Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? Make sure to read this article for the things that you should know before traveling to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country in South Asia that’s a great travel destination for people who love exotic places and rich cultures. Officially known as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, this country is filled with many magnificent locations and smiling faces that will undoubtedly make your vacation an experience that you will never forget. However, before traveling to Sri Lanka, it’s essential to know more about the country and its culture to prepare for anything. To help you with this, here are a few things that you should know before traveling to Sri Lanka.
- Traveling to Sri Lanka can be expensive
Although most countries in South Asia can be pretty cheap for a traveler, Sri Lanka may be considered a pricier destination. But how much you spend will ultimately depend on what you will do during your stay, including where you will stay and the food you will eat.
Most of the goods in this country are more likely to be imported, so they may be expensive. If you want to save up a lot, make sure to try out Sri Lanka’s delicacies and local foods as they are not as costly as high-end restaurants. Another way to save money is to ditch the five-star hotels and find a charming and picturesque property where you can stay for the duration of your trip.
- The locals in Sri Lanka are one of the most friendly groups of people.
Even though Sri Lanka has such a violent history, this place is filled with one of the friendliest people on earth. Their smiles and laughter will warm your heart and make you feel welcome. They would even go out of their way to offer help to tourists who need them. A small gesture of thanks will make them feel excellent as locals are such an appreciative bunch. So spending your vacation with the locals in Sri Lanka will make you have a great time and enjoy yourself.
- Sri Lanka has monsoon seasons.
Before traveling to any destination you choose, it’s essential to consider the different seasons, such as winter or summer. When traveling to Sri Lanka, you should take note of the monsoon seasons. Even though Sri Lanka is a year-round destination for tourists, some do not appreciate the harsh rains during this season.
The whole island has two different monsoon seasons that affect other parts. Sri Lanka’s northern and eastern parts get affected by the monsoon season sometime between October to January. On the other hand, the southern and western parts of the island are affected by wind and rain from May to September.
Sri Lanka’s peak tourist dates are from December to March, so the rates during these times are far more expensive than other months.
- Sri Lanka’s local foods are flavorsome and right on the budget.
Traveling to a specific destination won’t be complete without trying the sumptuous local foods that the place offers, and Sri Lanka is no exception. When traveling to this place, you must try out the wide selection of unique local foods that Sri Lanka has.
Before traveling to Sri Lanka, you might have already assumed that many restaurants here wouldn’t serve any kinds of beef. That is true, as 12 percent of Sri Lanka’s population is Hindi. But the absence of beef certainly did not limit the flavor of Sri Lanka’s local foods.
It would be best to try Sri Lanka’s specialties, such as coconut sambal, egg hoppers, and fresh crab curry. Teas are also another thing that you must try in Sri Lanka as their production is one of the largest in the country. The most popular tea brand in Sri Lanka is Dilmah, but if you want a more personal tea experience, you can try and visit a tea plantation such as Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge.
- Respect Sri Lanka’s politics
If you are up to date with the news and happenings worldwide, you may know that Sri Lanka is now safe to travel to. But that does not mean that this country has always been peaceful as it seems. As a matter of fact, Sri Lanka has one of the most violent and damaging histories.
From 1983 to 2009, Sri Lanka was severely damaged by a vicious civil war that kept outsiders away from the country. Ever since the war ended, Sri Lanka has been making many efforts to rebuild the country and improve its tourism. With these efforts, Sri Lanka is swarmed by thousands of tourists every year.
Even though the war had already ended, Sri Lanka’s government still had to call a state of emergency now and then over the past few years. The most recent ones were the 2018 incident and the 2019 bombing. In 2018, there was violence between the Muslim and Sinhalese communities that were situated around Kandy city. In 2019, Islamist extremists bombed many churches and hotels all over the island, which caused the demise of 258 people during Easter Sunday.
Right now, travel to Sri Lanka is relatively safe, but we cannot say when this will happen again. So, like when you travel to another place, practice extreme caution and ensure your safety in every way possible.
- Sri Lanka’s tourism is still in progress.
If you’re planning to travel to Sri Lanka, you must know that their tourism is just booming as we speak. They are currently improving their tourism, and not all places in Sri Lanka are ready for tourists. Colombo, Sri Lanka’s lively capital, is prepared for tourists, but some would find it hard to explore out of the city. Most roads are not yet paved, and not all locals speak or understand English at all, so tourists would have a hard time communicating with them.
If you decide to rent a place outside the city, there may not be much to do, and it may be hard for you to get some things you need, such as midnight snacks and toiletries. But if you’re in it for the adventure of a lifetime, exploring Sri Lanks will give you an experience that you will never forget.
