Sri Lanka and the Maldives: from Ella to Maafushi Atoll

This trip starts in Colombo. On the first day, we’ll meet at 18:00. 

The first hotel is located in Negombo, 30 minutes by taxi from Colombo, the capital: you will therefore need to purchase flights to this city. For the departure day, the first available time for the speedboat is 6 AM, so it is essential to purchase your return flight not before 9 AM and preferably later, anticipating possible delays due to bad weather). For further information, contact your coordinator.

This trip ends in Maafushi. The trip officially ends at 09:00 on the last day, so we recommend planning your return transfers accordingly. For example:

• if you need to book a flight, consider the time needed to reach the airport and complete check-in procedures;
• if you need to book a train or continue your journey independently, consider the time required to reach the station or your next destination.

 If you have any doubts, you can contact the coordinator assigned to your departure for advice.

The pace of the trip is to be considered sustained exclusively in the first part of the trip (Sri Lanka). The second part of the trip will be entirely for relaxation.

For this itinerary, you can choose the type of luggage you prefer – we always recommend a backpack, but you can also travel with a duffel bag, a holdall, or (it breaks our heart to say it) a cabin trolley case or a checked suitcase, as long as it’s moderate in size. Our Travel Coordinator will suggest the ideal luggage before departure in the WhatsApp group!

If you are a UK citizen, to find out the entry requirements for Sri Lanka, you can check this informational page from our partner Sherpa. If you need a visa, you can apply for it through Sherpa. If you are not a UK citizen, you can still use Sherpa by changing the nationality in the 'Passport' section.

Before traveling, always remember to check the government website of your country of origin for updates on the entry requirements for Sri Lanka – you wouldn’t want to stay home due to a bureaucratic detail!

• UK residents: review the FCDO Travel Advice.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
• Other residents: refer to your government or local consulate's travel advice.

Sri Lanka is in the Sri Lanka Standard Time zone, which is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+5:30). Sri Lanka does not observe daylight saving time. If it is 12pm in the UK, it will be 5:30pm in Sri Lanka. If it is 12pm in New York, USA, it will be 10:30pm in Sri Lanka. Keep this in mind when planning calls or activities involving multiple time zones.

Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) as its currency. 
The daily exchange rates can fluctuate, but as a rough guide:

• 1 British Pound (GBP) is approximately 500 LKR
• 1 US Dollar (USD) is around 320 LKR
• 1 Euro (EUR) is about 350 LKR

You can exchange currency at banks, exchange bureaus, and sometimes hotels. It is advisable to exchange currency at official places to get a better rate and avoid counterfeit notes.

Credit cards, debit cards, and cash are widely accepted in Sri Lanka. Most hotels, restaurants, and shops in urban areas accept cards, but it's a good idea to carry cash for smaller businesses and rural areas. ATMs are available in cities and towns, allowing you to withdraw cash using international cards. It's always best to inform your bank about your travel plans to avoid any issues with card transactions.

In Sri Lanka, tipping is a common practice and a nice way to show appreciation for good service. While it's not mandatory, we suggest you tip in the following situations:

• At restaurants, around 10% of the bill if a service charge isn't included.
• For hotel staff, like porters, around 100-200 Sri Lankan Rupees.
• For taxi drivers, you can round up the fare.

These small gestures are appreciated by service workers.

In Sri Lanka, buying a local SIM card or an e-SIM data plan is a great idea for staying connected. Major providers like Dialog, Mobitel, and Airtel offer affordable options with good coverage across the country. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, cafes, and restaurants, though the speed and reliability can vary. 

For more consistent internet access, a local SIM can be a lifesaver, especially if you plan to explore rural areas where Wi-Fi might be less available.

In Sri Lanka, the main languages spoken are Sinhala and Tamil. English is also widely used, especially in urban areas and for business purposes. Here are some useful Sinhala expressions you might hear or use:

• Hello: Ayubowan
• Thank you: Istuti
• How much is this?: Meeka keeyada?

And some Tamil expressions:

• Hello: Vanakkam
• Thank you: Nandri
• How much is this?: Idhu evvalavu?

In Sri Lanka, you'll find Type D, M, and G plugs. The voltage is 230V, and the frequency is 50Hz. If you're coming from the UK, USA, or other European countries, you might need to bring a universal adapter since your plugs might not fit. Always check your devices are compatible with 230V to avoid any issues.

