Sri Lanka – a beautiful tear drop shaped country that has something for everyone. We spent a month travelling through this little island paradise, experiencing just about everything it has to offer.
You can climb temples that sit atop 200 metre high rocks in the morning, and trek through tea plantations in the hillside country in the afternoon. You can take what has been referred to as ‘the most beautiful train journey in the world’ for just $10. It’s is a a country you can travel in relative peace, without the typical hassle and tourist scams of its neighbours.
We were rewarded with some incredible memories in Sri Lanka – seeing wild elephants for the first time, finding ‘secret beaches’ and meeting other travellers – we’re sure you’ll make incredible memories too.
Cites We’ve Visited to Date
Colombo, Negombo, Kandy, Peredeniya, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya, Haputale, Ella, Embilipitiya, Udawalawe, Matara, Mirissa, Galle
SRI LANKA FACT FILE
Affordability
Not quite as cheap as other Asian destinations or it’s next door neighbour in India, Sri Lanka can still be visited on a budget however be prepared to pay substantial amounts for any attractions, and not not get as good a value for your money when it comes to accommodation and eating out.
Connectivity
Staying connected in Sri Lanka is easy, with most accommodation and restaurants and cafes offering free wi-fi. You can grab a sim card from the airport in Colombo, or pick up a SIM card from vendors in most tourist areas – Dialog offers 5GB of data lasting 30 days for just 15,000 LKR.
Communicating
Both Sinhalese and Tamil are the official languages in Sri Lanka, but basic English is understood by most people that work within the tourism industry, from railway station officers, tuk tuk drivers and restaurants. Try and learn a few handy phrases, and be patient in trying to communicate your needs across.
Getting Around
Sri Lanka has a handy rail system for getting around the country which is inexpensive however at this stage there is no option to purchase tickets online – only in person. Train journeys sell out very quickly so its worth buying in advance if you know your itinerary. Buses are dirt cheap, but are often crowded and uncomfortable – but they’ll get you to your destination nonetheless. For getting around town, grab a tuktuk and be sure to bargain.
READ more about our adventures in Sri Lanka!
Climbing Lion Rock in Sigiriya
The top of everyone’s ‘to-do’ list in Sri Lanka, climbing to the temples on top of Lion Rock in Sigiriya is a pretty unique experience, but is it worth the pricey entrance fee?
Cycling the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
Jumping on rusty bikes and cycling through the beautifully preserved ruins of Polonnaruwa was one of our favourite day trips in Sri Lanka – check out this article for our highlights!
A Wildlife Safari in Udawalawe National Park
Sri Lanka has no shortage of national parks, and Udawalawe is one of the best for spotting wild elephants. Read about our experience and why it was one of our most magical days here.
Sri Lanka – Why You So Expensive?
Being India’s neighbour, we expected Sri Lanka to be similarly priced – we were wrong! From the accommodation, the food and the entrance fees to its sights and activities, Sri Lanka burnt a hole in our pocket. If you’re planning to visit Sri Lanka on a budget, read this first!