Sri Lanka Travel Advice

Sri Lanka is increasingly becoming a big name on tourist charts for South Asian holidays. While it is keeping pace with the flood of tourism it sees, scratching the surface reveals that the heart of the country is still very traditional. From clothing to travel, there’s loads to know about that determine how well your trip will go. Read on to know about first hand Sri Lanka travel advice, curated by our Sri Lanka travel experts. 

Sri Lanka is home to marvellous views like this one – Photo Credit Lahiru Supunchandra

Be Open To The Experience

Sri Lanka isn’t just a country you travel through, it’s an entire experience. And as with several South Asian destinations, it is best experienced through public transportation. Trains in Sri Lanka wind through hill country and along the coast, and have Classes 1, 2 and 3. Avoid the prime tourist choice of Class 1 and 2, and book Class 3 (wooden seats) to be among friendly locals and away from the tourist hordes that populate Class 1 and 2. 

Take it from us, it is quite safe and comfy, and is the place where the real Sri Lankan train experience is. You’re also more likely to get a seat in Class 3 than Class 1 and 2, as the locals keep getting off, unlike the tourists who get off only at main stops. Irrespective of where you eventually book, you could do what a lot of people like to do, sit by the door for the best view!

Connecting the towns and big cities by road are the colourful, almost discotheque-like buses. Cheerful locals welcome you onboard and you get to watch their mannerisms or lose yourself to the untouched Sri Lanka that passes you outside. There are also short train and bus rides if you’d rather take one or two rides just for the experience. Additionally, make sure you stay at one of the many boutique hotels that dot the island, as each is unique and more characteristic than the last. Missing out on these experiences is missing out on the magic of Sri Lanka.

Meet friendly locals on a train ride in Sri Lanka – Photo Credit Dennis Sylvester Hurd

Taking It Slow

An island vacation is the best way to take it slow. But in Sri Lanka, it can often be the only way; despite the impressive growth in tourism and infrastructure, travel time within Sri Lanka can be quite long. While the trains and buses are affordable and offer scenic views, they certainly take their time going from one destination to the other. Of course, you can always opt for the more expensive option of hiring a car and driver, but the winding roads provide minimal respite. 

Our Sri Lanka travel advice? Go along with the island vibe and take it slow! Sri Lanka’s geographical diversity is almost astonishing, and its train and bus services give you a great glance at the life that abounds here. The views offered are unbeatable, and you get to interact with some of the friendliest locals on earth.

Like the train, the rickshaw is definitely a thing to experience in Sri Lanka- Photo Credit Eddy Billard

Keep an eye on the weather

Don’t let its tiny size fool you; Sri Lanka has quite the complicated weather pattern. The monsoon is wet and tropical, and summers are hot. Depending on the weather, certain activities like trekking, surfing or water sports may be cancelled. However, travelling on the off season also means you’ll get to enjoy the benefit of cheap prices. The good news is while one coast is battered by rains, the other is basking in sunshine. All you have to do is figure out the weather pattern and book accordingly. 

Understanding the weather in Sri Lanka makes for a perfect, hassle-free trip with your best buds.

Food Tips

Food tips make up a sizable part of our Sri Lanka travel advice. Saying that the food in Sri Lanka is rich is an understatement. Even their range of curries is vast! Sri Lankan cuisine is a reflection of the diversity that the Pearl of the Indian Ocean boasts. Similar yet so different to South Indian cuisine, it almost always has a mix of spices. For palettes that have a hard time adjusting, you can always opt for the bowl-shaped rice hoppers. But do not expect familiar, continental cuisine wherever you go. Food in Sri Lanka remains largely local, and the only place for some decent multi-continental food is at the several boutique hotels, mostly run by expats. 

Sri Lankan cuisine is mouth-wateringly delicious and heavy on the spice.

Escape to North Sri Lanka

Ravaged by 30 years of Civil War that ended only in 2009, North Sri Lanka has been the last to open up to tourism. Rows of newly constructed hotels and fancy resorts are far from the norm here; you pay for the Sri Lanka experience elsewhere but you live it in North Sri Lanka. The slow pace of everyday living and the steady buzz of local life are bound to be appealing. While you may not be robed in luxury, you’ll certainly live out the riches that Sri Lanka has to offer. Long stretches of empty beaches and undisturbed nature remain true to themselves, away from the commercialized revamps that are eating through the rest of the country. This is a paradise that few are privy to, experienced in the truest personal sense.

Surfing in Sri Lanka is one of the popular sports- Photo Credit Filipp Nekhaev

Religious Sentimentality

Visiting a new country means sharing in everything it has to offer with its local people. This brings about a sense of responsibility we have as travellers to the country and its culture and communities. While our views may be our own, it falls on us to take cognizance of and respect the views of the country we’re in. Applying this to Sri Lankan culture means understanding the deep reverence the people have for Buddhism, and respecting it. 

Take off your shoes and any headgear, and cover your shoulders and legs when entering a Buddhist temple. Never touch the head of young children, or of Buddhist monks, as it is considered to be a grave sign of disrespect. Avoid turning your backs to a statue of Buddha, and if taking a photograph, the person should be facing the statue. Lastly, cover up any tattoos of Buddha or Buddhism you have, and avoid clothes and bags with Buddha printed or stitched on them. There have been situations that have also led to arrest, so be mindful. 

Buddhism is widely followed in Sri Lanka – Photo Credit chris-mmm

Sri Lanka is wonderfully safe and affordable, quite ideal for solo female travellers and backpackers as well. Just ensure you do your part to make it a great holiday, like refraining from wearing exposing clothes on beaches and in public. Nudism and nudity are a big no-no, as the people are just not accustomed to it. Leave these aside and focus on the experience, and you’ll have the time of your life. Hit us up for a Sri Lanka itinerary catered to the T with your budget and wishlist kept in mind.