With hospitable locals, flourishing tea fields, and idyllic beaches, Sri Lanka is a common spot on many 2019 top destination lists; and it’s no surprise why. But is Sri Lanka safe for solo female travel? The answer is yes, but of course, there are always a few things you can do to feel safer and more secure during your trip.
The rolling hills that encompass the island provide a peaceful haven in which travellers are invited to ditch their data roaming and instead find their inner zen. Here, you can experience the true essence of Sri Lanka’s rich Buddhist culture and follow the history back through ancient pilgrimages across some of the oldest cities in the world.
Considering Sri Lanka is so small in size, the amount of fun things there are to do and amazing places to explore is quite remarkable. The long list of must-do activities in Sri Lanka, and the fact that it oozes a safe, welcoming and hospitable ora, makes it an appealing destination for female solo travellers.
Although it may be safe now, Sri Lanka has had a rocky past, and still struggles with some of the issues involved with being a developing nation. It’s always good to be aware of the risks and follow some safety tips.
1. Dress conservatively
When visiting Sri Lanka, try to pack some slightly more conservative clothes for the days spent exploring the cities and leave bikinis and skimpy pieces for the days spent on the beach. Not only are the locals not used to it, but it can be seen as disrespectful to the Buddhist culture, which is the primary religion in Sri Lanka.
2. Avoid being alone at night
Although female solo travellers are free to travel wherever they want in the day, nighttime is a different matter. Don’t walk home or catch a tuk-tuk by yourself late at night; instead, travel home in a group and ask to be dropped off first. For extra precaution, you can also tell your accommodation what time you expect to be home so that they know you’re safe.
3. Keep your wits about you on public transport
Public transport in Sri Lanka is both reliable and affordable, but like most cities, peak hours see lots of passengers huddled together. This unfortunately means that touching strangers is unavoidable and sometimes can encourage those who take a liking to you to perhaps act inappropriately. If you feel uncomfortable, change your seat, or sit with local women (who also go through this). Much like the point listed above, try to also avoid taking trains or buses at night and just keep it to daytime use.
4. Drink responsibly
Although much like Thailand, Sri Lanka offers the opportunity to take part in all-night beach parties, for a female solo traveller it is important to keep your wits about you and take a pass on some of the big nights out. The last thing you want is to be in a situation where you’re in a foreign country and don’t quite understand where you are or what’s going on. So, perhaps visit the party with friends that you’ve gotten to know well, or alternatively give the drinking a miss in Sri Lanka and instead embrace a spiritual detox like no other (there’s no better place to do it!).
5. Choose accommodation right in the action
Staying near all the main attractions not only means that you’ll save heaps of money on transport but you will also avoid being in secluded places where there are not many people around you. Travelling alone can lead to putting yourself in vulnerable situations, and so being in highly populated areas will ensure there will always be people around if you need help at any time.
6. Always ask for help when needed
Never shy away from asking for help! Sri Lankans are extremely hospitable and friendly people and would be happy to help with anything you may need, particularly if you’re feeling unsafe or need directions. Not everyone will speak English, so it’s a good idea to learn a few basic phrases before your trip. There are three official languages in Sri Lanka: English, Sinhala, and Tamil; here are a few phrases to get you started.
Important phrases in Sinhala
- හෙලෝ (Helō): Hello
- මට උදව් අවශ්යයි (Mata udav avaśyayi): I need help
- ඔබට ස්තුතියි (Obata stutiyi): Thank you
- නාන කාමරය කොහෙද (Nāna kāmaraya koheda): Where’s the bathroom?
Important phrases in Tamil
- வணக்கம் (Vanakkam): Hello
- எனக்கு உதவி தேவை (Enakku utavi tēvai): I need help
- நன்றி (Nanri): Thank you
- குளியலறை எங்கே (Kuliyalarai enkē): Where’s the bathroom?
7. Be confident
There’s power in trusting your gut: if a situation doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. Of course it’s flattering to get attention on your trip to Sri Lanka, but if you find you’ve been taken somewhere away from the crowds and begin to feel uncomfortable, then simply give it a miss. Also, if you do find yourself uncomfortable, be confident in the signals you give to people and they will respect your wishes.
8. Keep your family and friends in the know
Although they may be back home, it’s a good idea to keep your family and friends aware of both where you are going and where you are staying. On the ‘Find Your Friends’ iPhone app you can keep your location switched on so that your contacts can track your location and notice if something becomes a bit odd. They can then, if needed, contact authorities or your accommodation host on your behalf.
9. Or… Travel as a group!
Although there are lots of benefits to solo trips, travelling as part of a group breeds a whole new type of experience! Perhaps you’re only visiting Sri Lanka alone because your friends are all busy, or have different places on their travel bucket lists, but this doesn’t mean you have to go solo. Groups are a great way to remain safe and try things you may not have been able to do if you were by yourself. It’s also extremely cost-effective to travel as a group, with splitting tuk-tuks for transport, sharing multiple dishes to get a real taste of Sri Lanka, and even enjoying group discounts on accommodation. Not to mention the fact that you get to share the experience with other people and make life-long friends.
Although these tips present possible risks, don’t let any of this shy you away from Sri Lanka as the people here, as a whole, are extremely genuine and welcoming. It’s much more likely that you’d be invited into a local’s home for a jackfruit curry (a popular Sri Lankan delicacy) than be pickpocketed. However, it’s good to be aware of the risks and take precautions accordingly, so that you can relax and enjoy your time in the country of warm smiles, tranquil settings, and enchanting wildlife.