The main religion in Sri Lanka is Buddhism. The country is predominantly Buddhist, with around 70% of the population practicing Theravada Buddhism. Significant Buddhist religious holidays include Vesak, which celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha, usually observed in May. If you're visiting during a religious holiday, you might see vibrant celebrations and beautiful lanterns. Remember to be respectful when visiting temples, by removing your shoes and covering your shoulders and knees.

For a trip to Sri Lanka, pack smart to enjoy the diverse landscapes and cultural experiences. 
Here's a handy packing list for your backpack :

• Clothing:
  - Lightweight shirts and T-shirts
  - Long pants and shorts
  - A light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings
  - Swimwear for the beaches
• Shoes:
  - Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
  - Flip-flops for the beach
  - Hiking boots if you plan to trek
• Accessories and Technology:
  - A sun hat and sunglasses
  - A power bank and chargers
  - An adapter (Sri Lanka uses Type G plugs, 230V, 50Hz)
  - A camera or smartphone with a good camera
• Toiletries and Medication:
  - Sunscreen and insect repellent
  - Basic toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap
  - Hand sanitizer
  - Common travel medication like pain relievers, anti-diarrheal, and antihistamines

Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. This packing list will help you stay comfortable while exploring Sri Lanka's beautiful landscapes and vibrant culture.

Sri Lanka's weather is tropical and varies by region. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Southwest Coast and Hill Country (Colombo, Galle, Kandy): Best time to visit is from December to March. The monsoon runs from May to September, bringing heavy rains.
• Northeast Coast (Trincomalee, Jaffna): Best time to visit is from May to September. The monsoon hits from October to January.

Overall, Sri Lanka is warm year-round, with average temperatures between 25-30°C. Keep in mind that the hill country is cooler, so pack a light jacket if you're heading there.

Return international flights are not included on our trips because we want to give you full autonomy and flexibility. You can choose your preferred airline, fly from the airport that works best for you, and decide how many stopovers you want to make along the way.

As flights are not included, you also have more flexibility with your travel dates: you could arrive at your destination a few days early or return home a bit later – or even continue independently to a nearby destination!

An "Available" departure means that the trip isn’t confirmed yet and we’re waiting for a few more travellers to sign up… which could be you!

If you book the trip please wait for it to be confirmed before booking your international flights.

The question of all questions! Here’s some more information: 

• The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all travellers on the trip and managed by your Travel Coordinator. 
• It is used to streamline payments for extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do. This guarantees flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group. 
• It is typically collected on the first day of the trip in local currency, although at times, the Travel Coordinator may ask for it to be paid before departure.
• You’ll find the Money Pot amount on the website under the section ‘What’s included in the Money Pot’. To find this look for ‘What’s included’, scroll down to ‘Money Pot? Click here’ and you’ll find the details.
• The amount varies depending on the destination chosen.
• It is usually used for group expenses that all travellers decide to take part in, but sometimes if you opt out of an activity it might make more sense for it to come out of the Money Pot. In these cases the Coordinator will return the amount for this activity back to you at the end of the trip. 
• It is estimated based on the experience of other groups but can vary depending on what activities your group is keen for. As such, the Travel Coordinator may need to increase the amount during the trip.
• If not all of the Money Pot is spent, the difference will be returned to all travellers at the end of the trip. 
• The Money Pot also covers the Travel Coordinator’s share of the activities included in the Money Pot, except for those activities that are free for the Travel Coordinator.
• If you pay in advance for part of the Money Pot before the trip for certain non-refundable optional activities, unfortunately, the amount cannot be refunded if the trip is cancelled. 

We offer several payment methods to fit every need:

1. Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express);
2. Instalment payment with Klarna (you’ll pay for the trip in three equal amounts);
3. PayPal (for selected destinations);
4. Revolut Pay to pay even faster straight from your Revolut account.

Anyone who books a WeRoad trip has the option to cancel or modify the trip – including both the dates and the destination – free of charge up to 31 days before departure. In case of cancellation up to 31 days before departure, you will receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price. If you make a change, a price adjustment will be applied to the new trip chosen – meaning, if the new trip is cheaper, we will refund the difference; if it’s more expensive, you will need to pay the difference.

If you’ve purchased the Flexible Cancellation Option (which you can add in the first step of the booking process), you can request a cancellation or trip change until 8 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you’ll receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price, minus the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option. 

How to request a cancellation or change to your trip? Send us an email at [email protected] or a WhatsApp on +447716573700. Please share the booking reference for the trip you want to cancel or change, and, in case of a change, the new trip you would like to join.

