Travel Tips

18 Best Sri Lanka Travel Tips

 Sri Lanka is a blessed country with everything travelers want to experience; nature, wildlife, historical sites, or culture. It is one of the most photogenic destinations in the world, packed with many marvelous attractions, breathtaking hiking trails, and epic photogenic spots. With the knowledge of the best travel tips of Sri Lanka, you can organize your schedule not to waste your time to get the maximum value of your journey.

Sri Lanka is the ideal place to spend less than 25 USD per day including your accommodation and meals. Most Sri Lankan meals are coming in between 1-3 USD per person. You won’t feel like you missed out on anything by spending less than 25 USD for a day. You can easily reduce your costs by staying a little bit far from city centers and dining at local restaurants.

We have put together all the best Sri Lanka travel tips to help plan your trip with the local knowledge of the country. These practical tips are based on what we have experienced and seen during our travels. We hope you’ll enjoy reading it and have a nice plan before you visit Sri Lanka.

1. Sri Lanka is a Budget-friendly Country.

If you are looking for a destination that you can really enjoy on a budget, Sri Lanka should be at the top of your list. Sri Lanka is well known as a pretty affordable travel destination, in which food and transport are particularly cheap. It is considered a budget travelers’ paradise to travel through and you can do many new things without using lots of money. 

Finding cheap accommodation in the hostels is easier in Colombo and suburban areas. In rural areas, you can find cheap lodging in family-run guesthouses or Airbnb rentals. Homestays are becoming more popular since most homeowners are friendly and easy-going.

Cheap transportation options for budget travelers include public buses and railway systems. Major touristic cities in Sri Lanka are well connected by public transport services and it is perfectly feasible to travel through Sri Lanka by bus or train.

2. Ready for Sri Lankan Hot Climate.

Being located close to the equator, Sri Lanka has a hot tropical climate which can give travelers a bit of a challenge. It is a warm country with a temperature that stays consistent throughout the year at 27-30 °C. It has an average humidity of 80%, while it varies from 75-85% year-round. Travelers may need some time to adapt to these conditions and it is important to stay cool to avoid heat-related illnesses.

One of the major Sri Lanka travel tips is to Use a reusable water bottle throughout your journey to keep you hydrated. Always fill your bottle with purified filtered water or boiled tap water. Normal tap water is perfectly safe to drink, but drinking filtered or boiled water will be the best choice for travelers since you might not get used to the local bacteria.

Sip a lot of King Coconut water or fruit juice to keep you cool during outdoor activities. Watermelons that are readily available at roadside shops are a good fruit enriched with vitamins and a lot of water to make you cool. Fresh fruit juices are available in every snack bar and drink them as much as possible. Wearing a comfortable cotton dress will be more convenient to face the hot daytime during your journey.

3. Buy a Local Sim Card

Buying a local sim card is simple and easy in Sri Lanka, as well as it is super cheap to use a local data connection. The most popular telecom companies in Sri Lanka are Dialog and Mobitel with the best coverage. Both service providers have a very strong network and there is nothing much indifferent to choose between the two. You may compare their prices and packages before choosing one of them.

One of the best Sri Lanka travel tips is getting your travel package from the Airport. There are outlets of main telecommunication companies selling sim cards in Bandaranaike international airport, just after the baggage claiming area. You can connect with the digital world as soon as you get a sim card from the airport.

If you couldn’t get a sim at the airport, still it is possible to buy it from one of the authorized service points of the telecommunication companies widely available across the country. You can check your balance using the balance inquiry by dialing *100# in Mobitel and Dialog #778#. Top-ups can be done easily from several outlets around the country. Other than Dialog and Mobitel, Etisalat, Airtel, and Hutch are the other telecom companies that also offer travel sim cards for your needs.

4. Respect the Buddhist Culture.

Since Lord Buddha is a deeply revered religious figure in Sri Lanka, travelers are expected to honor and respect the Buddhist culture. One of the most important Sri Lanka travel tips is selecting a proper dress to visit sacred places. If you are visiting a temple during your journey, wearing too short skirts, shorts, or sleeveless tops is a thing you should avoid in Sri Lanka. Always remember to select a dress that covers your shoulders and knees. Use a shawl to cover your shoulders and wear a long skirt or pants that cover your knees. You’ll also have to remove your shoes and hats before entering the temple, so wearing sandals instead of shoes is easy and convenient for you.

It is requested not to pose for photographs with your back to the Lord Buddha. Sri Lanka is a multi-religious country with many Hindu temples and Islam Mosques. All these holy places need to be respected and follow their guidelines before entering. Generally, it is requested visitors be silent and keep their voice down to a minimum at the holy places.

