Most tourists to Sri Lanka concentrate in a few regions (by type of trip) rather than one single city. Common bases are:

Main regions and towns

• Colombo — the capital and main international gateway. Many stay 1–2 nights on arrival/departure for convenience, shopping and city sights.
• Negombo — near Bandaranaike Airport; very popular for first/last nights and beach hotels.
• Galle & Unawatuna — southern coast’s main tourist hub: colonial Galle Fort, many boutique hotels and beach stays.
• Mirissa & Weligama — south-coast beaches, whale-watching (Mirissa) and surf-friendly Weligama.
• Bentota & Beruwala — west/southwest beach resorts and water sports.
• Kandy — hill-country cultural centre (Temple of the Tooth); many guests base here for cultural sites.
• Nuwara Eliya & Ella — central highlands for tea-plantation scenery, hiking and cooler climate; Ella is small but very popular with backpackers.
• Sigiriya / Dambulla / Habarana — the “Cultural Triangle” base for Sigiriya rock, Polonnaruwa, ancient temples and safari-style lodges.
• Trincomalee / Nilaveli / Uppuveli — northeast beaches and diving spots (seasonal crowds).
• Arugam Bay — east-coast surf hub (seasonal).

Types of accommodation tourists use

• Beach resorts (all-inclusive and luxury) on the south and west coasts.
• Boutique hotels and guesthouses in Galle Fort and Kandy.
• Homestays and small guesthouses in hill country and rural areas.
• Eco-lodges and jungle/safari camps near national parks (Yala, Wilpattu, Minneriya).
• Hostels and budget guesthouses — common in Ella, Mirissa, and Colombo for backpackers.

How visitors typically plan stays

• Many do a loop: Colombo/Negombo → Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya/Dambulla) → Kandy → Nuwara Eliya/Ella → south coast (Galle/Mirissa) → Colombo.
• Beach-first or beach-last itineraries are common (arrive, relax, then cultural inland; or cultural first then chill on the beach before flying out).

Practical tips

• Peak tourist season differs by coast: southwest/south coast is busiest December–March; east coast (Arugam Bay, Trincomalee) is busiest May–September.
• Train journeys (e.g., Kandy→Ella) are very popular — book ahead for reserved seating.
• If you want nightlife and a city feel use Colombo or Galle; for quiet beaches choose Bentota or parts of the south coast; for hiking and tea-country views choose Nuwara Eliya or Ella.

If you tell me the kind of trip you want (beach, culture, wildlife, hiking, surf, budget, family), I can suggest exact towns and sample hotels/areas to stay.