Sri Lanka Travel Tips

Sri Lanka Travel Tips

Tips for travelers to Sri Lanka for the first time will help organize a trip so that a vacation in a new country goes without additional stress.

  • The flight time from Almaty to the international airport in Colombo is 5.5-6 hours, from Astana the road will take several hours more. Take care of your comfort and leisure — take a special neck pillow, comfortable shoes, a book, a tablet with movies, music and headphones.
  • At the resorts of the island, they pay for services in the local currency – the Sri Lankan rupee. It is convenient and profitable to exchange money upon arrival, because the airport has a large selection of bank branches with an acceptable exchange rate.
  • You can take out of Sri Lanka no more than 250 rupees. Remaining banknotes are easy to convert back if you keep a receipt for the original exchange transaction.
  • According to Thedressexplorer.com, tourist destinations often accept credit cards.
  • Independent travelers who have come for a long time will probably need the Internet. To ensure that communication is always at hand, experienced tourists are advised to buy a Dialog SIM card. You can do this at the exit of the airport. Although it is worth noting that the billing for all is almost the same. The cost is about 1350 rupees. Rs 850 remains on the account, enough for two weeks of 3G usage, which has good coverage throughout the island.
  • Tips for tourists in Sri Lanka also relate to acclimatization, which is transferred individually. If you notice in the first days a slight nausea, a feeling of a “lead” head, even a temperature, do not rush to look for a hospital. It is better to take medicines with you that will help relieve cold symptoms.
  • When traveling to the island, start from the rainy season, which lasts all summer, capturing May and October. 95% of all precipitation falls during this period. Showers here are plentiful, but more often nightly and short-term – no more than 15 minutes. The main inconvenience for tourists is the strong wind: the high waves that it raises are dangerous while swimming in the ocean.
  • The most favorable period for visiting Sri Lanka is the dry season, which lasts from late autumn to mid-spring. However, vacation prices, as well as the number of tourists, are also increasing markedly.
  • Sri Lanka is a multinational power. The vast majority of local residents are Sinhalese (about 75%). Tamils and Indian Tamils, Moors, Malays, Veddas and burghers also live on the territory of the country. Due to clear signs of conflict between nationalities, the government is taking precautionary measures. Don’t be surprised when you see armed men walking down the street or roadblocks. Auto and railway stations are completely fenced off, and the military inspect everyone’s documents.
  • Take into account the following vacation tips in Sri Lankaif you plan not only to visit the coast, but also visit the famous sights. The area of the island does not exceed 66,000 sq. km. On its territory there are 9 points protected by UNESCO, including the Yala National Park, the former capitals of the country – Kandy, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya. All of them are concentrated in the center of the island, so it is most convenient to get to the objects from the southwest coast. On average, the road to the tour takes 5-6 hours to each of them.
  • From public transport in Sri Lanka there is only a railway and buses. The latter are found both municipal and private, which does not affect the fare – it is the same.
  • Car rental among tourists is not common. In addition to unusual left-hand traffic, pedestrians and local drivers who love to break the rules on the road will add stress to the trip. Only tourists over 21 years old can drive around Sri Lanka by car, while only international driving licenses are allowed. Vehicles are often issued in a dubious technical condition.
  • The most convenient and affordable way to travel will be a “tuk-tuk” – a three-wheeled scooter, it is also a taxi in Sri Lankan.
  • Travel advice for Sri Lanka emphasizes good personal hygiene. Drink drinks and bottled water. Refuse the ice that is offered to the cocktail, it can be made from raw water. Before eating, you need to wash not only your hands, but also products bought on the market. If the seller offers to cut the fruit with his knife to demonstrate its ripeness and suitability, refuse. Also be wary of fresh vegetable salads.
  • Fixed prices for products are set in state stores and shopping centers. In street and private shops, as well as in the bazaar, be sure to bargain to save a lot.
  • In the first aid kit, put a set of adhesive plasters, panthenol, painkiller, fever-reducing and anti-allergic drugs. In a cosmetic bag, repellents and sunscreens will be useful.
  • Due to the high level of solar activity on vacation, you will need a wide-brimmed hat and glasses. Sandals and slippers are suitable for shoes, and comfortable sneakers for trips to the mountains.
  • There are many temples and shrines in the state, for which appropriate clothing is needed – with covered shoulders, back and knees. It is best if the robe is white. Save your shorts for the beach.
  • Shoes are left in front of the entrance to the temple complexes, as well as the headdress is removed. To avoid walking barefoot, bring disposable socks. After visiting the feet, it is better to treat with an antiseptic.
  • Photography in sacred places is prohibited. If you want to take pictures of local people, ask for permission.
  • The Sri Lankans are very friendly people, which cannot be said about the monkeys that roam freely around the area. Keep your camera, phone, bag, and anything your pet might snatch out of the blue securely. Despite the protection of the hotel territory, experienced tourists recommend closing all windows to the room before leaving. In addition to monkeys, crow thieves can also visit you.
  • Island cuisine is characterized by an abundance of hot spices. That is why do not rush to taste the local food with a “big spoon”, but take a small portion. In hotels, European cuisine is also offered on the buffet along with the local one. A “red pepper” marker next to a food indicates that the dish is spicy. To make your mouth less hot, you need to seize a piece of bread.
  • The basis of the dishes is rice, fish, herbs, tropical fruits, while sauces are usually served in a small separate dish. Eating with your hands is not shameful in this country. The main thing is not to use the left, as well as to stretch it in order to take something.
  • Do not poke your index finger, even when emotional, which is considered the most rude gesture.
  • The head for a monk is a sacred part of the body, so no one dares to touch it. Women are completely forbidden to touch the servants of the temple.
  • If you see a local nodding in response, don’t rush to rejoice – the gesture means “no.” Agreement looks the opposite way: a shrug of the shoulders or a turn of the head from side to side.
  • Do not mess with drugs, even the most “light” and “harmless”, for their possession and distribution, the government sends to death.
  • The coastline belongs to the municipality. Don’t worry though, the locals don’t hang out on the stretch of beach that the hotel maintains.
  • Nudists in Sri Lanka are condemned, so check with the hotelier if you can sunbathe topless by the pool. This is the only place where nudity is sometimes allowed to tourists, and even then not everywhere.
  • Cow, elephant, monkey have the status of immunity as sacred animals, so they must be treated with respect.
  • Hunting marine animals and collecting live corals is prohibited. The exception is dead branches thrown ashore.
  • You can not turn your back on the monuments and the image of the Buddha, so when photographing we recommend to become half-turned.
  • If you want to bring souvenirs, give preference to precious stones – topaz, amethyst, garnet, as well as “moonstone” adularia, which is mined only in Sri Lanka. When buying, ask for a receipt or export certificate.
  • In a conversation, violent gestures and raising your voice are considered bad form, so on vacation you need to be friendly and restrain emotions.
  • To use a three-prong socket, you will need an adapter, but the mains voltage is standard – 220 V.
  • You can contact the Department of Tourism by calling 1912 – this is a dedicated line where they advise in English. The Tourist Police can be easily called from both public and mobile telephone numbers 119.
  • In order to calmly check in and not be late for the flight, it is better to arrive at the airport 3 hours before departure.

Sri Lanka Travel Tips