Sri Lanka is a beautiful country, packed with palm trees, mountains, beaches, temples, and tea plantations. Travelling alone can be daunting so this solo female traveller’s guide to Sri Lanka will explain how to travel this wonderful country alone.
First up- Is it Safe to Travel to Sri Lanka Alone?
If you ask other solo female travellers how their experience was travelling alone in Sri Lanka, I’m sure you would receive mixed opinions.
Sri Lanka is a very conservative country and unfortunately some of the local men have certain perceptions about women (especially foreign women). I feel that they have a sort of power over women and that can lead to unwanted behaviour. The local women are usually covered, so when men see the tourists coming from overseas, wearing shorts or strappy tops they may get the wrong ideas.
Although there have been reports of females being groped or assaulted, I do believe that shouldn’t stop you. I myself was groped, whilst walking along the seafront in Galle- in broad daylight. I walked past a big group of teenage boys, aged around 14. After I waked past them, one came running up to me and out of nowhere just grabbed my breast. I batted his hand away fast and yelled “get away!”. He looked pretty shocked and then just ran back to his friends. I reckon it was just a dare from his mates but still I felt angry that a child could make me feel like that.
Unfortunately that sort of thing does happen- and you need to be careful. In the backpacker town Hikkaduwa at night it can get a little dangerous after dark so always ensure you are with a group if you want to go out in the evening.
That being said, I wouldn’t make the above a reason not to go to Sri Lanka. I would go back again and just be extra careful in certain places. So here are my safety tips for solo female travellers in Sri Lanka.
Do Your Research
Make sure you read up about local customs/norms/rules/culture, etc BEFORE you travel. Knowledge is power and knowing a bit about the country you are going to will help you to understand what to expect once you arrive. Read about each off the areas you want to visit, make sure you now how to get there and which transport options are available.
Research the local religion, what do the local women usually wear? What is considered offensive? Are there certain areas to be avoided? Knowing these things before you travel will allow you to feel in control and ready.
Ask Other Solo Female Travellers For Advice
By asking women who have already travelled alone to Sri Lanka you can get very real, honest and recent advice. Facebook groups such as GirlsLoveTravel are a great way to get helpful advice from girls who have recently travelled there. You can find out about their experiences, if they would have done anything different, the best places to stay and the best way to get around. The women are super friendly and helpful and no doubt your question will get answered in no time.
Stay in a Hostel
By staying in a hostel, you will be sure to find other travellers in the same boat as you. By making friends with other travellers you can feel much more comfortable heading to certain places, knowing you’re not alone. Particularly if you want to go to the bars or night clubs- this should definitely not be done alone, so making friends in the hostel is a great way to still be able to enjoy the nightlife. The bigger the group the better, and having some males in the group would also be an advantage (as much as that annoys me to say, but unfortunately at the moment its true).
Do Not Go Out Alone After Dark
This is a very important female safety tip for Sri Lanka. After dark the crime rates go up and for men in Sri Lanka, seeing a woman walking around by herself in the dark is not a normal thing. They may get the wrong idea and you could get yourself in trouble. It’s always best to book a taxi if travelling at night too and make sure you’re with a group.
Book A Day Tour
Booking yourself on a day tour is a great idea. Not only do have far less safety concerns but you also have company. Sometimes when travelling alone its nice to be able to book a tour to be able to share the experience with other people, and maybe make some friends in the process. Usually tour companies will pick you up from your accommodation and drop you off- meaning you don’t have to worry about travelling around alone.
Do Not Be Afraid to Use Public Transport
Although I wouldn’t advise to use the public transport in Sri Lanka after dark, it’s perfectly fine in the day. I caught a local bus to the beach and back by myself and had no problems. The buses can get busy and the seats are really small but if you manage to get yourself a seat by the window, the experience can be quite enjoyable.
I just loved sitting by the open window of the bus, the warm breeze blowing through my hair and driving along right by the sea. The train from Ella to Kandy is also super popular with travellers, giving you stunning mountain and forest views.
Dress Appropriately
If you’re not on the beach, make sure to cover your shoulders and knees at least. This is especially true if visiting temples. Not only does it show respect, it can also be a great way to stay safer. Walking around alone in skimpy clothing is a big no no in Sri Lanka.
Don’t Make Yourself A Target
Try to only take out what you need and keep your valuables that you don’t need back at your accommodation. It’s fine to get your camera out to take pictures but I wouldn’t be walking around with it over my neck and on show. Using a small, inconspicuous bag that can wrap over your shoulders is a good idea- don’t make it look like you have valuables on your person.
Show Your Confidence
Even if you don’t feel it- fake it! Make sure you look confident, walk tall, sound firm and sure of yourself and act as though you know exactly where you are going (even if you don’t). Men in Sri Lanka will stare at you and this can be uncomfortable but try not to let if affect you or show it on your face. By looking intimidated or walking around looking lost you are making yourself appear vulnerable and perhaps a bigger target.
Be Vigilant but Still Chat With The Locals
Sri Lankan people are very friendly and do not mind stopping for a chat and getting to know a little about where you are from. Although its great to be vigilant and a little on the cautious side, that can sometimes stop you from experiencing the local side.
Talking with locals is great fun and you can learn a lot about the country, places to go, their own family or the best things to eat. Just make sure you are in a busy place like in a market and do not go wander off with them to somewhere secluded and unknown.
Keep your eye out when walking out alone and if something doesn’t feel right then call a taxi or head to a busy place. But mostly the locals will be very friendly and helpful.
Book Accommodation in A Central Location
When you book your accommodation, be sure to find somewhere that’s close to town and in a reasonably busy place. Booking a small hostel somewhere off the beaten track with no amenities near by, means you may have to walk down quiet roads to get anywhere. By booking a place in a central location you can easily walk to local shops or attractions. Plus, there will more likely be other people there to connect with.
Don’t Say You Are Alone
If a local guy starts talking with you when you are out, its best to say you are just about to meet someone (a boyfriend or group of friends). Don’t let on that you are travelling alone as this could make you seem more vulnerable to them. If asked for your personal details- don’t give anything away as this could lead them to think that you are being more than just friendly.
Get Advice From Your Accommodation
When I arrive at my hostel I always head to reception and ask the people that work there about the best places to go. They can tell you which areas to avoid and various safety tips for the local areas. They can also tell you where the best restaurants, attractions and amenities are, as well as the best taxi companies to look for.
Save Emergency Numbers in Your Phone
By learning and saving the countries emergency numbers, you have them quick on hand if you run into a problem. Hopefully nothing happens that you need to use them but at least you know they are there and don’t have to worry if you find yourself in a situation where you need to use them.
The emergency numbers for Sri Lanka are (always double check these before your trip):
119 – Police Emergency Service
110 – Ambulance
111 – Fire and Rescue
* Getting a local SIM is a great idea too!
I hope you enjoyed my Safety Tips for Solo Female Traveller’s in Sri Lanka. It really is a stunning country that should be explored. By being prepared us women can make our trip much more enjoyable and take the stress out of worrying so much.
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1 Comment
A lot of these are very useful, but I would not recommend using public transport, especially if crowded . I was groped continuously for about half an hour on a crowded train. I ended up crossing my arms over my boobs to stop them from being attacked by perverts Another thing is to avoid drinking the tap water – a guy we met had to take off a week when he came down with cramps and vomiting