Quick facts

Capital: Colombo – many people tend to skip it, but I think 1-2 days to visit the National Museum and also to take in the hustle and bustle is a perfect start.

Transport: Trains and tours/private car is the way to go, although the adventurous can consider renting a tuktuk and driving around the island! 

Currency: Sri Lanka Rupees, cash is king! 1 USD = LKR 300, 5 HKD = LKR 193.11 (~200). It’s a closed currency so get your money exchanged on arrival at airport or at Ceylon Bank ATM.

Sim card: Tourist sim are available at most major telecom company and you can easily purchase them at the airport on arrival.

Handy apps: PickMe for taxi in city, Klook or GetYourGuide for tickets and activities

Language: local speaks Tamil or Sinhala, but most people in the tourism industry or big cities speak English.

Tips + itinerary

Lankatilaka Temple polunnaruwa sri lanka _ laugh travel eat
Sri Lanka Tips for first time travellers

Looking for Sri Lanka tips? Then you are in the right place! Sri Lanka has [...]

26
Apr

habarana/sigiria

Vatadage polunnaruwa sri lanka _ laugh travel eat
Polonnaruwa Ancient City in 1 day: Sri Lanka’s second Kingdom

The Polonnaruwa ancient city was the capital of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom, also known as the [...]

26
Apr
view Pidurangala rock habarana sri lanka _ laugh travel eat
Pidurangala Rock hike: how is it to hike one of Sri Lanka’s top view point

The Pidurangala Rock in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka is one of the best view points of [...]

10
May
hurulu eco park Dambulla sri lanka _ laugh travel eat
Hurulu Eco Park: Sri Lanka’s best value for money elephant safari

This is post 4 of 5 in the series “Sri Lanka” Sri Lanka Tips for [...]

11
May
Dambulla Cave Temple: a comprehensive guide for the casual tourist

This is post 5 of 5 in the series “Sri Lanka” Sri Lanka Tips for [...]

05
Jun

haputale/ella

Dambulla Cave Temple: a comprehensive guide for the casual tourist

This is post 5 of 5 in the series “Sri Lanka” Sri Lanka Tips for [...]

05
Jun
hurulu eco park Dambulla sri lanka _ laugh travel eat
Hurulu Eco Park: Sri Lanka’s best value for money elephant safari

This is post 4 of 5 in the series “Sri Lanka” Sri Lanka Tips for [...]

11
May
view Pidurangala rock habarana sri lanka _ laugh travel eat
Pidurangala Rock hike: how is it to hike one of Sri Lanka’s top view point

The Pidurangala Rock in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka is one of the best view points of [...]

10
May
Vatadage polunnaruwa sri lanka _ laugh travel eat
Polonnaruwa Ancient City in 1 day: Sri Lanka’s second Kingdom

The Polonnaruwa ancient city was the capital of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom, also known as the [...]

26
Apr
Lankatilaka Temple polunnaruwa sri lanka _ laugh travel eat
Sri Lanka Tips for first time travellers

Looking for Sri Lanka tips? Then you are in the right place! Sri Lanka has [...]

26
Apr
main pool Namia River Resort Hoi An Vietnam _ laugh travel eat-2
Namia River Retreat: a wellness inclusive stay in Hoi An

This is post 27 of 27 in the series “Vietnam” Vietnam has become a favourite [...]

25
Mar
Big Buddha Wat Phra Yai Koh Samu Koh Samui thailand _ laugh travel eat
Koh Samui 3 day itinerary for first time visitors

Koh Samui is one of the most popular island destinations in Thailand with hills, beaches, [...]

05
Jan
entering SO Sofitel hua hin thailand - laugh travel eat-2
SO Sofitel Hua Hin: a family-friendly getaway

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27
Nov
pool aleenta resort hua hin thailand - laugh travel eat
Aleenta Hua Hin: a true escape in Thailand’s seaside

This is post 41 of 42 in the series “Thailand” Thailand is like a rite [...]

