How to Find Calm Amidst the Chaos in Colombo, Sri Lanka

How to Find Calm Amidst the Chaos in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Colombo is not as hectic as other Asian capitals, but it is still a busy working city. Here are five ways to find calm in the chaos at any time of day

Home to nearly six million people, Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city in Sri Lanka. There is no subway or tram system, so there is no escape from the rumbling buses, tuk-tuks and tinted cars that clog the wide boulevards.

As a launching pad for excursions further afield in Sri Lanka, Colombo enjoys a steady flow of visitors throughout the year, in part due to its ease of entry. The Sri Lanka visa is generally accessible and can be applied for online using the Sri Lanka visa application form.

In stark contrast to the rolling hills, tranquil tea plantations and picturesque beaches that define Sri Lanka, Colombo can feel like an invasive thorn in an otherwise tranquil landscape.

However, the capital is no longer just a sprawling city to endure on your way to the southern beaches. There are a number of interesting and quirky things to do in Colombo that are worth a stay. Finding a quiet corner can be a bit of a challenge, but it is possible. Here's how.

Check in early

Taru Villas – Lake Lodge is part of a chain of boutique hotels in Sri Lanka and is the ideal place to start your Sri Lanka odyssey. Unlike many Colombo hotels, it is within walking distance of the best things to do in Colombo, yet still manages to provide a touch of tranquility in the city's busy surroundings.

The boutique bed and breakfast offers a selection of Sri Lankan dishes not to be missed, including a signature breakfast that is an excellent start to your stay.

The food was so good that we ate almost all of our meals at the hotel. More importantly, Kia, who grew up on richly spiced Bangladeshi food, declared the dahl the best she's ever had.

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Morning meditation

The Seema Malakaya Meditation Center is one of Colombo's most photographed attractions. Located on an island on the east side of the lake, it's easy to see why. The small but charming meditation center was designed by Geoffrey Bawa in 1985 and is operated by the nearby Gangaramaya Temple.

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The temple is built on three overwater platforms connected by pontoon walkways, but it is used primarily for meditation and rest rather than worship. Seema Malaka, like all Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, is open to people of all faiths and offers an ideal place to unwind from the surrounding streets of Colombo.

afternoon tea

Upscale tea rooms are booming in Colombo and T-Lounge – a product of Sri Lanka's top tea producer Dilmah – is our favorite. In addition to the popular Old Dutch Hospital, the T-Lounge offers a fine selection of traditional and modern fine tea blends.

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The interior walls are lined with books about Sri Lanka and (no surprises) tea. The menu also includes a selection of delicious snacks, including crepes, cakes and sandwiches.

Evening walk

Galle Face Green is a long grassy area with a promenade that stretches along the Colombo seafront. The area was originally cleared by the Dutch to give their cannons a clear line of fire. Today it offers the perfect place to watch the sunset.

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On weekends, the grass on the beach is bustling with locals: families enjoying a day trip, couples courting on leisurely strolls, joggers dodging crowds, and food vendors in droves.

Another breather

I'm not exactly known for my love of spa treatments (I'm more at home on a sleeping pad than a yoga mat). However, Sri Lanka is home to Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine and therapies designed to heal and rejuvenate the body and soul. It is widely practiced in Sri Lanka to treat a range of illnesses and attracts visitors from around the world, often spending weeks in a clinic.

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Spa Ceylon is one of the more luxurious and popular Ayurvedic spa chains, with a range of clinics close to selected Colombo accommodation - an excellent final stop to relieve any tension built up in the city.

Colombo in Sri Lanka: the essentials

What: Find calm amidst the chaos in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Where: We stayed at Taru Villas – Lake Lodge, a boutique hotel with 12 stylish double rooms and a garden suite. Located just a short tuk-tuk ride from the city center, Lake Lodge is adjacent to a makeshift cricket pitch and Lake Beira.

We arrived in Dubai at 1am after an agonizingly long layover and received a warm welcome and a cold drink from Seelan and Raj. Seelan looked after us for the duration of our three day stay and provided a rare personal service.

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Our room was clean and comfortable. The piece de resistance, however, was the restaurant. Lake Lodge offered the best food we had in Sri Lanka. Don't miss the rice curry option, served with plenty of paddy rice, an eggplant curry, breadfruit curry, beetroot curry, papadums, sambols, a fish dish and the best dahl we've ever tasted. There was so much food that they had to block the aisle with an extra table for us! Highly recommended.

When: The best time to visit Colombo is January to March, when the city is mostly sunny. With April comes the monsoon season. June to September are the wettest months but still sunny. In November, the weather becomes hot and humid, but it is still a good time to visit, especially for Diwali celebrations.

How: We took a transfer from Bandaranaike International Airport to Lake Lodge (did we mention it was 1am?). Kangaroo Cabs is a reputable taxi company and has deals starting from 1750 LKR (12 USD) from the airport to Colombo.

You can take the public bus (number 187-E3) from the airport to Colombo Central Bus Station. Note that we found public bus travel in Sri Lanka to be quite stressful.

You can also take a train from Katunayaka Station to Fort Station in central Colombo. You need to take the airport shuttle to the bus station and then a tuk tuk to Katunayaka. Trains run approximately once an hour and take an hour to reach Fort.

Most international flights land at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Book via Skyscanner for the best prices.

We flew with Sri Lanka Airlines and since we had a long drive to the airport and then a long flight to Myanmar, we used the Serendib Lounge at the departure gate and popped in for a few drinks and a snack.

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