Planning My Long Weekend in Sri Lanka

The 26th (Wednesday) and 27th (Thursday) are public holidays this year. Take the Friday off too, and two holidays turn into a five-day break, enough time to actually leave Colombo behind, cross the island, and settle into somewhere instead of rushing through it.

Here's how I'd do my five days in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka.

I'd go east.

Arugam Bay had everything I wanted out of a trip that feels longer than it is: beaches, surf, wildlife, lagoons, forest, and plenty of reasons to slow down. With the Arugam Bay surf season nearing its final stretch, August felt like the right window to catch it before it winds down.

Catching the Last of the Arugam Bay Surf Season

Arugam Bay is one of the most well-known destinations for surfing in Sri Lanka, and I could tell within a day why it draws both seasoned surfers and total beginners. The season runs through the warmer months, and August still sat comfortably inside that window when I went.

I watched the more confident surfers take on Main Point, then found my own footing at Elephant Rock and Baby Point, both far gentler if you're still finding your balance.

But my trip didn't revolve around the surfboard for long.

Things to Do in Arugam Bay Beyond the Beach

Elephant Rock, Arugam Bay

I climbed Elephant Rock Arugam Bay just before sunset, a short scramble up, and the view across the coastline made it obvious why it's become one of the area's most talked-about stops. I'd gone with a local guide, and I was glad I did. The surrounding area isn't somewhere you want to be wandering alone after dark.

Kumana National Park

About 45 minutes out, I swapped the surfboard for an early morning safari at Kumana National Park. Known for its wetlands and birdlife, Kumana also offers the chance to see elephants, crocodiles and leopards, if you’re lucky.

Going early made the whole thing feel completely different from the beach town I'd just left.

Image Credits: Surajdeen Seiyad

Panama, Sri Lanka

I kept heading south and eventually reached Panama, Sri Lanka, where the landscape opened up into something quieter and more rural.

I spent an afternoon taking in the coastline, lagoons and slower pace. If you're putting together an Arugam Bay itinerary, Panama is an easy and worthwhile detour.

Image Credits: Bhathiya Lakshan

Kudumbigala Monastery

Not far from Panama, I found Kudumbigala Monastery sitting among forest and rocky outcrops. Between the glimpse into Sri Lanka's Buddhist heritage and the views over the surrounding landscape, it was one of the quieter highlights of the whole trip.

Pottuvil Lagoon

My slowest morning of the trip.

A boat ride through Pottuvil Lagoon took me through mangroves and waterways, with birds, crocodiles and a completely different side of the Sri Lanka east coast than the surf breaks I'd spent my first two days exploring.

Colombo to Arugam Bay Bus: How I Actually Booked My Journey

This is the part I want to actually talk about, because it made the whole trip easier than I expected.

The Colombo to Arugam Bay bus journey takes you from the capital through the centre of the island before opening out onto the east coast. It's a long ride, which is exactly why picking the right seat mattered more than I initially gave it credit for.

I booked my Sri Lanka bus ticket online through Magiya, checked available journeys, picked my own seat instead of taking whatever was left, and had my ticket ready on my phone by the time I got to my pickup point. No standing around guessing which counter had my bus.