At the moment, there are no regularly scheduled direct domestic flights from Colombo or from other cities in Sri Lanka to Jaffna. Still, you can book direct international flights to Jaffna starting in Chennai, India. Even though domestic carriers like FitsAir used to operate this connection, the market for regular domestic passenger flights heading to…
Dangerous sea urchins, with sharp venomous spines, are found along rocky coastlines and in shallow coral reefs in Sri Lanka. If you step on one, you may get intense pain, and a localised infection can also follow. You tend to see them more often around shallow snorkelling spots where the seabed is rocky, for example,…
Yes, there are plenty of reliable automated teller machines in and around the main town centre of Nuwara Eliya. Major local banks keep branches there, and they take international Visa and Mastercard debit, as well as credit cards. Once you move away from the main town, when you are headed out for remote tea estates,…
No, there aren’t any wild tigers that are native to Sri Lanka. The top hunter on the island is the Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), and you can spot it in the country’s national parks. Meanwhile, nearby India has a big population of Bengal tigers, but they never made the crossing into Sri Lanka….
No, there are no highly deadly spiders in Sri Lanka that truly pose a lethal threat to humans. There are venomous types, such as the ornamental tarantula, but their bites are not fatal to people. A bite from a large Sri Lankan tarantula or centipede may lead to localised pain, swelling, and muscle cramps. Still,…
Yes, wild water buffalo in Sri Lankan national parks can be pretty aggressive and highly territorial. They are massive, unpredictable animals, and they should never be approached on foot under any circumstances. Even with that aggression, tourists remain perfectly safe because strict park regulations make sure visitors stay inside their hired safari jeeps at all…
Yes, wild boars do roam in Horton Plains National Park, but they are generally not overly hostile to tourists unless they are trapped, cornered, provoked, or guarding their young. These animals usually avoid people, and they prefer to feed deep inside the thick undergrowth of the park. If you hike the World’s End trail in…
The ethics behind turtle hatcheries in Kosgoda are highly debated among wildlife conservationists. While they can guard the eggs from poachers, many also run more like a commercial tourist attraction, not a genuine marine conservation centre. There are ethical concerns because a lot of these hatcheries keep newly hatched turtles in packed concrete tanks, so…
No, swimming on the southern beaches of Sri Lanka is generally not safe in May. This month is when the southwest monsoon begins, and it brings choppy water, big surf, and dangerous rip currents. In May, the sea along the southern shoreline, including places people love like Mirissa and Unawatuna, becomes really unstable, with powerful…
Yes, Laksala is the state-owned gift and souvenir shop in Sri Lanka, and its products are guaranteed to be authentic. Nearly everything is locally sourced, overseen properly, and made by credible local artisans. When you shop at Laksala, you are more likely to get real Sri Lankan handicrafts, teas, spices, brass ornaments, and gemstones, without…
