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Have you ever thought about visiting the Pearl of the Indian Ocean? Sri Lanka or Ceylon as it was formerly known, is a tropical paradise you need to experience! Here are a few tips on how to live like a local that may come handy.
Before you travel to a foreign country, it’s always a good idea to do a bit of homework so you’re aware of the dos and don’ts. Sri Lanka is a religious country and when visiting temples and other religious places it’s important to dress conservatively to show your respect. Certain places restrict you from entering if you wear shorts or revealing clothes. Sri Lankans are also very friendly people so don’t be too alarmed if the locals are very chatty. Locals know the best places to visit so it’s a good idea to pay attention to them and ask for help.
The one thing available in abundance is a diverse cuisine! Sri Lankans enjoy their food with a lot of spice (and I mean A LOT). While hotels do have local cuisine available, to get the best experience, it’s recommended to try food from a traditional Sri Lankan home to truly feel the essence of it. Sri Lankan cuisine has been influenced by it’s other Southeast Asian neighbours like India, Indonesia and Malaysia, so it’s a fusion. Some must-try foods are street food like hoppers and kottu as well as other popular types like kiribath, string hoppers and condiments. Some staples in cooking are rice, coconut and a variety of spices, the latter being used due to the country’s history as a spice producer.
When in Sri Lanka, it’s fun to use the local forms of transport which are quite unique: buses, trains, boats and tuks. However being a foreigner and unaware of the local spots and modes of transport can be quite dangerous, especially because Sri Lankans don’t follow road regulations strictly. Using the services of Diethelm Travel Sri Lanka would be a good option because they give tourists an amazing experience of heritage, travel and local experience all while maintaining a high quality of service. This means you can make the best of your vacation in a true Sri Lankan style!
Sri Lanka has a rich, diverse history dating back over 500,000 years. The country is proud of its heritage and makes consistent conservation efforts to protect it. Therefore when visiting Sri Lanka it’s best to visit with a local tour guide in order to learn more. First known as Tambapanni by the legendary Prince Vijay, to Lanka in the Ramayana, then Taprobane, Ceylon and finally the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka’s deep and sometimes painful past cannot be summed in a few sentences. It must be experienced to be understood.
Some main places that you must visit and explore are:
Kandy- The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) contains the tooth relic of the Buddha and is venerated by Buddhists. The relic also plays an important role in politics since the ancient times and the temple has been bombed by terrorists several times but has been fully restored each time.
Sigiriya- It is considered the 8th wonder of the world and consists of an ancient castle built by King Kashyapa which includes the Lion Gate, Mirror Wall and Sigiriya Frescoes. The site is both a palace and a fortress and gives a stunning insight to the creativity and ingenuity of its builders.
Anuradhapura- This was the first ancient capital of Sri lanka which lasted for a long period. It is important to the locals for religion, history and well- preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization.
These are just a few places Sri Lankans hold dear. Other places include Galle which was affected by the Tsunami in 2004, Polonnaruwa, Sinharaja Forest and the list goes on!
