Travel guides
The reference shelf
Long-form answers to the questions that decide a trip, each with a quick answer at the top, cited primary sources and a visible verification date.
- weather
- costs
- transport
- visa
- wildlife
- beaches
- planning
- weatherBest Time to Visit Sri LankaFor the south and west coasts and the hill country, December to April is the most reliable window. For the east coast and Arugam Bay, April to September. July and August are the only months that work well in both — which is why they are busy.24 September 2026Fresh
- costsSri Lanka Travel CostsAs a working estimate for 2026: a backpacker can travel on roughly Rs 8,000–12,000 a day, a mid-range traveller on Rs 20,000–35,000, and a comfortable private-driver trip from Rs 55,000 a day for two sharing. Everything below states its assumptions — these are planning estimates, not prices.24 September 2026Fresh
- transportGetting Around Sri LankaUse trains for the hill country and the coast, long-distance buses for everything cheap and direct, tuk-tuks for short hops, and a private driver for any day with more than one stop. Road distances in Sri Lanka translate into slower times than the map suggests.24 September 2026Fresh
- visaSri Lanka Visa and Entry RequirementsMost visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or a visa obtained before arrival, issued by Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration. Entry rules change: always confirm on the official ETA site and your own government's travel advice within two weeks of travel.24 September 2026Fresh
- wildlifeSafari in Sri LankaYala for leopards, Udawalawe for elephants in open country, Minneriya or Kaudulla for the dry-season elephant gathering, Wilpattu if you want quiet. Two nights gives you two drives; dawn is the drive that matters.24 September 2026Fresh
- beachesBeaches in Sri LankaFor calm swimming and families on the south coast, pick Unawatuna, Mirissa or Bentota between December and April. For surf and emptier sand, go east to Arugam Bay or Trincomalee between April and September. Outside those windows the sea on that side is usually rough.24 September 2026Fresh
- planningHow to Plan a Sri Lanka ItineraryTen days is the minimum for the classic circuit, fourteen lets you add the east or a second safari, and three weeks lets you include Jaffna and still have slack. Build the route around one long train journey and keep three nights unbooked.24 September 2026Fresh