There is still no online sales system. Tickets are sold in advance at train stations where you can buy reserved seats in first, second and third class, which we highly recommend, especially during high season.
You can also travel around the country by bus. Tickets are super cheap! The only problem is the heat during the intense summer days, as most buses do not have the comfort of air conditioning.
Inside the cities, a good option to get around are the tuk-tuks. But negotiate the value VERY WELL before the ride starts, as the first price they ask is usually 4x fair value.
Uber works super well in cities like Colombo and Negombo.
Prices:
There are countries where some traders have two price lists, one for locals and one for tourists. This happens in restaurants and small markets, but especially on buses and trains.
In Shri Lanka, the amounts charged to tourists and locals are the same, including buses and trains. The only exception is tuk-tuks. But what I thought was the coolest thing is that, just like in India, some products come with pre-fixed prices on the packaging. Always check before paying.
Water:
In some Sri Lankan cities we even drink tap water. But we do not recommend.
A 1.5 liter bottle costs on average LKR 70.00, which is equivalent to USD 0.40. But waste generation in this case is a problem
Taken to Shri Lanka:
The standard plug used in Shri Lanka is the D type, the 3-pin model that resembles the one in South Africa. But don’t be alarmed! In most of the houses and hotels where we stayed we found this type of photo below:
Beer price in Shri Lanka:
Since Nepal we were finding not very friendly prices for the elixir of the gods. But here in Shri Lanka we were very happy!
The most famous local beer is Lion. In restaurants a 600 ml bottle costs on average LKR 500.00 which is equivalent to USD 3. But the good news is that in liquor stores (stores suitable for selling alcoholic beverages) they are sold for LKR 160.00, which is equivalent to USD 0.90. In all cities we can buy cheaper beer in these stores. Travel to City in USA
Best Time to Visit Shri Lanka:
In general, the best time to visit Shri Lanka is between December and May, as this is the dry season in the western and southern coastal areas. However, December, especially the Christmas and New Year period, is the peak season, and that means higher prices all around. The low season is from June to August when the monsoons arrive.
Therefore, April and May are the best months to travel across the country. But consider that the climate in the world is changing. Theoretically in October it would no longer be raining in the northern part of Sri Lanka, but in 2018 it rained a lot, so we don’t know this part of the country. That is, even taking into account the seasons and the monsoon period when planning your trip, you will still need to count on a little luck to get only beautiful and sunny days.
How much does it cost to travel to Shri Lanka:
The country is cheap, especially if you’re there in low season. What we found a little pricey were some tourist attractions. For example, to go up Lion Rock the ticket price is USD 30.00. For Visa Consultation Click here
Our average spending in Sri Lanka was USD 15 per day per person. In this value we include all expenses with accommodation, food, travel, tourist attractions and beers. Excluding only the air ticket to get there. We went to Sri Lanka on an Indian airline IndiGo flight. We paid USD 113 per person.
Safety:
Sri Lanka is a safe country to visit. We felt very comfortable in all the cities we visited.
Remember Travel Insurance!
Travel Insurance is essential on a trip to Sri Lanka. Especially since the Insurance guarantees you a worry-free trip, as it covers you even if your bag is lost. A super hand on the wheel!
And it’s not expensive, folks! It has insurance for derisory values, less than $ 180.00 for a 10-day trip.