To quote Condé Nast Traveler, “Sri Lanka Is Ready for Its Close-Up”! Since my first trip to Sri Lanka in 2015, I have been back every 2-3 months and it is my second home now.
It feels like Sri Lanka’s reputation as the up-and-coming destination in Asia has truly blossomed over the past 18 months and if for some reason you need convincing, here are 10 excellent reasons why now is the time to see Ceylon.
There are some common misconceptions about Sri Lanka as the civil war ended relatively recently (2009) but also some cool facts that you might not know about this country. If you’re planning a visit, here are 12 things to know before going to Sri Lanka!
Looking for more Sri Lanka travel tips and destination guides? Click here for everything you need to help plan your trip to Sri lanka!
12 things you should know before traveling to Sri Lanka
1. It is time consuming to travel around Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is only about 430 KM tall and 220 KM wide, but it can take you hours and hours to travel from place to place as the roads can be extremely busy. Expect to wait for cows to cross the road, the occasional monkey appearing out of nowhere, crazy bus drivers and sometimes even a stubborn elephant in the middle of the road.
For example, it takes approximately 3 hours to travel from Colombo to the southernmost point of Sri Lanka (around 160 KMs). The good news is that highways are being built left, right and center but you will still have to drive through narrow streets in smaller cities to get to freeway entrances.
First timers to Sri Lanka often make the mistake of packing too many places into a 1 or 2 week itinerary without factoring in extensive travel time. The fastest and best way to travel around Sri Lanka is to book a private car and driver from point-to-point, but do not expect the prices to be dirt cheap – a 3-4 hour one-way car ride can cost anywhere from US$100 to $140. Hiring a car and driving around yourself is not really a thing in Sri Lanka; you can probably find car rental places in Colombo, but your best bet is to take a train or hire a driver.
Train travel is popular in Sri Lanka as it is cheap and reliable(ish), but not every train has first or even second class carriages. Seats can be reserved in person at a train station up to 45 days before the trip and scenic routes fill up FAST.
Traveling by train in Sri Lanka is an incredibly cost-effective and picturesque way to get around, and many people believe it’s an integral part of the overall Ceylon travel experience. Click here to read more tips on train travel through tea country in Sri Lanka!
Traveling around by bus is also dirt cheap, but not highly recommended because they drive like absolute mad men! If you are traveling a short distance (under an hour) then a tuk tuk, or 3 wheeler, is the way to go. Riding in a tuk tuk is an experience in and of itself – just make sure you agree on a price with the driver before the ride.
2. For a small island, there are a ton of things to see and do in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has every single type of traveler covered: explore tea country in the Central Province, chase waterfalls, hike stunning mountain ranges, discover UNESCO world heritage sites like Sigiriya and the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, lounge on world-class beaches, go on a wildlife safari in one of Sri Lanka’s many national parks like Yala or Udawalawe to see leopards and Asian elephants in their natural habitat, dive among shipwrecks, surf uncrowded waves, visit temples and so on…you get the gist!
Because of the time it takes to travel between places, don’t be surprised if you don’t cover a lot of ground – 2-3 weeks is not nearly enough time to experience all of what Sri Lanka has to offer!
Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? Click here for my express 1 week Sri Lanka itinerary or head on over to read my 2 week itinerary to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean!
3. Sri Lanka is a safe country to travel to
But there are a few things you should know first. Yes, the country went through a 20 year civil war, but for the most part, life has since returned to normal after the end of the war in 2009. Sri Lanka has made international news headlines a few times since 2009: a 10-day state of emergency was declared in March 2018 due to violent unrest between the Buddhist and Muslim communities in Kandy; political unrest and protests took place in late 2018; and hotels and churches in Colombo, Batticaloa and Negombo were attacked on Easter Sunday in 2019. Read on for some updates if you’re thinking to yourself, “is it still safe to visit Sri Lanka?”
Update April 22nd 2019: In the immediate days following the attacks in Sri Lanka, several governments have issued travel advisories asking citizens to exercise increased caution or defer non-essential travel. Airlines and the international airport in Sri Lanka are operating as scheduled, but increased security has been put in place so you should allow for plenty of time to arrive at the airport ahead of your flight, and expect delays when it comes to airport pick-ups. Hotels are also conducting luggage and bag checks before you are allowed in, and most will not allow curbside pick ups and drop offs.
