List of Top 8 Travel Tips for Sri Lanka

Among the most amazing things about long-haul travel is the culture shock that satisfies you alongside that warm breeze when you lastly step off the plane. Remaining in a location where the customs and customs are totally various to exactly what you're used to is typically a freeing and refreshing experience, but it does mean that you have to adjust your behavior rather to guarantee you don't offend regional individuals.

After an amazing trip to Sri Lanka this summertime, here's my guidance on fitting in with the residents when exploring this sensational, Verdant Island.

Also Visit - Maldives & Sri Lanka Honeymoon Packages

Dress conservatively

Sri Lanka is a conservative country: in truth, it is much more conservative than I imagined when I first booked the trip. I've visited a lot of countries where dressing "nicely" is crucial, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, although in Southeast Asia there typically seems to be one rule for tourists and another for locals. In Sri Lanka it was different.

When taking a trip in the so-called "Pearl of the Orient", travelers need to attend to the nation's conservative culture, showing their respect for individuals of the island nation through both their clothes and their behaviour.

A good guideline is to guarantee your knees and shoulders are covered when you're out in public. If you're taking to the streets, checking out a temple, or utilizing public transportation, the individuals around you will feel more comfortable if you're conservatively dressed. This in turn will assist you feel at home in the nation and to have significant, positive interactions with residents. This is especially important if you're getting a bus or a train, where you'll be physically in close proximity with Sri Lankans. When inside a resort, or reclining around the hotel pool, you can relax your dress code a little - this is anticipated, and will not shock anybody.

Also Visit - Maldives and Sri Lanka Tour

Be courteous

Guaranteeing you're dressed conservatively will help you to make a good impression on the Sri Lankans you'll come across throughout your day - but you likewise require ensuring your behavior matches your look.

The local individuals we came across on our trip to Sri Lanka were typically courteous, practical and charming - and everyone had a pal who desired to take us on a tour. The difficulty can be found in declining the sales pitches of individuals who approach you on the streets in busy cities like Kandy.

For the best outcome, make sure you stay polite and smiling throughout these interactions - even when you feel a bit pestered. Getting worried out is just going to turn a possibly enjoyable interaction into one you leave feeling a little upset. Just smile, state a company "thank you however no" and continue on your way.

Look out for the Sri Lankan head wobble!

On "the most stunning train journey in the world" from Ella to Kandy, we got talking to a man sat in our 3rd class carriage. We offered him a few of our crisps and he chuckled as we competed with the spicy treats we were sold on the journey. He mentioned all the image chances along the route and told us a little about each location.

When it came time for him to disembark, he smiled at us and moved his head from side to side in a gesture unique to that part of the world. We were elated! We 'd finally been the recipients of a Sri Lankan head wobble.

Also Visit - Sri Lanka Heritage Tour

The first time you see one, the gesture is likely to leave you shocked. The private smiles and extremely quickly moves their head from side to side in a found out movement that is almost difficult to imitate, and - if you've never been to Sri Lanka or India prior to - one you'll never have actually experienced.

So exactly what does it mean? If you're on the getting end of a Sri Lankan head wobble, consider it a gesture of relationship, arrangement or recognition. In a nutshell - it's an advantage!

The drinking culture is extremely various

A vacation would usually be the best time to delight in a few cocktails or beers, or to treat yourself to a delicious wine with supper. Nevertheless, Sri Lankans deal with drinking really in a different way to those of us in Europe.

Firstly - it's just not as easy to buy alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are not served in restaurants as basic, and you need to go to a special bottle shop if you wish to purchase any outside the boundaries of a hotel, dining establishment or bar. On our opening night in Kandy we went to a couple of various dining establishments searching for one that would serve us a beer with our curry, prior to realising this was simply not typical practice in the holy city and admitting defeat.

Additionally, older Sri Lankans in particular stay with drinking a potent spirit called arrack - indicating timeless options like wine and beer are not that popular or widely available.

When in cities such as Kandy your best choice for taking pleasure in a couple of beers or a chilled glass of wine will be at your hotel, which should be well-stocked. However, if you're partial to a tipple with your dinner, it's worth examining ahead of time if the restaurant you're preparing to check out serves alcohol. Coastal towns like Mirissa and Galle have the tendency to have Western-style bars and dining establishments for tourists, serving cocktails and other alcohols together with Western food.

Also Visit - Best of Sri Lanka Tour

Our path took us from Colombo to Kandy, then Ella, Mirissa and Galle. We found that Mirissa and Galle had the most opportunities for partying, with beach bars lining the coast, and Ella boasted a handful of hip bars. However, even here, it was not the high-octane night life you'll find in countries with a more established tourist trail.

What's more - on some days of the year it's unlawful to purchase or sell alcohol in Sri Lanka at all. When we visited in May, the Buddhist celebration of Vesak was taking place, and alcohol was totally unavailable during this time. It is worth noting, nevertheless, that some dining establishments used alcohol-free beer for those with a hankering for a frosty pint.

Individuals will likely expect men to take the lead

Sri Lanka remains a traditional country, and in my experience there, it was clear the people from the service market we entered into contact with were more comfy interacting with my boyfriend than with me. He was anticipated to be the decision maker, as well as to handle financial transactions. For example, whenever I spent for anything, he was handed the change. We likewise fielded a variety of questions regarding our marital status, which would have been intrusive back house, however in Sri Lanka, were all part of the experience.

While it was a little irritating to frequently have my presence disregarded in favour of my boyfriend's, it's essential to keep in mind you're there to observe and discover more about a different culture - not to try and change it.

That said, Sri Lanka felt extremely safe, and had I been travelling alone or in the business of women, I don't question we would have had the ability to explore the nation simply as effectively.

Also Visit - Sri Lanka Luxury Package

Do not ask awkward questions

Like numerous countries, Sri Lanka has a turbulent history. While for some visitors discovering this is a fascinating part of finding the nation, it is not advised that you ask such questions to locals.

In many cases, your trip guides might provide the details up - young people generally seem more open to going over such matters - but largely, the local people are attempting to put the past in the past, and will not enjoy a conversation where it is brought up.

Offer eating with your hands a go!

Delighting in local food is an absolute treat in Sri Lanka, with a wide variety of spicy curries, delicious breads, and dishes such as Kottu Roti - the country's junk food of option - to choose from.

While you will be offered cutlery in Western-style restaurants, if you manage to get to a more genuine joint you can try consuming with your hands like the residents do.

The technique is to mix up your rice and curry and then to create small balls with your forefingers. Attempt not to use other parts of your hands, and don't lick your fingers afterwards: this is considered rude, and restaurants will generally have a sink for cleaning when you've finished your tasty dish.

Utilize your typical sense

No matter where they are in the world, tourists ought to constantly keep their wits about them. Colombo - Sri Lanka's busy capital - is no different to many of the world's other major cities, so do not take unnecessary risks, and ask the reception desk at your hotel for help if you're uncertain of anything.

Sri Lanka is a colourful, delightful unbelievable travel experience, and in many parts of the country you'll feel extremely safe. It's simple to get about utilizing tuk-tuks and trains, and - if your experience is anything like mine - you'll be charmed by the local people who help you along the method. As long as you do your research about various parts of the nation ahead of time, and plan well, you're in for a gorgeous trip you'll keep in mind forever.

For more information on Sri Lanka tour packages from Delhi and any other Sri Lanka holiday contact Swan Tours - travel agent in Delhi India.