Solo travel in Sri Lanka is a safe and exciting way to experience the very best of this wonderful island nation. This guide shares all you need to know about traveling to Sri Lanka solo, especially as a woman!
Sri Lanka may be small, but it’s a gorgeous country that offers many incredible things to do. From the countless beautiful beaches, breathtaking mountain vistas, and rolling tea fields, there’s something for everyone to see and explore. Not to mention the nation’s varied and unique history that dates back thousands of years.
When I was planning my trip, I couldn’t find anyone free or willing to go with me. So I decided to go backpacking Sri Lanka alone, and I’m glad I did. There’s no reason anyone should miss out on their dream trip just because they’re a person traveling alone. Here’s all you need to know about solo female travel in Sri Lanka so you can have the best time, even on your own!
↠ Read More: 25 Travel Tips for Sri Lanka
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Is Sri Lanka Safe for Solo Female Travel?
Overall, I’d say that Sri Lanka is safe for solo female travelers. I spent two weeks traveling alone, and personally never had any issues. Local Sri Lankans I met were quite friendly and willing to help, and I found it was also pretty easy meeting new friends at my hostels – one of my favorite benefits of solo travel!
I will say, that as with many countries around the world, sexual harassment aimed at women does happen in Sri Lanka, and there have unfortunately been some major headlines about sexual harassment issues in the country. I don’t share this to scare anyone, on the contrary I think women should feel empowered to travel to Sri Lanka and anywhere in the world.
However, it’s always important to be in the know, stay vigilant and trust your gut when something doesn’t feel right. Don’t be afraid to speak up either. And if you can, try to make friends at your hotel or hostel if you’re feeling uncomfortable.
↠ Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Solo Female Travel in Asia
10 Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka for Solo Travelers
Overall, anywhere in the country is great for solo travel in Sri Lanka. But for my fellow ladies curious specifically about Sri lanka solo female travel, here are what I feel are the top ten best places to visit!
1. Colombo
You’re most likely flying in and out of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s largest city. Colombo is a crowded place that can feel overwhelming, and it’s not often considered an exciting place to visit in Sri Lanka, especially compared to all of these fantastic destinations.
But if you have interest or are looking for a way to kill time before your flight, there’s fun to be had in the city. The best things to do in Colombo include visiting the National Museum, learning more about the history of the city’s colonial architecture, visiting local temples and getting lost in the city streets.
The Marino Beach Hotel in Columbo has a pretty dope rooftop pool that may tickle your fancy!
2. Sigiriya and/or Dambulla
Sigiriya is a beautiful destination in the northern Matale District of the country, home to the historic Lion Rock Fortress. It’s a stop on the Cultural Triangle, a classic Sri Lanka backpacking route that highlights top Sri Lanka attractions.
Although the ancient fortress is one of the major attractions in the area, the nearby ancient cities of Pidderangala and Annueara, the Pidurangala Rock hike, and nearby Minneriya National Park are other top attractions. The city of Dambulla is also a short bus ride away, where you can find the famous Dambulla Cave Temples. Some people prefer to stay in Dambulla, others in the smaller Sigiriya.
For a great place to stay in Sigiriya, check out the Otunna Guest House.
↠ Read More: The Best Things to do in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
3. Kandy
Kandy is the second-largest city in Sri Lanka and is located in the center of the country, about three hours northwest from Colombo. It’s an integral stop on many Sri Lanka itineraries because of its central location between major destinations like Sigiriya and Ella. And of course, because it offers some of the best things to do in Sri Lanka!
While Kandy is best known as a city brimming with colonial architecture, bustling crowds, and the famous Temple of the Tooth, it doesn’t only offer city experiences. Travelers can also venture off to explore the surrounding rainforests, nearby tea fields, and striking mountains. Just be sure to avoid riding elephants or partaking in animal tourism!
For an absolutely incredible stay (think infinity pool and stunning nature), consider splurging for the Aarunya Nature Resort. For a more budget friendly stay in the heart of the city, check out the Sevana City Hotel.