5. Sri Lanka has Monsoons.

There aren’t any distinct seasons like winter, spring, summer, or autumn in Sri Lanka and it can be considered as a year-round destination. But it’s best to be aware that there are two prominent monsoon seasons and two inter-monsoon seasons. These monsoons affect different areas of the island in different time periods. Avoiding monsoons is one of the major Sri Lanka Travel tips to consider before planning your travel.

The southern and western regions receive monsoon rains between May and September. The northern and eastern areas of Sri Lanka have wind and rain between December and February. This is the thumb of the rule and generally, attractions in the south and western should be visited from December to February, and attractions in the north and eastern areas should be visited from May to September. The inter-monsoons can be activated in April and October, with clear daytime and thundershowers in the afternoon.

The weather might be unpredictable and a sudden downpour during the dry season or perfectly fine weather in the rainy season is not a rare thing. December through March is considered the peak tourist season with the least rainfall, so hotel rates are often found a little expensive during these dates. Check the best time to visit Sri Lanka before the intended travel and you’ll get an idea to enjoy the best weather during your Sri Lanka tour.

6. Pack Some Warm Clothes.

Although Sri Lanka is a hot tropical country, you need to be ready with warm clothes to enjoy the hill country. The weather in the hill country is cooler and more pleasant than in Colombo and coastal areas. Nuwara Eliya is the coolest city in Sri Lanka with the lowest mean temperature of 16°C.  The daily maximum is comfortable and typically lower than 25°C. But it becomes much colder at the night; the temperature can go down to 10°C – 15°C. During the coldest months in December and January, it may go down to the lowest temperature of 3°C at night.

As the most important Sri Lankan travel tips, it is advisable to pack a good wool sweater for the nights in the hill country. In the daytime, a light cardigan or pullover should be sufficient. Since hill country is frequently having showers, a rain jacket will be quite important and useful. It is warm and humid in the daytime, use casual wear, which gives you more freedom for hiking and trekking activities to explore the beauty of hill country. 

7. Taste the Local Food.

Although many foreigners imagine Sri Lankan food is a lot spicy, the truth is they are extremely tasty and delicious with a nice aroma and flavor. Sri Lankans enjoy rice & curry as the major diet, three times daily. There are many kinds of vegan curries and different types of savory rice dishes and lamprais available to taste in Sri Lanka. Exploring authentic dishes with unique tastes is one of the main Sri Lanka travel tips.

Rice & curries are mixed and eaten by hand, but foreigners may use a spoon since they are inexperienced about it. If you don’t tolerate spices, you can order less spicy curries. Remember that meat curries including chicken, pork, beef, or mutton will be spicier than vegan curries. There are lots of side dishes as well as less spicy vegan curries are available to discover new flavors.

You’ll find tasty seafood like prawns, crabs, oysters, squids, and all kinds of fish in Sri Lanka, which are the best and fresh than anywhere in the world. In addition, you can try some other yummy, nonspicy authentic Sri Lankan food like Coconut roti, Kottu roti, Hoppers, or String hoppers.

You must try sweet local desserts and snacks like Watalappam, Peni Walalu, Kokis, and Milk Toffees during your Sri Lanka visit. Don’t forget to taste yummy fruits like Pineapple, Durian, and Red Banana which are readily available in small roadside shops.

8. Experience Tuk -Tuk Ride.

Tuk – Tuks (three-wheelers or trishaws) are the most common and convenient way of covering small distances. It is a quick and easier method for traveling in both city and rural areas. There are two types of Tuk Tuks; Metered and Non-metered. In a metered taxi, you can clearly track the cost of the journey as it progresses. If you are using a non-metered taxi, you will have to agree on a price in advance with the driver to avoid overcharging.

Using a tuk tuk for your short-distance travel is one of the best Sri Lanka travel tips. Since many of the drivers are really friendly and helpful, the Tuk Tuk ride is safe for even solo female travelers. Self-driving a Tuk – Tuk is another choice to travel throughout Sri Lanka easily. You can rent a Tuk – Tuk and drive yourself to enjoy a fun-filled road trip, where you can discover the wonders of the countryside.

9. Use a Mosquito Repellent.

Mosquito menace becomes prevalent in the rainy season in Sri Lanka and you may need to minimize the chances of being bitten by them.  In order to avoid mosquito bites, use a repellent that is readily available throughout local supermarkets or pharmacies. There are several types of mosquito repellents are available. You can use mosquito-repellent body sprays or creams containing Citronella oil. The direct application or spray of this aromatic natural oil to your body heavily deters mosquitoes. Some people dislike the strong smell, but some creams and lotions have a nice smell to put directly onto your body.