Update May 31st 2019: Several countries are relaxing their travel advisories to Sri Lanka and the authorities have reported that say all those directly involved in bombings are dead or have been arrested. There has, however, been incidents of unrest following the attacks, and social media bans across Sri Lanka have been placed and lifted as a result – these generally last no more than a few days at a time. Drones have also been banned from Sri Lankan airspace.
Update June 17th 2019: The majority of countries including Australia, India, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland and Germany have downgraded and relaxed their travel advisories for Sri Lanka. Visitors should still allow plenty of time for increased security checks at Bandaranaike International Airport – vehicle checks are still being carried out so curbside pick ups and drop offs may be delayed.
Ultimately, the decision to travel to and around Sri Lanka during this time is yours. However, read on for some important precautions to take:
– avoid the affected areas in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa;
– avoid large gatherings;
– allow extra time for increased security measures at airports;
– be alert and aware of your surroundings;
– local authorities have temporarily blocked access to social media in the past. If you are relying on social media to stay in touch with friends and family back home you may need to use a VPN service;
– leave your drone at home;
– stay informed of the evolving situation by keeping a close eye on local media;
– check with your country’s foreign office on the latest travel advisory status; and
– contact your travel insurance provider to enquire about coverage.
Just as you would for any other country that you travel to, exercise a reasonable amount of caution and be aware of your surroundings. It may also be prudent to avoid large gatherings and places of worship during major religious holidays. Don’t flash money around and leave expensive jewelry and electronics in your hotel room or at home, and keep an eye on your personal belongings when you head out. Sri Lankan people are famous for their hospitality, and violent crimes towards tourists are virtually unheard of. I have met some of the kindest and most welcoming people in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is unlike some other Asian countries in the sense that it is still relatively modest. The primary religion is Buddhism so be mindful of your attire when you visit temples (cover your shoulders and wear pants) or walk around town. Let me put it this way: shorts and tank tops are fine, but I would not recommend that you drive shirtless on a scooter or walk around in a bikini. Some tourists are even being stopped by police in the street and told to cover up!
Looking for more tips on what NOT to do in Sri Lanka? Click here for 15 things to avoid doing in Sri lanka!
Every full moon is a public holiday in Sri Lanka (AKA “Poya”) and hard liquor consumption is fairly high in Sri Lanka. Though places do not sell alcohol on Poya day, many people stock up from their local liquor shop ahead of time. The preferred drink of choice is arrack (most often distilled from coconut flower sap) which is high in alcohol content – it is not uncommon for groups of men to get intoxicated and rowdy during Poya.
I have personally experienced verbal harassment and lewd comments from men in Sri Lanka, but would not recommend engaging – if you are a solo female traveler in Sri Lanka, just keep walking and try not to be alone late at night. Sri Lanka’s tourist police are very responsive – dial 1912 to get in touch with them, or 119 to reach emergency services.
4. Traveling around Sri Lanka is affordable, but not as cheap as other Southeast/South Asian countries
The currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (different from the Indian Rupee), and the exchange rate varies from approximately 160-175 LKR: 1 USD. There are plenty of places to exchange money in Sri Lanka, and there are also ATMs in cities like Colombo and Galle where you can withdraw money.
In my experience, accommodation prices tend to be higher in Sri Lanka when compared with countries like India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos and so on. Luxury properties like Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort, Anantara Tangalle, Anantara Kalutara and Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge are popping up like daisies across the country and a 5-star or boutique hotel can cost anywhere from US$300 to 1000 a night – seriously!
It is also not uncommon for a 3-star hotel to set you back US$80-120 a night, but budget options are available, just be prepared for slightly higher rates than countries like India.
I’m passionate about promoting unique and boutique travel experiences, and personally look for comfort, beautiful decor and warm hospitality when I travel. Click here for some of the best boutique and luxury hotels to stay at in Sri Lanka!
Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? Click here for more accommodation options! If your dates or plans might change, the majority of the hotels listed on Booking.com allow you to cancel your booking for free! Just make sure you know what the deadline is for cancelling with no penalty.
5. Sri Lanka has 2 monsoon seasons and a number of different climates throughout the country
I’m often asked, “when is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?” Sri Lanka is a tropical country so expect lots of blissful sunshine and blue skies practically year-round. If we’re being technical, the island has 2 monsoon seasons: the northeast monsoon (December to March), and the southwest monsoon (June to October); however, you can visit Sri Lanka anytime during the year IMHO.
While there are “rainy seasons”, it is nowhere near as unbearable as rainy season in Laos or Thailand, often it will pour in the evening and the sun will be out the next day. Don’t let people talk you out of visiting southern Sri lanka from June to September as it tends to be much quieter and crowd-free. Check out my guide to Sri Lanka’s south coast for more insider tips!
For your reference, the peak season for the southern province is from around November to January (be mentally prepared for significant crowds if you are visiting Sri Lanka in December around Christmas or New Year’s Eve), and the peak season for the east coast is from around June to August.
You should also know that Sri Lanka has a few different climates so you may need to bring a sweatshirt or two if you’re visiting hill country as it can get very chilly. When we traveled through Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Ella, the temperature dropped to 14-17 degrees Celsius (57-62 F) in the mornings and evenings – not quite what you expect from a tropical island!
6. Many Sri Lankans can communicate in English
Sinhalese and Tamil are the two primary languages spoken in Sri Lanka, but I’ve personally found that many people also speak or understand basic English. Most people who work in, or live around, major tourist destination cities like Galle, Mirissa, Weligama, Unawatuna, Colombo and Kandy will be able to communicate in conversational English.
Here are some useful phrases you should know before you go:
- Ayubowan = may you live long, a formal way of greeting someone. You can also just say “hello” or “hi”
- Istuti = thank you
- Kohomadha = how are you?
- Hari = okay, got it, fine (you often say this twice – “hari hari”)
- Lassanai = beautiful
- Hondayi = very good
- Kiyeda? = how much?
7. It is relatively uncrowded…for now
Unlike other popular tropical destinations, Sri Lanka remains relatively pure, untouched and unspoiled. Yes, there are massive tourist destinations and slightly shady beach parties, but you won’t find anywhere like Kuta, Patpong or Patong in Sri Lanka. With tourism rates projected to explode over the next few years, now is the perfect time to visit!
8. Don’t expect a big party scene
Sri Lanka, especially in areas outside of Colombo, is laid back and chill – there aren’t many places to go for a fancy night out and there are not a whole lot of clubs and bars. Lounging on an empty beach is one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka – it’s definitely more of a beer & sunset place rather than a shots & fist pumping scene, if that makes sense!
More: There are tons of great accommodation options in Sri Lanka (and places with beachfront or poolside bars, wink wink) – click here for more hotel options and current prices!
9. Sri Lanka is a photographer’s dream come true
Sri Lanka is incredibly photogenic and avid photographers will have the opportunity to snap stunning shots of the landscape and people. You will need to bring an extra SD card or upgrade your cloud storage! Some photo opps, like the famous stilt fishermen, will cost you and unfortunately not many people still fish this way as it’s easier to charge tourists for a picture. Tip: Don’t pay over 500 LKR, especially if the fishermen are already positioned on the stilts.
However, Sri Lanka’s photo-friendliness is a double-edged sword. I have never seen so many Instagrammers rush from Instagram spot to Instagram spot, sometimes even engaging in irresponsible and unethical experiences just to get that money shot. To make the most of your stay in Sri Lanka, I truly recommend not treating it like an Instagram backdrop and being mindful of your time in the country.
10. There is an abundance of fresh produce and seafood
Local Sri Lankan food is often described as a milder version of Indian food (even though there are so many different types of Indian cuisine). Quintessential Sri Lankan meals consist of colourful curries, rice and roti, string hoppers (steamed rice noodles), kottu (a carb-heavy diced roti dish, often served with veggies, eggs or chicken), tons of fresh seafood from the Indian Ocean and an abundance of wonderful tropical fruit.
