Trincomalee, fondly known as Trinco to locals, is an up and coming tourist destination known for whale watching and some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka.
Located in the north east, Trincomalee hasn’t developed the infrastructure of the south, like large hotel complexes, resorts and for a better word mass tourism. Instead, family run Trincomalee guest houses welcome tourists into genuine Sri Lankan experiences alongside a growing selection of Trincomalee beach hotels.
Popular areas include Uppuveli Beach, Nilaveli Beach and the more local Trincomalee Town. After exploring each of these places to stay, we share the best area to visit and the best Trinco hotels to help you book the perfect accommodation in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.
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Summary Of The Best Places To Stay In Trincomalee
- Best For Families: Nilaveli Beach Resort (Nilaveli)
- Best For Solo Travellers: The White House (Uppuveli)
- Best For Couples: Hotel Coral Bay (Nilaveli) or Uppuveli Beach by DSK
- Best Luxury Option: Uga Jungle Beach (North Nilaveli)
- Best For Backpackers: Breeze Guesthouse (Uppuveli)
Where To Stay In Trincomalee?
The area of Trincomalee extends further than Trinco town itself. It includes the smaller areas of Uppuveli and Niliveli, both beachfront towns with lots to offer to visitors and excellent places to stay.
Uppuveli Beach
The most popular area to stay in is Uppuveli, here you will find plenty of cheap places to stay in Trincomalee including local guesthouses and a few beachfront hotels. We chose to stay here due to the proximity to the beach as well as lots of restaurants and amenities for tourists. If you stay here don’t forget to check out Fernando’s Bar and Rice ‘n’ Curry which serve the best kottu in Sri Lanka!
Nilaveli Beach
A close second is Nilaveli Beach, this felt more up and coming to us but also had a few more family resorts and larger Trinco hotels. There’s a great swimming beach here with lifeguards and a short boat ride will see you snorkelling around Pigeon Island National Park.
Trincomalee Town
The final area is Trincomalee Town, this is the epitome of hectic Asia. If you’re looking for a true local experience you’re sure to find it here. Honking tuk tuks fly by, bustling market stalls come alive each morning plus you’ll be close to some of Trincomalee’s best attractions, such as Lover’s Leap and the town beach which has roaming deer.
If you’re looking for somewhere completely secluded, a little further north is Uga Jungle Beach, a resort with a private beach area nestled into the green undergrowth of tropical plants.
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Uppuveli Beach – Best Area To Stay In Trincomalee For All Travellers
Cheap Places To Stay In Uppuveli, Trincomalee $
Breeze Guesthouse – Best Place In Uppuveli For Backpackers
We chose to stay at Breeze Guest House in Uppuveli when visiting Trincomalee and found it was the perfect budget friendly choice. Our room was spacious with a fan, mosquito net and large bathroom.
We also had access to a communal kitchen where we cooked our breakfast each morning. The hosts were super friendly and helped plan out day trips, plus there was secure parking for our tuktuk. This is a great pick if you’re on a budget, and it’s only 2-minutes away from the beach!
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Hilton Cottage – Budget Friendly For Couples & Backpackers
Hilton Cottage is a charming, budget-friendly guesthouse located just a short stroll from Uppuveli Beach. It offers large, well-kept rooms with private bathrooms, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. We love the look of the garden setting and homemade breakfast (some of the best Sri Lankan food we had were the homemade breakfasts from our homestays).
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The White House – Best Place In Uppuveli For Solo Travellers
If you’re a solo traveller then we’d recommend checking out The White House. Close to the beach this small guesthouse offers a dorm, which would be perfect for meeting other travellers. The owner, Rangan is also a snorkelling guide meaning you can arrange tours directly though your accommodation.
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Mid-Range Hotels In Uppuveli $$
Lobster Inn – Onsite Seafood Restaurant
Lobster Inn is a friendly, laid-back guesthouse just minutes from Uppuveli Beach. Known for its relaxed vibe and great seafood, it offers clean, comfortable rooms and an on-site restaurant.
The guesthouse has a small garden making it a peaceful setting and the option to choose a room with AC, which is sometimes a lifesaver in Sri Lanka’s humidity.
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Blue Wings Beach Hotel – Mid-Range Uppuveli Hotel
Blue Wings Beach Hotel sits right on the beachfront in Uppuveli, offering stunning sea views and direct beach access. Rooms are modern and airy, with balconies and AC, making it a popular mid-range choice.
The on-site restaurant, friendly service, and unbeatable location make it ideal for couples and families looking for accommodation in Trincomalee.
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Luxury Uppuveli Hotels $$$
Uppuveli Beach by DSK – Luxury Hotel In Uppuveli
Uppuveli Beach by DSK offers clean, modern rooms just steps from the sand. The amenities here look incredible, with some villas having private plunge pools, a large infinity pool, gym and bicycles to get around.
You get the 5 star treatment here with cool flannels on arrival, fast WiFi, bathrobes and onsite restaurant that serves fine dining!
