Notes from
the island
Plain-spoken guides to travelling Sri Lanka, written by the people who plan these routes every week.
Planning · 19 September 2026
The Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka, Region by Region
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so there is no single best month. Here is when to go to the south coast, the hill country, the east and the wildlife parks.
Read the guide · 3 min
Practical · 2 min read
The Kandy to Ella Train: Booking, Seats and What to Expect
Everything to know about Sri Lanka's most famous train ride: how long it takes, which seats to book, where to sit and how to avoid the common mistakes.
Practical · 2 min read
Negombo: How to Spend a Night or a Layover Near Colombo Airport
Landing late or leaving early? Negombo is the closest beach town to Sri Lanka's main airport. Here's what to do there and how to get around.
Itineraries · 3 min read
A Slow 7-Day Sri Lanka Itinerary: Ancient Cities, Tea and the South Coast
A realistic one-week Sri Lanka route from the airport through Sigiriya, Kandy, tea country and Ella to the south coast, with honest drive times.
Destinations · 2 min read
Sri Lanka Safari: Yala, Wilpattu or Udawalawe?
Which Sri Lankan national park suits you? A plain comparison of Yala, Wilpattu and Udawalawe, plus how to choose a jeep and when to go.