Most places will also sell western dishes, and the cost of eating out in Sri Lanka will depend on where you eat; as you can imagine, it will be more expensive to dine at a big hotel rather than a small beachfront shack. Red meat dishes can be found at most hotels but it is not served often.
11. You will need a visa to travel to Sri Lanka
Most visitors will need to apply for a Sri Lanka tourist visa (except for nationals of Singapore, Maldives and Seychelles) but this is easily done online. My recommendation is to apply a week before your trip, it usually takes 24-48 hours for the visa approval to come through.
Alternatively, you can obtain a Sri Lankan visa on arrival at the airport and it costs US$40 in cash. The caveat is that there are only a handful of counters and you could end up waiting in line for a long while during the peak travel season, so you’re best off applying for the visa online.
12. Sunscreen is pricey and hard to find in local shops!
It is hard to find high quality sunscreen (anything over SPF 30 is impossible to find) in local shops, and shops that do stock sunscreen charge exorbitant prices. Reef-safe sunscreen is also a rarity. If you’re traveling to the beaches along the south or east coast of Sri Lanka, come prepared and bring your own. Otherwise, you can pick some up (at a mark up) from The Box surf shop in Madiha (near Matara), Urban Island in Colombo or The Bite coffee shop in Arugam Bay.
While I’m at it, ladies: bring tampons.
What are some other things about Sri Lanka that you think travelers should know? Did you find these Sri Lanka travel tips helpful? Join the Sri Lanka Travel Inspiration Facebook group for even more tips, recommendations and advice!
Looking for even more Sri Lanka travel tips and destination guides? Head on over here!
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Sri Lanka has been on my bucket list for quite some time now; more so after reading this! Love the pic with the elephant in the road xx
It was a funny experience because we managed to swerve around it (carefully), but a bus was just stuck waiting for the elephant to cross!
I’m visiting Sri Lanka this year so I found reading your post very helpful and it’s made me even more excited! How far in advance would you recommend booking a train from Kandy to Ella when you’re there?
Are you visiting during peak season for tea country/the south? (October to about February) – if so, you can book up to 45 days in advance and I’d recommend that you book ASAP! You can also consider taking the route less traveled from Nuwara Eliya up to Kandy – it’s a little less crowded/touristy.
This is a super helpful list – I had no idea that there was so much to do in Sri Lanka besides beaches! I would love to visit someday.
Thanks so much for read this, Leigh!
I am totally fascinated by Sri Lanka. My Uncle is from there and has told me so many stories about growing up there as a kid. He was very lucky to be part of a wealthy family so he got to explore most of the country as a kid. This is a great post Florence, full of lots of interesting and useful info. I’ll be keeping it saved for when I visit someday.
It’s a seriously amazing country, Jen! If you do plan a trip over, feel free to check out some of my other articles on Ceylon 🙂
I’d never thought about visiting, but it’s beautiful!
It really is! I hope you get to see it with your own eyes soon!
This is so wonderfully informative! I’m raring to go to Sri Lanka now – it sounds like my ideal place to chill out for a bit, ha ha. Definitely bookmarking for future reference!
Thanks so much for checking this out Lynn! You can chill out or go on an active adventure – that’s the beauty, Sri Lanka has it all!
Sti Lanka has totally not been on my radar but it sounds lovely. Good to know you should bring sunscreen and that it takes a long time to get anywhere, even thoughthe island is small. Glad there is a lot to see and do and would love to see it before it becomes too popular. Thanks!
I hope you make it to Sri Lanka sooner rather than later, Kelly!
This is so helpful! And it definitely looks like a photographer’s dream there! 🙂
Honestly if you love landscape or portrait photography then you’re in for a real treat!
This is a great read! It’s on my list and definitely come in handy when I am to go there. Thanks
Thanks for taking the time to read this, Lorena!
This is a great guide. So much I never considered when I think about visiting Sri Lanka. I wouldn’t mind stopping and watching an elephant cross the road.
Haha I think it stands there because sometimes people stop and feed him!
