Nilaveli is a village 16 km north of Trincomalee in northeastern Sri Lanka.
Understand
[edit]This is a Tamil-majority village that has been inhabited for at least 1000 years. The name translates to "moonlight (nila) over the land (veli)" Tourism has increased markedly since 2010.
Get in
[edit]The nearest train station is in Trincomalee. Taking a Tuk Tuk or Taxi should be around 2700 Rs. (Pickme fare, but you might be able to negotiate the same price with the drivers at the train station) and will take about 25 minutes.
Get around
[edit]
The village is very compact and walkable. There is a military base separating the village from the area around the Nilaveli Beach Hotel. To get from one side to the other you have to take a rickshaw or walk along the main road to Trincomalee (beachside is restricted too).
See
[edit]Do
[edit]- 1 Pigeon Island. until 17:00. A snorkelling trip to Pigeon Island is a must. There are local boats leaving to the island frequently. Snorkelling is a great way to see the abundant sea life such as turtles, colourful boxerfish or black tip reef sharks. Be careful not to hurt the still living corals. Booking the same trip with one of the diving shops around Nilaveli will likely cost more, but you'll have more time on the island as well as better equipment. 19,000 Rs.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Nilaveli Coop City. 08:00-18:00 daily. Small supermarket with dry goods (no fresh fruit & veg) and a small pharmacy
Eat
[edit]Most of the guest houses or hotels also have their own restaurant, so finding something to eat is not a problem.
Drink
[edit]Some restaurants offer alcohol. There are also one or two wine shops in the area.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Shahira Hotel, 10th Milepost, ☏ +94 76 804 7291. Decent prices for clean rooms. Nice owner who tells you all about the tsunami in 2004.
- 2 Nilaveli Beach Hotel, 11th Milepost, ☏ +94 262 222 071. Great hotel nestled right in front of Nilaveli Beach.
- 3 Pigeon Island Beach Resort, 11th Milepost, Nilaveli, ☏ +94 26 49 20 633. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. It offers 36 rooms (some of them have A/C), all of which have Internet, and there are satellite TV facilities as further entertainment. Some of its amenities include a yoga centre and spa and fitness centre for adults, and play room, reading corner, and a secure outdoor playground for children. Best rates on official website start at US$68.