Tourism is one of Sri Lanka’s biggest industries, with over 1.9 million travelers visiting the country prior to the pandemic. Sri Lanka is a nation of wonder and variety, offering destinations ranging from sandy beaches and wildlife sanctuaries to the beautiful historical ruins from its vibrant past. But after the pandemic, the country is looking towards sustainable tourism and responsible traveling.
This time, you have a chance to give back while you vacation, to change a little for the sake of the planet, and to help communities in need while understanding and appreciating their culture. Let us guide you in your quest of exploring Sri Lanka as an eco-tourist!
Take advantage of Sri Lanka’s ecotourism
We are not joking when we say Sri Lanka’s biodiversity is second to none, we are not joking. The country has a myriad of natural settings within hours of each other, a climate that changes from beach sunny to misty chill as you travel inland.
So, we at Quest encourage you to take full advantage of all the natural adventures that the country offers when planning your vacation. These adventures are fun, meaningful, and have a minimal impact on the environment.
Some things that you can do are
- Hiking at Horton Plains
- Camping at Yala National Park
- White Water Rafting at Kitulgala
- Surfing / Kite Surfing at Hikkaduwa and Arugambay
For a seamless experience where everything is taken care of, let Quest plan your adventure here. We’ll take you through immersive adventures ranging from rainforest treks, wild safaris, cultural excursions to water sports and camping in the mountain.
Eat locally
You might not find Michelin-starred restaurants in Sri Lanka (maybe because we season the food here). All jokes aside, Sri Lanka is a haven for foodies. Ranging from the variety of classic cultural recipes that every local will swear by to the vibrant street food scene that changes from city to city, it is a food adventure like no other.
They are all prepared with locally sourced ingredients and are seasonal. This means that your carbon footprint of sourcing your food is very minimal and helps the local community. You can read this post to delve deeper into the food scene of Sri Lanka.
Visit hidden gems over tourist traps.
While it might be tempting to pose at the same place everyone else is posting on their Instagram, major tourist traps are often overcrowded beyond their capacity, and this might make your experience less than enjoyable. This effect is called over-tourism and becomes a hindrance to both traveller and destination.
You can avoid this by researching lesser-known but still spectacular destinations. Places such as the Vavulpane caves, Pillikutuwa, and Delfts Island are less well known than Sigiriya or Port City but their majesty is no less astounding. You can also visit the more famous destinations during the next low season.
Don’t feel like doing all that research? Let Quest plan out your unique adventure throughout Sri Lanka.
Support local entrepreneurs and their businesses.
You can help Sri Lanka by supporting local entrepreneurs by buying small business souvenirs, dining at local restaurants, and staying at homestays and locally owned guesthouses. Try visiting the local markets for some unique souvenirs from your trip because they will help you take those memorable moments back home.
Respect communities, historical sites, and wildlife
Seize this opportunity of traveling to Sri Lanka to catch a glimpse of the varied and beautiful culture of Sri Lanka. You can take a walk through the country’s past by visiting the rock fortress of Sigiriya, which is an aesthetic and architectural wonder, beautiful temples and stupas, and the ruins from the colonial era. Jaffna’s beautiful sites such as the Nallur Kandasamy temple and the ruins of the colonial forts speak of a past filled with resilience.
Be mindful that certain destinations such as religious and spiritual places have certain protocols and make sure to adhere to any. This means that sometimes, you will be expected to take your shoes off when visiting temples or may not be allowed to take photos. Showing respect to these different cultures and locals goes a long way in conserving their way of life!
When you visit nature sanctuaries, forests, and other natural habitats in Sri Lanka, practice a hands-off approach from the flora and the fauna because Sri Lanka’s biodiversity also includes a plethora of poisonous plants and animals. This would help in keeping you safe and also leave the environment as it is. Make sure you manage your waste properly and avoid using single-use plastics, especially in natural and historical sites.
With these simple tips, become a responsible traveler when you visit Sri Lanka and help conserve this wonderful country for future generations while you have fun! There is a multitude of other ways that you can be socially responsible and we highly encourage you to look more into ecotourism.
If you want to chart a clear path for your sustainable vacation in Sri Lanka, one of our ambassadors/consultants can get you started!