There’s never been a better time to plan your trip to Sri Lanka! The unique teardrop island has bloomed over the years. It is a budget friendly country with superb beaches, rich and varied wildlife, tropical forests, attractive surfing scene, a unique history and lovely residents. Sri Lanka is definitely a hot destination this year and it should be added to your wishlist!
I spent a month in Sri Lanka, traveling solo and I have to admit: Sri Lanka is a safe place to travel in. You can easily communicate with residents in English, so you don’t have to worry about the language barrier! There are some important things, you should know before traveling to Sri Lanka. Here is a little guide, which should help you to plan your perfect trip to Sri Lanka.
When to go to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is known as a year-round destination with average temperature between 26°C and 30°C. When planning you perfect holiday, you need to know that Sri Lanka is affected by two monsoons, which change the weather from coast to coast. The Maha monsoon brings heavy rain from Bay of Bengal to the North East of the country between October and January. While, the Yala monsoon hits from May to July affecting the South West. I visited Sri Lanka in August and September and I would definitely recommend these two months! Beautiful weather, affordable prices and less tourists! This is what I like 😉
If you plan to visit Sri Lanka during monsoon season, remember that it can still be very enjoyable! All surrounding forests and bushes are becoming so green, you feel the laid-back atmosphere and your pocket is much happier too, as it is off season!
Health and Vaccines
Remember to be up to date with all necessary vaccinations while traveling abroad. There are no obligatory vaccinations for Sri Lanka required for visitors (Western Europe and United States) to enter the country. However, some vaccinations for all travelers to Sri Lanka are strongly recommended:
hepatitis A and hepatitis B,
typhoid fever,
polio,
rabies,
japanese B encephalitis (this vaccine is recommended, if you are planning to stay in Sri Lanka longer than a month and spend time in rural areas in Sri Lanka),
medications for travelers’ diarrhea.
There is no risk of yellow fever in Sri Lanka, but it is required to show the proof of yellow fever vaccine, if you coming from a country with risk of yellow fever. Here is a list of countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission.
Malaria was previously a big problem, but the World Health Organization: WHO announced Sri Lanka malaria-free in 2016.
Remember to never drink the tap water in Sri Lanka. You can buy bottled water at every store or use your water bottle with a purifier.
Currency in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is very affordable country. When planning a trip to Sri Lanka, I would recommend to take with you dollars, as it is easy to exchange. The currency of Sri Lanka is rupee and you can get it only in Sri Lanka. Exchange rate: 1 USD is 170 LKR. There is no problem to exchange money in Sri Lanka. You can convert your money at the airport, exchange offices and withdraw cash from ATM. Remember to inform your bank before your trip to Sri Lanka to avoid unpleasant surprises.
How Much do You Need?
When planning your trip to Sri Lanka, you need to know about cost of living. A daily budget can be very different for every person. But, I would say that an average daily budget is $35 per person. If you eat in local restaurants, travel by buses and trails and sleep in low budget hostels, the costs would be even lower.
Prices in Sri Lanka:
Local meal: 200 – 300 RS Western food (meat and fries): 800 – 1800 RS Bottle of water: 50 RS Beer: 400 RS Average private room: 2000 – 3500 RS Dorm room: 800 – 1000 RS Local bus ticket: 20 – 3o RS Taxi from the airport: 3000 RS Bus from the airport: 350 RS Rent a scooter per day: 1500 RS Gasoline (1litre): 140 RS
How to get around
The most popular are trains and buses in Sri Lanka. If you are planning to travel along the coast, you can move by bus, which stops at every town. Another option is renting a scooter!
Having the freedom of a scooter is my favorite way to travel in Sri Lanka. You can explore the most beautiful beaches, stop wherever you want and stay in each place, as long as you need. However, if you want to visit the Central province, a train trip is highly recommended! Sri Lanka’s train routes are some of the most incredible in the world
Where to stay in Sri Lanka
How do I book accommodation for a trip to Sri lanka? As you know, I am a solo traveler. I used to sleep in different places and environments in Sri Lanka. Sometimes, it was a dorm room, another a bungalow or private cozy apartment. It all depends on my mood or where I am currently.
Sri Lanka is a paradise for food lovers! And to be honest with you, I completely fall in love with Sri Lankan cuisine. It is known as a ”land of spices”, where every traditional meal is freshly-cooked and authentic. Sri Lankan food is popular for it’s curries, fresh seafood with tropical fruits and spices. Dishes that stay in foodies’ hearts forever:
polos – jackfruit curry – exotically delicious and my favorite one!
fish ambul thiyal – freshly prepared sour fish curry
hoppers – kind of pancakes on a fermented butter, made of rice flour and coconut milk
Pol Sambol – it was a dish I became addicted to! freshly grated coconut, chili pepper, red onion with rice and string hoppers.
I really recommend to visit Matey Hut in Ella and Bambini’s Cafe in Arugam bay!
What to see
Before your trip to Sri lanka, you probably want to know: where to start, what you should see and what to skip in Sri Lanka. Depending on the length of your holiday time, there are some attractive routes, I will show you below.
1 – 2 weeks holiday
If you enjoy beach vibes and small little towns I would recommend to travel along the coast. From Colombo to Hikkaduwa, Galle, Mirissa (my favorite beach town), Tangalle and then the Yala National Park. If you prefer to explore more of the East Coast of Sri Lanka, rather than staying in one place, I truly recommend Arugam Bay home to famed point breaks and good surfing vibes.
On the way back to Colombo, you should stop in Ella. If you have enough time, I would also consider Nuwara Eliya and Kandy.
1 month holiday
In 1 month, you can see almost the whole country! Travel along the coast until Arugam Bay, Trincomalee and up to Jaffna. After exploring the coast, head to Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Ella and Adam’s Peak.
