Sri Lanka Journey Information |

Sri Lanka Journey Information: prices, getting across the nation safely, road meals and getting round

Sri Lanka is a jewel formed island floating within the Indian Ocean south of India. For a rustic this measurement, Sri Lanka is kind of numerous. You get the misty hills and tea plantations within the central areas, there are a number of historical ruins and Buddhist websites for the culturally inclined. You might be by no means removed from a seashore each on west and east sides, there are charming colonial cities like Galle. Sri Lanka has numerous wildlife and marine life to be considered for a wildlife fanatic. So many locations to go to in Sri Lanka and plenty of issues to do.

There are journey actions like browsing, diving out there plus climbing choices. Here’s a listing of the highest Journey Suggestions you must know whereas planning a visit to Sri Lanka and through your journey as nicely –

What to know earlier than travelling to Sri Lanka

Greatest season to go to Sri Lanka

There are 2 monsoon intervals to be thought-about whereas planning your journey to Sri Lanka. The south west areas in Sri Lanka which might be extra well-liked get south-western monsoons between Might and September. So the perfect time to go to these areas is through the dry season: November to April. Sri Lanka is a tropical nation with scorching humid climate all year long. However throughout this time, the nights are chillier.

Sri Lanka’s east coast is influenced by the north-eastern monsoon between October to January. The perfect season to go to the east coast of Sri Lanka is between April to September. 

Greatest locations to go to in Sri Lanka

As I discussed earlier, Sri Lanka is compact in measurement and but, numerous. For a first-time customer who’s culturally inclined, I might advocate a go to to the Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka – Sigiriya, Dambulla and Arunadhapura or Polonnaruwa. No higher areas than to go to a few of the cultural and Buddhist websites within the nation.

Colombo could be doubtless your entry and exit level in Sri Lanka. The capital metropolis calls for a day or extra of sightseeing. However my favorite city in Sri Lanka is Galle. You may mix seashore time at Mirissa or Unawatuna with a go to to Galle on the south aspect. The east coast attracts severe browsing on Arugam Bay.

Sri Lanka is supposed to loosen up and rejuvenate. You are able to do that at seashore resorts or within the hill cities of Nuwara Eliya or Ella. Suppose rolling inexperienced hills, tea plantations and verdant countryside.

Sri Lanka is host to greater than 20 nationwide parks. You might even see a leopard on the well-liked Yala. The perfect parks for viewing elephant herds are Minneriya and Kaudulla. Wilpattu is the biggest nationwide park within the nation with numerous wildlife.
 

Vaccinations for tropical local weather. 

You ought to be updated with a number of vaccinations earlier than visiting a tropical nation like Sri Lanka. Some vaccine suggestions earlier than a Sri Lanka journey are Chickenpox, (DTP) Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Flu, Polio, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid.

Most Indians are vaccinated with all of the above of their childhood and so, I didn’t want something extra earlier than my journey to Sri Lanka. A westerner ought to test what extra vaccination could also be required. If you’re travelling from a rustic identified for yellow fever, you might be requested for a certificates of vaccination in opposition to yellow fever.
 

E book the scenic prepare rides upfront

Among the Sri Lankan prepare rides are vastly well-liked. It is best to e-book them upfront when you finalise your itinerary. Among the well-liked prepare routes embrace Colombo to Kandy,  Colombo to Galle, and Kandy to Badulla through Ella. 

How a lot money to hold

Use your bank card at hi-end lodges, eating places and for pre-booked excursions. However money remains to be wanted on this nation throughout your journey. You would wish money for a lot of issues: to take tuk-tuks or taxis in cities, or to eat at native spots, or to purchase souvenirs from native retailers, or to pay entrance charges at nationwide parks.

While you attain the worldwide airport at Sri Lanka, do trade some forex for Sri Lankan Rupee. Sri Lankan Rupee shouldn’t be used anyplace exterior the nation, so greatest to have estimate for each day money spends. Sri Lankan rupee can’t be utilized in India and Indian rupee can’t be utilized in Sri Lanka. 1 US Greenback is roughly 320 Sri Lankan Rupee. That makes Sri Lanka nonetheless low cost from western requirements.

Packing necessities for Sri Lanka

The climate is usually scorching and humid in Sri Lanka so pack accordingly. Free cotton shirts, pants or shorts, free summer season clothes in cotton or linen work nicely. Do pack a hat and satisfactory sunscreen. And sandals and slippers to roam round in every single place.