↠ Read More: A Complete Guide to Visiting Kandy, Sri Lanka
4. Ella
Ella is a lush, little town in the south central part of the country, often regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Sri Lanka. It’s best known for rolling green tea fields, fantastic viewpoints, and the famous Sri Lanka train ride.
You’ll also find a cozy backpacker scene in the small center area of Ella, with a growing number of fantastic restaurants and hostels, making it easy to meet fellow travelers.
For a classic hostel experience, I stayed in Hangover Hostel Ella and can recommend it. For those with a bit more budget, Country Homes Ella is a beautiful hotel with a fantastic view and reasonable prices.
↠ Read More: Best Places to Visit in Ella, Sri Lanka
5. Udawalawe or Yala National Park
The national parks in Sri Lanka are home to a diverse range of wildlife and many visitors opt to go on a safari during their visit. Depending on where you go, you can spot Asian elephants, leopards, peacocks, water buffalo, bears, and more! Stop by Yala National Park, the largest in the country, for leopards and a greater variety of wildlife or check out Udawalawe for some of the best elephant sightings on the island. Kaudulla National Park is another popular choice.
I chose to go on the Udawalawe safari because its location fit my itinerary better and because it’s known predominantly for its large elephant population, my favorite animal!
I stayed at the Eliyanth Udawalawe Hotel which was conveniently located right by the park entrance and the bus to Mirissa.
6. Arugam Bay
A popular surfing destination, Arugam Bay is a great place to beach, learn to surf, and kick back and relax. It’s located on the eastern side of Sri Lanka’s southern shores, and has a different monsoon season than the rest of the southern coast. Travelers visit Arugam Bay mostly for it’s chill vibes and beach scene as there aren’t many “exciting” attractions in the area besides the ocean and the Kumana National Park where waterfowl nest.
The Long Hostel is a popular place to stay for backpackers in Sri Lanka!
7. Mirissa + Weligama
Mirissa is a lovely beach town situated in the south of Sri Lanka about an hour drive from Galle. People come to enjoy the beautiful soft sand beaches, favorable whale watching, delicious food, whale watching, scuba and snorkel, chill vibes during the day, and social vibes at night. To meet others, the Morning Star is a great hostel pick.
If you have the time or want to try surfing in Sri Lanka, head over to the super cool surf town Weligama. It’s just a 15 minute drive from Mirissa, and I was able to take a bus super easily between the two.
The Layback Boutique Hostel is by far one of the best hostels in Sri Lanka and the place to stay if you spend the night in Weligama.
↠ Read More: The Best Things to Do in Mirissa
8. Tangalle
Perfect for beach goers, Tangalle has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. It attracts many travelers interested in experiencing a less touristy part of Sri Lanka’s southern coast. During your stay, try to book a local guest house or villa for the best experience. Popular things to do in Tangalle include surfing, visiting the Mulkirigala Rock Monastery, and birdwatching at the Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary.
Check out the Ananyana Beach Resort for an affordable and upscale stay.
9. Galle
You only really need a day to see Galle, and I actually visited it as a day trip from Unawatuna. The best things to do in Galle include strolling the Galle Market and snapping a pic in front of the Insta famous blue storefront and of course touring the Galle Fort, a remnant of Dutch colonialism.
I also recommend grabbing lunch at the Lucky Fort Restaurant for an absolutely amazing Sri Lankan meal and a homey restaurant! Getting there via bus was super easy and convenient, dropping off by the Galle Market.
For a place to stay in Galle, consider the Mango House near the fort.
10. Unawatuna
Unawantuna is another popular beach destination just south of Galle. It’s best known attractions include the lush Jungle Beach, the Japanese Peace Pagoda memorial, and indulging in all the numerous beachfront bars and restaurants.
The Good Vibes Villas are perfect for flashbackers or solo travelers who want a high end yet affordable stay.