28
Oct
monkey at chopstick hill hua hin thailand - laugh travel eat
Hua Hin itinerary: from 1 to 5 days

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25
Sep
beach hua hin thailand - laugh travel eat
20+ things to do in Hua Hin: complete guide from north to south

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24
Sep
view of each other khao wang Phra Nakhon Khiri Royal Palace phetchaburi hua hin thailand - laugh travel eat-2
Bangkok to hua hin by taxi: how to make it a road trip

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24
Sep
Top-of-the-Rock-New-York-USA-laugh-travel-eat-3
3 days in NYC itinerary for first timer visitors

Are you looking for a 3 days in NYC itinerary? I spent 5 days in [...]

05
Sep
views from Teleférico cable car Bolivian popular food La Paz Bolivia - laugh travel eat
Bolivia itinerary: 5 days, 1 week, or 2 weeks

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27
Aug
main square Cusco Peru - laugh travel eat
10 day Itinerary to Peru for hikers (with alternatives!)

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24
Jul
view of Jumeriah at Akasa Restaurant Jumeirah Bali Indonesia - laugh travel eat
Jumeirah Bali – a dreamy escape in Bali

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05
Jul
tamale Lima Tasty Tours Barranco Lima Peru - laugh travel eat
Street Food in Lima Peru: What’s it like on a Lima Food Tour

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28
Jun
Sunset at Miraflores Lima Peru - laugh travel eat
Lima Itinerary: 3 days in Peru capital

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21
Jun
photos idea at machu picchu viewpoint inca trail day 3 Alpaca Expeditions Salkantay Trek Cusco Peru - laugh travel eat
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: picking which company + full break down

This is post 1 of 4 in the series “Peru” Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: [...]

30
May
view from Castaway Island Calendonian Sky Captain Cook Cruise Fiji - laugh travel eat
Fiji itinerary: 10 days, 7 days, or shorter adventures

This is post 8 of 8 in the series “Fiji” Things to know before you [...]

04
Jan
river tubing near Suva Fiji - laugh travel eat-2
Fiji River Tubing: a cultural fun time

This is post 7 of 8 in the series “Fiji” Things to know before you [...]

02
Jan
boat ride up river safari Sigatoka Fiji - laugh travel eat-2
Sigatoka River Safari: A Cultural and Thrilling Adventure in Fiji

This is post 6 of 8 in the series “Fiji” Things to know before you [...]

02
Jan
grand pacific hotel Suva Fiji - laugh travel eat
Grand Pacific Hotel Suva Fiji: A Historic and Luxurious Stay

This is post 5 of 8 in the series “Fiji” Things to know before you [...]

01
Jan
sunset Calendonian Sky Captain Cook Cruise Fiji - laugh travel eat
How to Explore the Best of Fiji in 4 Days with Captain Cook Cruise

This is post 4 of 8 in the series “Fiji” Things to know before you [...]

31
Dec
business class cabin Fiji Airways hong kong to Nadi Fiji - laugh travel eat
Fiji Airway Business Class Review: A330 Hong Kong to Fiji

This is post 3 of 8 in the series “Fiji” Things to know before you [...]

29
Dec
infinity pool at Reef Wing Shangri-la yanuca island coral coast Fiji - laugh travel eat
Shangri La Yanuca Island Fiji: great for romantic and family getaway

This is post 2 of 8 in the series “Fiji” Things to know before you [...]

13
Dec
view from Castaway Island Calendonian Sky Captain Cook Cruise Fiji - laugh travel eat
Things to know before you visit Fiji

This is post 1 of 8 in the series “Fiji” Things to know before you [...]

11
Dec
sardine runs moalboal cebu philippines - laugh travel eat
Moalboal: Cebu’s adventure capital and what to do there

This is post 4 of 4 in the series “Philippines” The Farm at San Benito: [...]

10
Dec
cebu city to moalboal bus bato via barili cebu south bus terminal cebu city cebu philippines - laugh travel eat-2
Cebu City to Moalboal: everything you need to know

This is post 3 of 4 in the series “Philippines” The Farm at San Benito: [...]

1 Comment

14
Nov
Detox in Nature: Wellness program at the Farm at San Benito

This is post 2 of 4 in the series “Philippines” The Farm at San Benito: [...]

