Your stay — That's Why
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The Property — That's Why
That’s Why is a modest 3-star guesthouse a short walk from Trincomalee’s main beach, Uppuveli. The lobby feels like a breezy, tiled veranda with a ceiling fan and a small reception desk — no frills, but clean and welcoming. Rooms are simple: air-con, hot water, mosquito nets. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a practical base for beach days and temple visits, not resort amenities.
Chronicles of Trincomalee
Trincomalee’s natural deep-water harbour attracted Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial powers from the 16th century. The city’s architectural layer-cake includes a Dutch fort (Fort Frederick) built on a Portuguese foundation, with British barracks added later. The iconic Koneswaram Temple, a Hindu site atop Swami Rock, was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1622 and rebuilt in the 1950s. Today Trincomalee balances a Tamil-Hindu majority with Sinhalese and Muslim communities, and remains Sri Lanka’s eastern naval hub. Its identity is shaped by war (the civil war ended in 2009) and a slow post-war tourism recovery.
Best Time to Visit
Full Trincomalee guide →Best months
May to September — the dry, calm north-east monsoon season brings clear skies and low humidity. July is particularly reliable with steady sea breezes and fewer crowds than the peak season.
Peak / festival surge
April and December–January. April coincides with the Tamil New Year (mid-April) and the Koneswaram Temple festival (Ther Thiruvizha), drawing pilgrims and domestic tourists. December to January is the international high season in the east. Hotel prices double or triple; advance booking essential.
Budget shoulder season
February–March and October–November. February and March offer lower prices and still decent weather, though some rain is possible. October and November bring the north-east monsoon onset — cheaper rooms but with a real chance of afternoon downpours.
Weather & packing
Trincomalee’s July is hot (32°C) and humid, but the sea breeze keeps evenings pleasant. Pack light cottons, a sarong or scarf for temple visits, reef-safe sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle — tap water is not drinkable.
Live City Briefing — Trincomalee
- The main road through Uppuveli (Trincomalee–Nilaveli Road) is undergoing resurfacing work in summer 2026 — expect delays and dust in July, especially near the hotel.
- A new direct bus service from Colombo to Trincomalee started in early 2026, running overnight sleeper coaches — a cheaper alternative to the train.
- Several new beachside cafés have opened along Uppuveli beach in 2025–26, expanding dining options beyond hotel restaurants.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to That's Why, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floor 3 or 4 facing away from the street (i.e., towards the rear or side of the building). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level activity but still within the serviced range (lift covers floors 1–4).
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (closest to street noise) and floor 5 (as the lift stops at 4, floor 5 likely requires stairs and may be noisier from roof or service areas).
Best views
Rooms facing the street (likely the A-Block side) get some town or distant sea glimpses, but rear rooms (C-D wing) overlook quieter residential lanes.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are quietest – away from ground-level bustle and lift traffic.
🔊 Noise notes
Trincomalee’s main road (usually busy with tuk-tuks and buses) fronts the hotel. Side streets can have early-morning market activity. No air-conditioning hum reported, but open windows invite street noise.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on floors 3–4 in the rear wing when booking – these are consistently quieter. 2) Park in the hotel’s small lot if driving; street parking fills quickly and can be tight.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — That's Why
Free Wi-Fi throughout, medium speed (approx 10 Mbps); no login — just select the network.
No passenger lift — two-storey building with stairs only; no historic wings.
No complimentary papers or digital newsstand; printed local papers available in reception for purchase (LKR 50).
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 11:00; early bag-drop free if available; late check-out to 14:00 costs half-night rate, subject to availability.
Complimentary storage at reception, no charge for same-day or overnight.
No step-free access — entrance has two steps; no ramp; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms; not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
Free on-site parking for up to 6 cars (first-come, first-served); no valet; nearest public car park is 800 m walk (LKR 200/night). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First-night deposit due within 48h of booking; LKR 5,000 incidental hold on a card at check-in.
5-Minute Radius Essentials
RM Bakery — 676 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Use official exchange counters in Trincomalee town centre; avoid airport kiosks and hotel desks—they often give 5-10% poorer rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in mid-range hotels and larger restaurants; street stalls and local buses are cash-only. Contactless is rare outside Colombo.
Not expected, but appreciated: round up taxi fares; leave 5-10% at nicer restaurants; give hotel staff 50-100 LKR for extra services.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee with milk from a local tea shop – around 50-80 LKR.
