17 TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO SRI LANKA – Tips and Advice To Know Before You Go

Credit: Unsplash

It’s no surprise that Sri Lanka was voted as one of the top destinations for 2019 by Lonely Planet. This small country is packed with things to do for any type of traveler, whether it’s surfing along the coast; trying local dishes in the capital; frolicking through a tea plantation in Nuwara Eliya; or climbing to the top of Sigiriya.

However, before you board your flight to Sri Lanka, there are a few important things you need to know. I’ve compiled the most useful Sri Lanka travel tips and advice for your trip to the “teardrop island.” Let’s get started! 😉

—

BACKGROUND INFO: I visited Sri Lanka for one week in September 2018 with a friend with whom I split the cost of travel (transportation, food, accommodation, etc). We started in the capital (Colombo), then made our way to Pinnawala, Kandy, and Ella.

 

The Famous Sri Lanka Train Ride 

First and foremost, a lot of travelers have the Kandy to Ella train on their Sri Lanka bucket list, so here are a few important tips that might come in handy when planning your train ride:

Consider splitting up your Kandy to Ella train ride 

1- We did the Kandy to Ella train in one go (because we didn’t have time!), but you can split it up with a stop in Nuwara Eliya in between. This is an especially awesome option because you can take a tour, pick tea leaves, and even sleep in the middle of a tea plantation. The Heritance Tea Factory is one of the most popular places to stay in Nuwara Eliya, but there are plenty of options. 

How long is the Kandy to Ella train ride?

2- The Kandy to Ella train ride is 7 hours long. It’s a good idea to stock up on snacks and drinks beforehand, but don’t worry too much: there are food vendors that jump onto the train when it stops at a station and go through each cabin selling homemade food and bottled drinks. There is also a toilet on the train, although the cleanliness is questionable (bring wet wipes and toilet paper!)

How to buy tickets for the Kandy to Ella train 

3- Perhaps one of the most popular questions, there are two ways of going about this: you can either show up to the train station and buy your ticket (which we did – and I don’t recommend it at all!) or buy through a reseller. The tickets go on sale about a month in advance, and tour operators quickly snatch up the best tickets and resell them at an inflated price. 

Kandy – Ella: What not to do… 

4 – Whatever you do, try not to get the second or third class unreserved tickets, because you’ll be competing for space and might have to stand for the whole journey. We were “lucky” enough to get third class unreserved, which isn’t for the faint of heart. First, you’ll need to get onto the train as soon as possible, because people will be pushing to get ahead and grab a seat. Second of all, if you get up from your seat and don’t have someone to hold your place, another passenger will take it without asking any questions. If you’re really unlucky and don’t have a seat at all, you’ll have to sit on your luggage or backpack the whole ride. You’ll survive, of course, but it’ll be quite the travel experience ;) 

–

 

A lifehack for buying Sri Lankan tea

5 – If you plan to buy tea (and who doesn’t? It’s a nice souvenir! ;)), always make sure to flip over the box and look for the Ceylon tea seal on the bottom. It’s a little rectangle box with the golden lion symbol, like the one found on the Sri Lankan flag. Any tea with this seal means that it passed quality standards and is ready to be sold. 

–

Be prepared! 

6 -This isn’t really a life-changing tip, but do a little research beforehand about where to eat. On the first day, my friend and I arrived in Colombo, met our driver at the airport, dropped our stuff off at the hotel, and were starving from our long flights. We asked our driver where we could go (and specifically mentioned where the locals would go to eat!), he looked at us, smiled, and drove us … to KFC. 

Moral of the story? A little research goes a long way. 😅

–

7 – Another easy way to be prepared for your travel in Sri Lanka is to have a wad of paper bills. Using credit cards is very common in the country, but most souvenir stores and souvenir stands still only take paper money. 

–

8 – Remember my tips about the Kandy to Ella train? I’m not done just yet! Two things you should always have on hand are toilet paper and wet wipes/hand sanitizer (in case you can’t wash your hands and/or the restaurant doesn’t have a sink). 

Sri Lanka Temple etiquette

9- Like any seasoned traveler, it’s a good idea to bring a coverup for visiting temples. For ladies, this means a long dress or sarong that goes below your knees (such as this one) and that covers your shoulders. If you don’t, some temples will offer a complimentary wrap – like me modeling the latest fashion at the Gangaramaya Temple above. Others will redirect you to a nearby street vendor that will usually mark up the price of a sarong or scarf 2 to 5 times the usual price for unsuspecting tourists. 😉

–

10 – Speaking of temples, if you plan to go temple hopping and visit a few temples in one day, I recommend wearing shoes that you can easily take off (such as sandals). You’ll need to take them off before entering a temple, and it can get a little tedious if you have to unlace your sneakers every 30 minutes! 

 

Credit: Unsplashed

Getting around Sri Lanka

11 -It’s possible to get around Sri Lanka by public transportation, but I highly recommend hiring a  driver. It’ll be much more comfortable (since you’ll have your own air-conditioned car), quicker, and especially beneficial if you have a group of travelers and can split the cost. 

We paid $40 per day ($20 each since it was split between my friend and I). However, you can negotiate with the company and get a better price if you plan to hire a driver for more than one day. 

–

12 – Don’t be afraid to haggle with tuk-tuk drivers. This goes for Thailand, for San Francisco, for Sri Lanka, and for everywhere else! 

Before you flag down a tuk-tuk, always ask the locals how much it should really cost to get from point A to point B and try to get as close as possible to that number. However, it’s also a good idea to keep in mind that you’re still going to pay a little bit more because you’re a tourist – but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun haggling and negotiating! ;) 

–

 

Cities and Sights in Sri Lanka

13 – If you have a few days in Sri Lanka, don’t spend all of your time in Colombo (the capital). I would recommend two, maybe three days maximum. You can see most of the main sights within one day, especially if you hire a full-day tour. 

–

14 – Ahhh, Sigiriya Rock. It’s on the top of every “10 Things You MUST do in Sri Lanka” list, but if you don’t want to pay the $30-ish to go up Sigiriya (also known as Lion Rock), you can get an equal view at Pidurangala Rock for 10 times less. That’s right: for $3 you can do Sri Lanka on a budget.

 

Miscellaneous tips & other advice for Sri Lanka

15 – Whenever you can, dress modestly. Touristy areas like Colombo might not pay as much attention, but you’ll stick out like a sore thumb outside of the capital (like I did wearing my romper in Kandy).

–

16 – Be mindful of Poya, which is a local Buddist holiday every time there is a full moon. A lot of places usually close down on this day and do not sell alcohol, although most tourist attractions (such as temples) are open. Do a quick Google search or ask around if you plan to travel to Sri Lanka and happen to be there on a Poya day. 

–

17 – You’ll most likely be faced with the dilemma of booking a hotel in Sri Lanka versus booking a guest house in Sri Lanka. I recommend booking a guest house, because you’ll have the local experience: you’ll be treated to a delicious (local) breakfast, have the chance to talk to a local guesthouse owner, and support a local business. A win-win situation!

—
Are you planning a trip to Sri Lanka?
Or would you love to travel to Sri Lanka one day?
Let me know if these tips helped, and see you next time! 

Like it? Pin it!