Pinnawala

 

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Sri Lanka is un-crowded, affordable, inspiring and fun.  There is so much packed in such a small area: rainforests and beaches, famous cuisine and tea, timeless temples and moving ruins, eight UNESCO sites, rare vegetation and animals, and welcoming wonderful inhabitants.
My undeniable fascination with Sri Lanka began when I saw a photograph on a friend’s Facebook page. In the photograph, two people were in a river next to an elephant. This wasn’t a cheesy tourist attraction where the elephants are chained up and worked; instead, this was a scene of two beautiful human beings blending with the massive yet gentle elephants in the untouched natural surroundings of Sri Lanka. I couldn’t wait to go.
Sri Lanka did not disappoint me one bit. It had no shortage of Buddhist temples, sandy beaches, unique fauna and wildlife, amazing food, culture and people, and yes, elephants.
You should not skip over Sri Lanka.

 

Getting There And Around
All visitors (except those from Maldives, Singapore and Sychelles) are required to obtain an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to their arrival to Sri Lanka. Your passport must be valid for more than six months after reaching the country. The three exempt countries may obtain a visa upon arrival free of charge. You can submit for and purchase your ETA here.
Passengers arrive to Sri Lanka via the international airport which is located approximately 30km away from Colombo, the capital. Getting around Sri Lanka can be a bit of a challenge, with limited public transportation and tumultuous roads. Traffic drives on the left in Sri Lanka. I highly recommend you hire a driver to take you around versus renting a car yourself. You will understand this statement when you get there. The price of a driver will vary greatly depending on the size of the vehicle and length of time you need services. We only needed a driver for five days. We had a large van with four people and it was 50 USD a day to any destination on the island. Hotels offer separate, often free, accommodation for drivers (the price for this is included in your daily rate).
The train ride from Ella to Kandy has been called the “most beautiful in the world” by numerous writers, and it is a must-do while traveling in Sri Lanka. This relaxing, panoramic train ride, consisting of 121km, costs just 2,500 rupees.
Tuk-tuks are a cheap and quick way to bounce around within a city. Make sure to negotiate fare with the driver before accepting and be aware the drivers expect a small tip for services.

Unawatuna Beach

 

Money
Sri Lankan currency is the rupee (LKR). It is some of the most vivid and intricate money that I have seen yet. The colorful banknotes come in denominations of 20-5000 LKR. Coins 1,5, and 10 are gold-colored. They have taken the 10 banknote out of circulation, so as a collector it is a must-keep if you are lucky enough to find one.
Credit cards are accepted in the larger tourist areas of Colombo and Galle, but it is wise to keep cash handy when traveling the other areas of the island. Some of my favorite things I purchase, both food and souvenirs, were purchased from some random stall along the road in the middle of nowhere.
Tipping is expected in Sri Lanka in all situations where tipping is customary. If you are visiting a temple, you should leave a small amount of money in the donation box.

 

Language
There are two official languages in Sri Lanka, Tamil and Sinhalese. Sinhala is the most widely used, and the curvaceous script is descended from ancient Indian Brahmi.
Hello – ආයුඛෝවන් (āyubūvan) Translation: “may you live long”
Thank You – ඉස්තුති (stuti)

 

Housing
May until August brings the monsoon season of Sri Lanka, and because of the weather, lodging is much cheaper during this time of the year. Sri Lankan New Year, towards the end of April, brings the highest prices of the year (but also the most exciting times). Guesthouses and hostels are beginning to spring up with the  increase in tourism this beautiful country is experiencing, which has kept prices down. Housing costs start at 1,000 rupees and up, depending on amenities, season and location.

Kandy Landscape

 

Food
Sri Lanka was made famous by the spices and teas that have been traded from here for centuries. Influences from India, colonial powers, and Asia are all present in the cuisine of Sri Lanka, but its food is unlike anywhere else in the world. Most memorable is the Sri Lankan breakfast. As someone who thinks toast and eggs are boring, I was never bored with breakfast on this island. Don’t leave without trying king coconut (orange coconut), dhal, polos, kottu, pol sambola, coconut roti, Ceylon tea and woodapple juice. The food and flavors in Sri Lanka are among my favorites in the world.

 

Stay Fit
Sri Lanka has many activities available for those looking to stay fit while adventuring across the island. The country is perfectly suited for biking, with the highlight being a 40km trail around Dambulla (Cave Temple included). There are endless rainforests and national parks in Sri Lanka – ideal for trekkers of all experience levels. The most famous trekking trail in Sri Lanka is World’s End with the beautiful Baker’s Falls at Horton Plains National Park.
Beach yoga is a wonderful way to unwind and appreciate your surroundings and it is offered daily in areas such as Unawatuna.
Drinking bottled water is advised while visiting Sri Lanka and many hotels provide bottles free of charge for guests.

 

Save Cash
Sri Lanka is spectacular and low-cost, even to travelers looking for luxury. For those on a budget, there are many ways to cut expenses. Buying food and beverages from stands along the street is the most affordable and eco-friendly, way to consume. Many of the small street stands have fresh items made from locally grown produce. Ultra-hydrating king coconuts are 15 rupees and popular local snacks start at 20 rupees.

 

Stay Connected
Some areas of Sri Lanka, such as Colombo and Galle, are surprisingly well connected to Wi-Fi, while other areas disconnect you with technology but introduce you to the splendor of the island.
Sri Lankan electrical outlets are the two-prong, 230V type-C style that is similar to the European outlets.

 


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