Pick your season carefully

Sri Lanka has two monsoons. The south and west are dry from December to March; the east and north shine from May to September. Pick the coast that matches your dates and you'll never see a grey day.

Always agree the tuk-tuk price first

In Colombo, insist on the meter. Outside the capital, agree a flat fare before getting in — 80 LKR per km is a fair benchmark. The PickMe app makes life easy if you have a local SIM.

Dress modestly at temples

Shoulders and knees covered, shoes off, hats off. Never pose with your back to a Buddha statue — it's deeply offensive and can get you fined.

Carry small notes

ATMs spit out 5,000 LKR bills that almost nobody can break. Stock up on 100s, 500s and 1,000s for tuk-tuks, fruit stalls and tips.