Sri Lanka has been through a lot in the last decade. A brutal civil war lasting for over 25 years came to its end in 2009, but not before killing over 80,000 people. The 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami killed an estimated 35,000, wiped out 80% of Sri Lanka’s fishing boats, and destroyed 10 of 12 national harbors. All this devastation in their very recent history, but today as the pieces are still being put back together, Sri Lanka is a haven for adventurous tourists. The tourist infrastructure is not entirely there yet (the roads can be frightening), but the people are friendly as ever, and greet you with smiles and open arms.
I recently spent 10 days in Sri Lanka with my own car, so I could move at my own pace around the island. I’m the type of traveller who likes to see as much as possible, so only having 10 day meant I was to be a very busy man. Waking up early and coming home late daily, I still failed to see half of what the island has to offer. Lush tropical rain forests, national parks and safaris with animals to make you think you’re in Africa, beautiful white sand beaches, history and ruins to rival that of any nation, Sri Lanka has it all. It’s easy to see how it got the name “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean.”
The island is also just big enough to have 2 peak seasons, one for the north east side, and one for the south west. This means there’s always a beach in season; my visit in early September led me to the north east beach town of Trincomalee where if anything, it was too hot and sunny. On your way to “Trinco” (as the locals call it) from Colombo (where the countries only international airport is, but not for long), there are many mandatory stops. You’ll pass through a region known as the cultural triangle which plays hosts to many of the nation’s premier historical points of interest, including several UNESCO World Heritage sites. The climate in the middle region is also much milder than the coastal areas which can get quite hot.
If you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka, there are a few things you should know beforehand. Do not expect it to be cheap, hotels are expensive, budget options are hard to come by, and everything is often spread out requiring a car or other mode of transportation. Park entrance fees are as high or higher than anywhere else in the world, and guides have fees to match. The inflation in Sri Lanka has driven prices to Western standards (or sometimes higher). Travel in Sri Lanka tends to be slow, with roads frequently being unmaintained and congested. A 40km drive may take an hour or more. However, the government does seem to be making headway on this, and parts of the country have very nice roads, although still bad traffic and not much in the line of traffic control. Oh, and Monkeys! I saw more monkeys in Sri Lanka than perhaps anywhere else I’ve ever been. Monkeys darting across the road in front of you, jumping 3 meters between trees above you, drinking from fountains at the hotel, banging on hotel room window shutters, they’re everywhere, and you’ll see several different kinds too.
Bottom line, Sri Lanka is an amazing visit. Good food, friendly people, world class beaches, and one of the longest documented histories on record leaving behind many fascinating and breathtaking relics and ruins. If you’re the type of traveler who likes to get down and dirty with the locals, test your luck in Sri Lanka as soon as possible. If not, keep Sri Lanka on your list, as the tourism industry as well as their economy are growing rapidly, and in a few years it’s going to be one of the premier South East Asia destinations.
This guest post was written by Mike of The Cheap Route Travel. In his travels Mike recently visited Sri Lanka and has authored several other read worthy posts about this awe inspiring country.
