All Articles

Unawatuna is 4 kilometres from Galle Fort and still delivers a beautiful beach, good food, and easy access to the south coast. Here is what it is actually like and how to get the best of it.

From Michael Ondaatje to Romesh Gunesekera, Sri Lanka has produced some of the most important writing in the English language. Here is what to read before you arrive and why each book matters.

The working markets of Sri Lanka — Pettah in Colombo, Kandy market, the Nuwara Eliya produce market — are where the country shops. Here is how to navigate them and what each one is actually for.

Co-working spaces exist in Colombo and Galle. Connectivity is reliable in the cities. Here is what actually works for remote workers — internet speeds, visas, costs, and where to base yourself.

Paddle boarding works best on Sri Lanka's lagoons and sheltered bays. Bentota River, Batticaloa Lagoon, and Weligama Bay are the three best spots. Here is what to know and where to go.

Cricket is Sri Lanka's national obsession and attending a test match here is one of the most joyful sporting experiences in the world. Here is how to do it.

Kalpitiya is a narrow peninsula on the northwest coast, 130 kilometres from Colombo. It is the kite surfing capital of Sri Lanka and one of the best places in Asia to see spinner dolphins. Here is how to get there and what to expect.

Colombo's private hospitals are among the best in South Asia. Pharmacies are well-stocked. Here is what to know about vaccinations, medical care, common health issues, and who to call in an emergency.

The Galle Face at sunset. The rooftops of the Fort at dusk. Mirissa headland, Hiriketiya cliffs. Here is exactly where to be and what time to arrive for the best light in Sri Lanka.

Two weeks in Sri Lanka covers Colombo, Galle, the hill country, and the east or north coast. Here is the route that works — day by day, with where to stay, what to prioritise, and what to cut.

Sigiriya is a 200-metre granite column topped by a 5th-century palace. The climb takes 90 minutes. Here is what you are actually seeing, when to go, how to book, and what the frescoes mean.

Rice and curry, kottu roti, hoppers, string hoppers, short eats — Sri Lankan food has a logic and a vocabulary worth learning. Here is the full guide to what to order, where, and why it tastes the way it does.

Ayurveda in Sri Lanka is a 3,000-year-old medical system still practised by trained physicians. Here is the difference between a genuine treatment and a spa package, and where to find the real thing.

Vesak falls on the full moon of May, marking the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death. The whole country lights up. Here is what to expect, where to go, and how to experience it properly.

Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Dutch in 1663. Living inside the walls is different from visiting for an afternoon. Here is everything worth knowing about the Fort as a place, not just a landmark.

Ceylon tea is graded by altitude and region — Uva, Dimbula, Nuwara Eliya. Here is how to drink it correctly, which estates to visit, and why the tea grown here is different from anything produced elsewhere.

Sri Lanka's surf season splits by coast — west from November to April, east from May to September. Here is every break worth knowing, what level each suits, and how to approach surfing here as a visitor.

The Kandy Esala Perahera runs for 10 nights in July or August. It is the most spectacular procession in Asia — 100 elephants, fire dancers, drummers. Here is how to attend, where to sit, and what you are actually witnessing.

Ella sits at 1,041 metres in the hill country, with views to the south coast on a clear morning. Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Rock, Little Adam's Peak. Here is the guide to getting the most out of this small town.

Colombo's restaurant scene has become one of the most interesting in Asia in the last five years. Here is where to eat right now — specific restaurants, what to order, and which ones are actually worth the price.