Another option is wall plug-in vaporizers. These are available at most supermarkets, along with liquid bottle refills. They’re generally effective within a closed room, take a while to activate and protect the full room.  Otherwise, burn a mosquito coil or joss stick in your room to repel them. At the night, do not forget to use the mosquito net which hangs above your bed in your room. These precautions are very important to avoid mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever.

10. Learn a Few Words in Sinhala.

The two official languages of Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil, but a lot of people can speak English. More people speak English in the city areas, but even in the rural areas, you’ll find someone who’ll be able to speak English. Since the majority is Sinhalese, try to speak a few Sinhala words with the local people and they will get really impressed and happy to help you. This is one of the major Sri Lanka travel tips, where you can get closer to locals very easily.

The formal greeting in the Sinhala language is Ayubowan. The meaning of Ayubowan is “Wish you’ll have a long life”

Yes = Owu, No = Ne, Thank you = Estuti, How are you? = Oyata kohomada?

I don’t need = Epa, Give me = Denna, Take it = Ganna

11. Have Some Cash & Essentials.

In city areas, it is possible to pay with your credit card for your hotel, restaurants, or supermarkets. But in rural areas, there are still small hotels, shops, and cafes where only cash is accepted. Therefore, it is better to have some change with you at all times. Most of the public transportation services do not accept credit cards, you may need to pay by cash only.

Don’t forget to carry some personal belongings and sanitary items with you. The sun is strong in Sri Lanka and travelers may need better protection to avoid sunburn. Use sunscreen while sunbathing or playing on the beach. It is better to pack your sunscreen, since your preferred sunscreen brand may not be available throughout local supermarkets. During your outdoor activities in the daytime, use a hat and sunglasses for your protection. Another tip is you may need to carry some toilet paper with you since most roadside toilets do not have tissues or paper towels.

12. Reserve Your Train Tickets.

Sri Lanka is home to one of the world’s most scenic train rides. The Kandy–Ella train ride is considered one of the best scenic train rides in the world. First-class tickets and observation compartment tickets of this train have to be booked in advance. The reserved tickets for this ride will be sold over soon after the booking opens. It is possible to reserve the tickets 45 days before the date of your intended train ride.

The advantage of reserving the tickets beforehand is you’ll not lose the chance of seating in this amazing train journey, plus you can avoid the chaos and long queues in train stations. Either you can reserve tickets online or in person from the major railway stations. If you couldn’t reserve the tickets, don’t get discouraged and you can still get a ticket for the second or third class. Although it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get a seat, wait for some time until people get off and you can sit in a vacant seat. Otherwise, it will be fun to stand in between carriages, because you can get the best view to get photographs.

If you are using a coastal railway line to reach Galle or Matara, tickets can be bought just before the train ride, hop in to enjoy the scenic ride along the coast. 

13. Ready to Go Slow.

Since Sri Lanka is a small country, one can expect to cover several destinations within a short time. But the travel time between tourist areas could be much longer than one anticipates. The traveling time depends on a combination of facts; weather, traffic plus road conditions in different areas.

Although the major touristic cities are well connected with main roads, they can be extremely busy, except for the newly built highways. During public holidays or long weekends, most of the roads are busy and the attractions are crowded. It might take more time to visit each place than usual on holidays. Check the 2020 public holidays in Sri Lanka to get an idea about road traffic.

It is better to base your holiday planning around your travel centers to reduce your traveling time.  By selecting your accommodation closer to the destination and reaching there as early as possible, you can save a lot of time. For example, Sigiriya or Dambulla is the perfect base to visit most historical sites in the cultural triangle including Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura.

Nuwara Eliya is good for enjoying most of the beautiful places in the hill country. Horton Plains is one of the best places you shouldn’t miss in Sri Lanka.  Ella is the perfect base to see many wonderful attractions in Haputale, Badulla, and its surroundings. It is the most famous destination among travelers, as the climate is superior and the sceneries are breathtaking.

14. Decide Your Mode of Transport.

Sri Lanka is only about 430 km long and 220 km wide, but it can take you hours to travel from place to place. Public buses or trains, taxis, private cars, or rental cars can be used to travel through Sri Lanka and each method have its pros and cons. Plan your schedule and transportation method well ahead to have the best journey. Some people hire a car and driver for the entire duration of their trip, but this will cost much more than other methods.

