20 Tips to Know Before Travelling to Sri Lanka
1. How do I get around Sri Lanka?
Public buses and trains are always the cheapest modes of transport! Buses will pretty much get you anywhere in the country. They can be busy, drive fast and almost all of them don’t have AC, but they’re so good if you’re on a budget in Sri Lanka.
Make sure to store large luggage like backpacks at the front of the bus, next to the driver. Usually, the ticket person will ask you to do this to save space on the bus. You pay for the ticket after you have been seated, make sure to bring cash in small denominations as cards are not accepted. Other travel options include private drivers, Tuk Tuks and trains.
2. Sri Lankan cuisine is a veggie heaven!
The food in Sri Lanka is predominantly vegetarian (and mostly vegan as they cook with coconut oil and coconut milk). You will find some amazing vegetable curries in many restaurants and homestays! For breakfast try string hoppers or coconut roti with dal and enjoy it with some tasty Sri Lankan tea.
Tip if you’re a vegan traveller – The word ‘vegan’ doesn’t really exist in Sri Lanka, but vegetarianism is very normal, so always be sure to ask if there is egg, milk or cheese inside and you’ll be okay! We’d love to talk more about how to travel in Sri Lanka as a vegan!
3. The unique king coconut
The orange coconut (king coconut) is indigenous to Sri Lanka and is really tasty to drink and eat! They are sweeter than traditional coconuts, with much softer jelly-like flesh. Keep a lookout for them in the trees as they grow wild all over the island. You have to try a king coconut when travelling to Sri Lanka (or as many as your heart desires).
4. Tuk Tuk drivers are everywhere
One of the things to know before travelling to Sri Lanka is that there’s always a Tuk Tuk driver asking if you need a ride anywhere, even at the bus stations. If you need a ride, make sure to negotiate a price before your ride, and if you’re happy walking just politely decline the offer.
How much should I pay for a Tuk Tuk ride in Sri Lanka?
You can expect to pay around Rs 100 / per kilometre in the countryside, and Rs 80 / per kilometre in Colombo. Many are metered in Colombo so you should know what to expect without paying too much.
Pickme is another alternative and is usually cheaper, however, the drivers don’t benefit from this as much.
Be careful at bus stations in cities – Unfortunately, we had a few problems with people telling us that the buses are delayed or the price is much higher than it actually is. At first, it was hard to tell if they were being honest as Sri Lankan people are usually so friendly. Ask the drivers of the bus directly and they’ll be able to help you with the price and times of other buses. (This is currently a big problem in Sri Lanka that many Sri Lankans do not agree with, as it damages tourism and they would love for more travellers right now!)
5. Get your bartering skills ready
Bartering is a common practice in Sri Lanka, where items at a market don’t have a price so it’s almost up to you to decide how much you want to buy it for. It’s very normal for the first price to be quite high so make sure you ask for a better price until it’s something you’re happy with too. This can happen for clothes, spices and even fruit.
6. Don’t miss the spicy triangles
The savoury snacks in Sri Lanka are super delicious and very affordable (averagely Rs 100 each). Our favourite snack soon became the vegetable roti. These addictive triangle snacks are packed with spicy curried vegetables, wrapped in roti and grilled until golden. Kinda like a quesadilla! Similar to a samosa without the pastry, which I think we now prefer.
7. Don’t always trust Google Maps
If you’re thinking of going to Sri Lanka soon, you should know that Google maps aren’t that accurate here. We’ve found that some locations for restaurants and businesses were in the wrong places, roads didn’t exist and most importantly the buses and trains aren’t accurate. So it’s best to check with the train station or bus drivers for times and routes. For example, Dambulla to Sigiriya does not exist as a public transport route of Google maps, but the buses are definitely there.
8. There’s too much to do in Sri Lanka
One of the tips to know before travelling to Sri Lanka, is that the country really has it all! How does this small island have two weather climates, mountains, jungles and beaches – as well as being jam-packed with culture and amazing food. We stayed for 3 and a half weeks and could have quite easily doubled our time here. There are so many hikes to do, beaches to swim at, national parks to visit and food to eat, you’ll already be planning your next trip back!
