Visiting Sri Lanka For The First Time?- Complete Travel Guide

An Oval shaped piece of land, Sri Lanka is an island nation in South Asia. It is nestled in the Indian Ocean enclosed by the Southwest and Southeast of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea respectively. This is a hidden gem for travelers and you will get on the amazing encounter. Lush green panorama, auspicious meal broken structures, enormous wildlife and the polite natives of Srilanka are making this nation a paradise for the warm hospitality.
Planning a visit to Srilanka is not a hectic now. It may be a little confusing for you as buses and trains stuffed with people move through the busy lanes which may not have clear street signs. This is also an interesting part of Srilankan’s life. If we talk about languages Tamil and Sinhala are the official languages of Srilanka but English is also used throughout the Srilanka. If you are aware of these languages you will not get a problem in dealing with natives.

Although Srilanka is one of the best nations to travel still you need to take some care to secure yourself from scams, and less value for your money.

Things To Know Before You Visit Sri Lanka

Tip 1 Avoid Drinking Tap Water

Tap water in Sri Lanka is not safe to drink as with time increased pollution level influenced its quality. Instead of that, you can carry bottled water with you. If you will buy a bottle consist of the filter rather than a normal bottle it may be costly but protect your health.

Tip 2 Regional Cuisine Will Be Less Costly

It becomes challenging to find good western meal throughout Sri Lanka except the capital city named as Colombo and Kandy. Also if you will somehow get the western item it may be expensive for you. Limit your taste buds to the Srilankan food you will get great options in it. Some of the best food points are based in Kandy, Sigiriya, Colombo, and Nuwara Eliya, etc. Also, you can get the best options in eating points around the bus stop in Anuradhapura.

Tip 3: Sri Lanka Is Not The Place For Party Seekers

Don’t expect too many chances to drink alcohol. Outside the coastal tourist towns and the capital of Colombo, there isn’t much nightlife or opportunities to drink. While you can always crack a beer at your guesthouse, Sri Lanka isn’t home to a big drinking/nightlife culture. Expect your nights to be tame.

Tip 4: Use The Economical Tuk-Tuks For Travelling

If you are travelling on a budget, the best option to explore the place is Tuk-tuk. By doing some negotiation you can take their services for the entire day. It may cost you around three thousand to four thousand Srilankan rupees. Although the Tuk-tuk executor is polite enough to agree on your terms. They may face issues in Colombo only regarding end up in paying more money. You don’t need bargaining skills in other places.

Tip 5: Reach Airport By Economical And Fastest Way

You will discover that good connectivity available for airports such as trains, buses, and Tuk-tuk, etc. Trains will be available from Colombo Fort to the airport for an economical price of thirty Srilankan rupees. On the other hand, Tuk-tuk may charge over two thousand and buses could take over a hundred rupees. Buses that left from Colombo Central Bus Station or Mawatha Bus Station in every half an hour could be a convenient and economical option for budget travelers.

Tip 6: Move Through Train To Different Travel Destinations

As the train is the most economical way to travel it will be easier for you to complete the journey in a pocket-friendly way. The popular travel package includes Colombo to Jaffna that cost you up to five hundred rupees, Jaffna to Anuradhapura that costs around four hundred, Kandy to Nuwara Eliya costing around three hundred and last but not the least Colombo to Galle costing around three hundred.

Tip 7: Reserve Train Ticket In Advance

For a convenient journey, it is highly recommended to book your train tickets in advance. The booking date must be 2 or 3 days before your actual departure. For a wonderful experience of vistas from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by relaxing on your seat plan a journey in advance. There is no use to go early in the morning as the ticket counter opens up at 8 am.

Tip 8 Visit Sigiriya In The Early Morning

If you are preparing to visit Sigiriya make your plan of before 8 am. In the early morning, you will find a peaceful journey with fewer people. With the sun rises the number of human traffic also increased at Sigiriya that makes the journey unpleasant. Crowdy stairs to the Sigiriya takes up your valuable time when visiting crowded hours.

Tip 9: Don’t Look For Luxury Here

Srilanka is not the place for luxury seekers. In accommodation, you will find some basic hostels here which consists of a fan and other basic needs. In approx 1000 Srilankan rupee you may find dormitory bed as well.

Tip 10: Visit To Galle

A short day visit is enough to explore Galle Fort and other attractions here. You don’t need to make room there. Also, no such attractions are available there.

Tip11: You Can Discover Cheap Accommodation

If we talk about the economical stay option, Srilanka is the hub for the same. You will get an enormous stay option in your budget throughout the nation. Also, you can avail of breakfast services as well. To have some privacy it may cost you around a thousand per night.

Things Which You Can Do In Sri Lanka

Complete your Srilanka journey by mapping a holy mountain. Bar and clubs on the abandoned beach and a cup of fresh tea by sitting into nature. Apart from this, there is much more that is waiting for you in Sri Lanka.