↠ Read More: Essential Guide to Backpacking Sri Lanka
11 Wonderful Things to Do in Sri Lanka for Solo Female Travelers
Now that we’ve covered the best places to visit, here are the most unique things to do in Sri Lanka for solo female travelers.
1. Learn how to surf at Aruguam Bay or Weligama
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to surf, the waves in both Weligama and Aruguam Bay are perfect for beginners. They’re relatively calm, consistent, and in beautiful places with plenty of surf teachers looking for students. I chose Weligama, and met so many fellow backpackers learning to surf while I was there – it was so much fun!
2. Relax on the beach along Sri Lanka’s southern shores
The south of Sri Lanka is famous for sunny beaches and a vibrant backpackers scene. Some of the best beaches for solo female travelers in Sri Lanka include Mirissa, Unawaruna, and Tangalle to name a few! These beaches are also very social making it easy to meet people and have a good time.
3. Visit one of Sri Lanka’s ancient, sacred cities
For a bit of a history lesson into Sri Lanka’s past, make time to visit one of the country’s beautiful ancient cities. Two of the most popular are Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and situated in central Sri Lanka. They are easy day trips to take from Sigiriya, and most travelers rent a bike to cover more ground and see the ancient ruins.
4. Temple hop and see the iconic Temple of the Tooth
The majority of people in Sri Lanka practice Buddhism, which means there are many historic and culturally unique temples to see during your visit. The most famous being, the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. It’s here that the relic of the tooth of Buddha can be sometimes seen on display.
5. Take a Sri Lanka cooking class
One of the most unique things to do in Sri Lanka is learn how to cook the local cuisine! Sri Lanka food is well known for being absolutely delicious (it definitely is!!), and for its various spices and fresh ingredients. At prominent Sri Lanka cooking classes like Matey Hut and the Spice Garden, you can learn to cook it for yourself, and eat it afterwards too! Be sure to book well in advance because spots fill up quickly.
6. Eat traditional Sri Lankan dishes
Now that we’ve touched on food, let’s get into the details! No trip to Sri Lanka is complete without sampling all the best dishes. Here are a few of the best things to eat in Sri Lanka:
- Various rice and curries: go for jackfruit for a truly unique dish!
- Hoppers: thin, crispy pancakes often with an egg in the middle, served with coconut sambol or chili.
- Kottu: chopped roti bread, veggies, and spices/cheese stir fried.
- String hoppers: a breakfast staple made of rice flour served with coconut sambol, dahl curry, and/or other sides.
- Vegetable roti: Sri Lanka’s take on samosas, that are filled with veggies but not deep fried
7. Go hiking on one or all of Sri Lanka’s popular trails
Hiking is another must do thing when visiting Sri Lanka! Some of the best hiking trails and treks include hiking to the top of Diyaluma Falls, Adams Peak, Little Adams Peak, and Ella Rock, to name a few. The hikes in Sri Lanka take you through unique landscapes and have a variety of difficulty levels.
8. Explore Sri Lanka’s many colonial landmarks like Galle Fort
Sri Lanka was once colonized by European forces like the Dutch and the British, which actually only ended as recently as the 1940s. These colonizing countries left behind various architectural influences and landmarks and offer another glimpse into Sri Lanka’s history. Galle Fort is one of the most famous landmarks in southern Sri Lanka, and is worth a day to see.
9. Tour a tea plantation and learn how tea is grown and harvested
South central Sri Lanka is a lush region with sprawling green tea fields that are just incredible to see in person. Visiting a Sri Lanka tea plantation was one of my favorite excursions, and I got to sample fresh tea and tour the factory too!
Some of the best tea plantation tours in Sri Lanka are: Hanthana Tea Estate Factory (Kandy), Dambatenne Tea Factory (Haptule), and the Pedro Tea Estate (Nuwara Eliya). The tea harvest has different stages throughout the year, so your tour may be different depending on when you visit.
