We booked a tour via Viator before leaving home. Were picked up at the cruise terminal and taken into town where we got into our Tuktuk and had a tour of the city. The Tuktuk guide was a lovely young chap who went out of his way to make sure we enjoyed ourselves. Loved this city, it is so busy, vibrant and interesting. Not usually a temple/church person, but these ones were really interesting. We were there exactly 2 weeks prior to the awful bombing attack at Easter, so feel very sorry for the people affected and also those trying to earn a living in this place. Lots of sad sights of disabled people begging and a lot of poverty, but most people had a big smile and were lovely. Read Less

We took the Galle tour which was interesting . Now seen it wouldn't bother going back . Read Less

Traffic was terrible so we only got to see a Buddhist temple, a Hindu temple and Independence Hall. Read Less

Sites were wonderful but the guide took us on a walking tour when the tour description didnt state that walking for 2 hours was to happen. Very crowded spots and unsafe for tourists. Read Less

took excursion with celebrity to the tea plantation. good comentary on the bus, thought it was a good trip as different to a beach trip but typical of SirLanca. Enjoyed the tea factory and walking in the bungalow grounds Read Less

Take a tour with a local firm. Read Less

We used Tours by Locals again and drove to Galle where our guide met us. We walked around the fort and learned some of the history of the area. We then visited a home in the hills where the owner cooked us a delicious meal, 4 vegetarian curries, washed down with the local beer. Read Less

We booked a private tour with Blue Lanka tours and spent several hours touring the city. Although larger than other stops, Colombo is not as interesting a city. Of course we went to temples(!). Our first stop was at the Red Mosque, a magnificent building where we clearly were not welcome. The Gangararma Temple is fascinating, beautiful, but be forewarned. There are multiple buildings, and if you're not careful you will find yourself touring every building that stores the countless gifts given to the temple, including machine guns and rocket shells. In driving around Colombo you will be limited in what you can see, in that most of the larger, older houses and buildings are behind walls. All in all, I would say that your Colombo stop might be better enjoyed if you go out of the city or have a very targeted location or theme (shopping, food, culture). Read Less

The ship docked within walking distance of the town and there was shopping available right at the port. We walked around the marketplace and I ended up buying something to wrap around my legs because I noticed none of the local women were showing their. Read Less

went to a resort at a beach Read Less

Interesting city tour with Buddhist & Hindu temples & lots in between Read Less

Tea plantation was excellent except there was a comb of 30 uneven steps to climb up and down Read Less

This city was clean and well ordered, such a welcome contrast after Goa Read Less

took a ship tour to the tea plantation , 4 hours on the coach and a rushed 2 hour tour. Read Less

Waited an hour for the guide. Some guests were text with an alternative meeting place, whilst we were left standing for an hour in searing heat. Filthy bus, miserable guide, who only took us to places where he was looking for a personal commission. At the end of the trip, he asked us to tip the driver, who stood at the door with his hand out for money. Awful. Read Less

Shuttle into town. Then took Turk Turk to visit visit various temples etc. Day 2 visited museum Read Less

did tour to Tea Plantation -recommended by friends. worth the 2 hour trip to get there. Read Less

Viking took great care of us - transportation to the hospital and have a a port agent check on us each day we were there. They provided transportation to the airport when we were discharged from the hospital. Read Less

We did the elephant orphanage tour, the original one we had booked to Galle did not go ahead, we were extremely dissapointed. It is worth going on a trip through the villages to see how the people live. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka is very beautiful and we did not see this on the tour. Read Less

A fascinating city which would repay a longer stay. We were only able to scrape the surface. Read Less

Poor excursion didn't show or see much of Columbo Read Less

To long sitting on the bus to visit the temple and have lunch Read Less

Horrible excursion, bus to museums and of cause a jewellery shop. Read Less

Only shopped at the port stalls,did not go into town. Tours didn't impress. Have been there before Read Less

Nice trip on a houseboat through lovely lake Read Less