Joanna James
The tiny land of Sri Lanka entices visitors to experience the natural beauty, the rich history and culture and of course, savour the vibrant cuisine as they travel around the island. Even though you are an experienced traveller, these useful tips will ease unnecessary anxieties during your stay.
Most nations require a visa to land in Sri Lanka. Please check for your nationality and if a visa is required apply for the easy and efficient eVisa which is also priced at a nominal rate.
Being a tropical island, it is wise to carry your drinking water when you are on the move such as when visiting Kandy one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka as pipe-borne water is not suitable for consumption. However, bottled drinking water is available in many cities throughout the island.
Unless you always carry a universal adapter, do verify the kind of power socket available at your hotel though most hotels in Sri Lanka such as Araliya Resorts & Spas have multiple options for power sockets. It is prudent to be prepared.
Even though you may travel around with a global roaming facility, it is more economical to have a local SIM which can be purchased on arrival at the airport. Select a package suiting your period of stay and data and voice requirements.
Due to the diverse cultures living in harmony on this island, Sri Lankan cuisine is a beautiful blend of all these cultures with a generous sprinkling of authentic spices and seafood playing an important part in the cuisine. Enjoy the mouthwatering dishes and you will crave more.
Travelling light is essential when you are on holiday as you want to experience different places and will be moving around. Fortunately, it is possible to launder or wash your clothes and re-use them during your stay therefore pick cotton or linens for your stay. If you plan to visit places of worship pack modest clothing which covers your knees.
Although distance-wise you may believe you can cover two attractions in one day, this can be misleading given the road networks and traffic snarls. Therefore factor in travel time if more than one place is to be visited.
As a tropical island, Sri Lanka is blessed with a bounty of fruits enjoyed by visitors, luscious mangoes, heavenly pineapple, rambutans, durian and king coconut are some of the favourites. Don't fail to taste these when you are in Sri Lanka.
With getting about Sri Lanka by tuk-tuk getting increasingly popular, it is important to be savvy in dealing with these drivers as a few can overcharge you. Always hire a tuk-tuk through your hotel who will use a reliable driver. If this is not possible use a tuk-tuk which is metered or pre-agree on the charge with the driver.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
