Hi, We found Four tees Inn to be a good place to stay. Basic rooms without A/C, food was good and owner Lawrence is a very useful and reliable source of information. His place is just by the railway station(1/2 min walk) in Thoddaveli. You can hire a Tuk from there to visit Talaimannar. Its a good location for Mannar and Talaimannar visits. Good sea bathing spots a ride away from pier & lighthouse.

Yes - As the others have said there is not much choice of food in the town. There are many eating places serving local food such as rice and curry, Dosai, etc. We stayed at a place called "Shellcoast Resort" - a few kilometres from Mannar off Talaimannar road run by a German lady who caters the place for German tourists. Secluded place near the beach where you can swim in the evening. Phone +94771449062. When I last visited Mannar late January, Palmyrah House was temporarily closed for renovation and improvement.

Anuradhapura to T. Mannar is easy by Train But Kandy to T. Mannar by train is bit complicated. Better to get an intercity bus from Kandy to Anuradhapura and then travel by train. However, the train trip is not the best to explore this area. You cannot find hiring vehicles at T. Mannar and that is usually an isolated place with a big Navy base. Recomend you to hire a vehicle from Anuradhapura as many people in that area cannot understand English. Travelling to Mannar by Bus is also possible and then you can hire a vehicle from there as well. Hope this will help you.