Sri Lanka is an exotic destination that despite its history, some of it quite recent, it has become a common vacation location that a lot of people enjoy. It is not quite India, but not the rest of Asia either. The people are nice and you can find a million things that you can do to relax or have some fun. You are an adventurer? Sri Lanka fits your destination profile. Do you want to enjoy yourself at the beach all day? Sri Lanka is perfect for that as well. The point is that Sri Lanka is not a destination that you should overlook the next time you are after the ideal vacation. Even so, there are a few things that you should know before you go there. Stick around and find out.
There is this common misconception that Sri Lanka is not a safe place to travel to. That was true until 2009 because Sri Lanka was in a horrible civil war, but that was almost a decade ago. Since then, the tourism recovered, and it is pretty safe to spend your vacation there. You still need to express some caution, but that is something you do anywhere you go. Some petty crimes do happen from time to time, but that happens everywhere. Just keep your expensive items close to your body, and you should be just fine. To be honest, it is more dangerous to cross the road in Sri Lanka than anything else. So, make sure to look both ways twice.
People in Sri Lanka are nicer than you would expect. Why would someone expect otherwise? War usually changes people, but the one in Sri Lanka have chosen to put the past behind them and make the best of what is going on in the present. As a result, they will welcome you wherever you may want to go, and they will always have a contagious smile on their faces. You will leave the country with a case of a chronic smile. And that is a fact.
However, you should pay a lot of attention when you are talking about the past in Sri Lanka. People are lovely, but they are sensitive when it comes to their lost family and friends. That is natural if you think about it. Plus, do not engage in any political discussion that can lead to the subject of war. It is best if you avoid the topic altogether. It is okay to ask general questions about their family and whatnot, but you should stop there. You do not want to open old wounds.
As for communication, the people of Sri Lanka will do their best to talk to you. Some of them speak English, but you can help them. How? They like to practice their English with tourist. If you want to help a child or an adult improve their English, you should take the time when doing it. Just have a conversation. It is a win-win situation. You socialize with the locals and have some fun, and they learn something new. It is quite entertaining, and many tourists who travel to Sri Lanka will start a conversation with a random local just for that reason alone.
The food in Sri Lanka is delicious, but only if you stick to their specialties. You will not find good burgers or high-quality pasta, but when it comes to Sri Lankan food; your taste buds are in for a treat. Not all restaurants will be up to your standards, but one trick to find the best ones is to eat the restaurants preferred by the locals. The reason the people of Sri Lanka do not cook Western food is that the ingredients are expensive, and most likely they need to leave the island to buy them. Even so, if you ever find yourself in Sri Lanka, it would be a pity to eat Western food. Stick to the specialties. You will not regret it.
One aspect that you will not like is the hygiene. However, you need to remember that Sri Lanka is a developing country with tourism still improving. Plus, they are recovering from a war, and things do not change overnight. As long as you bring your own toilet paper, a hand sanitizer, and you do not drink tap water, you should not suffer from any disease. Plus, avoid shady street vendors with no people in line for their food. That is a clue that their food is not exactly edible.
Before leaving Sri Lanka, you should take your chances and go to see the wildlife. People usually overlook this aspect, but if you are lucky, you can come face to face with a herd of elephants. It may not be the Great Migration in the Serengeti, but it is still wildlife, and it counts. Also, if you plan on going sightseeing, you should hire a guide to show you all the best places. In fact, most tourists do this so that they can explore as much and as efficiently as possible. The service is not very expensive, and the guide will take advantage of the opportunity of practicing his or her English.
Even if the tourism in Sri Lanka is still growing, you should know that a trip can be quite expensive. There is this rule that islands have higher prices than on the mainland. It is pretty obvious why. Most of the goods are imported. Hotels can be expensive too, but if you book in advance, you may get a discount.
Sri Lanka is definitely a country that is worth considering. It has a lot of beautiful landscapes, the people are incredibly nice, and you can enjoy a lot of attractions. Just make sure that you follow some basic rules, and you should have an exciting time. Whether you want to relax on the beach at a luxury resort, or you want to go and check out the wildlife, you will create unforgettable memories.
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