Buy the real thing, from the people who make it
Shopping
Ceylon tea, Ratnapura sapphires, Ambalangoda masks, handloom and true cinnamon, without the tourist-trap markup.
Sri Lanka makes beautiful things and also has a lot of shops that pay drivers a cut to bring you in. Ours do not. We take you to certified gem dealers, estate tea rooms, craft cooperatives and the handful of Colombo shops worth the traffic, and we tell you what a fair price looks like before you walk in.
Gems, safely
Sri Lanka is the source of the world's finest blue sapphires. We only take you to National Gem and Jewellery Authority-licensed dealers who issue certificates, and we will happily walk away with you.
Tea from the estate
The Pure Ceylon Tea lion logo means it was grown and packed here. Buy from the factory door in the hills and it is a fraction of the airport price.
Crafts with a maker
Ambalangoda devil masks, Dumbara handloom, brass from Pilimathalawa, lace from Galle. Where possible you meet the person who made it.
Spices that are what they say
Most of the world's "cinnamon" is cassia. Sri Lanka grows the real thing. We take you to a smallholder near Galle or Matale where you can peel it yourself.
Colombo, curated
Barefoot for handloom, Paradise Road for homeware, Laksala for government-fixed craft prices, and Pettah for the chaos.
Good to know
Common questions
Straight answers. If yours is not here, WhatsApp us and a human replies.
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival, applied for online at eta.gov.lk. Since May 2026 the fee is waived for citizens of 40 countries including the UK, USA, most of the EU, India, Australia, Canada, China and Japan; other nationalities pay US$ 50. The ETA gives 30 days with double entry. We send you a step-by-step guide when you book.
When is the best time to visit?
Sri Lanka has two monsoons that hit opposite sides of the island, so there is always a dry coast. December to April is best for the south, west and hill country. May to September is best for the east coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay) and still fine for the Cultural Triangle. We route every trip around the season, so you are never on the wrong beach.
How much does a trip cost?
A private tour with your own driver and mid-range hotels runs from about US$ 120 to 180 per person per day, two sharing, including breakfast. Boutique and luxury hotels move that up. Our sample itineraries show a from-price; your quote lists every hotel and every entrance fee, so there are no surprises.
Is it safe to travel in Sri Lanka right now?
Yes. Sri Lanka welcomed a record 2.36 million visitors in 2025 and is on track for more in 2026. The roads are the main risk, which is why we use experienced drivers and never drive at night in the hills. We follow Foreign Office and State Department advice and will tell you honestly if anything changes.
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