Your first trip to Sri Lanka raises a hundred questions. Visa, cash, seasons, what to pack — here's the kind of advice you'd get from a friend who's just come back.
Sri Lanka is small enough that you can cover a lot in two weeks but dense enough that you won't feel rushed. The island is roughly the size of Ireland but packs beaches, mountains, wildlife, and ancient cities into one trip. Your dollars stretch — expect to spend $50–80 a day on the ground for a comfortable mid-range trip including a driver, accommodation, and meals.
Visa is straightforward: get the ETA online before you fly ($35–50 depending on your country). Land at Colombo (CMB) — that's your only international entry point unless you come via a connecting flight. Currency is the Sri Lankan rupee, cash is still king in rural areas, and ATMs work fine in cities. You'll want a mix of cash and card.
Weather is the trickiest part. Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons hitting opposite coasts. December–March is dry on the west and south coasts (Negombo to Galle). May–October is the east coast's turn (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay, Nilaveli). The hill country (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella) gets rain year-round but the worst months are October–December. Plan your route around the season, not the other way around.
Getting around is easiest with a private driver. A car and driver costs $50–80 per day plus fuel. Driving yourself is doable but chaotic — local driving habits take getting used to. Buses and trains are cheap if you've got time and patience. More on drivers in another post, but for a first trip, the driver is the single best upgrade you can buy.