gallery where local handloom fabrics and creations are displayed. This is a great place to pick up souvenirs too! Explore the open markets of Pettah and feed the culture buff in with colonial wonders by visiting the Dutch Museum, Old Lighthouse renovated Dutch Hospital and more.