Photos from Sri Lanka were enough to stir my wanderlust for Sri Lanka but a wonderful introduction and useful tips from a post like yours might be the final push to get me to really plan one for this country! Thanks for sharing these information! After this, I’ll be more equipped to manage expectations and preparations better =)
That’s so great to hear! Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions, I have another dozen or so articles on Sri Lanka as well 🙂
I find it amazing to think that now a days, in such an accelerated worl, we still have chill countries like this! It is great to see people who still keep their own culture and life style without much external influences. The idea of finding an elephant in the middle of the roas sonds totally insane to me! But to be honest, I eas expecting Sri Lanka to be cheaper!
It’s a wonderful hidden(ish) gem!
Love it Flo! I might just be meeting up with friends in Sri Lanka in October (they’re from the UK) and if it works out I’ll devour your blog posts and then ask for recommendation Ma!
Yes! Let me know if you go 🙂
We were just talking to someone from Sri Lanka last night and saying how we wanted to visit. These tips are really helpful for getting a realistic idea about traveling there. It does look so pretty; I hope we can make it before it gets too crazy.
I hope you make it there sooner rather than later, Mel!
This is a great post! As a native Sri Lankan who’s entertained 50+ foreigners in our island, your points are super helpful So glad you enjoyed my paradise island!
Your home is beautiful, Kulani! 🙂
Beautiful pics in your post! I agree that travelling around Sri Lanka takes far more time than one might think – I visited 18 months ago and we were caught off guard by how long it takes to get around – 2 weeks proved insufficient to see much of the country :-). I did however enjoy the crazy bus rides but even more the wonderfully scenic train routes.
My main fear is that mass development is making serious inroads (you mention the construction of highways everywhere you look) and already a couple of years ago the mega-resorts were setting in :-(. I really hope that the beautiful nature and environmental impact is taken into more consideration for future development here and that travellers chose small places to stay vs large all inclusive resorts.
I agree, Ellie! There is now a monstrous property being built in Weligama bay and it just sticks out like a sore thumb 🙁 I’m also hoping there can be more transparency around some of the animal attractions like Pinnawala Elephant “Orphanage” and the sea turtle hatcheries in Sri Lanka.
I love that elephant crossing the road! HAHA! Why do you go to Sri Lanka so often?
My boyfriend lives there and I just hosted a Yoga retreat there 🙂
I have to visit Sri Lanka soon before it gets too many tourists. I’m surprised to hear that it’s more expensive than other Asian places. Good to know. Your pics are sooo beautiful. Pinning this for when I go. Love the phrases too. Hari-Hari!
Another favorite phrase of mine is “pisu!” = “crazy!” hahaha
Beautiful pictures in your post ! It definitely looks like a photographer’s dream there 🙂 So far I never thought about visiting Sri Lanka but it seems an amazing country with a lot to do besides beaches…
There is SO much to do! You could never be bored 🙂
I’ve been planning on taking a trip to Sri Lanka. Not sure how long I want too spend there but it is definitely on our to do list. This post definitely does help me figure out how to plan my trip. The train reminded me of India. Definitely going to go through your prior posts.
Enjoy planning your trip to Sri Lanka!
Everyone I know who’s been to Sri Lanka has such amazing things to say! I definitely need to go 🙂
Some of the points you make about the country remind me of traveling in Guatemala. It’s such a small country but it takes ages to get from one place to the other over the rugged mountain roads. Also the fact that there is so much varied geography and so much to do/see! I’m sure I’d love Sri Lanka. Moving it up on my list!
I hope you make it to Sri Lanka soon, Susan! There are air taxis as well but those are pricey!
This was a very useful article as we are planning to go to Sri Lanka in November / December. Taking a scenic train sounds wonderful so knowing that the seats fill up quickly is critical. We’ll send you a PM when we start planning in earnest to tap into your detailed knowledge.
Have a wonderful time! That is peak season so definitely make sure you book everything ahead of time!
Sri Lanka has been on my radar since last year when I was researching places to go. In the end we opted for Bali because of the transportation and distance. It is just so much further for us to get to from Canada. But it is such a beautiful country (and not yet so touristy!). Next year, I would like to spend more time in Asia and will have to make a stop in Sri Lanka! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
I really hope you get to Sri Lanka next year Cat!
