How many days do I need for Sri Lanka?

A satisfying first loop, west + Cultural Triangle + hill country + south coast, takes about 10 to 14 days. With a week, pick two regions (e.g. Triangle + hills, or hills + south) rather than rushing everywhere.

Should I carry cash or card in Sri Lanka?

Both: cards work at hotels and bigger restaurants, but tuk-tuks, small eateries and guesthouses run on cash. Withdraw rupees from bank ATMs every few days.

Can I drink the tap water in Sri Lanka?

Not recommended for visitors. Bottled, filtered or boiled water is cheap and available everywhere; many hotels now offer filtered refills.

How long does Kandy to Ella take?

About 4 to 5 hours by car and 6 to 7 by train for just 130 km. The train is slower on purpose and worth it; take the earliest one.

When is the Kandy Esala Perahera?

It follows the lunar calendar, usually late July to early August, across ten nights ending on the Esala (Nikini) full moon. Book Kandy stays and grandstand tickets well in advance.

Essentials

Sri Lanka travel essentials in one place: visa and ETA, money and daily costs, health and vaccinations, mobile data and SIM cards, local etiquette, festivals and Poya days, transport, and the Colombo airport. Every guide is sourced and dated, and points you to the official source to confirm anything time-sensitive before you go.