Jaffna District is the northernmost region of Sri Lanka, and one of the oldest inhabited places on the island. It is populated mainly by Tamil speaking people. The district encompasses Jaffna and its outlying towns, and the quirky and unique islands surrounding it. It is separated from India by the Palk Strait and the Bay of Bengal.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The modern city of Jaffna was founded by the Portuguese in 1621, near Nallur, the capital of the Jaffna Kingdom which they defeated two years previously. Today, Nallur is a suburb of Jaffna, and the home of its most famous kovil (temple), the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil. Before the Sri Lankan Civil War (1983-2009) Jaffna was the second biggest city in Sri Lanka, but now it is only the 12th biggest, owing to the destruction, loss of life, and emigration that resulted from the conflict. The civil war also changed the demographic make-up of the city. Before the war, the population was evenly split between Tamils and Sinhalese, but the Sinhalese fled during the rise of the Tamil Tigers.
Once in Jaffna, there are several modes of transport. The area is rather spread out, so having your own transport is best. These three-wheelers are the quickest and probably the cheapest way to get around. A rule of thumb is Rs 100 per km. Jaffna has a public bus system, however no information about it exists online in English. There are private hire minivans, a good option if you need transportation for the whole day. The locals get around on cycles and mopeds. Some say cycling is not safe with the number of dogs on the street. Scooters can be rented for Rs 2000 and up per day, Rs 750 and up per day for a bicycle.
1 Nallur Kandaswamy temple. 07:30-18:15 daily, closed between 12:00-15:00. Beautiful and famous Hindu temple. Come at sunset when the orange coloured temple building is at its most vibrant. Photography is not allowed inside. Free. (updated Apr 2015) 2 Thondaimanaru Selva Sannithi Temple (Selvach Sannithi Murugan Kovil). (updated Apr 2015) 3 Nagapoosani Temple (On Nainatheevu island). Hindu pilgrimage destination. One of 64 Shaktipeethas (shrines devoted to the worship of the Hindu Goddess Parvati). The only other one in Sri Lanka is Shankari Kovil in Trincomalee. Has its own boat jetty. Free. (updated Apr 2015) 4 Nagadeepa Purana Viharaya (On Nainatheevu island).
There isn't a lot to do in Jaffna unless you arrive at festival times. Nallur Kovil Thiruvizha (festival) is the biggest event in the Jaffna calendar when all the faithful come home to pray. Nallur Kovil Thaer Thiruvizha (Chariot Festival): is one of the biggest festivals in Jaffna at the greatest temples in Sri Lanka. This is a feast for the senses while the faithful are praying and the chariot is being pulled through the temple grounds. This is the highlight of the months-long annual Nallur festival, in July and August. Thai-Pongal (harvest festival): every January 14th the harvest is celebrated with fireworks and celebrations all through the day and night.
Jaffna has a unique cuisine, famous for its savory treats such as Wade (වඩේ- pronounced as wah-dei) and Dhal wade which is an appetiser in Indian Cuisine. Jaffna Kool (கூழ்) is a spicy, complex seafood soup thickened with palmyra and is probably the most famous dish to come from Jaffna. It is basically impossible to find elsewhere in the country so do try it while you're here. The Sri Lankan dessert curd and treacle is given a unique twist up north. Unlike the kithul or coconut treacle common in the rest of Sri Lanka, up north they use earthy, sweet treacle from the palmyra palm, the official tree of the province. 1 Akshathai/Nila (Akshathai), 60 Stanley Rd, ☏ +94 212219946.
Do not drink tap water. The local brew is toddy, from the coconut or the palmyrah tree. Toddy from the palmyrah tree is sweeter. You can buy Nelli (Indian Gooseberry) cordial which has a bittersweet flavour. This district has a crazy proliferation of fresh juice stalls, even by Sri Lankan standards! Try 7 Juice Spot. 08:30-20:30 daily. (updated Jun 2025) There is very little nightlife in Jaffna. Your options are to buy some beers and drink them either at your accommodation,or outside the beer shop with a bunch of drunk old men (not recommended).
Landmines from the civil war might still exist in some places. When walking along the beaches, beware of jellyfish which usually wash up on the beach at dawn. Do not go swimming beyond the floating styrofoam markers.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Nov, Jaffna typically sees ~29°C daytime highs and 26 rainy days.
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