9. Get a sim card in Sri Lanka
Sim cards are extremely affordable in Sri Lanka, with a plan usually lasting 30 days. We picked up a sim card at the airport with 35gb of data (21gb day time / 14gb night time starting from 00:00 – 08:00) for around Rs 2500. This also came with some credit for texts and calls which is very useful for contacting accommodation and booking scooters or cooking classes.
We recommend Dialog 4G as they have the best coverage across the country. We were able able to tether to our laptop when the wifi at our accommodation wasn’t working well (which is also common in Sri Lanka).
10. Beeping is very normal
Drivers beep a lot here. The beeps you will hear the most are public buses! Beeping the horn on the vehicle is letting others know that you’re there or you’re overtaking. Driving here is a bit chaotic but seems to work, just follow the rules and you’ll be okay!
11. Listen to the current rules
As we’re learning how to travel in Sri Lanka whilst the pandemic is still in the world, it’s important to listen to the rules of the country you’re going to. Wearing a face mask is strongly recommended in Sri Lanka in 2022 and for good reason, it works! It’s expected to wear a face mask pretty much anytime, even if you’re down a street with no one else around and definitely on transportation or inside a building. Stick to the rules and keep others safe.
12. Is Sri Lanka safe?
Is Sri Lanka safe? We felt extremely safe while travelling in Sri Lanka and we think you will too! The population is 70% Buddhist and many follow the idea of ‘being the best version’ of themselves during their lifetime and we believe that adds to the safety. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming, we wouldn’t hesitate to come back to Sri Lanka. Of course, when travelling anywhere exercise your caution and go with your gut to stay safe when travelling to Sri Lanka.
13. Get your Sri Lankan rupee inside the country
Where to find Sri Lankan rupees and why can’t you find them at home? You can only get Sri Lankan Rupees inside the country. USD is also accepted at most accommodations! You can get Sri Lankan rupees at the airport from ATM’s or you can bring your own currency to exchange at money exchange counters along the way.
14. Etiquette in Sri Lanka
Another one of our travel tips for Sri Lanka is etiquette. Much like other countries in Asia, Sri Lankan’s consider the head to be the most sacred part of the body, so it’s best to avoid touching others heads. This is particularly true with children’s heads! As there are monks in Sri Lanka, you may see them on buses – women are forbidden to touch or be seated beside a Buddhist monk.
15. The head wobble
The famous head wobble in South Asia is something you’ll notice when speaking with many Sri Lankans. When you first notice it you may think someone is shaking their head no at you, whereas as a matter of fact, it’s more of an acknowledgement. This wobble can mean anything between, yes, no, maybe or just a basic acknowledgement!
16. The tap water is not safe to drink
Tap water is not safe to drink, bring a water filter or sterile tablets to save plastic bottle waste. Alternatively, you could boil the water and allow it to cool before consuming it.
17. Be friendly! Locals love conversation
Don’t be afraid to say hello or give a little head nod to people! Tourism has been on hold for Sri Lanka for the best part of 2 years! Most people are just excited to see some new faces (and to see some money coming into their economy).
18. Explore more than the South Coast
Another one of our tips for visiting Sri Lanka is that central Sri Lanka is much different to the south coast. As Colombo is the capital, there is no place similar to the business of the city. Sri Lanka is full of jungles and Sigiriya, Kandy and Dambulla are full of historic past and amazing wildlife. The south coast is the most touristic area of the island, ready for people wanting to spend time at the beaches.
The north is a bit off the beaten track with much fewer tourists, and even central Sri Lanka has a more authentic atmosphere. The food on the South Coast seems to be more geared towards western food, however, you can still find delicious Sri Lankan food around every corner.
19. Sri Lanka drive on the left
Sri Lanka drive on the left-hand side of the road! This may be the same or different for you, depending on which country you’re from. Double-check both sides before crossing the street! If you’re wanting to join the roads, you will need an International Driving Permit to drive in Sri Lanka. Remember to get one of these in your home country before travelling to Sri Lanka.
20. Is Sri Lanka expensive?
No! Sri Lanka is very affordable for the average traveller.