17
Oct
infinity pool at healing santuary San Benito Philippines - laugh travel eat
The Farm at San Benito: The Best Eco-Luxury Medical Wellness Resort in Asia

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13
Oct
jodd fair rama 9 bangkok thailand - laugh travel eat-3
Bangkok Night Markets: where to go and when to go

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29
Sep
herbal compress thaihand massage workshop bangkok thailand - laugh travel eat
Thai Massage in Bangkok: best Bangkok Massage Parlors + where to get deals

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21
Sep
rooftop pool innside by Melia Bangkok On Nut Thailand - laugh travel eat
Where in Bangkok to Stay: best areas, first timers, and more!

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01
Sep
inside hanko 60 ximending taiwan - laugh travel eat
Taipei Best Bars: The Ultimate Guide to Taipei’s Nightlife

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18
Aug
shakadang trail taroko national park hualien taiwan - laugh travel eat
Taroko Trails: A Complete Guide to Hiking in Taroko National Park (from Hualien)

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04
Aug
view from pavilion to peak hike teapot mountain hike taiwan - laugh travel eat
How to Hike Teapot Mountain in Taiwan: see the Ying Yang Sea

This is post 11 of 13 in the series “Taiwan” Taiwan is the origin of [...]

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28
Jul
yinhe cave maokong taipei taiwan - laugh travel eat
Day Trips from Taipei: nearest, best, and hidden gems

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15
Jul
linjiang night market taipei taiwan - laugh travel eat
Best Night Markets in Taipei and What to eat there

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09
Jun
us on a swing royal island Maldives - laugh travel eat
Royal Island Resort and Spa: a quiet escape in the Maldives

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26
May
SUP Villa Park Sun Island Maldives - laugh travel eat
Villa Park Resort Maldives review: when lush jungle meets the sea

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19
May
view of bikini beach from Arena Beach Hotel Maafushi Maldives - laugh travel eat
Maafushi Maldives: an ultimate guide

This is post 4 of 6 in the series “Maldives” Maldives is long thought of [...]

12
May
shek nga tau peak sham chung sai kung hong kong- laugh travel eat
Shek Nga Tau: the hidden hill of Sai Kung

This is post 121 of 121 in the series “Hong Kong” Born and bred in [...]

21
Apr
viewpoint fan lau country trail lantau trail section 8 fan lau hike lantau island hong kong- laugh travel eat-3
Fan Lau Trail: the southwestern most part of Lantau Island

This is post 120 of 121 in the series “Hong Kong” Born and bred in [...]

14
Apr
boyana waterfall vitosha sofia bulgaria - laugh travel eat-3
Boyana Waterfall Hike + Boyana Church: a Sofia Day Trip

This is post 5 of 5 in the series “Bulgaria” 39 Things to Do in [...]

31
Mar
lake 5 to 7 trail rila seven lakes day trip from sofia bulgaria - laugh travel eat (2 of 3)
Rila Seven Lakes day trip from Sofia + tips

This is post 4 of 5 in the series “Bulgaria” 39 Things to Do in [...]

24
Mar
rila monastery day trip from sofia bulgaria - laugh travel eat
Rila Monastery from Sofia: a day trip guide

This is post 3 of 5 in the series “Bulgaria” 39 Things to Do in [...]

17
Mar
Deka Trapezia thessaloniki food greece - laugh travel eat
Thessaloniki Food Guide: best restaurants and cafes

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03
Mar
umbrella by the sea thessaloniki greece - laugh travel eat
20+ things to do in Thessaloniki

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17
Feb
Benang Kelambo waterfalls Lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat-6
11+ Things to do in Lombok

This is post 15 of 16 in the series “Indonesia” Indonesia is a large country [...]

10
Feb

hotels

gibbon khao sok thailand - laugh travel eat
A first timer’s guide to Khao Sok National Park and its tours

This is post 31 of 42 in the series “Thailand” Thailand is like a rite [...]

29
May
sunrise cheow lan lake khao sok thailand - laugh travel eat
Cheow Lan Lake Tour in Khao Sok: what to expect on an overnight tour

This is post 19 of 42 in the series “Thailand” Thailand is like a rite [...]

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13
Apr