5 things not to do when travelling to Sri Lanka

Out of the many tourist destinations in the world, Sri Lanka is one of the best South Asian countries to have on your travel wish list. The tropical climate, beautiful beaches and incredible food of Sri Lanka are just some of the many reasons to travel to this beautiful country. However, people usually talk about what you should do when travelling to Sri Lank, but they often forget to inform what you should not do, which I believe is much more important than the former. 

Here are few the top five warnings which you should be mindful of when travelling to Sri Lanka, a tropical island in the Indian Ocean. 

1. Do not commute by Cabs/ 3 Wheelers all the time 

Use public transportation whenever possible. Avoid taking taxis all the time as they will always overcharge you, since taxi drivers can identify a tourist in a blink of an eye. But on the other hand, do not waste time travelling by foot or by public transport all the time. Traveling smart is essential, but not at the cost of losing out on good experiences and arriving at the destination tired and frustrated. 

2. Do not dress immodestly and disrespectfully when travelling to religious places

 

Be respectful of all religious objects and buildings by behaving and dressing modestly. Taking photos of your friend kissing Buddha, or with your back to him are perceived as insults to Buddhism and are taken are taken seriously.

3. Do not exchange your currency at the airport 

The currency exchange centres at the 2 International Airports [Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) or Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA)] will give you the worst exchange rates. It’s always better to use an ATM card, or a credit card, or the currency exchange shops in the open market. 

4. Do not expect every Hotel to have a Bed

Don’t expect to find beds in all ‘hotels’. Confusingly for tourists, many small Sri Lankan restaurants are called ‘hotels’, a tradition which dates back to the time when the best place to get something decent to eat was in an actual hotel. So Don’t try to check into a hotel with no beds.

5. Do not take shaking of Head as 'No'

Don’t assume that a Sri Lankan person is saying ‘no’ when they are shaking their head from side to side. The Sri Lankan head waggle actually means ‘yes’ or ‘okay’.

Similar to many other countries in Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka is a conservative country that prides itself on its traditional values. To make your stay on this beautiful island safe, memorable, and trouble-free, take note of the above ‘’Not to dos’’ to avoid confusions and confrontations.