Please keep in mind that you should be correctly lined whereas coming into a Buddhist temple or different spiritual websites, so do carry one thing that covers your higher legs and arms fully. It’s at all times a good suggestion to hold a stole or scarf for such events that may double up as headgear or be thrown throughout your shoulders.

Normal security

Sri Lanka is mostly protected to journey, even for solo travellers. There are not any violent crimes reported in opposition to vacationers.

The nation does have a historical past of a protracted civil struggle that affected the north and east elements, however that’s a factor of the previous now. It does face pure disasters like tsunamis. And it skilled mass protests in opposition to the native authorities and riots in 2022. Sri Lanka is totally protected to journey to after July 2022.

Sri Lankans are usually, a welcoming and type lot. And don’t harass girls travellers.
However in case you are a solo lady traveller in Sri Lanka, it’s best to take typical precautions.
Don’t put on skimpy outfits and positively don’t be alone on the seashore at nights.

Getting round in Sri Lanka

There is no such thing as a home flight community within the nation. For journey between cities, Sri Lanka’s intensive prepare community is helpful. The prepare rides comply with scenic routes and are low cost. They kind a greater possibility than the bus community.

If you’re not on a shoe-string finances, renting a automobile with a driver is an effective choice to get round in Sri Lanka. That is what we did for our Sri Lankan highway journey. Inside a metropolis, it’s straightforward to take a taxi or a tuk-tuk to get round. Uber is out there in Colombo.

Journey Suggestions throughout your Sri Lankan journey

Account for visitors on highway journeys

 
While you plan your Sri Lanka itinerary, take into account the journey time between completely different locations of curiosity. Whereas the nation is compact, the roads are principally single lane and slim. It takes rather more time to navigate via hilly areas than what google maps exhibits. 

Additionally, pay attention to visitors whereas crossing a highway whereas strolling on the aspect of a highway. there could be buses, two-wheelers, cows and what not that it’s essential to navigate. I stay in India, so the roads appeared clear to me and the visitors was not-so-ferocious. However it could seem in another way to a westerner used to extra regulated visitors.

Dressing and different etiquette at spiritual websites

Buddha is a non secular and spiritual deity for Sri Lankans so don’t do something that exhibits disrespect. It’s best to maintain your Buddha T-shirts at dwelling. Whereas coming into right into a Buddhist temple, you’ll be required to take off your footwear exterior. Each women and men mustn’t have their higher legs and arms naked, so costume modestly. It’s thought-about an insult to point out your again to the Buddha statue within the temple so selfies are out!

Sri Lankans are conservative people so don’t get drunk in public or swear loudly or create a scene. Whereas it’s high quality to put on swimwear at seashores or by the pool aspect at resorts, it’s not okay to be traipsing round in swimwear on the highway. You may put on t-shirts and shorts in your travels, however as such, keep away from very skimpy garments.

Sri Lankan delicacies and meals security

You may’t journey to Sri Lanka with out making an attempt the native delicacies – a number of occasions!  
Rice and curry are a staple for locals. Seafood is recent and abundantly out there. The usage of spices and coconut are what makes Sri Lankan meals tasty.

Among the meals dishes to strive whereas in Sri Lanka are bitter fish curry, hen curry, dhal curry, inexperienced jackfruit curry, Lamprais (mixture of meat, rice and sauce), hoppers or appam, kiribath (rice cooked with coconut milk), coconut relish and pennywort (gotu kola) salad. Kottu is a road meals broadly out there (made with a selected sort of roti). It may be ready with vegetarian or meat elements.

An Asian would discover no issues with meals in Sri Lanka, not even road meals. For westerners, there ought to be no difficulty at native eating places. Besides that Sri Lanka meals is spicy so do ask the server to make it much less spicy to your palette. Westerners ought to avoid peeled fruit and raw salads exterior of eating places. 

Use your proper hand to eat

Sri Lankans eat with their proper hand. Since it’s the identical norm in India, I didn’t have any issue in consuming with my proper hand. Whereas locals can combine rice and curry and eat comfortably utilizing their fingertips, it’s best so that you can ask for a spoon. You would wish to get used to breaking and consuming a roti utilizing your proper fingers.

Ingesting the Faucet water

Don’t drink faucet water in Sri Lanka. It isn’t safe to eat. Purchase bottled water (test the bottle prime for a seal) or carry a reusable water bottle and get it stuffed solely at your resort.

