Taxi in Sigiriya

Getting to and from Sigiriya

This is the dry zone, and the roads show it: flat, straight and considerably faster than anything in the hills. The run up from Colombo is long but easy, and the section through the Cultural Triangle between Dambulla, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa is some of the most comfortable driving on the island. Elephants cross the roads around the reservoirs at dusk, which is a genuine reason not to plan a late arrival.

Arranging a pickup

The hotels are scattered across a wide area of scrub rather than gathered in a town, and several are a long way down unsealed side tracks, so the name of the property matters more here than anywhere else on the island. Most people visit the rock at first light and want a driver waiting afterwards rather than a fresh booking.