Things To Know Before Travelling To Sri Lanka – The Complete Guide!

Sri Lanka may look like the tiniest country on the world map and you may think what could this country even offer, right? But, as we all know, good things come in a small package and so does Sri Lanka! Sri Lanka is truly a paradise like no other place on the earth. Let it be the fragrant tea plantation, the Buddhist temples resonating vibes of peace, the friendly locals, the extraordinary culture, exotic beaches and the natural beauty that will surely make any traveller visit Sri Lanka multiple times. As exciting it may sound, there are also a few things to know before travelling to Sri Lanka for a lovely experience.

Also Read: The Do’s and Don’ts guide for your Srilanka vacation

Things to know before travelling to Sri Lanka 

• Don’t be fooled by the size of the country
• Cover your Buddha tattoos & leave your Buddha designed clothes at home
• Never miss the train rides 
• A must-visit for wildlife admirers
• The locals are the friendliest 
• A paradise for tea lovers
• Try the local foods which are cheap and delicious
• It’s good to know a few Sinhalese Phrases

1. Don’t be fooled by the size of the country

As initially mentioned, Sri Lanka may look the tiniest, but houses some of the best places which are beyond your imagination. This country has a touch of both traditional and recent trends which merges very well and pours a lovely vacation experience to the travellers. Let it be the bustling cities, the world heritage sites, sparkling beaches or the tea plantations areas, there is always a liveliness spread around! Just like layers, there are more and more a traveller could explore. So, never judge this country just by its size. 

Also Read: 10 Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka

2. Cover your Buddha tattoos & leave your Buddha designed clothes at home

Yes, you read that right! This is one of the very important things to know before travelling to Sri Lanka which most of the travellers miss noticing. As we all know there are a few countries that consider Buddha or any religious figure tattoo or clothing that shows deceptions considered to be very disrespectful and there are chances where one can even get arrested. And yes, Sri Lanka is one of those countries. So, make sure you always respect Sri Lanka’s culture!

3. Never miss the train rides 

Oh yes! Train rides are a must in Sri Lanka! Especially if you are looking forward to travelling via public transports, make sure to choose the trains. The stunning landscapes are pleasant to watch as the train moves. Travelling by train is considered to be one of the cheapest ways to travel around Sri Lanka and is also one of the most romantic things to do. In addition, to avoid the last-minute hurry burry seat booking, make sure to book your seats in advance. As a bonus, here are some of the must-see train routes for some scenic experiences – Colombo – Jaffna, Jaffna – Anuradhapura, Colombo – Galle and Kandy – Nuwara Eliya.

Also Read: Kandy to Ella Train Ride: One that will stay in your heart!

4. A must- visit for wildlife admirers

Whenever you think about Sri Lanka, wildlife may not be the first thing to strike your mind, but it is definitely something to be noticed. The beautiful landscapes of the country make it a perfect spot for animals. Loved elephants since childhood? Well, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage could be the go-to place for you people. One more place not to be missed on the line is the famous Yala National Park where one can spot the highest concentration of leopards in Asia. The different species of animals and the mystic colourful birds will add the much-needed colours to your vacation! 

5. The locals are the friendliest 

You never need to be scared or to think twice to start a conversation with the Sri Lankan locals. Just like this warm country, they could be the warmest. The locals are very friendly and it is easy to have a conversation where you can learn a lot about the country, culture, cuisine and many more. The wide smile, friendly nature, respectable attitude and the helping mind of the locals are surely to impress the travellers. You can never know more about a country without having a real time interaction with the locals. So, take an opportunity to communicate!

6. A paradise for tea lovers

If you are someone who can’t resist yourself having the best tea, you will definitely need to taste the tea being served in Sri Lanka. Interestingly, Sri Lanka is the fourth largest tea producer in the world which has a huge legacy left behind by the English. Anywhere you go in this country, you will be able to find the tastiest tea being served. You will find a huge variety of tea such as spicy, sweet, and many more to tickle your taste buds according to your taste. In addition, if you are someone who is looking for a personal tea experience, make sure to take a tour of the tea plantation and enjoy a stay over there by accommodating in the nearby lodges. 

Also Read: Tea estates in Nuwara Eliya – Enjoy the best scenery and the fresh smell

7. Try the local foods which are cheap and delicious

And here comes one of the interesting things to know before travelling to Sri Lanka! Oh yeah, it’s the local street foods! The local foods you find here are super delicious, cheap, spicy and completely healthy. The nose-tingling aroma which comes from the freshly cooked dishes right down from the street is worth saving your money and will satisfy your soul with its never-ending taste. Some of the must-try local dishes in Sri Lanka are rice & curry, kottu roti, hoppers, string hoppers, wade, and vegetable roti. Let the drooling begin! 

8. It’s good to know a few Sinhalese Phrases

Even though English is widely spoken in Sri Lanka, it is always good to know a few basic phrases of the official language, Sinhala. Some of the basic words, phrases such as, ” Bohoma Istuti” which means thank you very much, “Meeka Kiyadha” which means how much it is, and “Ayubowan” which means hello, would be helpful to start your conversation with the locals. Also, getting to know specified Sinhalese phrases in terms of shopping, will help you to bargain with the vendors as well. So, make sure you get to know a few basic Sinhalese phrases for a better experience.

Also Read: 8 Mind-Blowing Facts About Sri Lanka That You Should Know!

Aren’t the above 8 things to know before travelling to Sri Lanka useful? Well, as you got an idea about the basic things to know, why still wait? Have a look at the Pickyourtrail website and check on the interesting Sri Lanka packages from India to plan your dream Sri Lanka vacation. You can also customise your own itineraries to visit this little wonder!

Get ready to unwrap the world with Pickyourtrail!