Travel Guide
Local Guides & Drivers
A good local guide turns a trip into a story. Whether you want a licensed chauffeur-guide for the whole island or a specialist for a single site, here is how to find the right person and hire them with confidence.
Types of guide
Match the guide to how you want to travel.
- National (chauffeur) guide — SLTDA-licensed, drives and guides for multi-day tours.
- Site guides — experts at a specific attraction (Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Kandy).
- Naturalist/safari trackers — essential for Yala, Wilpattu and whale watching.
- Experience hosts — cooking classes, tea estates, village and cycling tours.
How to hire well
A few checks avoid the most common problems.
- Ask to see an SLTDA guide licence for national/chauffeur guides.
- Agree the route, daily rate, fuel, and who pays for the guide's meals and rooms up front.
- Read recent reviews and confirm the language you need is fluent.
- Prefer a written itinerary; keep contact details and share them with someone at home.
Costs & etiquette
Rates vary with vehicle, season and experience.
- Chauffeur-guides are usually priced per day plus fuel; confirm currency (LKR or USD).
- Tipping for good service is customary — see our money and tipping tips.
- Book ahead for peak season (December–March) and long weekends.