Travelling to Jaffna from Colombo by road will take a minimum of 8-9 hours. This is including the time that you have to spend at the road blocks. The first check point by the Sri Lanka army is at Omantai, between 192 and 193 Km posts on A9 road, and then the LTTE check point.

Palmyrah palm trees are grown here and stand against the dry climate producing their characteristic red skinned fruits. All parts of this tree are used by man, much as the coconut tree is in other parts of the island. The Palmyrah tree symbolizes the north.

Jaffna town offers many facilities, including IDD phone calls and Internet facilities. There is an Information Technology Park which includes an IT training centre for children and IT Library. There are many private dispensaries and the Base Hospital in Jaffna town. Many guest houses, restaurants and hotels could be found.

Out of six islands Kayts, Mandativu and Punkuduthivu are joined to each other and with the peninsula by long causeways. Hammenhiel Fort is between Kayts and Karaitivu islands. Boat services are available from Punkudativu to Nainativu and Delft. Karaitivu island is joined to the main island by a causeway. Karainagar town is here and the popular beach Casuarina is at the north.

Nainativu
Better known to Buddhists as Nagadipa, the island has a Buddhist temple known as Nagadipa Raja Maha Viharaya, which is visited by Buddhist devotees from all over the island. Tradition has it that the Buddha visited this spot to settle a dispute between the two Naga Kings Mahodara and Chulodara over a gem-set throne.

Naga Pooshani Ambal temple is visited by the followers of Goddess Ambal Devi, who worship here seeking blessings. Many parents bring their new-born babies here for blessings.

Nallur Kandasamy Kovil
The premier place of Hindu worship in Jaffna, this Kovil is characterized by a golden arch and elaborate gopuram. The original temple said to have been built by the Tamil Kings was destroyed by the Portuguese and the present building of the Kovil dates back to the 18th century.

Keerimalai
Renowned for its freshwater spring, the place also offers some beautiful corals on the seashore. Nearby in the vicinity lies the Naguleshvaram Kovil with an old gopuram decorated with some very unusual themes. People believe that the spring water contains a healing power.

Nilavarai
The site of a large square well of unknown depth said by tradition to have been formed from an arrow shot by Hanuman to satisfy the thirst of Sita.

Dutch Fort
The Dutch Fort comprises of five bastions, a church and the official residence of the governor, besides a few store houses.

Kantarodai
Purana Raja Maha Viharaya
Near Chunnakkam there are 60 mini dagobas in different sizes varying up to about 4 m. These dagobas are made out of coral. Buddhists visit here to see these ruins.