{"id":3238,"date":"2017-05-09T09:00:03","date_gmt":"2017-05-09T01:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.srilanka-villa.com\/?p=3238"},"modified":"2020-04-28T18:05:15","modified_gmt":"2020-04-28T10:05:15","slug":"travel-tips-for-first-timers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/travel-tips-for-first-timers\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Sri Lanka Travel Tips for First-Timers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Sri Lanka has a charm of its own. Any visitor who travels beyond the capital will definitely love its rolling hills and golden beaches. While the scenery is stunning, Sri Lanka&#8217;s infrastructure is still largely undeveloped. Although things are changing quickly in the country, it would be a mistake to expect the easy of travel you find in South East Asia. These 5 things to know before you go, will ensure your holiday to Sri Lanka runs smoothly.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-layzr=\"http:\/\/blog.srilanka-villa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/rail-road-191097_1280-e1494169631314.jpg\" alt=\"men walking down the rail road in sri lanka\" height=\"400\" width=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3244\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/travel-tips-for-first-timers\/#1_Do_your_research\" >1. Do your research<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/travel-tips-for-first-timers\/#2_Be_Sure_to_plan_ahead\" >2. Be Sure to plan ahead<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/travel-tips-for-first-timers\/#3_Plan_your_budget_well\" >3. Plan your budget well<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/travel-tips-for-first-timers\/#4_Know_when_to_trust_and_when_not_to\" >4. \u00a0Know when to trust and when not to<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/travel-tips-for-first-timers\/#5_Be_culturally_aware\" >5. Be culturally aware<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Do_your_research\"><\/span>1. Do your research<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Since the end of the civil war in 2009 Sri Lanka&#8217;s tourism industry has been booming. The once unsafe destination is now drawing tourists and investors from all over the world. The newness of tourism means that outside of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/en\/find\/colombo\">Colombo<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/en\/find\/galle\">Galle<\/a>, conveniences aren&#8217;t always easy to find. While English is widely spoken, it can&#8217;t be relied upon when liaising with vendors and tuk tuk drivers. The tourism boom is raising prices, but be aware that a higher price does not always mean better quality. \u00a0The restaurants and hotels are either high-end or budget -with little in between. While this reflects investments and local entrepreneurs, doing your research on where to eat and stay is necessary as standards vary widely.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-layzr=\"http:\/\/blog.srilanka-villa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sri-lanka-822613_1280-e1494169706274.jpg\" alt=\"Palm trees along sri lankan beach\" height=\"400\" width=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3240\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Be_Sure_to_plan_ahead\"><\/span>2. Be Sure to plan ahead<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you are used to travelling in South East Asia, you will be accustomed to the spontaneity it affords travellers. Sri Lanka is not so easily navigated and planning head is crucial. If you have decided to travel by train, be sure to book ahead and reserve your seating. While just turning up at the station can result in disappointment, booking <a href=\"http:\/\/www.railway.gov.lk\">online<\/a> is fairly reliable.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-layzr=\"http:\/\/blog.srilanka-villa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/13336147_10101596757946284_2484910012682016734_n-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" height=\"486\" width=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3049\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Plan_your_budget_well\"><\/span>3. Plan your budget well<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While tourism continues to boom, so do prices. The many luxury resorts which have sprung up along the coastlines are the result of government or foreign investment. The locations, although beautiful, are often remote and have very few dining and shopping option nearby. Rather than paying the premium prices in hotel restaurants venture into small towns and spend locally whenever possible. This will not only give you an insight into the &#8216;real&#8217; Sri Lanka but it will also help support the local economy and it will mean you spending money goes further.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-layzr=\"http:\/\/blog.srilanka-villa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/tea-harvest-2132767_1280-e1494169847824.jpg\" alt=\"Ladies picking tea\" height=\"361\" width=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3242\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Know_when_to_trust_and_when_not_to\"><\/span>4. \u00a0Know when to trust and when not to<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Sri Lankan people are amongst the most friendly you will ever meet. In the more rural areas of Nuwara Eliya and Ella, locals are grateful for the influx of tourism. Restaurant owners and local guides are extremely helpful and friendly and service is always with a smile. Yet the Sri Lankan cities of Colombo and Kandy, aren&#8217;t quite so new to tourism. Tuk Tuk drivers and vendors who are wise to travellers may try some familiar cons you&#8217;ve seen elsewhere. Be alert when travelling in the cities, but remain open to the friendliness you encounter.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-layzr=\"http:\/\/blog.srilanka-villa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/port-2211791_1280-600x450.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lanka port\" height=\"450\" width=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3243 size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Be_culturally_aware\"><\/span>5. Be culturally aware<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Sri Lanka has a complicated history. The civil war is still recent history and many people are still very much affected by it. Heading back further into Sri Lanka&#8217;s colonial history will explain the fusion of influences and architecture. Although historic influences are strong, Sri Lanka has a style of its own. Spirituality is a big part of life and the mixture of religions is also evident. While most of Sri Lanka is Buddhist, there is also a large Hindu, Muslim and Christian community. Cultural awareness and sensitivity is key to travelling this diverse country.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-layzr=\"http:\/\/blog.srilanka-villa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/buddha-1790619_1280-e1494170064328.jpg\" alt=\"Buddha in Sri Lanka\" height=\"400\" width=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3241\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Sri Lanka is a stunning country which has a lot to offer its visitors. While Sri Lanka still adapts to the influx of tourists, these simple tips will help you travel safely and experience the true Sri Lankan experience.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related:\u00a0<a href=\"\/?p=111\">8 tips about local etiquette and safety in Sri Lanka<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">See our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\">villas in Sri Lanka<\/a>. Inspected and selected by Villa-Finder.com.<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sri Lanka has a charm of its own. Any visitor who travels beyond the capital will definitely love its rolling hills and golden beaches. While &hellip; <\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_excerpt -->","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":3241,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[177,90],"tags":[8,170,108],"class_list":["post-3238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-posts","category-travel-advices","tag-culture","tag-things-to-know","tag-travel-tips","latest_post"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3238"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3238\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.srilanka-villa.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}