Sri Lanka – Know This Before You Reach

Sri Lanka - A mix of British colonial heritage, beautiful landscapes and incredibly friendly locals, makes it a perfect tourism destination. But the tropical isle has only risen on tourism radars in recent years, following the end of the country’s 26-year-long civil war. Since it was closed for tourism for several years, lot many people do not know about the facts and culture of this amazing country.

With more tourists heading to Sri Lanka every year, now is the perfect time to visit. Here are ten tips and tricks to help first-time visitors.

1. Be prepared to go slow

The Hill Country is particularly notorious for eating away time – whether travelling by bus, tuk tuk or train, expect to inch from one tea plantation to the next at speeds of around 12-15 miles per hour. For those with little time or deep pockets, taking a seaplane or hiring a car and driver are good alternatives. Although infrastructure is improving and transport options are plentiful, getting around this modestly sized country, with its tightly winding roads and engine-testing inclines, might feel a little tiring at times.

2. Go to relax, not to rave party

Outside of Colombo, and a few beach resorts, hostels with dorm rooms tend to be thin on the ground. Family-run guesthouses are much more common, which means it’s easy to meet locals but tricky for solo travellers hoping to make friends on the road. As an emerging honeymoon hotspot, Sri Lanka also attracts a lot of couples. Those looking for nightlife to rival Bangkok’s Khao San Road will leave unfulfilled.

3. Treat yourself but also limit yourself

If you've got Sri Lankan rupees to spare there are plenty of new luxury hotels and resorts where you can spend them.  But it’s the home-grown, luxury hotel mini-chains that you ought to keep your eye on. They offer more than just copy-and-paste properties.

4. Go north to get away from the crowd

Unlike Goa where south is secluded and silent, here in Sri Lanka, if you’re after deserted golden beaches, remote temples and colonial port towns go north. Booking in advance is advisable though but there is no scarcity of fantastic homestays.  

5. Focus on food

Sri Lankan food is delicious, so make the most of it while you’re there. However, knowing where and when to find the good stuff may prove a harder task than you anticipated. Rice and curry is a lunchtime affair, while kottu roti (Egg roll and vegetables) is only available in the evening.

Those familiar with India will be surprised at the lack of street food stalls; instead, some of the best food can be found in the kitchens of small guesthouses.

6. Consider Colombo

Colombo can no longer be considered a mere gateway city. There are a number of sights to see, the capital is also a great place to simply settle in and get a sense of what local life is like.

Watch families fly kites on Galle Face Green at sunset; cheer for the national cricket team at the R Premadasa Stadium, or observe grandmothers swathed in vivid saris bargain with stallholders at Pettah Market.

With jazz clubs, rooftop bars, boutique stores and internationally acclaimed restaurants, this city must be on your top list.

7. Plan around the seasons

While the monsoon rains might not dampen your enthusiasm for exploring in mind that experiences can vary wildly depending on the season. If you’re desperate to climb Adam’s Peak, for example, then visit during pilgrimage season (December–May). Outside of these months it’s still possible to hike to the summit, but the myriad tea shops that line the path will be closed. You’ll also tackle the peak with a handful of tourists instead of hundreds of local devotees, meaning much of the atmosphere is lost.

8. Get active

Sri Lanka might be known for its stupas, beaches and tea plantations, but it’s also crammed with adrenaline-packed activities. Why not try surfing in Arugam Bay, hiking the Knuckles Mountain Range or white-water rafting in Kelaniya Ganga, Kitulgala. Cycling holidays are also becoming increasingly popular with a number of international tour operators offering specialist tours.

9. Make the most of your Money

By Indian or western standards Sri Lanka is still a cheap destination, but prices are rising quickly: the cost of a cultural show in Kandy has doubled in the last year alone.

For everyday items such as tea and toothpaste, head to the supermarkets in big cities where you can rest assured that you’re not paying over the odds. In the corner shops of smaller cities simply check the packaging, which has the price printed. Do not pay anything above what is mentioned on the packaging.

10. Respect their culture

The pace of life in Sri Lanka feels much less frantic than that of India, Few locals bat an eyelid at western visitors and while dressing up modestly is always appreciated and necessary at places of worship, wearing shorts and vests is unlikely to attract much attention. Respect their culture and get fantastic treatment by them.

Sri Lanka its closest point is only 25 kilometers from India, separated by aquamarine water, but there’s a world of difference between the two. Visit Sri Lanka, I bet you will find it as God’s best creation.