Well, you can’t accuse Sri Lanka of resting on its laurels. Already declared the ‘pearl of the Indian Ocean’, already the host of 2.1 million tourists a year, and just recently named as Lonely Planet’s top country for travel in 2019, you wouldn’t blame the country for wanting to take it easy for a while. But no, the government have announced that they’re aiming to double the number of tourists to five million by 2020 as part of its development strategy. As such, expect to see friend’s and family’s’ insta feeds alive with gorgeous photos of golden sand and tropical rainforests this year and the next.
With such increased popularity comes increased prices, but the good news is that the country can still be enjoyed on a remarkably slimline budget. With that in mind, here are 7 tips for seeing Sri Lanka on a shoestring budget.
FIRST, FIND A CHEAP FLIGHT
Sure, it goes without saying that you should always be diligent about searching for flight bargains, but it seems that flying to Sri Lanka is uniquely erratic in just how variable the price can be. If you were, for instance, to book a flight out from London to the capital Colombo last minute (in this case 9 days prior to departure) you could at the time of writing get there for just £141. Wow. The same flight in August, even though it’s considered low season, can easily come in at triple that. It’s imperative, then, to be smart about planning your trip. We’ve written more about bagging cheap flights here; check it out now, thank us later.
HOMESTAY HEAVEN
Accommodation in Sri Lanka is where things get expensive, relatively speaking and compared to other Asian countries. This is mainly down to the huge VAT tax meaning hosts and hotels have to charge a lot to turn a profit. Fortunately, homestays are plentiful and much more affordable. Sri Lankans are ridiculously warm, hospitable people meaning it’s a brilliant way to experience the life of a local, particularly in terms of food.
Sri Lankans love to eat at home, and the street food and restaurant culture isn’t quite the same beast as other Asian tourist hotspots. Finding a cheap restaurant doing really good, authentic fare isn’t always easy. A homestay is perhaps the best way you’ll eat really well and engage meaningfully with locals.
TAKE THE TRAIN IF YOU HAVE TIME
Trains are really cheap, but erratic in their scheduling. You have to weigh up, then, how much you value your time over your money. If you do decide the take the train, it’s a rewarding experience, with breathtaking views of tea plantations, mountains, jungles and beaches making it well worth the wait. The journey from Colombo to Kandy, in particular, is a stunner.
If you’re wanting to go even cheaper, then it’s wise to book your tickets in advance. One thing to note is that this is only really doable, as with buses, if you’re travelling light. Both get packed out and suitcases just aren’t the done thing.
Within the cities, tuk tuks and taxis are reasonable, but the usual rules apply about requesting your trip be metered or agreeing on a price before travel. Hailing one outside a tourist attraction will be substantially more expensive, simply walk a little way down the road and feel smug about the cheaper price.
BRAVE THE LOW SEASON
The low season here falls between May and September. The prevalence of daily monsoons rises in tandem. Though the chances of getting wet are higher, the weather is still warm and the rain doesn’t last long. Of course, you’ll find also find accommodation significantly cheaper during this time, and your chances of seeing Sri Lanka on a shoestring are significantly improved. Be warned that each region has divergences in when’s hottest, coolest and wettest, as well as a varying prolificacy for storms. Fortunately, there are a number of tour companies that can help plan your trip to Sri Lanka who can give you the lowdown on low season.
STAY PUT DURING SPECIAL DAYS
Though officially a Theravadan Buddhist country, Sri Lanka is home to three other prominent religions, with Hinduism, Islam and Christianity all significantly represented. This makes for a diverse, vibrant range of national holidays and festivals being observed, with two or three major events taking place a month. Lunar New Year, celebrated in mid-April, sees the whole island in perpetual celebration for two or three days; firecrackers, feasting and fun are the name of the game. Vesak Poya, the Buddhist Full Moon festival in May, is a huge deal in Colombo and Kandy especially, with the dazzling spectacle of lanterns and light a must see. The list goes on. What’s important to note is that during the time of any festival, travel is more expensive and even more erratic than usual. Best to stay put, and enjoy yourself instead.
TAKE COMFORT IN RICE & CURRY
We wouldn’t blame you thinking that rice and curry was the only dish on offer out and about; it’s available everywhere and comes in portions so massive it’s impossible to avoid. Welcome, but it gets a little repetitive. In terms of budget though, it’s a winner; filling, nourishing and dirt cheap. It’d be a mistake to dine on rice’n’curry alone on your trip, though, as Sri Lanka has so much other great food to offer if you make a little effort to scratch the surface. We’ve written more about it here.
GET A LOCAL SIM CARD
Local sim cards with decent 4G deals are cheap and by using one you’ll avoid huge roaming charges from your U.K provider. It’s certainly cheaper than buying coffee every time you get lost to access cafe wifi. A pre-paid, locked and loaded SIM on arrival at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International airport shouldn’t cost more than a fiver. For that, you’ll get 3 GB of data, 12 hours or more of wifi access and unlimited calling credit within the country. Mobitel and Dialog are generally considered the best networks for coverage.
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