2020 Mar 9
Planning to travel to Sri Lanka for the first time? From shopping to travel, read on for some tips on getting out and about in Sri Lanka.
1. Best Times to Visit
Although this may sound like the stuff of dreams, Sri Lanka has, for the most part, a warm-summer climate all year round. The temperature remains constant for most parts of the year with an average temperature of 25 – 30 degrees Celsius around coastal areas and an average of 15 – 18 degrees Celsius in the Central highlands. The peak season for tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka is between December and Mid-April.
Despite largely consistent weather patterns in the island, it would be helpful to note that Sri Lanka has two annual monsoon seasons. The South West monsoon carries rain to the south west direction between May and September while the North East monsoon brings wind and rain between October and January.
The island witnesses a relatively higher number of tourist arrivals between December and Mid-April owing to not-so-harsh weather conditions and seasonal holiday time.
2. Transport
Sri Lanka has a range of transport options to choose from. Tuk tuk rides are freely available around the clock. Although metered three wheeler rides have been introduced in most parts of the country, remember to negotiate the fare in advance if you happen to get into a tuk without a meter. Since tourists are considered rich there have been past instances of them having been ripped off. Better safe than sorry!
Train rides provide one of the most scenic travel experiences for tourists and depending on the destination and time, you can get a ride that is both reliable and comfortable. The train route that runs between the two cities Kandy and Ella has in fact been deemed one of the world’s most beautiful train rides; one that you would not want to miss!
Public buses and trains are the cheapest mode of transport but they would not be ideal if you are looking to save time and travel in comfort. Although cost-effective, public buses and trains can make unexpectedly long stops and not arrive at the designated time, not to mention overcrowding during rush hours.
A good alternative to public buses and trains for those who prefer to travel freely are taxi-hailing apps. Right now, the most popular apps used in the island are Uber, PickMe and Kangaroo. All three apps provide a number of options – from tuks, nano cabs and cars to vans and timed packages. Read more on tips for travelling safely while using taxi-hailing apps here.
As for travelling long distance, recent and continuing developments have resulted in an excellent network of roads and highways to help you get around the island in just a few hours.
3. Rush hours
If you plan to explore densely populated cities like Colombo and Kandy, for example, on a weekday – avoid the rush hours at all costs, unless absolutely necessary. Peak periods in the morning from around 6.30 am to 9.30 am and 5.00 pm to around 6.30 pm have extremely high volumes of traffic and jam-packed roads at every turn. Note that the times mentioned above may vary seasonally and from city to city.
If you do happen to be travelling during these times, it would help to have a savvy navigation app such as Google Maps to assist you with the closest shortcut with the least traffic en route to your destination.
4. Shopping
From beautifully crafted batik items to gem-studded jewelry and timeless Lankan souvenirs, Sri Lanka has a range of options to choose from when it comes to shopping in the paradise isle. A quick online search will help you find the most ideal places to shop at depending on your needs. Majestic City Mall, Crescat Shopping Boulevard, Arcade Independence Square, One Galle Face, Colombo City Centre (CCC) and Marino Mall are some of the poplar shopping destinations in Colombo among locals and foreigners alike. If you happen to be looking for souvenirs and items of distinct Lankan value, consider dropping a visit to stores like Barefoot, Laksala, Lakpahana and Luv SL Odel. If in the Central Province, malls such as the Kandy City Centre (KCC) serves as a one-stop shop for your shopping needs.
Appreciate Sri Lanka’s local artisans and get a taste of local traditional products by purchasing some beautiful batik or silk saris or sarongs. Sri Lanka is also famous for its gem and jewelleries and be sure to check the countless gem stores if you happen to travel down south to Galle.
Sri Lanka is also known for beautiful handloom products. Largely made of cotton and silk fibres, a range of products from saris and sarongs to tablecloths and napkins are manufactured often through small-scale industries that provide employment to rural women. Check them out at local stores such as Selyn Fairtrade, Kelani Fabrics and East Star Handlooms.
Read more on shopping sustainably in Sri Lanka here.
5. Places to go and Things to Do
Check out our travel section on the website here for a definitive guide on the best boutique hotels, dream destinations, where to hike in Sri Lanka and much more.
Additionally, it would be helpful to note that Sri Lanka, just like most other South Asian countries is relatively modest. Be mindful of your choice of clothing when you visit religious and cultural sites. Most historical religious sites also require visitors to remove footwear and behave respectfully when in front of religious shrines and monuments. Practices such as taking photographs with your back facing the Buddha is considered highly disrespectful and you may be stopped or warned by staff or police at the site.
6. Reporting harassment
Admittedly Sri Lanka is a country that is for the most part a safe travel destination for solo or group travelers but occasional news stories on harassment and/or badgering of tourists who visit the country may leave you apprehensive due to safety concerns. An important note to keep in mind is that most Lankans are friendly and hospitable and do not share the same mentality as the handful of perpetrators that may roam about in certain parts of the country.
In fact, some of the best and most memorable experiences in Sri Lanka will involve the warmth and hospitality of the locals!
In the event of an emergency, use the toll-free number 119 to contact police or other forms of assistance immediately.
Refer below for a list of emergency helplines to report harassment or receive assistance in an emergency:
Ambulance / Fire and Rescue – 110
Accident Service- General Hospital Colombo – 011-2691111
Tourist Police – 011-2421052
Police Emergency – 011-2433333
Government Information Center – 1919
Report Crimes – 011-2691500
