Sri Lanka is a jewel-shaped country in the Indian Ocean. The country boasts a verdant landscape, abundant wildlife, fascinating history and heritage and great food. The other piece of good news is that Sri Lanka offers value for your travel dollar, which means you can experience luxury on a tight budget.
Many first-time travellers make lots of mistakes when they visit it, though, such as trying to pack in too much to an itinerary and spending your time checking off a long list rather than experiencing a few main spots. Many people also overlook the benefit of getting their Holafly travel eSIM for Sri Lanka before heading on their adventure, and then they end up running out of data. Seamless connectivity will make a big difference when traveling to Sri Lanka, so be sure to choose your eSIM plan early on. On this note, did you know that turning your back on a Buddha statue for a quick selfie is considered disrespectful? It’s always important to check the customs to make sure you aren’t displaying insensitive behaviour without realising. To make sure you’ll have an unforgettable and seamless trip, here are some helpful tips for your Sri Lanka trip.
1 Make sure you visit at the right time
Okay, but what is the RIGHT time to visit Sri Lanka? Well, when it comes to its weather, it’s not as simple as “dry season good, wet season bad”, and that’s because it is affected by two different monsoons. If you’re going there for the beaches in the south and west, December to March are the best seasons for your trip. On the other hand, if you want to visit the north and east, you should travel to Sri Lanka in April-September.
2 Don’t overpack
Sri Lanka has a warm, humid climate, which is why you should bring lightweight, breathable clothing. Packing minimally is best because it will leave room for souvenirs like tea and local spices. If you’re traveling to cooler highland areas, you can focus on versatile items and bring layers too, but if you’re planning to do early morning treks in Horton Plains or take the optional Adam’s Peak climb, temperatures will be cooler, so you should bring a fleece and a slightly warmer jacket.
3 Design your itinerary
If you look at the map, you get the impression that Sri Lanka is tiny, but don’t be mistaken into believing that you will be able to see everything in a week. That’s not the case. Every region has its unique personality, so you should give yourself enough time to appreciate a place and not just check boxes. You should obviously choose the regions you’ll visit based on your interests, but for someone who’s visiting for the first time, we’d recommend Kandy, for its ancient temples and vibrant markets, Ella, for its mountain magic, Sigiriya, a 1,500-year-old rock fortress which you can climb for epic sunrise views, and Yala National Park, where you can spot Sri Lankan leopards.
4 Dress modestly and respectfully
If you check the hashtag for Sri Lanka on Instagram, you could mistakenly get the idea that this is a country of short shorts and bikinis, but this is far from the truth. People in Sri Lanka are Buddhist or Hindu, and their culture is pretty much conservative, so you need to dress appropriately (this is especially true if you’re planning to visit sacred sites). As a woman, you should cover your shoulders with a shawl or scarf, and as a man, you should wear long trousers or shorts. Your clothing shouldn’t be too revealing or tight, either. It’s important to try as much as you can to follow these rules in order to show respect for local customs and also avoid attracting unwanted attention as a tourist.
5 Travel by train
Train travel may be slower, but it’s the cheapest and most efficient way to get around Sri Lanka. You’ll sit at the window and enjoy beautiful landscapes as you watch the country pass you by. It’s a great way to connect with local culture in a way that you wouldn’t be able to if you chose to fly between destinations. Plus, it doesn’t actually make sense to take an expensive short flight, given that Sri Lanka is small. Be sure to adjust your expectations on speed, though, because it will take time to arrive at a specific destination (but we believe it’s definitely worth it!)
6 Indulge in Sri Lankan cuisine and tea
Sri Lankan food is probably the best in the world. It’s healthy and flavoursome, which makes it a sensory delight. Rice and curry are staples in the country, so expect to see them day and night. Kottu Roti is a street food which you absolutely should try: It’s basically a mix of vegetables, shredded godamba roti, and spices cooked and chopped rapidly on a hot plate. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to try Hoppers, which are little pancake-like bowls served as a breakfast dish, made from coconut milk and rice flour, and String Hoppers, which are made as a “noodle patty” and served with coconut sambal and a mild curry sauce. Also, tea is part of Sri Lankan cultural identity, so if you’re a fan of it, this is absolutely the place for you. There are plenty of local tea estates and restaurants where you can taste the world-famous Ceylon tea, but we also recommend the sweet, spicy Sri Lankan milk tea, which is usually served at breakfast time.
7 Embrace the local pace of life
Sri Lanka operates on “island time”, so don’t be surprised (or get frustrated) if things don’t run as scheduled. Instead, just try to embrace the slower pace of life, because this will make your trip much more enjoyable. Whether you’re ordering another drink while your meal is being prepared or waiting for a slightly later train, it will make a difference if you take things as they come.
Last words
There’s so much to love about about Sri Lanka and if you plan wisely and really allow yourself to take it all in, it will be an adventure you’ll never forget.