10. Ride the scenic 7-hour train ride from Kandy to Ella
Possibly one of the most iconic attractions in Sri Lanka is the long scenic train ride between Kandy and Ella. This route travels through the verdant green tea country and offers a unique perspective of the country. Opt for second class to sit I. Carriages with open doors and windows! Be sure to book in advance and prepare to fight for a seat, as they’re first come first serve.
11. Go on a safari in one of the country’s national parks
As mentioned above, Yala and Udawalawe are two of Sri Lanka’s most popularly visited parks to catch sight of exciting wildlife. Sri Lanka is home to elephants, leopards, peacocks, and many more.
You can book your safari once you arrive in country, but its also possible to book in advance if you prefer to take care of booking in advance. Check out these private safari tours for Udawalawe and Yala.
5 Sri Lanka Travel Tips for Solo Female Travel
I found solo travel in Sri Lanka to be a breeze, but it’s always a good idea to prepare with the important need to know travel tips! Here are a few travel tips for solo female travel in Sri Lanka that are honestly helpful for anyone planning solo travel to Sri Lanka.
1. Brush up on Sri Lanka’s temple etiquette and cultural manners.
Sri Lanka is a conservative country with more traditional values. That means you may get a lot of stares for looking and dressing differently. If you’re feeling uncomfortable by the stares, I recommend carrying a scarf or sarong with you to cover your knees or shoulders when needed.
This is also helpful for when you temple hop, as you’ll need to be covered to go into the holy grounds. The weather is pretty hot though, and you’re undoubtedly going to want to wear shorts and a tank top. The beach is also fair game and you don’t need to worry about what you wear.
2. Know how to meet people in Sri Lanka
Just because you’re traveling solo in Sri Lanka, doesn’t mean you have to be alone! One of the best things about traveling solo is meeting other people from all over the world. When I was in Sri Lanka, I made friends with two backpackers and we ended up spending three days together having a blast!
So how do you meet people if you’re traveling to Sri Lanka alone?
Staying in a dorm in a hostel, joining an organized tour (hello, Sri Lanka cooking class!) and connecting with others in Facebook groups are all great ways to meet other travelers. Even just approaching backpackers at restaurants, cafes, or on the street is a great way to make friends.
3. Act confident, don’t tell people you’re alone, and speak up
In terms of safety, always trust your gut and don’t be afraid to change plans, speak up, or cause a scene if something doesn’t feel right or if you’re in trouble. You do you, girl!
4. Rent a scooter
Renting a scooter in Sri Lanka is such a fun, freeing, and convenient way to get around the country. It’s also usually pretty affordable, with the daily rent running not more than $10/day including the cost of gas.
**Only rent a scooter if you’re comfortable driving one, with a legal license, and with proper travel insurance! Not all travel insurance policies cover all scooters, and not all standard driving licenses legally cover mopeds. Oh, and please wear a helmet!!
5. Don’t shy away from public transportation
As a budget backpacker, I’m all about public transportation. It’s super cheap and offers a uniquely local experience. And as a solo traveler, I actually feel a little safer on public transport, surrounded by many people versus a single woman in a private car with one other person. Maybe it’s just me. You may want to avoid the night trains and buses though, as most local solo women do.
Costs depend on the route and distance, but it’s usually only a few cents to a dollar for a local bus ride. You get on the bus and then a ticket person will walk around collecting fare once the bus starts moving. Train tickets need to be purchased before getting on the train.
Hello, this is a really helpful blog. I have just 5 days in Sri Lanka following a conference in Colombo. I was thinking train to Kandy, train to Ella, then back for a flight from Colombo. Do you know the best way to get from Ella to Colombo?
You have a few options! There is a train that travels between Ella and Colombo Fort station four times daily (about 9 hours) or you can take the bus or hire a private driver (about 5 hours). You can check the train schedule on the official Sri Lanka Railways website. A private driver will likely cost about $55-$100 depending on how and where you book.