Three-wheelers (tuk-tuks) are the main way to get around Trincomalee town and between the town and the northern beaches. Agree on a price before getting in; drivers at tourist sites will quote higher than the going rate. The trip from town to Uppuveli takes about 15 minutes; to Nilaveli about 25–30 minutes.
Bicycles can be rented from some guesthouses in Uppuveli and Nilaveli, and the road running north along the coast between the beaches is flat and pleasant. For day trips to more distant sites, hiring a three-wheeler for the day is easy to arrange and the drivers double as informal guides.