Sri Lanka is an island most commonly known for its teardrop shape, abundant supply of tea, and close proximity to its bigger sister, India. When I first mentioned my desire to visit Sri Lanka, many people admitted to not knowing much about this country, especially compared to other Southeast Asian countries. When I boarded the plane to Colombo, the capital city, I also did not know quite what to expect. I have been nothing short of amazed by the hospitality, culture, and people of Sri Lanka.
Arrival to Sri Lanka
From Kuala Lumur, Malaysia, I flew to Colombo. I arrived in Sri Lanka around 21:00 and made it to my accommodations by 22:00 after clearing customs and security. As a solo female backpacker, I recommend taking a taxi from one of the many tour companies inside the arrival terminal of the CMB airport. Why? Although I tend to be very budget-minded when abroad, tuk tuks are not ideal after dark if traveling alone. As much as I have come to adore the tuk tuks of Sri Lanka, I advise taking a taxi, which should cost between 1500-2000 LKR to Negombo or surroundings. Public transport to Colombo is not recommended at night if traveling alone as it can take upward of 2 hours to reach the city center, but is accessible by bus, tuk tuk, or taxi . Trains and buses depart from Negombo to Colombo, Kandy and other large Sri Lankan cities with regularity from the city’s main bus station.
Before leaving the airport, it is advisable to take out LKR. Rumor has it that some banks like Ceylon do not have ATM fees for foreigners, however, I did not find this to be true. Depending on the length of stay, it is recommended to withdrawal enough money to cover accommodation, food, and transportation for the first 1-2 weeks at a time as ATM’s may be out of the way depending on the city size. At the time of writing, 1 USD = 182 Sri Lankan rupees. To gain a general sense of prices across Sri Lanka, the average price for a tuk tuk ride is around 70-100 rupees per kilometer in major cities. Bottled water can be found for 70 LKR and the average Sri Lankan meal at a family-run restaurant ranges from 200-600 rupees.
Sri Lankan Hospitality
After spending a month in Thailand, Sri Lanka felt relatively devoid of the high volume of tourism seen there. Although I adore Thailand, I found connecting to local culture and getting to meet locals to be difficult across the country. However, in Sri Lanka, locals, either out of curiosity or concern, often said hello or checked in on me.
From the moment I arrived to my hostel in Negombo to my departure, the hostel owner a local Sri Lankan woman in her mid-40’s ensured I had a comfortable stay. Originally, I had booked a shared dormitory room. However, my hostel owner continued to ask if I was okay. She later told me she felt uneasy about a man who had recently checked into my room and I was moved, without question (or extra charge) to a private room.
The following morning the same woman brought me breakfast, typically not provided at the accommodation. It was in that moment that I learned that Sri Lankans will share everything they have with you.
For those planning a trip to Sri Lanka, I highly recommend the Aurora Knight Hostel located at: 136 Lewis Pl, Negombo, Sri Lanka 11500
Aurora Knight Hostel is located less than 10 minutes from Negombo’s main beach. It is also a short walk or tuk tuk ride to Negombo’s main bus station.
Getting Around
The two major places that I checked out during my time in Sri Lanka were a town called Ella, known for tea plantations and home to the Nine Arch Bridge and a coastal town known by the name of Galle.
Train Station Antics
From the Colombo Fort Rail Station in Colombo, I took a direct train to Ella. I was able to book my ticket directly at the train station. The tickets come staggered depending on how much you’d like to pay. Tickets are either first class, second class, or third class, third being the cheapest. The first class tickets are said to have air-conditioning, while the second class seats are known to be relatively comfortable but the compartment does not have AC. In contrast, the third class ticket usually involves sitting in a more crowded compartment on the train, but this can be a fun way to meet locals!
To Ella & Thing to Do
The train journey lasted around 6.5 hours, but was stunning! One of the best tips I got from a local was to find a seat in the doorway (yeah, you read that correctly!) to get the best views as the train winds through tea plantations, mountains, and small towns. While on the train, I highly recommend trying the tea if you can find someone with a metal container passing it out.
The only draw back of going to both these cities is that it takes time! Trains in Sri Lanka are relatively slow and traveling from the center of the country to the south requires transit through Negombo or Colombo, Sri Lanka, both located on the Western side of the country.
Once you reach Ella, I highly recommend checking out some of the main spots. One of my absolute favorites was the Nine Arch Bridge. Depending on where your staying in town, a lengthy walk or quick tuk tuk ride can drop you off right above the bridge where you can hike down for a better view. From my recollections, the hike was not strenuous and took about 20 minutes one-way.
To Galle
Getting the Galle as I recall was equally similar as getting to Ella was, while the scenery is different due to the transit along the coast, it is still recommended to snag a window or door seat. By taking a train from Colombo bound for Beliaththa, you should be able to reach Galle in around 3.5 hours.
In Galle, I highly recommend checking out the fresh fruit market located near the fish market close to the center of town. Here you will find colorful buildings and an old world-style charm that is unbeatable!
Additionally, the Galle Fort Lighthouse is a must!
However, what is essential is basing yourself in Galle for further exploration along the coast. By hopping a local bus, I was able to explore Unawatuna and more specifically Dalawella Beach, home to “Turtle beach”. Here, you will see an array of cute turtles and a local conservation meant to protect these turtles from extinction.
From hospitality to getting around, there you have an introduction to Sri Lanka! Tune in for later more in-depth articles about Sri Lanka coming soon!
Stampchaser Photography 