Is Sri Lanka worth visiting? 3 reasons to go

I will be honest with you, Sri Lanka was not on my bucket list when I was little and dreamt of traveling the world. Somehow, it only caught my attention in recent years after I saw other people around me visiting this unique island. They all spoke so highly of it. So, last year I decided to buy that ticket and see it for myself. I didn't have any crazy expectations, just wanted to see what it's like. But let me tell you, Sri Lanka absolutely blew my mind. It is a place I highly recommend to anyone, including solo female travellers. But let's see why!

Sri Lanka’s incredible nature and biodiversity

Given its geographical properties, Sri Lanka has an incredible natural scene, varying from mountain to ocean views. Depending on where you feel the happiest: mountains, shores, or forests, Sri Lanka has something for everyone. I spent a great amount of time just admiring nature in Sri Lanka, watching the sun go down or sipping coffee under the trees and watching monkeys run by. Everywhere you go, it is just so green and lush, you feel calm and energised at the same time. If you are a nature kind of girl, visiting Sri Lanka will be a dream come true!

By the way, if you are interested in more underrated travel destinations, I collected some of my favourite ones worldwide, and also in Europe, make sure you check them both out!

Sri Lanka is an affordable travel destination

While flying into Sri Lanka may not be as cheap as a short-haul flight (although if you're flexible and travel off-season, you may end up with a good deal), life in Sri Lanka is very affordable. Of course, if you go to the most premium, touristy hotels, this may not be the case, but when it comes to local food, supermarkets, and less crowded places, you will mostly find budget-friendly prices. My favourite part was buying lots of fresh and local fruit for a fraction of what I would pay back home. The only thing that may be something to keep in mind is the activities, but if you have some time and flexibility, you can even bargain a little and see what's the best deal you can get.

Sri Lanka is the perfect place to slow down, recharge and disconnect

When I think of a zen retreat type of holiday, I think of Sri Lanka. No matter where you go, nature is always close by for you to reconnect with it, and there are nothing but opportunities to slow down and relax. If you are craving a holiday where you take long beach walks, read a good book, and prioritise staying present, Sri Lanka might be the place for you! Okay, I admit, traffic is not part of this picturesque idea because it is pretty wild, but once you find a cafe or boutique hotel, Sri Lanka is everything I just described. From beautiful spas to fresh and nutritious food, it has everything your soul and body may crave. My trip to Sri Lanka truly felt like a reset button on my well-being.

Where to stay in Sri Lanka

I personally stayed just outside of Galle, near Dewata Beach. This area has lost of options for surfing lessons, and also restaurants and local dining. This was I was also a short journey away from Unawatuna, and all the places I had saved on my phone, so as a base I quite liked it. Doing day trips to many famous locations was easily and affordably done from here, so I think if you are planning on spending a few weeks in Sri Lanka, Galle area is a good base. My stay specifically felt more local and authentic, as there weren't many hostels or hotels around, so I got to see the everyday life of Sri Lanka a bit better.

How to get around in Sri Lanka

This is one of my favourite things about Sir Lanka, the tuk tuks. They are easily accessible, and super affordable, so I took them for even longer trips like 30-40 minutes. You can even call them via apps like PickMe and Uber. The former is what locals recommend, but Uber worked for me just as fine. You can also flag one down on the streets, but they are likely to give you a much higher price. The only thing I would warn you about is that calling a tuk tuk in tourist hotspots might be a bit difficult, as some local drivers don't support the use of apps, and make it difficult for other drivers to pick up their passengers. This happened to me only on a couple of occasions, and the worst thing that happened was that I had to walk a few blocks to meet my driver to avoid the blockade of other drivers, so it is not a major issue. But if you have somewhere to be on time, make sure you plan ahead. Staying near Galle also meant that I could easily use the trains too, which was perfect to use to get to Colombo for example. They are also very affordable, so I would highly recommend buying the first class tickets for the safest and best experience (even that will be within the budget friendly range). Alternatively you can use taxis for longer journeys too, they are a bit more expensive of course, but still much cheaper than in the UK or US, so if you need it as a last resort, it is not likely to break the bank. I used Uber a few times which worked perfectly. Just be aware that on top of the prices, you may be asked to pay toll fees, these are small amounts, but you are expected to cover them.

When to visit Sri Lanka and for how long

If you are planning a trip specifically to the South or South-West part of Sri Lanka, the dry season is between December to March. That being said, I actually visited off-season (mid September till mid October) and I had an amazing time. Of course there were showers here and there, but generally I had great weather, no crowds at all and often whole restaurants all to myself. I, of course, stayed for longer, so I had the luxury of being able to reschedule activities, so if you are going for a shorter trip, I would go in dry season, just to be on the safe side. And when it comes to trip duration, I'd say 10 days or 2 weeks is recommended as a minimum to explore and experience this beautiful island. If you happened to have more time, even better as you can enjoy it at a more relaxed pace, with slower travel days. If you can do the latter as Sri Lanka is the perfect slow travel destination. But as always, I encourage you to do this trip your way, and don't pressure yourself with crazy busy itineraries.

Is Sri Lanka safe for a solo female traveller?

Sir Lanka is generally considered safe for solo female travellers. I can only speak for myself, but during my month long stay I felt very safe and welcomed. Most locals I have come across were incredibly friendly and wanted to make sure that I had the best experience. Especially when it came to my hosts, they always checked in on me to see if I am okay, gave me lots of tips and recommendations. I only stayed and visited touristy areas, but during my month stay, I didn't have any issues. Of course, just like anywhere else, you are advised to practise caution and be mindful of petty theft like pickpockets, avoid walking around alone at night, dress modestly to avoid unwanted attention, be mindful of your surroundings and use reputable transports. Pretty much all tourist attractions and things to do can be done in private or small tours, so these are good options to explore the island as a solo female traveller.

As you can see, Sri Lanka is beautiful. I hope I made you consider it as your next destination. For me, it was an unforgettable experience: people were extremely kind and hospitable, nature was nurturing, and I left feeling zen, re-centred, and well-rested. If you are already planning a trip, make sure you read my recommendations here.

And if you’re looking for a way to feel more grounded while travelling, don’t forget to grab my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder. It’s packed with simple tools like a printable checklist, self-care prompts, and mini rituals to help you feel more at home, wherever the journey takes you.