Tika Traveller

Discover Sri Lanka & Maldives From Those Who Know It Best

Blogs from Tikalanka are designed to enhance your knowledge of Sri Lanka and Maldives and keep you up to date with recent developments. We intend to post regular features on travel, news, lifestyle and accommodation as well as guest articles from current and past customers, which will give you first-hand experience of Tikalanka, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Category: Sustainability

TikaWeeks #23/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 2nd June 2025

Swimming with whales isn’t just unethical – it’s illegal in Sri Lanka. A recent study found 32 tour operators offering illegal swim-with-whales experiences in key whale-watching areas. Protecting these gentle giants requires collective action – from government and tour agencies, accommodation providers, boat operators, and tourists. For years, Sri Lanka’s tourism model has been framed around distinct “high” and “low” seasons, dictated largely by the island’s monsoonal patterns. This binary view, however, fails to reflect the island’s true potential. The reality? Sri Lanka offers rich, varied experiences throughout the year.

Kumana Under Canvas, Kumana NP, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #22/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 29th May 2025

If rafting over cascading rapids, ballooning around an iconic rock fortress at dawn, climbing a sacred mountain for the spectacular sunrise and experiencing a jeep safari to spot a variety of exotic wildlife are high on your wish list, then Sri Lanka is for you! Many visitors only travel to Sri Lanka for the island’s spectacular, sun-soaked and palm-fringed beaches but there is so much more to discover than its sandy shores and exquisite ancient temples. This week’s update highlights some of the less well-known adventures on offer in Sri Lanka.

Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Deborah Robinson & Pablo Hernando)

TikaWeeks #21/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 19th May 2025

We believe that tourism can benefit both visitors and locals alike, a positive force for the national economies and local communities of the destination country. However, we also appreciate that overtourism has detrimental impacts and tourist income doesn’t always go into the pockets of the people who provide the services or need it most. Recent feedback from customers has highlighted some of these issues. We are well aware of these concerns and are finding new locations to visit and different places to stay to ensure your experience of Sri Lanka remains enjoyable and authentic.

Hill Country tea terraces, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Peter Hale)

TikaWeeks #14/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 31st March 2025

The Pekoe Trail in Sri Lanka has rightly entered the Pantheon of the world’s greatest hiking trails since its launch in late 2023. Winding its way through the spectacular Hill Country, the 300 km-long, 22-stage hiking trail has won many accolades including TIME magazine’s ‘World’s Greatest Places’ list for 2025. Sri Lanka has also been revealed to be the world’s most family-friendly country in a recent report, and Condé Nast Traveler included Sri Lanka on its latest list of the 40 most beautiful countries in the world. So why not visit?

Thriving agriculture in the Buttala-Gonagan Ara area, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Eco Team)

TikaWeeks #13/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 28th March 2025

One of our partners in Sri Lanka has been doing wonders with an agrarian community in the island’s southeastern Dry Zone region regarding human-elephant conflict. What started out as a bold conservation initiative to protect both human livelihoods and elephant populations has now blossomed into an inspiring story of resilience, coexistence, and renewal. Recent customers travelling through Colombo airport have suggested that the arrivals card is no longer necessary, however, we still haven’t received any official communication that this is the case.

Baagu the leopard, Kumana National Park, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Eco Team)

TikaWeeks #08/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 19th February 2025

Who would like to spot a leopard in Sri Lanka without the hullabaloo associated with sightings in Yala? If so, then look no further than Kumana National Park. Previously called Yala East – the main one was Yala West – Kumana is a tranquil wildlife reserve accessed from the east coast. Soon to launch Kalkudah Beach House, also on the east coast, is another exquisite offering from Teardrop Hotels, while luxury boutique hotels specialist Uga Escapes opened its latest property Uga Halloowella near Hatton in the Hill Country late last year.

TikaWeeks #03/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 18th January 2025

By the end of December 2024, Sri Lanka had welcomed more than 2 million visitors to its shores, which is a 38% increase on 2023 and the highest level since pre-pandemic 2019. Travellers from the UK remain ardent lovers of the island in third place behind India and Russia. In more news, Vogue toured the inimitable Resplendent Ceylon properties, and BBC Travel has selected Sri Lanka as one of the 25 best places to travel in 2025.

TikaWeeks #47/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 20th November 2024

Santani Wellness Kandy has been named Asia’s Best Wellness Retreat at the World Spa Awards 2024. This accolade reflects Santani's unwavering commitment to redefining wellness and its unique approach to "Human Sustainability”. Galle Literary Festival takes place in and around the southern town of Galle and its atmospheric fort from the 06 to 09 February 2025, inviting diverse voices in poetry and prose from around the world. In other news, Cape Weligama will reopen on 02 December 2024 following a deep refresh with upgraded facilities and services in celebration of its 10th anniversary.

Typical beach on the south and west coasts of Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #44/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 1st November 2024

As the nights draw in, our minds turn to brighter, sunnier and warmer climes – holidays in Sri Lanka! This is the peak season for us, with December to March being the busiest period of the year as our customers escape the short days and cold weather typical of a winter in the UK. With lots of our customers travelling to Sri Lanka soon, I thought a few travel tips would come in handy before you set off on a holiday of a lifetime.

Spectacular location of Wild Glamping - Gal Oya, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #43/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 26th October 2024

Where to stay when visiting Sri Lanka? The selection of quality accommodation with Tikalanka keeps on growing, from glamping sites in the lesser-known regions of Okkampitiya and Gal Oya to quirky boutique hotels in Colombo and Negombo. Makeovers of heritage properties in Kandy, Jaffna and Nuwara Eliya may be added to the list as well as guesthouse-style stays in Kataragama and Mirissa. The amazing choice is yours!

Independent Tailor-made Holidays to Sri Lanka & Maldives