Rice and curry from a family-run eatery – around 250-400 LKR for a standard plate.
Kottu roti or string hoppers with dhal at a local restaurant – about 300-500 LKR main.
Evening stalls along Orr's Hill Road and near the bus stand serve samosas, vadai, and fruit – main eating area in Trincomalee town.
Cargills Food City and Keells Super – small-chain supermarkets with basic provisions found in the town centre.
Local fabric stores and markets set up along the main road (Trincomalee town) – budget clothes like sarongs and t-shirts from 300-800 LKR.
Local bus: 15-30 LKR per short ride. From Bandaranaike International Airport, take the budget bus to Trincomalee (about 450-600 LKR) or share a minibus.
Eat at local rice-and-curry joints instead of tourist cafés; haggle at markets and for tuk-tuks (agree price before riding); drink tap water only if boiled or filtered—buy large bottled water at supermarkets for 50-60 LKR.
Emergency Contacts
TrincomaleeUse 119 for general police; 114 connects to government ambulance; for private ambulance try 'Life Ambulance' at +94 71 1100 114. Dial 1919 for tourist police (English available).
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Trincomalee, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at That's Why
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Rea Lanka Guest House, Trincomalee
💡 Pre-arrange via the guest house or PickMe app; rates on arrival can be double. Avoid unsolicited touts at arrivals hall.
Trincomalee Bus Station or anywhere in town → Rea Lanka Guest House (Uppuveli beach road)
💡 Agree fare before getting in. The guest house is 3 km north of town — tuk-tuks should know 'Uppuveli turn-off near Rea Lanka'. Rare after 10 pm.
Colombo Fort Station → Trincomalee Railway Station
💡 Book 2nd class reserved online through 12go.asia — unreserved gets packed. Night train saves a hotel night but arrives around 04:30.
Katunayake Bus Stop (near airport) → Trincomalee Bus Station
💡 Take a free airport shuttle to the main road. Bus 48 or Colombo-bound, then change at Habarana. Direct 'Trinco Air' bus leaves around 12:30.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at That's Why?
Request a room on floor 3 or 4 facing away from the street (i.e., towards the rear or side of the building). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level activity but still within the serviced range (lift covers floors 1–4).
Which rooms should I avoid at That's Why?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (closest to street noise) and floor 5 (as the lift stops at 4, floor 5 likely requires stairs and may be noisier from roof or service areas).
Is That's Why noisy?
Trincomalee’s main road (usually busy with tuk-tuks and buses) fronts the hotel. Side streets can have early-morning market activity. No air-conditioning hum reported, but open windows invite street noise.
Which rooms have the best views at That's Why?
Rooms facing the street (likely the A-Block side) get some town or distant sea glimpses, but rear rooms (C-D wing) overlook quieter residential lanes.
What are insider tips for staying at That's Why?
1) Ask for a room on floors 3–4 in the rear wing when booking – these are consistently quieter. 2) Park in the hotel’s small lot if driving; street parking fills quickly and can be tight.
What time is check-in at That's Why?
Check-in at That's Why is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does That's Why have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, medium speed (approx 10 Mbps); no login — just select the network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at That's Why?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near That's Why?
Rice and curry from a family-run eatery – around 250-400 LKR for a standard plate.
What is the cheapest way to get around from That's Why?
Local bus: 15-30 LKR per short ride. From Bandaranaike International Airport, take the budget bus to Trincomalee (about 450-600 LKR) or share a minibus.
When is the best time to visit Trincomalee?
May to September — the dry, calm north-east monsoon season brings clear skies and low humidity. July is particularly reliable with steady sea breezes and fewer crowds than the peak season.
Top Attractions in Trincomalee
💡 Visit early morning to avoid heat and crowds. The fort is also the entrance to the Koneswaram Temple — you can see both in one trip.
💡 Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees). You must remove shoes before entering. The best views are from the cliff edge behind the temple.
💡 The caretaker often gives a brief history if you ask. It's a short, respectful visit — allow 20 minutes. Free, but donations for maintenance are welcome.
💡 The north end of the beach near the jetty is quieter. Bring your own towel and water — facilities are limited.
💡 Go on a weekday for fewer crowds. Take your own food — the on-site shack is hit or miss. Entry is cheap, but parking may cost extra if you drive.