Ride the nine-arch sky bridge

Sri Lanka is a year-round destination because it has two monsoons. December to April is the best time for the south and west coasts (Tangalle, Mirissa, Galle, Unawatuna) and the cultural triangle. May to September suits the east coast (Arugam Bay, Trincomalee) and Yala remains excellent from February to July. The hill country around Ella and Nuwara Eliya is pleasant all year, just cooler and misty from November to January.

Most nationalities — including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, New Zealand, Singapore, the UAE and India — need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival. You apply online at the official Sri Lanka ETA portal, it usually approves within 24–48 hours, and the standard tourist ETA allows a 30-day stay with a double entry, extendable to 6 months in-country.

Ten to fourteen days is the sweet spot. A 7-day trip covers either the cultural triangle and hill country or the south coast comfortably. Ten days lets you combine Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella and a beach. Fourteen days adds a wildlife safari in Yala or Udawalawe plus slower time on the south coast. Anything under five days is best kept to one region to avoid spending your holiday in the car.

A private tour with a licensed English-speaking driver guide, an air-conditioned vehicle, fuel and the driver's accommodation typically runs from around USD 70–110 per day for the vehicle, shared between your group. Mid-range hotels are USD 40–90 per night, boutique and luxury properties USD 150–400. A comfortable two-week private Sri Lanka holiday for two people usually lands between USD 2,000 and USD 4,500 excluding international flights.

Yes. Sri Lanka is one of Asia's safer destinations for solo travellers, couples and families. Petty theft is uncommon, locals are famously hospitable, and tourist areas are well policed. Sensible precautions apply: use licensed drivers, respect ocean currents and swim at patrolled beaches, cover shoulders and knees at temples, and drink filtered or bottled water.

A private driver guide is the standard way to travel Sri Lanka and usually costs little more than group tours once two people share. You set your own pace, stop where you like, skip the crowds, and your guide handles park permits, temple etiquette and local restaurants. Group tours only become cheaper for solo travellers on a tight budget.

Yes. We run private airport drop-offs and pickups from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB/BIA) to Tangalle, Mirissa, Weligama, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Yala, Udawalawe, Ella and Kandy. Transfers are in air-conditioned vehicles with a licensed driver, flight tracking, a name-board meet in arrivals, and a fixed price agreed before you travel.

Yala National Park has the highest density of wild leopards anywhere in the world and is best from February to July. Udawalawe is the most reliable park for wild Asian elephants, with sightings on practically every game drive year-round. Wilpattu is quieter and wilder, and Minneriya hosts 'The Gathering' of several hundred elephants from July to October.