There’s nothing worse than having the time off work and the resources to go on a truly epic vacation with no one to accompany you! But that doesn’t mean you should cancel your plans.
Women wanderlusters have been going it alone all over the world, and the beautiful destination of Sri Lanka should be no exception.
Below are a few helpful tips for solo travel for women in Sri Lanka holidays.
Where to go
If this is your first trip, you’ll be excited to explore the history, culture and landscape of this amazing country. Sri Lanka is fairly off the beaten path, so try to stick to the more popular tourist areas — at least while you get your bearings.
One of your first stops should be at Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. This 5th century city is set upon a rocky plateau (known as Lion’s Rock) and is home to a palace, fortifications, gardens and, best of all, a view of the surrounding area.
Another place not to miss is the Minneriya National Park in the North Central Province which has been a wildlife sanctuary since 1938 and a national park since 1997. The area is rife with biodiversity, though many visitors go for the elephants that hang around Minneriya Tank. This is an excellent place for a safari!
How to get there
Transportation is the most difficult part of traveling alone, but Sri Lanka is surprisingly easy to get around. Taxis, tuk tuks, buses and trains move throughout the country and can be a great way to meet locals. “Lean out the open doorway of an old British colonial train or squeeze onto a bus, bumping along as the Singhalese tunes pump you up,” says Courtney Lambert on her blog, PacSafe, while describing her public transport experience in Sri Lanka.
Staying safe
Keep your family or friends back home informed about your itinerary and possibly someone from your accommodation, as well. Plus, always have some money on you for an emergency taxi or tuk tuk ride — if you feel uncomfortable at any time, flag one down and head back to your accommodation.
What to pack
Sri Lanka is a country full of awesome sites, but some of the most historically and culturally interesting ones are religious. Many temples are still in use today, so plan to bring tunics, pants and long, loose shorts. That way you will be comfortable weather-wise, but still able to get into all the places you want to explore.
Due to the climate you may want to bring accessories such as wet wipes and some female toiletries for greater comfort in the warm temperatures.
More Packing Tips Here.
How to act
One big secret to traveling alone is to appear confident. It’s nerve-racking to travel solo and sometimes our first impulse is to shy away from people, but this will likely only make you more of a target for those trying to rip you off. Be friendly, humble and speak with authority. The locals are incredibly welcoming, according to Lambert, who said “the hospitality and kindness in this country never ceased to amaze me.”
Sri Lanka is a great place for solo female travelers to travel and enjoy. These tips should make your journey go more smoothly and allow you to experience all of the beauty of this island nation.
Images by ronsaunders47, T. Thevananth’s Photos and Mosseby, used under Creative Commons license
Patrice McCall has been traveling solo now for 10 years. With just her backpack and camera for company she has travelled around Africa, Latin America and Europe.
