Backpacking Sri Lanka: Is it Safe?
One of the first things that would come to your mind is ‘Is it safe backpacking Sri Lanka?’. The answer is short, yes. Backpacking Sri Lanka is generally considered safe for solo travellers, couples, and groups. The island is now developing its infrastructure for tourism, making sure it is travel-friendly. There is a low crime rate in most of the areas, and ideal for solo backpackers.
But it is important to stay alert and use your common sense while travelling. Make sure you keep all your belongings safe, especially in crowded areas. Do not walk alone on the streets at night. Make sure to check all the local travel advice before you move.
The people most of the time here are welcoming and willing to help tourists. They will guide you with direction, transportation, and even share meals. English is also spoken by many people here. Things can happen at any moment during your holiday in Sri Lanka, so better to be cautious.
The best things to do while backpacking Sri Lanka
Look for Leopards on Safari
One of the most adventurous experiences that you can get while backpacking Sri Lanka is a wild safari. It will give you the opportunity to witness live wildlife, including leopards and elephants. Yala National Park is the most famous place to spot animals despite of the season. Yala is located in the southeastern part of the island. The safari ride to the open land with a dense jungle and water holes makes it a perfect spot to explore wildlife. You will also get the opportunity to encounter other animals during the safari if it is your lucky day.
If you are looking for an alternative that is less crowded and peaceful, Wilpattu National Park is highly recommended. It is the largest and oldest national park in Sri Lanka. But it is quite hard to spot leopards here. But the landscape and other animals are beautiful to sit and watch for a while.
Booking a guided safari when you book the holiday in Sri Lanka is the easiest way. It is also cheap to book early. Choose a ride during dusk or the dawn. Don’t forget to bring your camera to make a lifetime memory in pictures!
Esala Perahera Festival
Are you planning to go backpacking and spend your holiday in Sri Lanka between July and August? Then you should plan the trip around the Esala Perahera time. It is a religious and splendid festival held every year in Kandy. This sacred position is to honour the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.
Backpacking Sri Lanka can always offer many beautiful surprises. But standing along the candle-lit streets of Kandy and looking at the adorned elephants walking in the middle of them is a truly rare and unforgettable experience. Along with them, the Kandyan drummers will make beautiful thrumming noises, fire dancers will swirl flaming torches, acrobats will leap all over the streets, and monks will calmly reverence behind them. This will be a spellbinding scene to see for hours.
What makes this festival truly special and meaningful is the way the people of the entire city come together. Local people sit alongside the roads, prepare meals and share them with others while waiting for the possession to begin. This is a special time where you can connect with the locals and learn more about the culture and traditions.
If you are planning to go backpacking Sri Lanka around this time of the year, try not to miss this event. Make sure you attend at least one night to experience the perahera. It is something way beyond a festival.
Ride the Kandy to Ella Train
One single train journey stands out as an absolute must when you are backpacking Sri Lanka. It is the train ride from Kandy to Ella. This is known as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. This ride goes through the green hills, beautiful tea plantations, local villages, and many beautiful locations. It is more than just a train ride, an immersive journey into the heart of the island.
It will take about 7 hours for this entire journey. But you will never feel that time is running out. The fresh mountain breeze will make it extra special. Vendors hop onto the train at times and sell snacks like vada, mango with chilli, roti, and patties. Locals will warm your heart with a smile and tell you stories that you have never heard before about the island. It is a very beautiful memory that you can cherish forever.
Before you come for a holiday in Sri Lanka, try to book a reserved seat for this ride. But if you miss this, a second or third-class ticket will still serve you the best. Try to get a spot near a window or an open door for the best views of places like the Nine Arches Bridge.
Fall in love with the island, one frame at a time.
Tyre Swing over the Beach as the Sun Sets
You cannot find all the wonderful moments of the island by just searching on the internet. They are often unexpected. Swinging out over the ocean on a tyre at sunset is one of those moments you will experience when backpacking Sri Lanka.
You will be able to find these iconic swings on many beaches across the island. Places like Dalawella, Unawatuna, and Mirissa are some of them. These tyres are often tied to gently leaning palm trees near the shore. It is a one-of-a-kind experience and a feeling. As you push off and feel your feet lift, the vibrant hues of the sun spread across the ocean. It is a mesmerising sight you will barely experience.