Flo you’ve listed of 12 very important key points about Sri Lanka so I salute you. It really is incredible how much the tiny little island nation packs inside their little shores. Of course it’s a photographer’s paradise but I do one thing that I’m going to Sri Lanka for whenever I finally make it, and that’s snorkeling with Blue Whales!!!
I hear you have to venture far out to spot them! I also hear there are some tour operators that are more responsible than others – some drive the boats too close to the whales and harass them. Look into “Raja and the whales”!
I’m always down for fresh produce and fruits so Sri Lanka sounds like my kinda place. You had me hooked from all your IG pics anyway 😛 I’m surprised that it costs THAT much for a private car/hr. I thought it’d be around the same as Bali or the Philippines but wow, what a big difference. And what is up with sunny destinations selling expensive sunscreen!? They always seem to jack the price up when we need it the most!
Aloe Vera/after-sun lotion tends to be so pricey too! Taking advantage of the fact that people get super burnt in the sun haha
Great article on Sri Lanka! Its definitely on my list of places to visit. I’m surprised how its more expensive than Thailand/Vietnam/Laos etc. I would think it would be more on par. Those fresh fruits sound and look delicious! I love getting tropical fruits abroad!
I hope you make it over soon – they have delicious mango and papaya!
Wow, elephants in the middle of the road?! That’s seriously something you do not see everyday hahaha at least not in Washington, DC! I wish I could have gone to the Yoga Retreat in Sri Lanka with you!! It looked amazing, and being able to finally meet in person would have been so cool! Also loved the popular phrases that you translated for us – hoping I do make it to Sri Lanka sometime in the near future!
I hope you can make it next time! 🙂
I so badly want to visit Sri Lanka, and hoping i’ll make it there in the next few years. Looks so beautiful – as do your pictures! Saving this post for when I start planning my trip 🙂
Enjoy your trip when you make it over 🙂
Good article and nice pictures!
I planned a 21 day holiday in August this year to Sri Lanka. I booked the hotels in advance at booking.com. I hired a private driver with car ( inluding gas, insurances and average 150 km per day) for 7500 LKR/ $50 a day. ( 1-3 people, 4-6 costs 9000 LKR/ $61) When a hotel have no free drivershome we have to pay 1500 LKR/ $9 more for hotel and breakfast. Very cheap hotels have no free drivershome. Now we have to pay for 7 nights $9 dollar more. I think the price to hire a driver for 1 day is much more expensive.
What are your experencies with safaris in National Parks ( prices, busy and what did you see)? Thanks
Hi Petra, you can consider visiting Udawalawe or Yala National Park. The prices depend on how many people are on the tour and whether you are going on a full day or half day drive. You can read more about it here: https://www.yogawinetravel.com/discover-yala-national-park-in-sri-lanka-what-you-need-to-know/
Hello
We’re going to Sri Lanka in June, but we never imagined that there were so many exciting things to see…we’re only staying 4 days. 🙁
What do you think are the “must see” things possible to see in such few time?
Hi Clara, definitely don’t skip Sigiriya Rock/Dambulla. From there you can also do a day trip safari to Minneriya National Park. You may also want to spend a day or 1 night in Galle Fort!
Hi lemme know if you happen to come. Can help you sort out a place to stay and help you visit some nice places. 🙂 X
Hi Flo
It’s such a lovely description about my country and it is hilarious the way you have described the crazy bus drivers! ?? still thats the exact truth and i dont see any better words to have described them.
And i think the tuk drivers charge extremely unfair higher prices for foreigners , including all the road side shops and what not.i know its unfair and whoever comes to sri lanks should actually have a basic ideas about the country. I think your description gives a nice idea to everyone including how they should take care of themselves. Glad you have enjoyed. Hope you would come again. 🙂 Xx
Thanks for checking this out, Sano!
Good guide and nice photography. Sri Lanka sure is a beautiful island.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, Matthias!
