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Sri Lanka
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Stories by travelers, for travelers
Why do we travel? To search for solutions
Human sciences suggest that we are all trying to find purpose and freedom, even if we are too distracted to be aware of it. Travel does just that.
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The environmental impact of taking a train vs. flying
The world is too big and beautiful for us to stop traveling and exploring everything it has to offer, so discover how to become a more sustainable traveler.
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7 tips for enjoying long train or ferry rides with your kids
7 practical and essential tips that will help you prepare for a fun, memorable family journey with your kids.
Read moreSri Lanka at a glance
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Your questions, our answers
The standard voltage in Sri Lanka is 230V. There are two plug types in Sri Lanka: Types D and G.
It's recommended to have gotten the following vaccinations before visiting Sri Lanka: Measles, Polio, measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, Chickenpox, and your yearly flu shot. Additional vaccinations you should get are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis B, Japenese Encephalitis, Malaria, Rabies and Yellow Fever. There are some rules regarding Rabies and Yellow Fever vaccinations before a trip to Sri Lanka, so we recommend double checking with the CDC or your doctor for more information.
Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted credit cards in Sri Lanka. American Express is also accepted here, but to a lesser extent. In Sri Lanka, it's illegal to perform a card transaction in a foreign currency, so be careful!
These are the holidays celebrated in Sri Lanka:
- Tamil Thai Pongal Day
- Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
- Independence Day of Sri Lanka
- Navam Full Moon Poya Day
- Maha Shivaratri
- Madin Full Moon Poya Day
- Sinhalese New Year's Eve
- Tamil New Year's Eve
- Puthandu
- Sinhalese New Year
- Bak Full Moon Poya Day
- Good Friday
- Labor Day
- Vesak
- Day following Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
- Eid al-Fitr
- Poson Full Moon Poya Day
- Asalha Puja
- Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
- Binara Full Moon Poya Day
- Vap Full Moon Poya Day
- Diwali
- Ill Full Moon Poya Day
- Mawlid
- Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day
- Christmas
Transportation types in Sri Lanka
Buses in Sri Lanka
When traveling in between Sri Lankan cities by bus, you'll find yourself singing all of the road trip classics, especially "The wheels on the bus go round and round... " This is because, oftentimes, country's buses are ones which resemble Western school buses. All jokes aside, it's a really fun and enchanting experience to travel through Sri Lankan scenery by a very local mode of transport. The seats are usually made of leather. Often, there's no bathrooms or air conditioners on board, rather big windows you can open and let the breeze in. This type of bus is an adventurous option for groups and individuals. If you want less of an anecdotal experience and more comfort, consider booking coach buses which run through Sri Lanka in abudance.
Trains in Sri Lanka
During high season, Sri Lankan trains may be hard to catch, as they are one of the most comfortable ways to get through the island. The outside of the trains are usually quite comfortable. The trains ride through some of the most beautiful sceneries of the land, from your window you'll be able to admire streams and lush rainforests. Oftentimes, you may find that the trains are in very high demand. It's recommended to purchase tickets more than a month in advance in order to secure your spot.
Minivans in Sri Lanka
Minivans in Sri Lanka are a guaranteed way to get you between traffic jams and confusing roads with no hassle at all. The vans are usually really comfortable, as the vehicles are all relatively new. Vans provide private transfers for seven to nine passengers. The only thing to note is that shared minivans are not so common; private vans may be very pricey (and not so environmentally friendly) for solo travellers to consider.
Cars in Sri Lanka
If you (and possibly two other people) need to get from one amazing Sri Lankan city to the next, consider booking a private car. Cars in Sri Lanka provide maximum amounts of flexibility and comfort. No need to worry about maneuvering the roads, as someone experienced and local will do it for you. Start a conversation with the driver about sights to see and they will surely tell you about all of their favorite spots. The roads in Sri Lanka are all relatively updated and smooth so you won't find yourself getting thrown around the cabin everytime the wheels hit a pothole.