For our trips we usually use locally owned accommodation instead of big hotel chains. It’s our favourite way to really experience the local culture and, whenever we can, support the local economy. Typically, you’ll stay in hotels, apartments, guesthouses and hostels with the same standard maintained across all trips in the same destination.

The list of accommodation for your trip will be shared with you by your Travel Coordinator 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful details for your adventure!

Yes! We might not know the flights for everyone else in the group, but there are ways to find out which flights your fellow WeRoaders will be taking. 

1. All travellers can share their flight details after booking on their My WeRoad account so that other travellers on the same trip can see these details anonymously. 

2. Alternatively you can join our Facebook group: Solo Travellers | WeRoad Community – (here is the extended link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963298767843213 ) Look for a post about the trip you’re interested in or ask the group admin for help in getting in touch with your future travel companions!

3. If the Coordinator has already been assigned to the trip you’re keen for, you can easily find their Facebook post on the website. Click 'Ask the Coordinator' and follow the link here. 

Our groups usually consist of 8–12 travellers, with a minimum of 3–4 and a maximum of 15. 
Everyone on our trips speaks English, and travellers join us from across the UK, Europe and beyond. Our trips are open to people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, with an average age of 34 across all trips.

Each group will be joined and led by one of our experienced Travel Coordinators, who’s there to ensure everything runs smoothly and the group feels well-supported. 

If you’d like to know more about our typical WeRoad groups do reach out to us on WhatsApp on +44 7716573700. 

Yes! If you're curious, you can take a sneak peek at the group before booking. 
You’ll find the info in the ‘Group’ section for each trip on the departures page, showing how many WeRoaders have already booked. 

Click the little arrow and you’ll even see their gender and ages – but hey, that’s exclusive info, so we’ll ask you to log in or sign up to see that!

For some trips, in the itinerary section, you’ll find the number of nights and the location (not the hotel) where you’ll be spending the night(s). The location shown is the one we usually go for on most trips, but in some cases, you might stay in a nearby town. This will depend on logistics or availability of accommodation. 

The list of accommodation for your trip (and therefore also the exact locations) will be shared by your Travel Coordinator 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful information for your adventure!

The WeRoad Travel Coordinator is an experienced and skilled traveller who will be the perfect companion for your trip. They will manage all the logistical aspects of the itinerary like transport, timings, accommodation, restaurant bookings and meeting points, so that you can enjoy the trip without this hassle. They’re there to support the group, ensure everything runs smoothly and will no doubt make the trip a lot of fun along the way too! 

The Coordinator will set up a WhatsApp group approximately 2 weeks before departure. This will be the moment to ask any pre-departure questions and get to know the rest of the group! If the trip you are interested in already has a Travel Coordinator assigned, you can contact them before booking. Their details will be on the trip page, or you can search for their name here. After booking, you will find their contact details in your My WeRoad account, under ‘Bookings and Trips’ > ‘Your Upcoming Trips’ > ‘Trip Details’.

Yes, on all our trips you will share a room with other WeRoaders in your group. By default this will be people of the same gender, unless you tick ‘I'm OK with a mixed gender room’ when you book. The bathroom will either be private or shared only with other travellers on the trip. The rooms might be twins, triples, quadruples or multi-share (up to 8 people in exceptional cases), depending on the destination and availability.

You will never share with people from outside of the WeRoad group, except in certain cases for local experiences, which are specifically mentioned in the itinerary or communicated before booking. These typically involve specific nights in unique accommodation like tents, homestays, or camping, offering a more adventurous travel experience in exchange for some comfort.

On some of our trips we can offer a private room for an additional cost. Just tick the ‘Private Room’ option at checkout to get this added. For some of our trips if you book as two travellers together you can add this private room free of charge. Look out for this option at checkout. 

Please note that if you do book a private room with a friend/partner this could be either a double or a twin room so please email [email protected] if you have a preference on this. 

When you set off on a WeRoad trip, you’re officially a WeRoader – and as we often say, 'once a WeRoader, always a WeRoader'. This means that once you’re part of the community, a little piece of WeRoad will always stay with you.

But you’re not just a WeRoader during your trips, far from it! The community is alive and active all year round: you can stay in touch by following and interacting on our social media channels, like the Facebook group or the Instagram profile. You can also come along to one of our many events that we run in different cities worldwide. Check out and sign up to our events by downloading the WeMeet app here.