Luxury holidays in Trincomalee

When to go

The Eastern Province remains temperate throughout the year, but November through to March have ideal sunbathing weather (bar some December showers). Whales breach more frequently from February to March, and if you visit in April flower-garlanded icons are paraded through the streets to music for the Hindu Chithirai Thiruvizha festival.

Getting there

• Planes

  Fly into Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (www.airport.lk), and hop on an air taxi (www.cinnamonair.com) to Trincolamee China Bay domestic airport; Trincomalee is a 20-minute drive from there. Flights arrive at Colombo from the UK and Europe via Doha International; flights across the Pacific arrive via Kunming Airport, or direct from Australia.

• Automobiles

  Colombo is a four-and-a-half hour drive away, Jaffna, three hours; however, drivers have to dodge tuk-tuks and ox carts in town and wilder beasts beyond. If you’re quick on the draw with the horn and brake, a car will come in handy for exploring, but be sure to get an international driving licence and recognition permit before you go; police are prone to stopping tourists for identification checks.