Deciding the way of transport depends on the distance between each destination and the time you are staying in Sri Lanka. Using public transport is cheap and may save a lot of money, but it is time-consuming. The fastest way to travel through Sri Lanka is by booking a private car and driving from each point to point. Although it is somewhat expensive, it will save a lot of time and you’ll have a comfortable journey.

Renting a car and driving yourself is another option, but you may need to be careful while driving on unfamiliar roads. If you are confident enough to drive a car, there are many car rental companies in Colombo to rent a vehicle.

Complete your journey in Sri Lanka by riding a scenic train from Kandy to Ella to see the beautiful scenery in the hill country. If you don’t have enough time for the whole 7-hour-long train ride, just ride a part of it from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya or Nuwara Eliya to Ella. As well, remember to arrange your Sri Lanka itinerary carefully, without packing too many places into a 1 or 2-week itinerary to enjoy your holidays leisurely.

15. Download Taxi Booking Apps

Booking a taxi is an easy and convenient process in Sri Lanka. There are two types of taxis, metered and non-metered.  The major metered taxi services in Sri Lanka include Pickme, Yogo, and Uber. All you have to do is download the taxi booking app on your mobile. These taxi services are operated in all major city areas, while the taxi fare is more or less equal to the fare of the Tuk-Tuk ride. You can pay the fare using your credit card and carrying a lot of cash won’t be necessary.

But most of the time, this service is limited to city areas.  If you need to travel for a long distance, the best way is to book a non-metered taxi from a taxi company. It is easy to book a taxi from the airport or from many other island-wide companies. Agree on the price in advance for the journey, before your travel starts.

16. Select Family-friendly Destinations.

If you are traveling with your kids, select the most family-friendly destinations. For example, although Sigiriya is a major tourist destination, it might be difficult for small children. Climbing Adam’s Peak is also challenging for kids, as well as adults who are not physically fit for high altitudes.  Nuwara Eliya is a lovely place with many beautiful sights, which children can entertain a lot.  Gorgeous sceneries around Gregory Lake and Victoria Park will make them really happy. Children love animals, visiting New Zealand Farm in Ambewela to see farm animals will be a wonderful experience for kids.

Kandy is a good destination for kids with many attractions and pleasant weather. Visiting Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya will be a nice experience. The colorful blooms of Roses and Orchids in the garden will make them happy. Pinnawala is the best place to see baby elephants as well as herds of elephants, which are bathing and playing in the river. Children will be enjoyed a lot by these activities and marvelous sceneries along the journey in the mesmerizing city of Kandy.

Being a stunning beach paradise, Sri Lanka is ideal for kids to play on safe and protected beaches such as Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, or Bentota. Releasing baby turtles to the sea in the southern coastal areas will be an enjoyable experience for the kids, and they can learn about their life cycle. The eastern coast beaches such as Nilaveli and Pasikudah are also family-friendly with smooth, gentle waves and calm, shallow waters.

17. Be a Responsible Tourist.

When you are traveling, make sure to do it responsibly and never disturb the plants, animals, and nature. Visiting nature parks and wild safaris should always be done sensibly. There is a visitor code for everybody to respect and practice during your wild safari in Yala, Udawalawa, and Minneriya, Kaudulla, or other National Parks. Feeding wild animals or littering, smoking, or disturbing the normal life of animals is not allowed.

Always try to decrease your plastic usage as much as possible. Most people use bottled water when traveling, but they do not realize how much they are contributing to plastic waste. The use of a reusable water bottle and refilling it at your hotel or restaurant is encouraged to reduce plastic pollution.

Bring your food and snacks in paper bags or reusable containers, without using polyethylene bags. When you are entering a botanical garden or protected forest reserves such as Sinharaja or Knuckles, plastic bags are not allowed to carry inside. If you are hiking Adam’s Peak, avoid any kind of alcohol or cigarettes, since they won’t be allowed in the holy mountain.

18. Do You Need Help?

In need of any further information about Sri Lanka, you can contact Sri Lanka tourist information centers. There are 3 centers available throughout the country, Bandaranaike Airport, Colombo, and Kandy. The centers’ primary task is to assist tourists in all aspects of their stay on the island. You can contact by below numbers to get any required information.

Bandaranaike Airport (+94) 112 252411

Colombo (+94) 112 437059, (+94) 112 437060, (+94) 112 437055

Kandy (+94) 812222661

In case of emergency, your help is only a call away. You can reach Sri Lanka police by contacting 119 hotline and Ambulance, Fire or Rescue by 110, and also Tourist Police by 011-2421052.

Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka, Images by Pixabay, Copyrights reserved by original authors.