Making the most of Trincomalee
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships use tenders at this port.
Trincomalee, or ‘Trinco’, is an east-coast Sri Lankan port town with about 100,000 residents. Built on a peninsula, it has an inner deep-water harbour for anchorage on one side—the fifth largest in the world—and white beaches along the Indian Ocean on the other.
High on Swami Rock's promontory above the sea stands the famed Koneswaram temple. The Portuguese destroyed it in 1624, after which Fort Frederick was built on the original shrine's foundations. Both the historic fort and the renovated temple, immediately beyond it, can now be visited. Trincomalee's picturesque beaches also offer opportunities for sunbathing, swimming or snorkelling.
Getting around
Because Trincomalee is very compact, walking works well for seeing the town. For journeys farther afield, rickshaws can be found on nearly every corner.
Nearby places
Close by are the renowned Hindu Koneswaram temple and its bell tower, alongside various Buddhist historical sites. The seven hot springs lie just outside town.
A snorkelling trip to Pigeon Island is a must, with local boats offering return travel for about US$30. Snorkelling gives access to abundant sea life, although local people sadly do not respect the coral. Take great care while snorkelling: some areas are very deep, reaching up to a thousand metres in depth.
Food and shopping
Seek out pottery, lacework, batik and other locally made handicrafts.
Money
Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan Rupee, with approximate exchange rates of 110Rs/ USD or 170Rs/ EUR.
ATMs are widespread in cities and suburbs, especially at bank branches, but are less common in the countryside.
Staying connected
Across Sri Lanka, Sinhala, Tamil and English are widely spoken; remote villages may use only Sinhala or only Tamil.
Opening Hours and
Shopping hours are Mon-Fri 0900-1730 and Sat 0900-1300.