{"id":9909,"date":"2023-02-02T16:28:03","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T16:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/?p=9909"},"modified":"2024-11-07T13:45:37","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T13:45:37","slug":"travel-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/travel-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Top Tips for Travel to Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Resplendent Isle has a very laid-back way of life, with some idiosyncrasies that are helpful to know before you travel to Sri Lanka<\/a>…\u202f. Here are our top things to bear in mind before travelling to the island.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"a<\/a>

Sri Lankan toddy tappers perform impressive feats to gather coconuts – well worth a visit!<\/p><\/div>\n

1. Learn how to speak \u201chead-wobble\u201d<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sometimes confusing for first-time visitors to Sri Lanka, this figure-of-eight flowing movement from your head to your shoulders is the ultimate communication tool. It can mean yes, no, maybe, thank you, no thank you, good, no good, I understand, I don\u2019t understand and everything in between! Before you go, stand in front of the mirror and give it a try. You\u2019ll find yourself using it in all manner of places! Whilst you\u2019re there, remember to be patient if you\u2019re in a situation where you need a definitive answer \u2013 smile, keep calm and explain the situation to your chauffeur guide.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2. You\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/span>shouldn’t<\/span><\/span> drink tap water<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span> in Sri Lanka<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Your system won’t be used to all the Sri Lankan bacteria in the pipes, so don’t drink it. If you book with a tour operator, like Experience Travel Group, a chauffeur guide will always have safe bottled-water ready for you in the car every day.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3. Be respectful of Sri Lanka’s political past<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Sri Lanka<\/span><\/span>n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0people are some of the warmest, kindest and friendliest people you will meet. <\/span><\/span>Politics doesn’t need to be off the agenda<\/span><\/span>\u00a0but w<\/span><\/span>e’d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>encourage\u00a0<\/span><\/span>you<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to be considerate of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>different opinions, experiences and emotions\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Sri Lankan people will have when\u00a0<\/span><\/span>discussing this subject<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>T<\/span><\/span>he<\/span><\/span>\u00a0war is over, the country is safe for travel and people are open-minded and sociable<\/span><\/span>\u00a0–<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>we would\u00a0<\/span><\/span>simply\u00a0<\/span><\/span>advise\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that you to<\/span><\/span>\u00a0be respectful of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>turbulent\u00a0<\/span><\/span>political past.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u202f4.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Religion in Sri Lanka<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sri Lanka is a multi-religious society, mainly made up of Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. All these religions have profound historical and cultural foundations\u00a0<\/span><\/span>here<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and the rich heritage of faith has a lot to offer the visiting tourist in terms of ancient temples, sacred shrines, colourful festivals and spiritual practise. It\u2019s important to be mindful of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>serious\u00a0<\/span><\/span>role religion plays in many Sri Lankan people’<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0lives and make sure you\u2019re showing respect in places of religious significance. Loosely cover your shoulders and knees when in a temple and remove your shoes (insider tip, take socks to protect your soles from hot stones!)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Avoid public displays of affection at religious sites and try not to raise your voice.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

5. What plug sockets are used in Sri Lanka? <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Sri Lanka\u2019s power sockets are a bit of a mixed bag, but on the whole, you can either use a \u201cone-large-circular-pin-and-two-small-circular-pin\u201d plug or a \u201ctwo-circular-pin\u201d plug. There are variations to this rule and some insider tips we can share with you, so feel free to ask. <\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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6. Travelling second class on trains is way better than first class<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

If time permits, take a train ride in Sri Lanka. The scenery is jaw-dropping (particularly up in the hills) and it\u2019s a popular mode of transport amongst locals, so you\u2019ll get a really authentic <\/span><\/span>experience. Most tourists\u00a0<\/span><\/span>opt<\/span><\/span>\u00a0for first-class tickets to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ensure<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>air-conditioning, but second-class is the superior choice in our opinion. The hill country is cooler due to its natural elevation, so you don\u2019t really need air-conditioning.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Plus t<\/span><\/span>here is little difference between first and second class in terms of seat comfort.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>In first class, the windows are welded shut but i<\/span><\/span>n second class, you can open the windows right up and take un<\/span><\/span>interrupted, panoramic p<\/span><\/span>hotos<\/span><\/span>\u00a0that will make all your friends jealous.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Perhaps what\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our travellers love most\u00a0<\/span><\/span>about travelling second class<\/span><\/span>\u00a0though is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span>\u00a0chance to sit with local families and share tea and snacks<\/span><\/span>. Upgrade your experience by downgrading your train ticket.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Kandy<\/a>

The slow train from Kandy, Sri Lanka<\/p><\/div>\n

7. Restaurants are sometimes signed \u201chotel\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span> in Sri Lanka<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Easily confused! In particular, Muslim-owned restaurants are called hotels in Sri Lanka. These are great places to try some specialities like\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span>biriyani,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/span>kottu<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span>samosas.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

8. Should I buy spices in Sri Lanka?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Sri Lanka is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span><\/span>spice heaven for foodies, and there are plenty of places to buy cinnamon, pepper and cardamom. You\u2019ll struggle to find poor-quality spice in Sri Lanka, but it\u2019s important to consider where you buy<\/span><\/span>\u00a0it<\/span><\/span>. Supporting individual business and local village spice traders is a great way to support grass<\/span><\/span>roots communities, and often larger spice markets will charge you\u00a0<\/span><\/span>prices that are\u00a0<\/span><\/span>above and beyond\u00a0<\/span><\/span>what is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>reasonable<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

Sri Lanka Rice and Curry Spices….<\/p><\/div>\n

9. Tea in Sri Lanka <\/b><\/span><\/span>is served<\/span><\/span>\u00a0sweet<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Very sweet, in fact. If you\u2019re grabbing a bite to eat in a local restaurant, expect your tea (<\/span><\/i><\/span>chai<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/span>) to pack a serious sugar-punch. For those in search of something a little lighter to the taste, there are plenty of romantic tea houses in the hills and Colombo that offer old-world colonial glamour\u00a0<\/span><\/span>served with<\/span><\/span>\u00a0a\u00a0<\/span><\/span>cup of<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>high-quality\u00a0<\/span><\/span>leaf\u00a0<\/span><\/span>tea<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

10. Are the roads in Sri Lanka safe? <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Many roads around the island are of good quality these days thanks to the increase in visitor numbers. However, the main reason the roads are safe is due to speed limits which are routinely enforced and abided by.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0There can be some questionable\u00a0over-taking and we’d certainly say standards are not the same as those in the UK – but could perhaps be compared with the roads in Italy.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

11. Is t<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong>ipping<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span> expected in Sri Lanka?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Tipping is generally expected in Sri Lanka, but Sri Lankan people have a wonderful, laid-back attitude.\u00a0 I suggest reading our tipping in Sri Lanka<\/a> piece by our co-founder Tom<\/a> on the intricacies of tipping in Sri Lanka.\u00a0 \u00a0BUT<\/strong> please note, as of May 2021, ETG holidays to Sri Lanka are tip-inclusive<\/a>, so you don’t need to stress about tipping your guides and drivers on your Sri Lanka holiday.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Is there anything else you need to know before you travel to Sri Lanka?<\/p>\n

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If you’d like to talk to a Sri Lanka travel specialist about your potential holiday, do give us a call on 020 7924 7133<\/span>\r\n \t or email us here<\/a>. You can see some examples of the kinds of trips we organise by looking at our Sri Lanka holidays<\/a>. All our trips are\u00a0tailor-made<\/a> though, so can be changed to suit your exact needs.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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