For the uninitiated, the first experience of solo-travelling is one that is near-religious. Imagine discovering a new place / culture / experience all on your own; a journey that only you will navigate and live through…
While the prospect of this can be overwhelming, solo travel undeniably opens you up to an opportunity to be reacquainted with yourself by going places and meeting people, where every moment is absorbed by a perspective that is solely yours.
A land that helps you find yourself
Compact, yet unimaginably diverse in its geography, culture, and experiences, Sri Lanka is a paradise for travellers dipping their toes into solo-travel for the first time, as well as for those seasoned individuals who treat the island as a regular pilgrimage for self and soul.
But, how does it work out for the female solo traveller?
As many female solo travellers have attested, Sri Lanka is a relatively safe country to solo travel to. But, naturally, you do need to exercise some preplanning and caution, and this blog will give you a few valid tips that will make the journey of discovering Sri Lanka just that much less daunting.
Getting around
If you are on a budget, we recommend that you hop a public bus or a train. The two experiences are distinctively different.
- Buses are frequently available and gives you a good feel of what daily life is like in Sri Lanka as you move through cities, towns, and villages.
- The train is a super-fast way of travelling long distances and also exposes you to the captivating and diverse beauty of the country’s landscape. The ride from Kandy to Ella is a definite bucket-list item!
Comparatively more expensive, but, still a very exhilarating experience are the tuk rides. For the uninitiated, motor trishaws will doubtlessly be an entertaining diversion; compact and fast, they are the best means of travel to beat city traffic. But, be advised; compare prices and ask around before getting into one, as they sometimes tend to rip-off the uninformed traveller.
Our recommendation is that you use trains for long journeys and use buses to shuttle within short distances. That way, you save heaps of time on long journeys, and the short rides on the bus will let you soak up plenty of local flavour. But, if you can afford to splurge, there are plenty of comfortable personalized travel options available like renting your own car with a chauffeur.
Safe accommodation
Sri Lanka being a tourist destination, there’s enough and more options in terms of accommodation available, for any kind of budget. As a solo traveller, villas and hostels should rate high on your list of preferences. Not only do they provide a lively and more secure backdrop for your stay where you’ll seldom feel alone, you will also have the opportunity to meet other solo travellers, backpackers, and expats staying over. Swapping experiences with them may chance you upon some good advice that will benefit your own adventures to come.
Places to go…
Much of Sri Lanka is safe for exploration even as a female solo traveller. It’s just a matter of how you conduct yourself at each destination.
The country is surrounded by countless breathtaking beaches. Break out into your 2-piece, no problem, but always be wary of the kind of people frequenting the beach before you do. Popular locations such as Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Mirissa, Weligama, Pasikudah, and Arugam Bay are all tourist hotspots, so, you should be absolutely safe. More secluded beaches would definitely require you to take precautions, and maybe even visit with someone you know and trust.
But, beach outings are mandatory, and are probably the best way to break into that solo-traveller mindset!
Things to do…
That said, the volume and variety of the places and experiences you need to cover while in Sri Lanka are just too much to list here. But, if we were to drop names, Kandy, Ella, and Nuwara Eliya; scenic mountain regions with a lot of sightseeing and hikes, Kalpitiya (for kite surfing), and Yala or Udawalawe (Elephants and Leopards galore!), should all be in your list of places to visit.
From sun-kissed beaches and the many aquatic thrills they present, to adventures in the wild, and scenic escapes of vivid variety, the island is just simply abundant in amazing experiences. And when talking about experiences, the local cuisine and singularly unique island culture are essential mentions. For a more intimate and detailed introduction to Sri Lanka’s experiential offering, check out – Travel Journals
And people to see
Being a solo traveller, it’s important that you make friends with people in your travels as you never know when you might need to depend on someone’s kindness.
Fortunately, Sri Lankans are generally very easy to make friends with. Their carefree and laidback approach to life can be quite endearing and infectious! And, most people are ever-ready to help you out with directions, transport timetables etc.
While not lengthy, we hope this blog answered some of the more basic yet critical concerns about travelling solo as a female, in Sri Lanka. The general consensus is that the country is an ‘absolutely-must-visit’ destination; experienced and endorsed by several top female solo travellers in the world (Diana Bancale, World of Wanderlust and more). And, as many more of them have so accurately put it, what little lengths you need to go towards ensuring your safety while in country, are far outweighed by the richness of the experience you’re guaranteed to have.