Sri Lanka
“The one who teaches is the giver of eyes.” – Sri Lankan Proverb
Explore
We spent 3 weeks in Sri Lanka. 1 week in Ja-Ela just outside of Colombo. 2 weeks in Weligama in the south of Sri Lanka and 1 day in Negombo on our way to the airport.
Colombo:
Weligama:
Activities:
Motorbiking and Crashing in Sri Lanka
Also see:
Getting In
- You will need a Visa to enter Sri Lanka. You can get a Visa on Arrival, but it is best to get one beforehand to avoid delays. Visas are usually issued for 30 days.
- The primary airport servicing Sri Lanka in Colombo International Airport, just north of Colombo and south of Negombo.
- For those traveling south to Galle or Matara, or into the interior towards Kandy – trains service the island for a very low fare. Be aware, these trains are not modern and not advised for those who don’t like an adventure.
Money
- Sri Lanka can be a surprisingly expensive country for travelers. While regular amenities are cheap compared to western nations; accommodation, eating out and visiting tourist sites will cost more than expected.
- Individual sites such as Anuradhapura and Sigiriya are quite expensive, running at $20 or more per person. If planning to visit multiple sites, consider investing in a Cultural Site Pass which, while still expensive, will allow you to visit multiple sites for a single discounted rate.
- Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan Rupee. No other currency is accepted, though you may be able to use USD in some locations catering to tourists or for tipping. This is not a norm, however.
$1USD = 150 LKR (Sri Lankan Rupee)
A local meal will cost 250 LKR
A mid-range meal will cost 1500 LKR
A 1-bed apartment in the city center will cost $220 per month
Climate
- Sri Lanka has a tropical and warm climate sitting just off the southeastern tip of the Indian subcontinent. It is subject to the Indian Ocean Monsoon.
- The southeast portion of the island receives heavy rainfall during the wet monsoon season, leading to severe flooding.
- The north and southwest regions of the island are a dry zone. These do receive occasional squalls and cyclones.
- The central highlands offer a cooler climate than the coastal regions at averaging in the lower 60s as compared to the low 90s respectively.
History
Sri Lanka has been inhabited for nearly 500,000 years. Sinhalese history began with the arrival of Prince Vijara in 543 BCE. This began the Anuradhapura Kingdom which lasted until 993 CE. Multiple invasions occurred over the next 500 years which saw the expansion but also slow decay of Sri Lankan power.
The Kandyan period began with the arrival of Portuguese colonists in 1507. The Portuguese settled a fort in Colombo, prompting the Sri Lankans to move their capital to Kandy. The British managed to occupy and take control of then Ceylon during the Napoleonic Wars. Sri Lanka remained under British rule until declaring independence in 1948.
Ceylon was a Marxist nation at this point and remained so until declaring itself a republic in 1972 and renaming to Sri Lanka. Ethnic tensions built during this time, resulting in the beginning of a civil war in 1983 between the Sinhalese and Tamil Tigers. The civil war would continue until 2009 when peace was finally achieved. In 2004, the island suffered greatly in the Indian Ocean Tsunami. Today, Sri Lanka is a growing and developing country.
Need to Know
- Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country that takes itself seriously. Anything sacrilegious can be punished by fines or jail time. Don’t turn your back to statues of Buddha to take pictures, and don’t have tattoos of Buddha. Modesty is expected.
- Being an ex-British colony, many Sri Lankans can speak at least a moderate amount of English. The older generations are more likely than the younger to speak English. Singhalese is also extensively spoken, with most signage in both languages. Tamil may be spoken in the north.
- Tourism is still developing. While the capital city of Colombo – and Kandy – both cater to many tourists, do not be surprised to find little in terms of tourist amenities. Live like a local, or pay a steep price.
- Food is highly variable in quality. Excellent local food can be found, as can awful food. Western dishes are not typically available and will be expensive and highly processed if you encounter them. There are many excellent dishes in Colombo and Negombo.
- The nation offers excellent chances of seeing wildlife. Yala National Park hosts the highest concentration of leopards in all of Asia, and a visit is guaranteed to offer intimate views of elephants and other safari animals.
- Previously a tea plantation colony under British rule – Sri Lanka offers an excellent selection of local tea. Expect an offering multiple times a day during your visit.
Warnings
- While there are no outstanding dangers in Sri Lanka, travelers should exercise a high degree of caution at all times, in all locations.
- Much of the north remains closed off or under military supervision following the end of the decades-long civil war in 2009.
- Petty theft and robbery are not uncommon. Be aware of your surroundings and of crowds.
- Solo female travelers should exercise extreme caution. Travel in groups or with guides – never by yourself at night.
- Roadways are congested and very dangerous. Motorbikes, cars, tuk-tuks, buses, pedestrians, and animals can appear at any time.
- Due to the monsoon, Sri Lanka is subject to severe flooding in some areas.
We recommend reviewing safety guidelines by various state departments: – we make no guarantees to your safety!
US State Department – Moderate to High bias, with moderate levels of broad information. We advise checking against other sources to confirm veracity of statements.
British State Department – Low bias, and very thorough information. We recommend checking with the FCO for tourist warnings.
Canada State Department – Low bias, with thorough information. We advise using as an additional resource for tourist warnings.