What you must know before travelling in Sri Lanka
To begin with, let’s be familiar with your travel destination quickly. Being an ocean island in the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka is packed with golden beaches, lush tea plantations, ancient ruins, and incredible wildlife in general. This small island known as ‘the Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ was crowned as ‘Most Desirable Island in the World’, at the Wonderlust Reader Travel Award.
As the main idea of writing this article is to make the travelers familiar with the Sri Lankan travel environment, I wish to write this insider guide on how to make the most of your trip while respecting the local customs. Here you can read 10 DOs and 10 DON’Ts that are very important to remember while you are on tour.
Things you are expected to do in Sri Lanka
1. Respect Local Customs & Traditions
Sri Lanka has a deep-rooted cultural heritage. So you are expected to respect them at different places. As this is not the time to give an exhaustive list of them, it is better to know at least a few such requirements to continue with your smooth travel itinerary.
Removing your hats/head covers and slippers in some religious temples is a ‘must-do’ requirement. Also the ladies are required to wear a dress to cover their shoulders. Also remember that men and women are not allowed to enter into some religious centres wearing three quarter length hemlines or shorts. White color dresses are most desirable in most of the religious places in Sri Lanka. In some Hindu shrines, women may not be permitted in inner chambers. However your local guide is well aware of such restrictions and he/she will let you know them well in advance.
In case of attending some religious functions, especially in Hindu Kovils, men are required to enter with a bare torso – as a symbol of purity and respect.
Again when entering Muslim mosques, you must be aware of the dress code and the areas permitted to enter for men and women. Please make note that you may hire a professional and qualified tour guide and visit such places with the ease of mind.
2. Welcome people in this way
The default facial expression of most Sri Lankans is a friendly smile. So keep that in mind when interacting with locals. The traditional way of greeting is a word “Ayubowan” spoken at the time of first time interaction with a gesture of bringing both hands in front of one’s face with palms pressed together – resembling a prayer. However you are free to interact with them with western handshake as most of them are familiar with that way of greeting as well.
3. Use your right hand
Use your right hand when giving something to someone, especially when exchanging currency with locals. Many Sri Lankans consider it as a ‘good omen‘ while giving or receiving money with the left hand as a ‘bad omen’. Keep this in mind when making purchases early in the mornings because many local vendors see it as a favourable sign and they believe that the event may surely flourish their day.
4. Bargain nicely at markets.
Haggling is common and a part of a shopping experience. But do it modestly with a smile on your face. If you disagree with their price, you can refuse it without going aggressive. Be mindful and avoid falling into tourist traps while purchasing items.
5. Use Licensed Tour Guides & Taxis
I recently read a Facebook post by a local recounting a very unfair experience faced by some tourists at Ritigala located in the central part of Sri Lanka, which is a biodiversity hotspot and a scenic hiking trail. The FIT group encountered an unfortunate situation on their return when the local taxi drivers demanded a transport fare three times higher than usual. There was no alternative mode of travel at the time as it was late in the evening and the group did not want to pay the inflated price. They decided to walk – a distance of approx. 12 km back to their accommodation. As they were walking, a local family offered them free transport but the taxi drivers did not let them board.
While many taxi drivers charge fair & reasonable fares, situations like this may spoil your experience. So my advice is to hire licensed tour guides & taxis wherever possible to avoid unnecessary trouble.
6. Carry Small Cash Notes.
Familiarise yourself with local cash notes and their equivalent values in Sri Lankan Rupees. You may not find electronic payment methods in rural areas so keep small denominations handy for tuk-tuks, local vendors and tips. When making payments, always ensure the amount is fair for the service or the item you are purchasing. Better to come to an agreement before getting the relevant service.
7. Be Sun Smart
As a tropical country, Sri Lankan sun is not a joke. You’ll really feel it if you do not slop on some sunscreen before exposing yourself to open spaces. Wear a hat and drink plenty of water to stay cool and hydrated. Also, it’s a good idea to check with your local guide about the availability of sanitary facilities in more remote areas.
8. Stay Alert for Traffic and Pedestrian Safety
Traffic in Sri Lanka can be quite chaotic, especially in urban areas. Most of the drivers have the habit of honking horns and sometimes disregarding road rules while driving. Be extra cautious when crossing roads, walking by the sides of roads and even while waiting at road sides. Traffic rules may not be strictly followed by drivers and riders. Some motor bikes, tuk-tuks, and public transport buses may be moving faster than expected. This, however, does not mean that there aren’t responsible drivers – it’s just a reminder to stay alert for your safety at all times.
