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How I spent 2 perfect days in Sri Lanka as a first-timer
I had been dreaming of Sri Lanka for years before visiting for the first time. And I’m happy to report, it did not disappoint! If you’re planning to spend 2 weeks in Sri Lanka, you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime. This beautiful island is bursting with rich history, stunning landscapes, and an array of unforgettable experiences. From sun-kissed beaches to misty highlands, ancient ruins, and hip surf towns, this is what I consider to be the perfect 2-week Sri Lanka itinerary for first-timers. It also includes Arugam Bay, which it seems most people miss. So, pack your bags and get ready to experience all the highlights Sri Lanka has to offer! I saw many elephants during my two-week Sri Lanka itinerary Article overviewHow to spend 2 weeks in Sri LankaSri Lanka itinerary overviewBest time to visit Sri LankaSri Lanka itinerary day 1: KandyThings to doWhere to stay in KandyDay 2: Polonnaruwa & Sigiriya RockPolonnaruwaSigiriya RockDay 3: Kandy to Ella trainDays 4-6: Arugam BayThings to doSafari Kumana National ParkWhere to stay in Arugma BayDays 7-8: TangalleThings to doWhere to stay in TangalleDays 9-10: MidigamaThings to doWhere to stay in MidigamaWhere to eat & drinkDays 11-14: UnawatunaThings to do🌟 Where to stay in UnawatunaWhere to eat2 weeks in Sri Lanka visitor’s infoSri Lanka visaCurrency and moneyHow to get around Sri LankaCan I drink the tap water in Sri Lanka?Like this? Please help me share 🔥 How to spend 2 weeks in Sri Lanka This Sri Lanka two-week itinerary is mainly based around the beach, but I think I still managed to cover most of the must-see attractions the island has to offer. When I visit a country for the first time, I like to see and do as much as possible. So this is somewhat of a fast-paced itinerary, with a few rest days on the beach included. That also means this itinerary is largely based on hiring drivers instead of relying on public transport. But the time saved was well worth the extra money in my mind. 🚙 I booked this private driver. The itinerary is completely open and you can go wherever you want within 100km per day. And the best part is that the price is for up to 4 people, which makes it very affordable! Sri Lanka itinerary overview Day 1 Kandy Day 2 Polonnaruwa & Sigiriya Rock Day 3 Train Kandy to Ella Day 4-6 Arugam Bay Day 7-8 Tangalle Day 9-11 Midigama Day 11-14 Unawatuna Best time to visit Sri Lanka The best time to visit Sri Lanka largely depends on the part of the country you’re planning to ...
Everything you need to know about the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak
Hantavirus on a boat “This is not COVID,” and other reasons why risk to the public is currently low. This aerial view shows health personnel boarding the cruise ship MV Hondius, while stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 6, 2026. Credit: Getty | AFP An unprecedented outbreak of hantavirus has rocked a luxury cruise ship off the coast of West Africa, triggering a tsunami of news stories and a flood of post-pandemic anxiety. So far, eight cases have been reported, including three people who have died. The Dutch-flagged ship, MV Hondius, which began its journey from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, is still carrying 147 passengers and crew. To date, those remaining on board are showing no symptoms and have been asked to sequester themselves in their cabins. At the time of publication, the ship is sailing on a three- to four-day journey that began the evening of May 6 from Cape Verde to the Canary Islands, where Spanish authorities have agreed to assist the imperiled vessel. With the ship en route, experts assembled by the World Health Organization are now racing to create a novel step-by-step procedure to allow the remaining passengers and crew on board to disembark safely. Meanwhile, authorities are tracking down and monitoring 30 former passengers who disembarked the ship onto the remote island of St. Helena on April 24—before the outbreak was identified but nearly two weeks after the first passenger had died on board on April 11. Those 30 passengers hail from at least 12 different countries, including six from the US. “Extremely low” risk The situation evokes chilling memories of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the Diamond Princess nightmare, in which over 700 people were infected with the never-before-seen virus while locked down on a luxury cruise ship docked in Japan. But in the wake of discovering the hantavirus aboard the Hondius, health officials and infectious disease experts have been quick—and virtually unanimous—in trying to quell fears. While the situation within the ship certainly is an emergency requiring careful and prompt response for those on board, the risk to the outside world is low, and the outbreak is expected to stay relatively small. “This is not COVID. This is not influenza. It spreads very, very differently,” Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s acting director for epidemic and pandemic management, emphasized in a press briefing Thursday. Given the nature of this virus and the precaution...
Australian yacht held in Sri Lanka since Covid-19 time; a victim of ...
An Australian sea captain has said that his yacht is detained in Sri Lanka for six years, in what he describes as a "bureaucratic Catch-22" involving the Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation (CFHC). According to a statement issued by the affected party, Captain Paul Saliba's vessel, Sea Wolf, arrived in Sri Lanka on 3 March, 2020, […]
A timeline of the deadly hantavirus outbreak that unfolded on a cruise ...
A deadly outbreak of the rare hantavirus unfolded over the course of weeks on a cruise ship. Here is a timeline of events that we know have unfolded since the ship set sail on April 1.
