Question 1

Who is Jason?

Accepted Answer

Jason is a Sri Lanka Tourist Board–certified private driver and guide based in Colombo, dedicated to crafting authentic, unforgettable journeys across the island — and a self-confessed pet lover whose warm, personal style sets the service apart from typical tour operators. Travelling with Jason means a fully tailored experience: he will either follow your own itinerary or help you design the perfect route, then take you door-to-door in comfort from the airport or your hotel to anywhere in Sri Lanka. His private-driver model is ideal for visitors who would rather skip the stress of self-driving and the crowds of group tours or public transport, adding a genuinely personal touch to every stop, from cultural landmarks like Sigiriya to scenic train rides through Ella and the hill country.

Question 2

Do I need a visa to visit Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival. You can apply online through the official Sri Lanka ETA portal — it usually comes back within a day or two. We recommend applying at least a week before you fly. We are happy to send you the official link and walk you through it when you book.

Question 3

How many days do I need in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Most of our tours run between 12 and 20 days. Twelve gives you a full run of the highlights — cultural triangle, hill country, a safari, and several days on the coast. Twenty lets you slow right down, add less-visited regions, and really get to know the island. We do not insist on a length though — we build tours that fit whatever time you have, whether that is a long weekend transfer or a three-week journey.

Question 4

Is it safe to travel around Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka is considered one of the safer destinations in South Asia for tourists. Travelling with a private driver removes the main day-to-day risks — unfamiliar roads, tuk-tuk overcharging, and navigating public transport with luggage. Jason knows the island, the driving conditions, and exactly which stops are family-friendly.

Question 5

What is included in a private tour with Jason?

Accepted Answer

You choose how far to take it, and the exact inclusions shift with the type of tour. At the simplest end it is just your driver and vehicle — you plan your own stops and book your own hotels, and Jason drives. At the full-service end a lot is already arranged and paid for: airport pickup with a local SIM card, every hotel booked, door-to-door drives between stops, traditional village tours with authentic lunches, tea-factory and herbal-garden visits, elephant-watching safaris at Minneriya or Kaudulla, afternoon game drives in Yala, whale and dolphin watching from Mirissa, boat journeys, the scenic Blue Train seats from the hill country to Ella, and a private-chef dinner inside the national park on safari nights. Because Jason is a Sri Lanka Tourist Board–certified local, he gets local pricing on jeeps, guides, safari bungalows, cultural-triangle tickets, and good restaurants — so a lot bundles into the package that would cost noticeably more arranged independently. Optional extras (spa treatments, a gem factory, Polonnaruwa by bicycle) are either free or typically a few dollars per person, and every cost is transparent up front.

Question 6

Can you arrange airport pickup from Colombo (CMB)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We track your flight, meet you in the arrivals hall with a name sign, help with luggage, and get you on the road or to your hotel. A local SIM card is included on airport pickup so you can use maps, WhatsApp us, and stay online from the moment you land.

Question 7

What vehicles do you use?

Accepted Answer

We run a small fleet of well-maintained, air-conditioned vehicles — sedans for couples, SUVs and vans for families and small groups. All vehicles are kept in excellent condition for Sri Lankan road trips, with seatbelts in every seat and space for luggage and camera gear.

Question 8

Are your tours good for families with young children?

Accepted Answer

Yes — families are a big part of what we do. We can provide child seats on request, build in shorter driving days, and pick stops that work for kids (safari, train rides, beach time, lily-pad-hat villages, cooking classes). Jason has young children himself and understands the pace that works for families.

Question 9

Do you arrange hotels and safari bookings?

Accepted Answer

We can. Many travellers book their own accommodation on Booking.com or similar; others prefer us to handle everything. Either way works. For safaris (Yala, Udawalawe, Wilpattu, Minneriya) and cultural-triangle tickets we usually book on your behalf to secure the best guides and jeeps.

Question 10

What wildlife can I see in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka is one of the best wildlife destinations in Asia for its size. Yala National Park has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world — if seeing a leopard matters to you, this is the place to go. Udawalawe and Minneriya are famous for elephants; the Minneriya "Gathering" between July and October brings several hundred wild elephants onto the same plain. Mirissa is the jumping-off point for blue-whale and dolphin watching between November and April. Wilpattu offers leopards and sloth bears with far smaller crowds than Yala. Birders will find more than 400 species across the island, including many endemics. We build safari days around whichever wildlife you most want to see.

Question 11

Do your wildlife tours follow animal welfare guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our safaris, elephant-watching experiences, sea-turtle hatchery visits, and whale-watching boats are listed on TripAdvisor as meeting their animal welfare guidelines. We work with guides and jeep drivers who respect wildlife distances, avoid crowded convoys where possible, and know the parks well enough to find animals without disturbing them. Jason takes responsible wildlife tourism seriously.

Question 12

What currency does Sri Lanka use, and will my card work?

Accepted Answer

The currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). ATMs are easy to find in Colombo and most towns, and international Visa and Mastercard cards work at the bigger ones. Many hotels, restaurants, and attractions accept cards, though smaller family-run places, markets, and tuk-tuks are cash only. Most travellers arrive with some USD and either change it at the airport or draw LKR from an ATM on day one. We are happy to advise on current best practice when you land.

Question 13

What languages are spoken in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The two official languages are Sinhala (majority) and Tamil. English is very widely spoken across tourism, hospitality, and the cities — most hotel staff, restaurant menus, signs at major attractions, and every driver we work with speak comfortable English, so you will not have a communication problem. A few words of Sinhala always goes down well: "ayubowan" (hello) and "istuti" (thank you) are a good start.

Question 14

What are Jason's Private Drivers reviews and ratings?

Accepted Answer

We are rated 5.0 out of 5 on TripAdvisor from 105 reviews, and were awarded Travellers' Choice 2025. The listing is ranked #2 of 540 tour services in the Colombo area. Our most-booked experiences — including the Sigiriya City Tour and the Ella scenic train ride — consistently earn five-star feedback. You can read every review on our TripAdvisor page (linked in the footer).

Question 15

How do I book and how do I pay?

Accepted Answer

Send us a WhatsApp message with your travel dates and a rough idea of what you would like to see, and we will reply with a personalised itinerary and quote. Booking is trust-based, which is how most private travel is done here — we have built the business on repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals, so there is no card or deposit required to confirm. Payment is preferred in cash at the end of the trip. USD, EUR, GBP, or LKR all work.

Frequently asked questions