UPDATED MAR 2020. Sri Lanka is a fantastic destination for a wellness trip to refresh and recharge. I recently visited for a yoga retreat and it was just incredible. Today, I am sharing a planning guide to help you plan your own trip. I should note that I’ve written this as a guide for solo female travel in Sri Lanka, but most of the advice is helpful for anyone planning a trip. Let’s get into it.
Solo Female Travel In Sri Lanka – How To Plan A Refreshing Wellness Trip
Disclaimer:
I am an affiliate with Booking.com.
Planning tips
Which airport to fly to
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is located in the south of Sri Lanka and is your best bet for flying to.
When you’re searching for flights, you might also find it by searching ‘Colombo’ which is the country’s capital just under 20 miles away from the airport.
Entry requirements for visiting Sri Lanka
Aside from a few exceptions, you will need to apply for an electronic visitor visa prior to entering Sri Lanka.
It’s quick and easy to get and costs about $20USD.
Apply for the visa and check for the official regulations by visiting this website.
How to get a sim card
If you want to have phone and Internet access during your stay, it’s easy to pick up a sim card at the airport.
They take a copy of your ID, register the sim, and put it in your phone for you. This was helpful because the first one they tried didn’t work on my phone. I was glad they tested it while I was there.
Emergency numbers
Police emergency: 119
Ambulance: 110
Is Sri Lanka safe for solo female travel?
Pickpocketing is very common and you will need to protect against this.
Keep your valuables in a bag – I recommend a backpack with a secure zip or cross-body bag that can zip up to close. Wear it across your body as opposed to over one shoulder so that it cannot be taken from you. Don’t keep valuables in your pockets.
Sometimes when walking around I had the standard street hassle of people calling out, trying to sell things, and some people even wanted a selfie with me. There was nothing too threatening though.
Always trust your gut on what situation you’re in and use your common sense to keep yourself as safe as possible.
Here is my post on practical solo female travel safety tips which I recommend reading before your trip.
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka
If you plan to visit south-west Sri Lanka (which is where I visited), December – March is the best time of year to visit to avoid the monsoon season. This is the peak season for the region though, so you will likely have more crowds and higher prices. Try going at the start or end of the season if you can.
I visited in March & the weather was great the whole time I was there.
One suggestion I have is to visit when there is a full moon because every full moon is a Poya Day – a public holiday in Sri Lanka. Seeing the locals out celebrating is pretty cool.
What is the currency
The currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee.
It’s convenient to get money out at the Colombo airport because there are bank desks and ATMs before you exit.
It’s a good idea to have cash on you for drivers, excursions, souvenirs, etc. All the big towns have ATMs if you need to get more.
Language
Several languages are spoken in Sri Lanka. The official languages are Sinhalese and Tamil.
English is widely spoken throughout the country.
Getting around Sri Lanka
Hire a Tuk-Tuk
You have to go for a Tuk-Tuk ride while you visit!
Just be sure to agree on a price for the drive before you start the trip.
On one of my free days, I gave a Tuk-Tuk driver a list of places I wanted to see. We agreed on a price for the day, he drove me around to all of the places and waited for me as I visited each site.
He even had some local suggestions which were really helpful because I got to see things I wouldn’t have found on my own.
Hire a driver
For longer trips, you can hire an air-conditioned van to get you from A to B.
I used a van to get to and from the airport, and for excursions to Galle Fort and Udawalawe National Park.
All of these were arranged through the retreat I was staying at (details at the end of the post) and it was a great way to get around quickly and comfortably.
What to wear as a solo female traveler in Sri Lanka
While it isn’t as conservative as some other countries, it’s best to dress modestly in Sri Lanka.
You don’t have to cover from shoulders to knees all the time but should avoid walking around in a bikini or wearing anything overly revealing.
This applies when you’re in a Tuk-Tuk or on a scooter too. Bikinis are fine at the beach but not for when you travel to and from it.
When visiting temples, make sure you are covered from shoulders to knees, and take your shoes off before entering.
Where to go for a yoga retreat as a solo female traveler in Sri Lanka
I stayed at the gorgeous Talalla Retreat for an all-inclusive yoga retreat.
Staying here was one of the reasons my visit was as amazing as it was, and I recommend it highly.
For more information, read my full review of Talalla Retreat here.
No matter where you stay, I recommend searching on Booking.com. This is what I use to book accommodation when I travel and I can always find a good deal there.
For solo female travel in Sri Lanka, Talalla Retreat is a great place to stay.
What to do in southern Sri Lanka
When you stay at Talalla Retreat, here are some fun things to do in the area. The staff at the retreat can help you organize these outings.
Take a safari at Udawalawe National Park
Watching elephants wander around with their babies was one of the best experiences I’ve had.
A whole herd even walked directly passed the jeep I was in then crossed the road in front of us – it was incredible!
Here is my post on taking the safari at Udawalawe National Park.
A memorable experience at Udawalawe National Park.
See the stilt fisherman
Check out Weligama where, for a little cash, the famous stilt fisherman will get on the stilts and pose for photos with you.
It’s a really cool experience and a good way to support the fisherman, who make more money off tips than actual fishing.
Selfie with the stilt fisherman.
See Batik making
Stop by Jez-Look Batiks to learn how authentic Batiks are made and take home a gorgeous, handmade design with you.
They are on the pricey side as far as souvenirs go, but very worth it for something unique to hang in your home.
Watching Batiks being made was really interesting.
Visit the temples
Get a Tuk-Tuk & go temple-hopping for a day!
I went to Gandara, Pararvi Duwa and Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya. They were all very interesting to see and each was a different experience.
I got a blessing from the latter two and they all had paintings, statues, floral displays, and an area to make a donation.
I did not donate at the Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya because out the front they had 2 elephants living on chains. It was too heartbreaking to watch them swaying in stress for tourists to pat. Honestly, I wouldn’t visit there had I known about the animal cruelty.
Horrible treatment of elephants at Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya – I don’t recommend visiting.
Yoga and surf lessons
Sri Lanka is a great destination for a refreshing wellness vacation. I did yoga each day as part of the yoga retreat I was in and loved it.
Through the retreat, I also got to take a surf lesson and I never thought I would have so much fun falling off something!
Taking a surf lesson was so much fun!
If you found this useful, return the favor by sharing it or following me on Instagram!
How did i miss this post..hopefully because i was travelling😉…such great hints that i will add to my list..that ever growing list🤣
I hope it’s because you were off taking photos and having fun 🙂 Thank you!
Wow it’s fun to have a vacation and enjoy the beach in Sri Lanka. I like reading your holiday experience. Thank you for sharing your holiday experience.
Thanks so much for checking it out!
The great post. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.