Whether you are a solo, a couple, or a group of backpackers sharing happiness and laughter while looking for a perfect island gateway, these beach swings will give you everything. After the swing experience, you can also taste delicious food from the cafes and restaurants by the beach, making the overall experience much more interesting.
If you are looking for budget-friendly activities during your holiday in Sri Lanka, this is one of the ideal activities. It is a priceless experience for any backpacker who travels to this beautiful island.
Stay in a colonial-era tea planter’s bungalow
This is a very rare opportunity that you will get while backpacking in Sri Lanka. Spending a night in a colonial bungalow with years of history is a very unique experience. This is one of those perfect ways to get connected to the history of the island.
Planters’ bungalows are often nestled in the misty mountains of Nuwara Eliya, Haputale, Ella, or Bandarawela. These were homes of British planters in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of these bungalows are now being restored with colonial charm and modern comfort.
Waking up to the sounds of nature and enjoying a cup of freshly brewed Ceylon tea is something that you will never forget. You will be served with homemade food, made from fresh ingredients right out of the garden. Extend the stay by exploring nearby tea factories and hiking trails.
For backpackers who are looking for a holiday in Sri Lanka, this is a tranquil moment that will offer you a slow and soulful moment in life.
Take a sunrise hike
Sri Lanka offers some of the best hiking spots in South Asia. Whether you are simply backpacking in Sri Lanka or looking for an adventurous holiday in Sri Lanka, this experience is well worth it.
The most iconic hike many backpackers eye is the Adam’s Peak hike. It is a sacred mountain revered by Buddhists. But others also hike this trail to witness the beautiful sunrise. The best time to start the hike is before dawn. You will feel the spiritual atmosphere surrounded by chants, bell sounds, and prayers. This will add more serenity to the entire experience.
If you prefer something more adventurous, the Pidurangala rock hike is another option. This mountain lies next to the most famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The hike offers a breathtaking view with fewer crowds. Also, the Little Adams Peak, Ella, is another favourite spot among backpackers as it is an easy hiking trail with panoramic views of the area.
Make sure you come prepared for the hike, as there will be no supplies at the summit. If you travel with a local guide or a villager, they might offer you some tea and food. But this doesn’t happen all the time.
The sunrise hikes in Sri Lanka are something really special. They always make your day kickstart with a purpose and ambition. So don’t miss this while you are backpacking Sri Lanka.
Take part in a village cooking class
If you are looking for an experience entangled with food culture, a village cooking class will give you the best experience. If you are backpacking Sri Lanka, learning how to cook authentic Sri Lankan dishes in a local household will give you the best experience.
These types of classes are often hosted by local people in small villages near the major areas like Ella, Kandy, and Dambulla. You will start the day with your instructor at the local market, learning how to select the best vegetables. You will also get to witness the daily life of the locals, their stories, and a few tips on how to make dishes sometimes.
After shopping, you will get back to a traditional kitchen of a Sri Lankan household. They will teach you how to grind spices on a stone slab, eyeball spices accurately, stir and mix the curries, and everything else you need to know when cooking authentic Sri Lankan food. This will be more of a relaxed holiday in Sri Lanka.
You can expect learning how to make dishes including jackfruit, dhal curry, pol sambol, and fish curry. And the best part is sitting down at the table with a local family to taste all the food you made together. It is the best space where you can exchange culture. You will leave with a tasty experience, new friends, and confidence in making authentic food.
Explore the ancient ruins
None of the backpacking Sri Lanka journeys is complete without stepping a little bit into the past of the island. As you travel through, spare some time to explore the ancient ruins and the history of Sri Lanka. You will come across the stories of the ancient kings, battles, and many other stories about what happened in the past.
Focus more on the cultural triangle if you are interested in this: Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Sigiriya. This is the treasure trove of history in Sri Lanka. These are the oldest countries inhabited by ancient ancestors. You will find ruins of ancient stupas, palaces, stone carvings, and lakes.
You can either walk through these places or rent a bicycle to explore them at your own pace. If you are planning a holiday in Sri Lanka based on its history, these sites will add something more than just pictures to your diary.
Snorkel in the corals
The beauty of Sri Lanka lies not just in the beaches and misty hills. It goes beyond the waves where the beautiful reefs of corals and vibrant fish schools lie. Snorkelling here is an affordable opportunity to experience the marine life of the island, whether you are backpacking Sri Lanka or enjoying a holiday in Sri Lanka.
