Sri Lanka travel questions, answered honestly

Most nationalities — including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, the UAE, India and Singapore — need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival. It is applied for online, usually approved within 24 hours and valid for a 30-day double-entry stay. We send every guest a step-by-step guide with their booking confirmation.

There is no bad month, only a right coast. December to April is best for the south and west coasts, the Cultural Triangle and hill country. May to September suits the east coast and Arugam Bay, and is prime leopard-spotting season in Yala. We build the route around your travel dates rather than the other way round.

Every itinerary is tailor-made, so the cost depends on your travel dates, hotel standard, group size and how much ground you cover. Tell us your dates and rough budget and we will send a detailed, itemised quote within 24 hours — with no obligation and no deposit required to see it.

Yes. Sri Lanka is one of the safer destinations in South Asia, with very low levels of crime against visitors and a strong culture of hospitality. Our guests travel in private vehicles with a licensed driver-guide throughout, and we maintain a 24-hour support line for the whole trip.

Every Habib Tours holiday is private. You travel with your own chauffeur guide and vehicle, set your own departure times, and change the plan mid-trip if you want an extra day somewhere. We do not run scheduled group departures.

Seven days covers the Cultural Triangle, Kandy and one beach. Ten to twelve days is the sweet spot and adds tea country, a safari and a proper stretch on the coast. Two weeks lets you slow right down or reach the east coast and the north.

Airport transfers, a private air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed chauffeur guide, accommodation with daily breakfast, and all arrangements for entrance tickets, safaris and activities in the itinerary. International flights, lunches, dinners and personal expenses are usually excluded — every quote states this line by line.

Yes. We run everything from solo travellers to multi-generation family groups and small private parties, with vehicles from cars to 30-seat coaches and interconnecting or family rooms arranged in advance.

Message us on WhatsApp or send an enquiry and we will design an itinerary and quote for you. Bookings are confirmed with a deposit by bank transfer or card, with the balance payable before or on arrival. You deal with the same person from first message to airport goodbye.

Yes — airport pickups and drop-offs, single-day sightseeing tours from Colombo, Negombo, Kandy or the south coast, and multi-day extensions to an existing trip are all available on their own.