Climb Sigiriya

Sigiriya, A remarkable rock fortress is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage site. It was originated in the 5th century AD. Being a sacred site it was once the royal palace and housing the Buddhist monastery. Sigiriya was considered as one of the significant modern The site is also regarded as one of the most important projects in the earlier years and beautifully housing the ancient topography gardens in the world. Also, go for the mirror wall which is maintained very well and the king could see his image in it.

Get Acquainted With Elephants

Sri Lanka is a hub for elephant lovers as you can see elephants You’ll see elephants everywhere you go in Sri Lanka: working on a tea plantation, running wild in national parks, and leading the Esala Peraha parade in Kandy in all their jeweled and sequined glory. To get the best elephant experience visit UdaWalawe National Park and you will discover elephants enjoying their freedom. This park successfully housing the enormous pachyderms and widespread Green lands. Also, you can satisfy your bird watching love here.

Plan A Journey To Nuwara Eliya Tea Estate

Missing a visit to the tea estate of Nuwara Estate is like missing its core. This wonderful tea estate gives you a flashback of ancient times of England heritage. Explore the well-organized tea estates, natives doing tea plantation or taking out of it. Also, you can purchase some fresh tea with you.
People who praise tea plantation Hill Country’s Haputale Mountains is the point where tea estate is established by Sir Thomas Lipton. To reach this estate you can drive through the car or take a tuk-tuk. To get a wonderful experience it is preferable to reach out before noon. This is the time when you can see the wonder of nature in the form of mountains surrounded by clouds, and mesmerizing vistas, etc.

Calm Yourself On Arugam Bay Beaches

Arugam Bay beaches are filled with sand, Palm trees, and happy surfers. This point is a paradise for water surfers. Apart from this experiencing sun by lying down on the sun deck calms your mind and removes all tiredness. To enjoy your journey to the fullest it would be nice if you rejuvenate some energy.

Visit Yala National Park To Acquaint With Leopards

Although you can spot a leopard in many parks but experiencing the one in Yala National Park is unique in itself. This is one of the top predators of Sri Lanka. It is nestled on the southern coast where you can enjoy a dip in the water body after a warm safari. Yala National Park is famous for housing the highest population of leopards that make it a must-visit point.

Must-Try Sri Lankan SeaFood

It’s not that we do not find seafood in India but Srilanka is surrounded by the enormous water body. This increases the availability of fresh seafood. It is available in almost all the restaurants throughout Sri Lanka. Crab curry in Sri Lanka is world-renowned as it is cooked by more manual techniques using coconut and lime juice.

Explore Off Beaten Island

If you come under people who love to explore off beaten lands then Sri Lanka has an option for you at their Northern edge. One of the largest of them is calm Neduntheevu housing over four thousand natives and a good population of wild horses. You may not find much to explore there but stay options are good enough, life is quite calm and people are amicable.
Once you are done with the journey to the Dutch fort, you will not feel the completeness in the journey.

Experience Whales From Closer

At the southern edge of Srilanka, it is touching the bases of the continental reef. It is an oasis to see the largest animal named as blue whales. This is like a dream to watch such a creature from closure. Right from January to April blue whales move through Dondra head which is the tallest lighthouse at the Southernmost point. They feed themselves on krill and squid which was discovered in Island water in rich quantity.

Must-Visit Kandy

Renowned as one of the capitals of ancient Sri Lanka rulers and the homeland of colonial structures which are the best point to survive the heat of summer, Kandy is a wonderful city in central Sri Lanka. Apart from this get some spirituality by visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. See the pilgrims contributing to the temple and attend the prayer. If you are planning a journey at the time of Esala Perahera Festival must reserve your seat first. You may get it from nearby eating points and shops.

Do We Need A Visa To Travel Sri Lanka?

A Sri Lankan visa can be categorized into a business visa, tourist visa, and transit visa, etc. If you are planning for a tour below 30 days, you should apply for ETA or e-visa. On completion of the application along with payment, you will receive the email confirmation.
With effect from amendment on 1 August 2019, Sri Lanka declared some freedom in visa rules for European visitors. Till the end of January 2020, you can get a visa on arrival but it may take time due to long queues. To avoid these long queues it is recommended to apply for a visa in advance. Visitors throughout the world can initiate their application from e-visa.co.uk. European traveler gets it done in a few minutes by completing the payment of £14.95 per person. They have an active application form that immediately takes out the mistakes. In the case of visa rejection, all your money will be refunded irrespective of the reason.

Best Time To Visit Sri Lanka

Being an island nation Sri Lanka offers endless options for every reason. The wonders start right from January and flow to December. To enjoy the beaches in a complete sense then summer months which fall from May to October are best on the Eastern coast. On the Western and Southern coast, Winter months which fall from October to May are best. The highly recommended time to travel hill country and the cultural triangle is December to April.

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