Travel Jaffna: Things To Do in Jaffna Sri Lanka

by Rolling Coconut · Updated on October 13, 2015

This article provides information on one day in Jaffna: things to do in Jaffna Sri Lanka, where to stay in Jaffna, and how to get around Jaffna.

Jaffna is the capital of the Northern province of Sri Lanka. The city was at the center of the Sri Lankan civil war, which ended in 2009. Jaffna has since been gradually rebuilding itself.

We wanted to see the area for ourselves and arrived in Jaffna in the early evening after a long bus journey of 9hrs. We had not had WiFi since our arrival in Sri Lanka nor had we got a chance to research a place to stay in the Northern capital, home of the Tamil people of Sri Lanka.

When we finally arrived, a local greeted us by asking where we intended to stay. Our only answer was a shrug followed by a “We’re not sure?” to which he responded with a “That’s not safe.”

Welcome to Jaffna.

(Note: We didn’t venture out at night but it was safe by day).

Clock Tower Jaffna Sri Lanka ooaworld Rolling Coconut

How To Get to Jaffna from Colombo

Local buses and trains are the easiest modes of transportations to travel around Sri Lanka. Buses are cheap but can be long and overcrowded. Trains are comfortable and affordable (though pricier than the bus) but you would need to plan your itinerary in advance to make sure there are seats available the day you intend to travel.

By bus: count 9hrs, about LKR 750 (USD $5.30)

Bus Station To Jaffna Sri Lanka ooaworld Rolling Coconut Photo Ooaworld

Colombo Bus Station: Waiting to go to Jaffna, Sri Lanka

By train: 8-10hrs, about LKR 1,100 (under USD $8)

There are flights from Colombo to the local airport in Palali (small town about 20km away from Jaffna).

Kottu Roti Chopped Street Food Jaffna Sri Lanka ooaworld Rolling Coconut Photo Ooaworld

Kottu Roti: chopped roti with vegetables and/or chicken – Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Getting Around Jaffna

It is very easy to get around by foot, to walk around the ruins or by tuk tuk.

There are also buses every hour to go to Point Pedro.

Jaffna Sri Lanka Itinerary Christian Home ooaworld Rolling Coconut Photo Ooaworld

Church in Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Where to Stay in Jaffna: Jaffna Hotels and Accommodations

We safely found a place to sleep at the Lovusi Hotel – price for a clean double room with private bathroom was USD $21 – with no WiFi – as of September 2013

Other choices include:

Treatooo Jaffna: basic and clean double room with free WiFi starting at USD $24. Helpful staff.

Kai’s Guest House: clean, standard double room with private bathroom, free WiFi, nice terrace and lovely staff.

Gandhi Statue Jaffna Sri Lanka

What to do in Jaffna – Activities in Jaffna

Visit the Jaffna Fort – center to many battles during the civil war.

Walk around the ruins in Jaffna – there are many deserted buildings around the town since the war

Bullets on the Wall – Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Take a half day to visit the beach in Point Pedro – Sri Lanka’s most northern point

How To Get Away – Jaffna to Anuradhapura

We did not see any other travelers in Jaffna until we took the bus to go to Anuradhapura (cost: LKR 70 per person ~ USD $0.50). It takes less than half a day to get to Anuradhapura.