{"id":12335,"date":"2018-03-21T09:00:22","date_gmt":"2018-03-21T08:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/?p=12335"},"modified":"2019-04-11T13:05:56","modified_gmt":"2019-04-11T12:05:56","slug":"complete-backpackers-guide-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/complete-backpackers-guide-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"The Complete Backpacker’s Guide to Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s no better feeling in the world than booking your flights, throwing your worldly belongings into a backpack and heading out on an adventure to explore another country. Maybe you’ll join a tour. Maybe you’ll travel solo. Maybe you’ll enjoy a combination of both. Whichever way you choose to start the adventure is completely up to you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For some time now, Sri Lanka<\/a> has been welcoming travellers from all over the world, with the promise of a tropical climate, gorgeous beaches, fantastic food and friendly locals \u2013\u00a0and the best part \u2013 it won’t break the bank. \u00a0<\/span>Here’s a helpful guide to ensure you have an incredible time here, whilst sticking to your budget.<\/span><\/p>\n

Feeling inspired to start the adventure? Take a look at the most popular tours travelling to Sri Lanka<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"sri
Silhouettes of the traditional stilt fishermen at the sunset near Galle in Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are SO many things that we fell in love with in Sri Lanka and one of them was definitely the Vibe. Whether you were in the city, up in the mountains
\nor on the coast with the surf culture – the vibe there was just fantastic! Locals are incredibly friendly and accommodating and there is just such a peace
\nthere, even if it still struggles with rough history. Also, the food is amazing. Hands down!<\/p>\n

Embrace & respect the way things are done in Sri Lanka. Tuk Tuks are not as scary as they seem and definitely try and meet some locals; they are always happy to show you around and point you in the right direction. We had an incredible Tuk Tuk driver who showed us took us around for a couple of days and it really opened up the country for us. Also – if you\u2019re sensitive to Chilli and the locals say \u201cit\u2019s not very hot\u201d; believe me, it will melt your face. You can always make a joke and ask them \u201cis it not hot for you, but for a tourist it\u2019s fire?\u201d They normally laugh at that and sometimes will be honest and say \u201cokay, it\u2019s a bit hot\u201d. – Melli and Shayne, Melli&Shayne<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What to pack for Sri Lanka\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sri Lanka is lucky to have a tropical temperature all year round, this means light and loose fitting clothing. Remember that Sri Lanka is a melting pot of culture and religion. In general, Sri Lankans tend to dress conservatively, and it is always appreciated when you dress modestly too.\u00a0<\/span>This means covering your shoulders (sleeveless tops are ok in beach places) and wearing knee-length skirts or shorts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s an idea of what to pack:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. 3-4 singlets or tank tops<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. 3-4 t-shirts\/light shirts with sleeves<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. 2 pairs of shorts<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. 1 pair of capris or 3\/4 length pants<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. 1 light summer dress<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. 1 long skirt (you can easily pick on up in Sri Lanka)<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. 1 pair of lightweight pants <\/span><\/li>\n
  8. 2 scarves\/ sarongs for covering shoulders- sarong will double as your towel for the beach.<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. 1 lightweight rain jacket<\/span><\/li>\n
  10. 1 fleece <\/span><\/li>\n
  11. 1 pair comfortable walking shoes<\/span><\/li>\n
  12. 1 pair nice sandals<\/span><\/li>\n
  13. 1 pair of comfortable flip-flops<\/span><\/li>\n
  14. A hat<\/span><\/li>\n
  15. Underwear<\/span><\/li>\n
  16. 1-2 swimsuits<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"Colombo
    Colombo seafront at sunset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Budget for Sri Lanka\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Depending on what you want to see or do, you might want to consider booking a multi-day group tour to help you manage your travel budget, as a tour often covers the essentials such as local experiences, accommodation and food for all, or part of your backpacking adventure. At the end of the day, how much you spend during your time in Sri Lanka is entirely up to you. If you choose to stay in local guesthouses or a simple cabana on the beach, and you’ll pay about $20-30 USD per night for two people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    As for food, it is best to eat meals in local caf\u00e9s for a couple of dollars per meal or grab ‘short eats’ from street food vendors to really keep things cheap.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Sri Lanka can be very budget-friendly, as long as you commit to using local transport to get around. You want to be surprised that you can easily get from one end of this country to the other for around $25 USD using local buses.\u00a0<\/span>So, taking care of the essentials, you can absolutely travel around Sri Lanka for $30 USD per day if you’re savvy.<\/span><\/p>\n

    As with most countries, it’s sometimes the extras like entrance fees, national parks and transport getting to and from recommended sites that will perhaps blow your budget. Just remember that you’re here to learn about the culture and see some awesome sights, so plan your budget accordingly so you don’t miss out on all the highlights.<\/span><\/p>\n

    For example, depending on what sites you’d like to see, the below costs give you an idea of how to factor these into your budget.<\/span><\/p>\n