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Sri-LankaDescription and is it worth a visit
Kanniya Hot Water Springs are not hot springs in the traditional sense of most tourists, since for locals it is a sacred place, and not just hot Healing Springs. Therefore, if you think to come here and fix your health-forget it.
The springs are a platform on which there are seven square wells with healing water. In the water here you do not swim, but you need to scoop it with buckets and pour it on yourself. Moreover, usually no one washes entirely here, but are limited to rinsing hands, feet, and head. But theoretically, you can wash completely, for which there is a locker room and a shower.
For the locals, this place is sacred and almost like a temple. In addition to being a religious site, it is also a historical landmark under the protection of the state. It is believed that the wells were built during the heyday of the kingdom of Anuradhapura (from 377 BC to 1017 ad), and were located on the territory of a Buddhist monastery, the ruins of which are located on the territory next to the Wells. There is also a small functioning temple.
It is always crowded, and if you want to avoid crowding, you should come almost before dark. There are no questions with the fact that tourists bathe in the springs: you can safely go to the site, you will probably even be helped to get water from the well by one of the locals, everyone is very friendly.
If you decide to wash with water completely, it is best to wrap a sheet and a large towel over the bathing suit,and so pour. Also, you can not use soap or shampoos, and take pictures while at the sources.
🕐 Working hours
From 07:00 to 19:00, seven days a week.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price
Access to sources is paid, 50 rupees for foreigners (0.15 USD, see currency of Sri Lanka), 10 for local. After payment, you can stay on the territory as much as you like.
🚶 How to get there
The springs are 8 kilometers from the center of Trincomalee, 6 from Upuveli and 15 from Nilaveli (sources on the map). You can get here by taxi, rented transport, or with an excursion. For transport there is a huge free parking, but if you do not want to leave it unattended, you can put it under supervision next to the shopping malls for 40 rupees. Further from the parking lot through the shopping malls you need to go to the ticket office, and after purchasing a ticket go to the territory. Before the wells themselves, you will still need to walk along the pedestrian alley.