The east coast, where Nilaveli and Pasikudah belong, will have the clearest waters from April to September. You will get to see many different fish species, turtles, reef sharks, and even rays. The corals around the Pigeon Island, Trincomalee, are shallower and can be explored easily.
Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna are the best areas if you want to explore corals in the southwest area of the island. This coastal area is focused on marine conservation. So you will get the opportunity to learn things while exploring.
It gives you a peaceful, soothing adventure. It is something that you will be able to talk about for many years.
Chase waterfalls deep in the jungle
Exploring the hidden waterfalls and the untouched beauty of the island is something you must do when backpacking Sri Lanka. Through the misty mountains and the lush green forests, Sri Lanka has the wildest and most beautiful waterfalls that you will witness.
The central highlands are a perfect spot to explore some best waterfalls like Diyaluma Falls. They offer gorgeous views of nature. For a more breathtaking view, you can hike up the trails and enjoy the panoramic views that will make you feel like you are standing on top of the world.
Other waterfalls like Bambarakanda, Ravana Falls, and Dunhinda are unique from each other and give dreamlike views after a walk through the narrow paths of the jungle. These adventures are ideal for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Along the way, you will also get a glimpse of exotic animals and birds.
Taking time to experience nature is a one-of-a-kind thing that you can do during a holiday in Sri Lanka. It will let you explore more of the island with full of surprises.
Best time for backpacking Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a year-round tropical country. Therefore, the weather stays quite constant most of the time. There are two major rainy seasons in the country. The northeast area is wet during the period from November to December. From April to June, the southeast part experiences rain. So the best time for backpacking Sri Lanka depends on the region that you want to explore.
Southwest is best to visit from November to April, and the Northeast from February to September. The hill country can have sudden weather changes and become a little cold. So keep that in mind when going for a holiday in Sri Lanka.
Getting around during a holiday in Sri Lanka
You will be amazed by the transport service available when backpacking Sri Lanka. Buses and tuk-tuks are the most common way locals and tourists use to travel around. Buses almost cover every single edge of the island. It is the cheapest option to move. But do not expect comfort. Most of the buses here don’t have air conditioning or comfortable seats. There are some private buses that are luxurious with air conditioning and better seating. But the tickets are quite expensive.
Tuk-tuks are the second-best method to get around the cities and to places where buses are not available. Three people can travel at once in these tiny vehicles. But make sure you bargain before you travel with them. Some drivers can become a little scammy and charge you extra. So keep this in mind.
If you want a scenic and unforgettable riding experience during your holiday in Sri Lanka, a train ride is highly recommended. The fare depends on the class you book. The first-class compartments have more facilities, like sleepers. But still, you can expect an affordable price. The routes are stunning and offer you a glimpse of local life.
Do you feel like none of these travel methods suit you? Well then, you can hire a private car to get around. These have comfortable seats and air conditioning. The drivers here are well-experienced and have knowledge of the roads. Discuss your route and cost with the driver before you begin the trip. Cars can be expensive compared to all the above methods.
In some areas, like Ella and Galle, there are bike and tuk-tuk rental services. You can rent them and drive on your own if you have an international license. This is another affordable and safer way to travel when backpacking Sri Lanka.
What's It Like Backpacking Sri Lanka?
Backpacking Sri Lanka is a vibrant and rich experience filled with many exciting moments and breathtaking views. And this holiday in Sri Lanka will give value for the money. Whether you choose to travel along the golden coast or the misty hills, it is going to be an unforgettable adventure.
Accommodation
Food
Culture
Budget
Sri Lanka is one of the most affordable travel destinations in the world. A backpacker can comfortably travel here depending on the budget. The public transport is a cheap and reliable method to get around. Activities like exploring national parks, surfing, and visiting sacred places are cheap as well. These will offer great value throughout your holiday in Sri Lanka.
Whether it is your first backpacking trip or you are seasoned, backpacking Sri Lanka is a rewarding way to explore the island’s soul without emptying your pockets.
How to prepare for your holiday in Sri Lanka?
Packing light and smart
Documents and travel essentials
Budget and cash
Health and safety
Get Your Best Backpacking Sri Lanka Experience with Sesatha Travel
Whether you are planning on backpacking Sri Lanka or spending a holiday in Sri Lanka on a budget, we are here to help you plan it. Explore the hidden gems that you will never get to see in traditional travel itineraries, peek into the vibrant culture, and experience the breathtaking landscapes in comfort. With Sesatha Travel, discover the real Sri Lanka. It is where your perfect trip to the island begins.
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