top of page
All Articles
THE DAILY PULSE


The Best Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka: Properties That Earn Their Stay
Specific properties — The Wallawwa, Amangalla, Cape Weligama, Tea Trails — that have genuinely earned their reputation. Here is what makes each one worth the price and when to book each.
Apr 301 min read


Bentota: The Coast Closest to Colombo Done Properly
Bentota is 90 minutes from Colombo and delivers beach, river, and jungle in one place. Here is how to spend time there properly — what the lagoon offers, where to stay, and what to skip.
Apr 302 min read


Coffee in Colombo: Where the Scene Is and Why It Matters
Colombo Coffee Company, Collective, and a handful of serious independents have built a genuine third-wave coffee scene in Colombo. Here is where to find it and what makes each spot worth going.
Apr 302 min read


Kitulgala: White Water, Jungle and the River That Has Everything
Kitulgala is three hours from Colombo in the Kelani River valley. The white water rafting is the best in Sri Lanka, and the surrounding forest is where The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed.
Apr 301 min read


Art and Culture in Colombo: Where to Find the Real Scene
Colombo has a serious contemporary art scene, concentrated in a few key institutions. Here are the galleries, the events, and the specific cultural spaces where the real work is happening.
Apr 302 min read


Self-Driving in Sri Lanka: What You Need to Know Before You Start the Engine
Sri Lanka drives on the left. The roads vary from smooth expressways to genuinely agricultural tracks. Here is what you must know before renting a car — licensing, road conditions, and where not to self-drive.
Apr 302 min read


Wilpattu: Sri Lanka's Quietest Safari and Why That Changes Everything
Wilpattu is Sri Lanka's largest national park and its least visited. Leopard density is among the highest in Asia. Here is how to visit, what to expect, and why the absence of crowds is the whole point.
Apr 301 min read


The Fish Markets of Sri Lanka: How to Shop the Catch of the Day
Negombo fish market is one of the largest in Asia. The catch lands between 4 and 6am. Here is how the markets work, what to buy, what to pay, and how to have it cooked the same morning.
Apr 302 min read


Buying Gemstones in Sri Lanka: What You Need to Know Before You Walk Into Any Shop
Sri Lanka is one of the world's great gemstone sources — sapphires, rubies, cat's eyes, alexandrites. Here is what the NGJA certification means, which dealers to trust, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Apr 301 min read


Elephants in Sri Lanka: Where to See Them and How to Do It Right
Sri Lanka has the highest density of Asian elephants in the world. Minneriya's Gathering draws 300+ elephants to a single reservoir. Here is where to see them, what responsible viewing looks like, and what to avoid.
Apr 301 min read


Money in Sri Lanka: What You Need to Know About Rupees, ATMs and Tipping
The Sri Lankan rupee makes the country extraordinarily affordable. ATMs take Visa and Mastercard. Tipping is not customary but is always appreciated. Here is exactly how money works on the ground.
Apr 302 min read


Sinharaja: Inside Sri Lanka's Ancient Rainforest
Sinharaja is the most biodiverse place in Sri Lanka and one of the most important rainforests in Asia. Here is how to experience it properly.
Apr 302 min read


The Communities of Sri Lanka: Understanding a Country More Complex Than It Looks
Sri Lanka is made up of Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, and Malay communities, among others. Understanding how they coexist enriches every interaction you have.
Apr 302 min read


Hiriketiya: The Bay That Everyone Found and Still Loves
Hiriketiya is a horseshoe bay near Dickwella on the south coast. The left-hander breaks clean for five months. Here is how to get there, where to stay, and what the bay is actually like now.
Apr 302 min read


Walking Sri Lanka's Rainforests: A Guide to the Wet Zone Trails
The wet zone trails of the Sinharaja buffer zone are among the finest nature walks in Asia. Here is how to access them, what guides are available, and what you will actually see.
Apr 302 min read


Negombo: More Than Just the Airport Town
Negombo has a serious fish market, a Dutch fort, lagoon backwaters, and good food. It is 7 kilometres from the airport. Here is what the town is actually worth and how to spend time there properly.
Apr 302 min read


The Tropical Fruit of Sri Lanka: A Season by Season Guide
Rambutan in July. Mangoes in April. Wood apple in the dry season. Sri Lanka's tropical fruit calendar is worth planning around. Here is what grows when, and why each variety here is different from anything sold abroad.
Apr 302 min read


How to Visit Buddhist Temples in Sri Lanka: A Guide to Doing It Right
Sri Lankan temples are active places of worship. Dress correctly, move quietly, and understand what you are seeing. Here is the etiquette, the meaning, and how to visit properly without being a tourist.
Apr 302 min read


Kanniya Hot Springs: Trincomalee's Sacred Thermal Wells
The Kanniya hot springs near Trincomalee are seven wells of varying temperatures with Hindu ritual significance. Here is what they are, how to visit, and what the site actually looks like.
Apr 302 min read


Visas and Entry for Sri Lanka: What You Need to Know Before You Book
Most nationalities get a 30-day ETA online before arrival. Extensions are straightforward. Here is the exact process, the fees, the requirements, and what to know about overstaying.
Apr 301 min read
bottom of page