Travelling in Sri Lanka makes more sense when someone can explain it to you in your own language. This is a private Sri Lankan guide, fluent in Arabic, who accompanies you through your days on the island, sets out the history behind the places you visit, explains the customs and daily life you encounter, and translates for you in conversation with the people you meet along the way.
An island the Arab world has known for centuries
Arab traders knew Sri Lanka long before the Europeans arrived, and it was they who called it Serendib. That connection is still visible today. The island has a long-established Muslim community, which means halal food is easy to find in towns and cities rather than something you have to search for, and your guide can tell you where to look. The same guide can point out places of worship as you travel, among them the red-and-white striped Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque in Colombo's Pettah district, one of the most recognisable buildings in the old trading quarter.
What your guide does for you
- Explains a site as you walk it, from the rock fortress of Sigiriya to the cave temples at Dambulla, so the carvings and ruins have a story attached
- Translates for you in markets and shops, where traders may be speaking Sinhala, Tamil or English
- Tells you what is expected at a temple or mosque before you go in, including dress and where to remove your shoes
- Opens up conversations with local people, so an exchange with a tea picker or a fisherman becomes more than gestures
- Answers the practical questions that come up during the day, about food, customs, etiquette or what you are looking at
- Describes how Sri Lankan dishes are made and how spicy they are likely to be, before you order
Book a guide for as many days as your trip needs, from a single day in Colombo to four weeks around the island; simply choose the number of days when you book. Send us your itinerary as well, so the guide can be matched to the route and the places you plan to see.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Arabic-speaking tour guide do?
Your guide is a Sri Lankan who is fluent in Arabic and travels with you to the places on your itinerary. At each stop they explain what you are looking at, from the history of a site to the meaning of a carving or a custom, tell you the temple etiquette before you go in, and answer the practical questions that come up along the way, such as what a sign says or how spicy a dish is likely to be.
Is a vehicle included?
No. This is a guide-only service: the price covers the guide, and no vehicle or driver is included. Your guide travels with you in the transport you arrange. If you need a car with a driver as well, Lakpura can arrange one as a separate booking.
How much does the guide cost?
The guide costs USD 100 per day, and the rate is the same whichever language you choose. You pay for the number of days you book, so a seven-day booking is USD 700.
How many hours a day does the guide work?
Each guiding day covers up to 8 hours with you.
Are the guide's meals and accommodation included?
No. The daily rate covers the guide's services only, and does not include meals or accommodation for the guide.
Are entrance fees included?
No. Entrance fees to sites, temples, parks and other attractions are not included in the price.
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes. Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before the start of your booking.
For how many days can I book a guide?
From a single day up to 28 days (four weeks). You choose the number of days when you book.
Can the guide follow my own itinerary?
Yes. Tell Lakpura your itinerary when you book, and we match you with a Arabic-speaking guide who knows the places you plan to visit.
Will the guide translate when I talk with local people?
Yes. When the people you meet are speaking Sinhala or Tamil, your guide translates between them and you in Arabic, in both directions, so a real conversation can take place rather than a few gestures.
Also available in other languages
Your service advisor
Mewan Manager
Have questions about this service or want it arranged around your dates? Reach Mewan directly — replies usually within a few hours during Sri Lanka business hours.