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Swiss Kiss Beach Resort – Rustic Trinco Hotel
Swiss Kiss Beach Resort is a beachfront hotel with rustic rooms. Think morning coffee with your feet in the sand, hammocks under palm trees, and fresh seafood at the beachside bar.
The welcome here is super warm, although we found this to be true for the whole of Sri Lanka! This is the perfect choice for a relaxed stay with a hint of luxury.
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Amaranthe Bay Resort & Spa – Best Luxury Hotel in Uppuveli
This place is pure riverside luxury! Amaranthe Bay has massive suites with jacuzzis, huge glass windows, and private balconies that open out to palm-fringed water views. The pool is dreamy, the spa offers bliss, and the cocktails come chilled right to your lounger.
It’s peaceful, romantic, and polished, perfect if you want luxury vibes without being in a packed resort. It is set back from the town, around 5 minutes to Uppuveli by tuk tuk, but this promises a quiet stay!
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Trinco Blu by Cinnamon $$$ – Luxury Trincomalee Hotel
A 4 star hotel with amenities to match! There is a large fresh water swimming pool, spa and private beach area. With two restaurant options, The Crab for fresh seafood and Captain’s Desk for Asian dishes you will be spoilt for choice in the evenings. These restaurants alone make it one of the top Trincomalee beach hotels.
For true luxury from Colombo take a Cinnamon Air Flight to Trincomalee before heading to the hotel which is also a dive centre offering watersports, dives and fishing.
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Nilaveli Beach – Best Area To Stay For Families Visiting Trincomalee
Budget Places To Stay In Nilaveli $
Pranu House – Budget Stay In Nilaveli
Pranu House is a cosy, family-run guesthouse just a short stroll from Nilaveli Beach. The rooms are simple, with plenty of natural light and a relaxed vibe. Expect friendly hosts who go out of their way to make you feel at home plus, it’s a great base for exploring nearby Pigeon Island.
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Vibushan Guest House – Local Feel In Nilaveli
Vibushan Guest House is a laid-back paradise nestled in lush gardens just a quick walk from Nilaveli Beach. It’s the kind of place where you wake up to birdsong, sip fresh coffee on the porch, and plan your day’s snorkelling adventure with a host who treats you like family. The perfect budget choice of accommodation in Nilaveli.
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Mid-Range Hotels In Nilaveli $$
Nilaveli Beach Resort – Perfect Trinco Hotel For Families
Nilaveli Beach Resort is a charming, beachfront retreat with cosy rooms that open onto tropical gardens or sea views. There is a pool perfect for cooling off after a day of beach fun. This is a perfect place for Families due to the friendly staff, easy beach access, and on-site restaurant serving fresh local dishes.
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Hotel Coral Bay – Family Friendly Hotel In Nilaveli
The pool here sells it for us! A large pool overlooks the Indian Ocean with a few sun lunges shaded by tropical palm leaves. The rooms are spacious with the all important air-conditioning plus they offer family rooms.
There is an onsite restaurant that is lit up by fairy lights into the evening creating a cosy & romantic dining experience. Hotel Coral Bay also has its own private beach area making this Trinco Hotel great value for money.
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Luxury Hotels In Nilaveli $$$
Uga Jungle Beach – 5 Star Resort Near Trincomalee
Uga Jungle Beach is a hidden sanctuary where the jungle meets the sea in pure luxury. Picture waking up in your private villa surrounded by dense tropical foliage, stepping onto your own deck to breathe in the fresh sea breeze.
This 5 star hotel in Trincomalee offers a boutique vibe which means personalised service, with a secluded infinity pool, indulgent spa treatments, and yoga sessions, it’s a dream getaway hotel in Trincomalee.
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Trincomalee Town – Local Area To Stay
WoodyCrest $ – Cheap Place To Stay In Trincomalee
WoodyCrest is a friendly, no-fuss guesthouse right in the heart of Trincomalee Town. The rooms are clean and simple, with all the basics covered. It is perfect if you want to explore local markets, temples, and city life without splurging on beachside resorts.
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Pearl Oceanic Resort $$ – Mid-Range Hotel In Trincomalee
Pearl Oceanic Resort strikes the perfect balance between comfort and convenience, sitting near the town’s Dutch Bay with easy beach access. With bright rooms, a refreshing pool, and a cosy restaurant serving local favorites, it’s a great option if you want to be in the heart of Trincomalee.
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Final Thoughts On Where To Stay In Trincomalee
Trincomalee isn’t short of accommodation options, meaning you can find a Trinco hotel perfect for you. As backpackers we’d recommend staying in Uppuveli, this means you will be close to the beach and surrounded by restaurants and bars.
If you’re looking for luxury we love the look of Uga Jungle Beach, the yoga, natural vibe is definitely something that attracts us, although after experiencing our Cinnamon Air flight we wouldn’t say no to Trinco Blu!
🗺️ Your Ultimate Sri Lanka Map
On our way, we created a Google Pinned Map with all the places we visited in Sri Lanka. Grab your Pinned Map today and start planning your adventure!
