7 Excellent Things to Do in Kandy Sri Lanka
Kandy is an amazing cultural gem in Sri Lanka. Located in the central highlands of the country, Kandy is famous as an ancient stronghold of native kings, the venerated home of a tooth from Buddha and a capital of local arts and music.
Advice When Visiting Kandy Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka In General
While tattoos and images of Buddha aren’t strictly forbidden by law in Sri Lanka, the predominantly Buddhist nation is sensitive about depictions. It’s better to keep tattoos of Buddha covered when possible. Avoid wearing clothing depicting the Buddha.
Kandy can be reached from Colombo by bus. I highly recommend sitting on the farthest left window for an influx of fresh air. The drive is just under five hours with traffic. Expect public transportation to be somewhat crowded.
Sri Lanka has several prominent religions, including Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism. In all cases, certain rules must be followed at certain religious sites. Dress in long sleeved clothing when visiting holy sites and comply with necessary rules, such as head coverings when required. Make sure to bring appropriate attire when arriving in the country
I highly recommend against most “elephant” activities in Sri Lanka. This often includes elephant rides, swimming with elephants or other such tourist events. As with all my advice while traveling, touching non-domesticated animals is bad. It stresses them out when strangers interact with them, lowers their immune system and makes them more vulnerable to disease, depression and deeper human dependence. I did not find any elephant activities in Sri Lanka that I can personally recommend.
Affiliate Disclosure: Leftfade Trails contains affiliate links, so using services or products through these links supports the website, at no extra cost to the user. All links are to tested services and products designed to aid travelers on their journeys. Some links specifically connect to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate this website earns from qualifying purchases.
Kandy Specifically
Entrance to Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth costs roughly Rs.1500 (Sri Lankan Rupees). ($8.00 USD). There are numerous tour guides who speak English well. They hang out in front of the temple, asking if you’d like advice.
When selecting things to do in Kandy, know that there are many free activities where “guides” will insist on payment for a tour experience. Check online if entry is free before going. Then, politely but firmly decline a guide if you prefer not to have one.
English is fairly common here. The other two languages are Tamil and Sinhala, though people usually know words from both. English is used as a link language.
Things to do in Kandy, Sri Lanka
Temple of the Tooth
A famous religious center in Sri Lanka known for hosting the divine relic of Buddha’s canine tooth. It is locally called “Sri Dalada Maligawa.” The temple’s tooth is central to the large temple and serves as an important icon during festivals. There are many guides outside the Temple who will give a tour, but they will expect a tip afterwards.
Helga’s Folly
A famously off-kilter hotel cluttered with oddities, Sri Lankan art and nostalgia goods. The hotel is open for visitors to book, but guests can also walk in to browse. The hotel has a rather interesting history, which the locals are happy to explain.
Royal Botanical Gardens
These are a set of extremely grandiose royal gardens. They are located about six kilometers west of Kandy, next to the Mahaveli River. The garden is famous for its winding trails, tropical plants and medicinal and orchid gardens.
Three Temple Loop
Gadaladeniya Viharaya, Embekke, Lankathilaka – These are three important Buddhist temples of Sri Lankan heritage located slightly outside of the central city. They can be accessed by taking public transportation, tours or by renting a motorbike or car. The Loop is very scenic to drive.
Udawatta Kele Sanctuary
A national park for wildlife viewing in a slightly hilly, forested area. It is somewhat difficult to hike around, but very beautiful overall.
Ranweli Spice Garden
An interesting feature of Sri Lanka and outdoor spice garden with medicinal properties. The garden itself is rather small. It’s best experienced with a knowledgable guide who can point out different plants, their effects and local legends.
Esala Perahera Festival
An incredible festival involving parades, feasts, music, parties and dressed up, domesticated elephants. The celebration revolves around the sacred tooth relic of Buddha as well as four honored protectorate gods. The festival is filled with extra ceremonies which involve torch spinning, water cutting, fire dances, whip performances and theatrical performances. It runs for ten days in Late July or Early August. The festival remains one of the biggest Buddhist Festivals in the world.
Unethical Point of Avoidance:
You may see signs advertising for the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage near the city of Rambukkana. This is advertised as a free-range zoo where elephants wander in breeding programs. However, the Orphanage is plagued with troubling reports of elephant treatment. This including physical interaction with the creatures, elephants being chained up for photos and other concerning reports.
Read a firsthand account for visiting Kandy, Sri Lanka on the Leftfade Trails Blog
When visiting tropical and rainy climates, some travelers prefer ponchos and others prefer umbrellas. I’m in the umbrella camp, as it works better for blocking the sun in deserts, protects my gear well, is easily brought with my day bag and remains extremely light. My chosen brand for a compact travel umbrella is the Repel Umbrella Windproof Travel Umbrella. I bought my original one in 2016 and it’s been with me ever since. Keep in mind that umbrellas aren’t a good travel option if you plan on visiting places known for high winds. In these cases, a waterproof bag and a poncho would serve you better.
I’ve brought my backpack with me through every environment imaginable, and often it’s been rough. While carrying valuable gear such as my laptop, extra protection is warranted. I’ve used the same neutral-colored Osprey Ultralight Raincover for years. The bag cover handles water well, and when used with an umbrella, no moisture gets trapped between my bag and my back. I always select a neutral colored rain cover to “dress-down” my backpack when traveling through sketchy urban areas. However, if you’re a wilderness trekker, a high-rez color (bright red or yellow) is better for signaling attention when needed. It’s a useful, lightweight and sturdy piece of equipment. I haven’t had to replace mine yet.