I examine not brushing your tooth utilizing faucet water in Sri Lanka. I disagree. It’s a special matter than I’ve been brushing my tooth all my life utilizing faucet water in India. However for anybody, it ought to be high quality, simply spit out all of the water.

Tipping

Tipping is mostly anticipated in Sri Lanka. Eating places, tour operator, native tuk-tuk driver will all anticipate a few 10% tip on the entire quantity to be paid in money.

Scams

Routine petty crimes do happen in Sri Lanka in opposition to vacationers , so it’s essential to watch out about your belongings particularly cellphones, cameras and hand luggage. Touts are frequent round vacationer areas, lodges and procuring markets.

Sri Lanka is a superb place to purchase pearls and different gems, however solely from a reputed retailer. Maintain small change to pay tuk-tuk driver or you might get scammed.

Mosquitoes

Watch out for mosquitoes on this tropical nation.  These annoying bugs are present in most elements of Sri Lanka so use mosquito nets and repellents liberally. They will trigger malaria, dengue (no vaccination made) and different ailments.

Watch out for currents within the ocean

Normally, currents are usually fairly sturdy within the Indian Ocean. You may test with the locals for the particular seashore that you simply go to. However do needless to say Sri Lankan locals could also be used to stronger currents than you’re. Throughout our keep in Tangalle, the resort employees had warned us to not get deep within the ocean and word the sturdy currents that may pull you in quickly.

Etiquette at a nationwide park

Sri Lanka is dwelling to greater than 20 nationwide parks and gives a various set of wildlife and marine life. However comply with some frequent norms throughout a jeep safari at a nationwide park. Don’t make loud noises and disturb the animals and birds there. Give area to wildlife and don’t get too near them.  

Chill out at seashores, there are not any rave events

When you are not away from a sandy seashore in most elements of Sri Lanka, it is a conservative Buddhist nation meant for a laidback journey. Don’t anticipate a rave get together like in Thailand to occur on any of the seashores right here.  

No communication downside

English is broadly spoken in Sri Lankan and fluently by anybody who works within the tourism resort trade. So that you shouldn’t have an issue speaking with locals in Sri Lanka. 

Each ends can be found, low cost guesthouses and high-end lodges

Sri Lanka doesn’t have a vibrant hostel system however there are family-run, clear guesthouses all around the nation. Meals, actions and journey is affordable on this nation by Western requirements.

So if you wish to splurge for luxurious lodging, that is the place. There are fancy tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya which might be meant for a luxurious traveller. I beloved my keep at Aman with its non-public seashore strip within the pristine village of Tangalle. There’s loads of road meals and native eateries in all cities. However if you need a particular meal, do strive the Ministry of Crab in Colombo.

Try these different posts on visiting Sri Lanka

Should strive native and road meals of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka in Black and White

Sri Lanka in Coloration

Colonial Galle

Writer bio –

Shweta has at all times been obsessed with journey and immersing in new experiences. Having been to over 40 nations, she blogs at Zest In A Tote to convey family-friendly itineraries and ideas, locations, and luxurious stays to her readers. Her perception in household journey needn’t be boring and one can do a mixture of native tradition & meals, journey actions and leisure, all with household. Join with Shweta on Fb or Instagram

Conclusion to Sri Lanka journey Information

In conclusion, Sri Lanka stands as a fascinating gem within the Indian Ocean, providing a fascinating mix of wealthy heritage, beautiful landscapes, and heat hospitality. From the historic wonders of historical cities like Anuradhapura and Sigiriya to the pristine seashores of Mirissa and Unawatuna, vacationers are handled to a various array of experiences.

Nature lovers can revel within the lush tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya, the breathtaking prepare rides via the Hill Nation, and the considerable wildlife in Yala Nationwide Park. The cultural tapestry of Sri Lanka is woven via its vibrant festivals, intricate temples, and flavorful delicacies, with dishes like hoppers and kottu leaving an enduring culinary impression.

Whether or not looking for leisure on palm-fringed shores or embarking on adventurous hikes to Adam’s Peak, this island nation caters to each sort of traveler. As you traverse its landscapes, from the misty highlands to the sun-kissed shores, you’ll uncover a land of tolerating attraction and attract, leaving you with recollections to treasure lengthy after your journey ends.