9. Be Cautious with Street Food & Tap Water
Sri Lankan street food is delicious. But if you have a sensitive stomach, always look for the quality and hygiene of the food you buy. Look for stalls with a higher turnover to ensure their freshness. Observe the food stalls before buying to make sure of their healthy food handling practices. Avoid drinking tap water and look for bottled or fresh and filtered water provided from standard hotels or restaurants. Consider carrying a reusable bottle with a built-in filter during your tour.
10. Stay Connected with a Local SIM Card
Communication during your tour is of prime importance while travelling in Sri Lanka. You may need to communicate with your travel agent, any of their local representatives assigned for the tour, chauffeur guides, hoteliers, stay in touch with your travel group, any other service providers, police – in case of an emergency, tourist board officials, or the embassy. Make arrangements to buy a local SIM card in advance. Buying a card registration is quick and straightforward. You may buy them at the airport or from authorized retailers.
What Not to Do in Sri Lanka
1. Do not Disrespect Religious Symbols
Sri Lanka is home to unique religious traditions, deeply rooted in all major religions. Travelers must be mindful of religious symbols, sites, and customs to avoid causing offence.
Never pose your back to Buddhist or religious statues and avoid taking selfies with them. When visiting such religious sites, you may find diverse statues or symbols to which you must not make any note of sarcasm. Even when photographing, it is better to ensure whether it is permitted. In open areas, such restrictions may not apply, but it is best to check with your guide beforehand.
2. Don’t Point your Finger While Addressing Someone
Speaking with someone while pointing your index finger at them may be seen as rude. Instead you may show your palm or use the whole hand to make any gesture. Please note that these practices are not seriously taken for granted, but the proper signs while speaking is expected in any community.
3. Don’t consume prohibited liquor.
Be aware of common, local illegal practices. While travelling, some locals may offer you locally brewed liquor which goes by different names. Never consume such liquor as it is a punishable offense to sell or consume them, and they can even be poisonous.Avoid smoking in public transport or purchasing any unbranded cigarettes. In some hotels, there are designated smoking areas and always be mindful of liquor and smoking restrictions.
4. Don’t engage in illegal activities.
Sri Lanka has strict laws on drugs and illegal substances. Don’t try to buy anything from the local market without knowing whether it can be consumed, used or taken back home with you.You may not have excuses for ignorance if such stuff is found in your possession.
5. Wildlife encounters – stay safe and responsible
You will likely join a few safaris while on tour in Sri Lanka. Some wild animals are so accustomed to human strangers that they look patient while they are being fed with different food stuff. We often see visitors to these wildlife sanctuaries attempting to get dangerously closer to elephants and monkeys to feed them. Some stop their vehicles, step out, walk up to the elephants and feed them. There have been a number of unfortunate incidents where visitors were attacked by these animals. So be happy and excited with the sight of them but never risk your life for a moment’s excitement.
6. Don’t overpay tuk-tuk drivers.
Travelling by tuk-tuk in some areas may be a fun element added to your tour. Visitors often hire tuk-tuks for city tours and short distance travelling. You will surely find drivers offering fair rates. But the best practice is to agree with the price beforehand and keep a proof of it in the form of a quick voice recording – if possible, to avoid misunderstanding. For a hassle-free experience, consider hiring a registered tour vehicle for the entire trip and using tuk-tuks only for short journeys when you’re confident about your security.
7. Respect the environment – avoid littering
Littering remains a concern in some parts of the country. You may notice some irregular habits of disposing trash in some places. As a responsible traveller, try your best to avoid excessive plastics during your stay. Your eco-friendly behavior will also help raise awareness among those who practice such irregular habits of littering and encourage them to adopt more sustainable practices.
8. Don’t criticise Religions or Politics
These are sensitive topics for many Sri Lankans. Avoid falling into unnecessary arguments on religion or politics when interacting with people. This doesn’t mean that you should remain silent. You are free to share your views and highlight what you think as correct – but try it tactfully respecting the views of the other while ensuring that you don’t offend them
9. Don’t Disrespect Local Wildlife
As you will notice in your wildlife safaris, a large number of people visit National Parks daily – while causing a disturbance to animals in their natural habitat. The authorities regulate the number of vehicles entering these parks yet regular visits disturb the natural behavior of the animals to a greater extent. Don’t stress the animals opening passage for unsafe situations. Avoid feeding animals, stepping out of your vehicle, taking the vehicle too close to animals, shouting at the animals, or breaking any other rule imposed by the park, as any of these practices may raise safety concerns.
10. Don’t Ignore Local Customs During Festivals
Sri Lanka is known for its vibrant festivals all the year round. Kandy Esala Perahera and Sinhala-Hindu New Year festival are such grand celebrations of the country practised for thousands of years. While participating in them, don’t involve yourself with any of the ongoing functions if you are unsure about how to participate respectfully. Instead observe quietly and ask for guidance on how to join such an event.
The above DOs and DON’Ts will help you tour in Sri Lanka with greater understanding.
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