Flying Cinnamon Air's Cessna 208-4R CAF from Colombo to Yala
When researching how to get from Colombo to Yala, I quickly realized there weren't many flight options available.
Although Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport technically still operates, it handles very few regular commercial flights, making domestic options surprisingly limited. Driving is the alternative most travelers choose but depending on traffic and where you're staying near Yala, you're potentially looking at six hours on the road. After spending a full day traveling already, spending 6 hours on the road just was not something we wanted to do.
Outdoor waiting area of Cinnamon Air at Colombo Airport
Our resort offered transportation options from Colombo, but after doing some research, I found and decided to book with Cinnamon Air instead because it was almost exactly half the cost roundtrip. Even with multiple stops, our Cinnamon Air journey took just under two hours from departure to arrival and the direct flight back to Colombo took just about 45 minutes.
My girls boarding the seaplane like pros.
The Airport Experience Felt Surprisingly VIP
Finding the Cinnamon Air meeting point is super easy thanks to signage along the road!
Flying Cinnamon Air felt much closer to private aviation than traditional airline travel. Once we reached the meeting point in Colombo, we let the airline know we had arrived.
Within minutes, a van picked us up and escorted us through a private gate near Colombo airport where we showed our passports before continuing to the Cinnamon Air waiting area.
The entire process was incredibly smooth and when you're traveling with kids, easy logistics are worth their weight in gold.
The waiting room itself was small and simple:
Bathrooms
Coffee and tea
Indoor seating
Outdoor viewing area overlooking the planes
Wifi
But what my daughters remember most wasn't the lounge. It was the wildlife.
While waiting they spotted a monitor lizard, attempted to feed a squirrel, and one of the guards even showed them a bird's nest where a mother bird sat protecting her eggs. (Spoiler alert: this is why the monitor lizard was hanging around!)
Surprise: We Ended Up on a Seaplane!
Cinnamon Air C-208 Amphibian seaplane
Our aircraft that day was a C-208 Amphibian. There were actually two airplanes waiting so we were surprised that the seaplane was our ride for the day. I’ve ridden on a seaplane before and I was excited that our route would include water stops and the girls would get to experience this too!
Honestly, they could’ve cared less either way, but I love landing and taking off on the water. Boarding was seamless and the views throughout the flight were spectacular.
They did at least look up from their iPads on the landings
And this might secretly be one of the best inexpensive sightseeing experiences in Sri Lanka.
The aerial perspective was incredible. (I’ll have a reel on my instagram soon covering the views - make sure to find me @sarahsymbalisty )
We flew over coastlines, waterways, tea plantations, and national park landscapes that we'd never have appreciated from ground level.
Compared with paying for a scenic helicopter ride, Cinnamon Air felt like an affordable alternative that gives you many of the same views.
Except you're also getting transportation. Transportation and excursion at the same time.
The Pilots Made the Experience
Aerial view of Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery in Ella, pointed out by one of the pilots.
We had an outstanding crew during our first flight from CMB to Weerawila. The pilots pointed out landmarks during the flight and made the experience feel personal rather than transactional.
Before leaving our second stop, I realized we’d be flying pretty close to one of the national parks so I asked one pilot whether we'd have a chance of spotting elephants while flying over the national park.
He laughed and said probably not.
Then about ten minutes later he came back and said he was going to fly lower and slower over the park so we could try.
No elephants. But I appreciated the effort.
That tiny moment perfectly summed up the experience.
A Quick Note About Luggage
The day before our flight we were required to send our luggage count and weight, as well as weight of each passenger. Our flight was full and due to aircraft weight limitations our luggage was the one that stayed behind.
They assured us that our luggage would be driven directly at our hotel and arrive by 6 p.m. - and it was.
This wasn’t an issue for us and we were able to grab anything we would need to put into our backpacks for the few hours we’d be at the resort without our luggage.
Smaller planes sometimes mean flexibility is required.
Landing at an Active Air Force Base
One interesting detail many travelers may not know: Weerawila is an active Sri Lanka Air Force station.
Because of this, we needed to submit our driver's information beforehand so he could be cleared to enter and pick us up. The same was true for flying back out of Weerawila. AND don’t try to be too early for your flight - they’ll make you wait outside the gate.
Was Cinnamon Air Worth It?
Absolutely. Roundtrip flights for our family of four cost approximately $1,500 total. From the first time I looked until the day I booked, flights were pretty much the same price - there was no drastic fluctuations.
For a private-plane atmosphere, water takeoffs and landings, beautiful aerial scenery, and dramatically easier logistics with children, it felt like a fantastic value. Travel days with kids can often feel stressful and this one felt like part of the vacation.
If you're trying to get from Colombo to Yala - or simply want one of the most scenic ways to see Sri Lanka - I highly recommend Cinnamon Air.
Cinnamon Air offers many regular routes on their website, as well as chartered flights and scenic flights. I purchased these flights on my own and all opinions in this blog are mine. All information in this blog is current as of May 2026.