Very helpful article – thank you, can’t wait to visit Sri Lanka for the first time next week! A beer and sunset kinda place sounds perfect to me. 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to read this, Larissa!
I haven’t visited there. But have studied a lot in school books.
These photographs are amazing…
Hope you get to see Sri Lanka in person, Rajat!
Enjoyed reading your tips! We are visiting Sri Lanka next July. I’m trying to book a private driver for our trip… what company/companies would you recommend?
Hi there! You’ll love Sri Lanka. I’ve tried booking with ACE in the past and they are responsive. However, it is also possible to just get your hotel to organize a 1-way transfer between places very easily, so you don’t HAVE to have the same driver accompany you throughout your trip.
I´ll go to Sri Lanka in few weeks so I really need this tips, especially about sunscreen! I´ll buy a little more!
Mishelle // voyagecompass.com
Have an incredible trip Mishelle!
Great article, brings back to mind lots of good memories from Sri Lanka trip, the sun cream strugle, Lion beer, amazing colours, elephants..guess all these just make Sri Lanka experience =))
It’s definitely unlike any other! Your trip looked incredible as well – I can’t believe you guys cycled all that way!
Just booked my ticket last night and going there next week! Great info about Sri Lanka, and love how you take time to write about them! Keep it up!
Hi JJ, thank you so much for taking the time to read this! I hope you have an amazing trip 🙂
Haha Im from Sri Lanka. Everything that you said about Sri Lanka is true and I have know idea how did you know about us that much ?.
I just want everybody to know that you are always welcome..???
Thanks for the kind words! I spend about 2-4 months every year in Sri Lanka as my partner lives there, so it feels like a second home!
I am local and very impressed with your knowledge of Sri Lanka. The advise you offer to would be visitors is authentic and helpful. If I have the power, I will appoint you as a Travel Consultant to the Tourism Authority – haha. Keep up the good work. We owe you.
That’s too kind of you. Thank you for the support, Mani.
Wow. This is so helpful. I’ve been wanting to go to SL but didn’t quite know where to start. Thanks for the info, Flo!
I’m planning to visit Sri Lanka in 2019 and this post is just great. Thank you a lot for sharing all these tips, definitely useful.
I’ve always wanted to go to Sri Lanka! Didn’t know that it is more expensive than other Asian countries. Love your photos especially that one with the elephant.
Hi Flo, I grew up in Sri Lanka but haven’t been back in 35 years, and we are planning our family reunion there in 2020. All of us, a bunch of Sri Lankans reading your post to plan our itinerary, how’s that for irony? Thanks so much for all the links….. expand on the tampon comment will ya, what’s that about?
Hi Angel,
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this! The country has changed so much in the past 4-5 years, I’m curious to know how it differs from when you were here! In my experience tampons can be quite difficult to find – most shops still only sell panty liners or pads. Best of luck with the reunion 🙂
This is great to read. We are currently deciding if to do an organised tour with a travel company or go it alone with buses and trains. We loved doing our own thing in Vietnam but being on a schedule, we don’t want to find buses, trains etc fully booked when we get there. Is it as easy to navigate and get around as other South East Asian countries?
Hi Katie, thanks for reading this! When are you going? Buses/trains do fill up fairly quickly during the peak season, but you can book buses online (I haven’t tried it so please bear that in mind – busseat.lk is one such service) and there are companies you can pay a small commission to, to book your train tickets for you. Otherwise, just head to the station a day or so before your train to purchase the ticket. Worst comes to worst, you can always book a 1-way car transfer through your hotel. You can book these fairly last-minute and there are always drivers around. Best of luck!
Hi Flo, I am a native sri lankan and I am really happy that all the information you have given is true. Love reading your article. Keep up the good work!! But I must say if you want to travel around the island, booking a taxi via “pick me”- (a phone app to book taxi-cars, vans, tuktuks) or “uber”(another app) is cheap and safe if you are in the western (around Colombo), southern (around Galle) or central (around Kandy) of the island. It is not advisable females to hang over on roads/ towns without the company of men at night.
Hi Ishani, thanks for taking the time to read this article! I usually ask the hotel to book a vehicle to be safe, and of course Uber is great in Colombo. Will have to give “Pick Me” a try!
