Sri Lanka | 5 things to know before you go
Thinking of a trip to Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 Wondering about doing it #solo or with friends? Wondering what route to plan?
We have you covered in this article.
Helena, our founder, recently took a solo trip to the island and couldn’t have loved it more and she’s decided to share all her tips over the next few weeks.
First up: visas
You will need a visa to enter Sri Lanka. If you’re from: China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan you can (currently) enter for free, otherwise it’s between $20 and $50 depending on how long you’re staying (visas are issued for either 30 or 180 days).
Get your visa via the official government website here. (Don’t do what I did and select the first “official” website from Google search…you get the visa but you pay $80!! 🙈)
Second: the route
Sri Lanka has tonnes to offer; from the hills & scenery to the rich culture, the food to the endless temples (both buddhist and hindu), and for the active (surfing, walking, yoga and fitness retreats etc) 🏞️ - there is something for everyone!
Sri Lanka is roughly split into 6 areas:
Colombo and the west coast - the capital, colonial, busy
The South - beaches, surf, wellness
Kandy and the hill country - tea, hikes, scenery
The Cultural Triangle - monasteries, palaces, Sirigiya
The East - harbours, heritage, Trincomalee
Jaffna and the north - unique, akin to India’s sister, culture
Key sites in Sri Lanka
I did a loop of the Hill Country and the South over two weeks. My stops included: Kandy, Ella (including the train ride to Ella from Kandy), Yala National Park, Weligama, Unawatuna, Ahangama 😍 and Galle.
There is so much to see and do, and I didn’t get to tick off some of the other spots including Sirigiya, don’t underestimate how much time you need to explore the country formerly known as Ceylon.
We’ll share more what and what not to do’s in our next blog 👀
Third: when to visit
The best time is from January to March when the island is at its driest but this is also the busiest season and worth bearing in mind.
There are two monsoon seasons in the country but overall it can is a year-round destination. The monsoon falls in southwest Sri Lanka and the hill country in May and June, and the north and east in October and November.
Fourth: safety
Is Sri Lanka safe? Is Sri Lanka safe for women? Is there still a war in Sri Lanka?
These are some of the questions you may ask yourself before booking the trip. It’s a country that has had a lot to deal with. Our experience however was an overall positive and safe one.
The war officially ended in 2009, but there has been ongoing instability in the country. The last terrorist attacks in 2019 which killed 250 & happened in Colombo & 2 other cities is still fresh in peoples minds but it shouldn’t put you off. There is always a risk with any country but if you do your research & we always advise to check the latest news from your country’s foreign office (eg UK Advice) then this should help you in your decision making.
Fifth & final: everything else
Is the water safe to drink? What adapters should I pack? Suitcase or Backpack?
Water: tap water is safe for brushing your teeth, yes, but not for drinking. Use bottled water.
Travel Adapters: this is probably one of the most inconsistent places I have visited when it comes to adapters. They have a mix of UK plug types as well as Indian & European! The UK one was the most popular but in older hotels I found it less reliable - so take a multi-adapter & you should be covered!
Suitcase or Backpack: always a big decision for me! I went with a suitcase & the only time I regretted doing so was when I used public transport. If you plan to use this a lot I would go for backpack otherwise suitcase is fine 🧳
Now what are you waiting for? Get that trip booked ✈️