Travel Stories

• activities

• water sports

9 min read • Apr 1, 2022

Wondering where to surf in Sri Lanka? This guide scouts from Hikkaduwa to A-Bay on the hunt for the very best swells.

• tips and advice

• destination practicalities

12 min read • Mar 7, 2022

Poised off the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka is defined by its rich culture and friendly people. Here's what you need to know for a trouble-free trip.

• destination practicalities

• tips and advice

8 min read • Mar 6, 2022

A true year-round destination with attractions and festivals every single month, there's never a bad time to visit Sri Lanka.

• public transport

• destination practicalities

9 min read • Feb 23, 2022

For a relatively small country, Sri Lanka packs in some truly epic train journeys. Here’s our pick of the best ones.

• budget travel

• connections

9 min read • Feb 18, 2022

With travel experiences that don't break the bank and incredible hospitality, Sri Lanka is a great place to visit for those on a budget.

• national parks

• activities

10 min read • Feb 15, 2022

As Sri Lanka reopens, tourists are returning to the island's wildlife-filled reserves. Here are the best national parks to see wildlife without the crowds.

• beaches

• activities

5 min read • Feb 15, 2022

Whether you’re looking for social atmosphere or serious solitude, here’s our pick of the top beaches in Sri Lanka. 

• wildlife and nature

• activities

8 min read • Feb 10, 2022

Sri Lanka is a top destination for wildlife watching, but it's not always done in a responsible way. This guide can help you make animal-friendly choices.

• destination practicalities

• tips and advice

3 min read • Feb 9, 2022

Here’s our guide to navigating the entry requirements for visiting Sri Lanka as a tourist, with information on visa types, costs and how to apply for one.

• activities

• art and culture

12 min read • Feb 6, 2022

From remarkable train rides to world-class surfing, here are the best things to do on a visit to Sri Lanka.

• air travel

• destination practicalities

9 min read • Nov 30, 2021

Traveling around Sri Lanka by train is one of Asia's favorite adventures, but there are many other ways to explore. Here are the best ways to get around.

• tips and advice

• destination practicalities

6 min read • Oct 8, 2021

Here's our top picks of places to visit in Sri Lanka; spots that simply can't be skipped on a tour of the country.

• cruise

• activities

5 min read • Jan 21, 2020

River trips in Sri Lanka are a lesson in slow travel, and an unsung way to explore the island nation. Expect birds, monkeys, lizards and a dose of culture.

• hiking

• activities

7 min read • Sep 10, 2019

In all of Sofia Levin's travels, she often feels safest in Asia. Here are six destinations in Asia that Sofia recommends for solo female travellers, as well as…

• hotels

• destination practicalities

5 min read • Sep 9, 2019

Backpackers can often volunteer in exchange for accommodation when travelling. In this article we explore how artist Frankie Strand uses her art to fund her…

• beaches

• activities

4 min read • Jun 29, 2019

“Welcome to Sri Lanka!” was one of the first greetings I heard in Colombo, the country's bustling big city. A local graced me with those lovely words from…

• food

• food and drink

7 min read • Feb 28, 2019

After a tumultuous two decades of political instability and civil war, calm has returned to Sri Lanka, and visitors are flooding back. This Indian Ocean…

• food

• food and drink

6 min read • Jun 8, 2018

The morning sun warms the back of my neck as I float on a foam-topped surfboard in the cerulean shallows of Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay. My instructor, whose…

• wildlife and nature

• activities

5 min read • May 12, 2017

While soft-sand beaches and lowland jungles may be the first images that leap to mind when you imagine Sri Lanka, this tropical isle is endowed with a…

• beaches

• activities

5 min read • Mar 6, 2017

Colombo is more than just a gateway to the resorts and surf breaks of Sri Lanka’s south coast. Despite the noise and crowds, this is a city of vibrant…

• art

• art and culture

2 min read • Apr 30, 2014

The recent arrest of a British nurse for displaying a Buddha tattoo in Sri Lanka is another reminder of the importance of being aware of, and respectful…

• food

• food and drink

5 min read • Mar 19, 2014

It sounds mundane: 'rice & curry' but it's really sublime. The national dish of Sri Lanka is a melange of flavours and dishes – an ever-changing array of…