Things to know before visiting Sri Lanka


Things to know before visiting Sri Lanka



 Sri Lanka is an exotic destination of which the greenery can be witnessed up from the skies as you fly in.  The friendliness and smiles will start flowing in as soon as you land in this wonderful country. Everyone you come across is likely to greet you with a genuine smile. However, like any new place that you’d visit, there are things to know before going to Sri Lanka that you might not be aware of. Keep reading so that you get acquainted with what to know about Sri Lanka

What  to know about Sri Lankan currency
The currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (different from the Indian Rupee), and the exchange rate varies from approximately 160-175 LKR: 1 USD. The rupee value of the things will be what you will be quoted by a vendor. Make sure to keep change and all denominations because the big 5000 notes might not be changed for a 10 rupee purchase – This is one of the most important Sri Lanka travel tips.There are plenty of places to exchange money in Sri Lanka, and there are also ATMs everywhere from which you can make withdrawals.

Safety in Sri Lanka
What to know about Sri Lankawith regard to safety is an important topic if not the most. There is a common misconception that Sri Lanka might not be safe to travel. Yes, the country went through a 20-year civil war, but life has since returned to normal after the end of the war in 2009. There has only been unity, harmony and common consensus to rebuild this beautiful nation as one. Sri Lankans are known for their hospitality, and you will get nothing less when you visit this country.

What to know about Sri Lankan values
Politics and religion are topics that are sensitive in any place. Sri Lanka has the tendency of being sensitive to these topics, maybe a touch more than the places you will come from. You should definitely be aware of the past and thus be respectful of the situation. However, it's fine to ask locals generic questions about their lives, families, et cetera.

The tourism industry is still growing

What to know about Sri Lanka with regard to the towns and villages is important. The tourism boom in Sri Lanka is just happening and most of the places in Sri Lanka are just getting acquainted with this budding industry. In that sense, there might be not many facilities in areas that tourists do not frequent.  There's not much English spoken (e.g., it may be difficult to communicate with back street vendors or even some tuk-tuk drivers), which is one of the important  things to know before going to Sri Lanka. However you will be able to get the basic necessities where ever you go, and for the adventurous explorer – this unhampered nature gives the first-hand experience of what Sri Lanka is.

What to know about Sri Lankan Culture
Sri Lanka is unlike some of its Asian counterparts is relatively secular. The primary religion is Buddhism so be mindful of your attire when you visit temples - cover your shoulders and wear pants. Shorts and tank tops are fine, but driving shirtless on a scooter or walk around in a bikini is not approved of. Some tourists are even being stopped by police in the street and told to cover up.

You might need a special driver's license to rent a car.
You will need a valid license from your home country in addition to a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Sri Lanka. Make sure the IDP has Sri Lanka listed as one of the valid countries. the rules of the road in Sri Lanka are strict and the traffic can be hectic, compared to where you come from. So even if you have an IDP, you may want to think twice about getting behind the wheel which is also one of the most important Sri Lanka travel tips.

You will take a lot of pictures
Sri Lanka is incredibly scenic and you will have the opportunity to snap stunning shots of the landscape and people. You will need to bring an extra SD card or upgrade your cloud storage! Some photo posses, like the famous stilt fishermen, will cost you and unfortunately, not many people still fish this way. However, Don’t pay over 500 rupees to these people who pose with you.

What to know about Sri Lankan food

A traditional Sri Lankan meal consists of colorful curries, rice, and roti, string hoppers (steamed rice noodles), kottu (a carb-heavy diced roti dish, often served with veggies, eggs or chicken). Beware that these dishes can get a bit spicy. There is also a ton of fresh seafood from the Indian Ocean and abundance of wonderful tropical fruit from which you can choose from.

Sri Lanka does have its own value system, but its hardly intrusive and will not stand I between enjoying your holiday the way you want. Once you get acquainted with these values you'll come to love them and will soon adopt them.

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