Hello Flo,
I just loved your description and the story accompanied by pictures !!:))
I planned a kind a “last minutes- really needs to get out of the real world ” holiday with a friend and I would love to have some of your advices!
We arrive to Colombo on Sunday, and my plan was to go to Kandy (by Uber or driver – where to book it ?) and there get either the train to nuwara Eliya! Or would it be better to overnight first and then get the train? And where / which website can I book it ?
After that the plan is 3 surfing days at Arugambay from where we would love to go to Yala park and I assume there is also so much more around. The 3D day we would go already to another destination more to the north / not really defined yet. As I said it’s gonna be backpackers style but I would love to hear your recommendations about what is planned.
Another plan could be to go from Colombo direclty to Arugambay and do the 3 days surfing and then doing the safari in Yala and then move up!
I would be very very much grateful for your answer!
Thank you so much again to share your experience at this amazing island 🙂
Best
Györgyi
Hi Györgyi, thanks so much for reading this. I’ll try to answer your questions below:
– get to Kandy by driver, ask your hotel to book airport transfer for you or use Pickme.lk or AceCabs.
– Visit Seat61 for more info on the Kandy to Nuwara Eliya train, or read this here: https://www.yogawinetravel.com/train-travel-through-sri-lankas-tea-country-from-nuwara-eliya-to-kandy/ – I would recommend staying overnight first. I took the train in reverse from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy and it took 7-8 hours! If you do not want a reserved seat all you do is show up at the train station and buy a ticket, easy peasy.
– the surf in Arugam Bay isn’t in season yet! The surf season on the east coast is from June to September approximately. I recommend heading to the south coast instead if you’re arriving THIS Sunday.
– I recommend you read this guide to the south coast for the extra 3 days: https://www.yogawinetravel.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-sri-lankas-south-coast/
You’re also missing out on a lot of the cultural triangle in central Sri Lanka, you might want to stop in Sigiriya before Arugam: https://www.yogawinetravel.com/7-places-you-have-to-visit-in-sri-lankas-cultural-triangle/
Have a good trip!
Its very helpful to all sri lanka traveler & sirlanka is very pretty place to visit in this world….
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, Ryan!
i’m going there and this really helps
Hi Bella, so glad that you found this helpful. I have lots of articles and guides for Sri Lanka, you can check out all of them over here: https://www.yogawinetravel.com/travel/sri-lanka/
Happy travels!
Awesome post and your so right about it being a photographers dream! Agree with all of the points apart from it costing more than other SE Asian countries. We managed to spend £15 a day for two people and lived seriously well, though we were in super budget accommodation and it was 2 years ago. We’ve heard that it’s not as good value for money for midrange hotels, which is something we noticed.
Did you get a chance to visit Northern Sri Lanka?
Hi Josh, thanks for checking this out! We have not made it to Jaffna, it’s a little far from where we are based (in the south) – maybe we’ll make it there next year.
Sri Lanka is the best country to travel in. Small country and beautiful. You shared the 12 things about visiting Sri Lanka is helpful for visitors. Nice guideline. Thanks a lot for this beauty Enjoying article with me. I appreciate it very much!
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Thank you for such details and important pieces of information. I just got one question. While applying for the visa, I read that they would check if we can support our stay in Sri Lanka and have enough finances or not. How do we prove that? Also, is it better to take Forex Card or hard cash?
Hi Darsh, I’ve never been asked for proof of finances during the visa application nor at immigration upon arrival. I would recommend bringing US dollars for exchange at the airport, or a Forex card to withdraw money from a local ATM. Either way you should have some Sri Lankan Rupees on hand when you leave the airport so that you can pay for your airport transfer.
Thanks for the handy information. You wrote that visa fee is waived till February 2020, but when I visited http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/, a message popped up saying “Those who hold passports of listed countries and travel to Sri Lanka from 01.08.2019 to 31.01.2020 for Tourist purposes are exempted paying ETA fee, in view of enhancing tourist arrivals from designated countries.” Could you tell me if it’s free for February as well?
The visa-waiver program ended at the end of January.