Solo female travel in Sri Lanka: The ULTIMATE (& honest) guide!

Before I visited Sri Lanka, I found myself Googling ‘is Sri Lanka safe for solo female travellers?’ and honestly was a little terrified by the responses. After two solo visits, I wanted to give you an up to date (as of 2024) guide on solo female travel in Sri Lanka.

Is Sri Lanka safe for solo female travellers?

While solo female travel in Sri Lanka might not be as easy and relaxed as solo female travel in Switzerland for example, it can still be safe.

I think scaremongering and clickbait headlines have a lot to answer for, but at the same time I also think that being aware of potential safety concerns and risks can let us prepare in advance so we know what to expect.

Here’s what you need to know about the risks of travelling Sri Lanka solo.

But first, an important note…

I always start my solo female travel guides with two disclaimers.

The first one is that there is a difference between being in danger and being uncomfortable.

If you asked me if I’ve ever felt uncomfortable travelling solo in Marrakech, New York, India, or even Amsterdam, the answer is a resounding yes. From cultural differences to drunken behaviour to just generally being alone in an unknown destination, travelling by yourself is often going to push you outside of your comfort zone.

But, if you can help it, try not to get the feeling of discomfort mixed up with your brain thinking you’re in genuine danger.

Those fight-or-flight responses are on high alert when we’re in a different environment to what we’re used to, and it’s easy to jump to a conclusion of ‘DANGER’ when most behaviours we’re perceiving, like staring, chatting or even unwanted flirting, actually have no malicious intent.

But at the same time, always trust your gut.

HOWEVER, if you’re feeling icky about a situation, get out ASAP and reassess the danger vs. discomfort dilemma later. Your safety is paramount, and it’s always better to overreact than underreact.

Being able to tell the difference between being uncomfortable and being in danger is something that comes with solo travel experience, each time you visit somewhere new you’ll continue fine-tuning your safety/comfort radar, and in no time you’ll be a solo travel pro.

Unwanted attention

The biggest concern for solo female travel in Sri Lanka is probably unwanted attention.

Staring is very normal in Sri Lanka, and if you look different to the locals you’ll probably experience men, women and kids looking at you intently when you’re eating at a restaurant, catching the train or walking around the city.

It’s not considered rude here like it is in most Western countries, and while it’s super uncomfortable when you’re on the receiving end, it’s generally nothing more than a cultural difference.

Beyond staring, you might find some locals trying to chat to you, ask you where you’re from, etc. Friendly conversations with strangers are one of my favourite things about travel, and I definitely name-dropped some Kiwi cricketers I know personally to my various tuktuk drivers and waiters!

If you feel like friendly conversation is escalating to more than you feel comfortable with, remove yourself from the situation physically if you can, or fake a phone call, put on your headphones, wear sunglasses, anything to break that connection with that person until you can get to safety.

In my experience, the men in Sri Lanka were less persistent and more polite than what I witnessed in Marrakech, so if you’ve been to Morocco that will maybe give you something to compare it to.

Petty crime

Petty crime is less common in Sri Lanka than in many Western countries, but even though it’s not a major concern, it’s always a risk in big cities and in crowded destinations.

Sri Lanka has had major economic struggles in recent years, so your fancy camera or new iPhone could mean a world of difference to a struggling family, which does make obvious tourists a target. Keep your belongings secure, as you would in any busy place.

Political instability

Sri Lanka has had its fair share of political issues in recent decades. with a brutal 26-year civil war only ending in 2009, a devastating terrorist attack in 2019, and an economic crisis in 2021-2022 that caused energy shortages and massive inflation, and resulted in huge (but mostly peaceful) protests.

These events have contributed to Sri Lanka’s reputation on the world stage, especially for older generations, hence why your grandparents might think you’re mad for wanting to come here alone 🙃

Most governments (NZ, AU and UK included) have light to moderate travel alerts in place for Sri Lanka, mentioning the economic crisis, civil unrest, and terrorism.

At the time of writing (June 2024) the economic situation is stable, there are no current concerns about fuel shortages. Tourism is vital for them to rebuild their economy, so if you do visit, know that you are making a positive impact.

The political situation is also currently stable as of June 2024, however there is an election coming up in September/October 2024. Visiting anywhere during an election means you need to take some additional precautions, so my general advice here is to avoid government buildings around the election date if you can, stay aware of the daily situation so you know what to expect, and keep away from protests and demonstrations.

In terms of terrorism, there hasn’t been a terrorist incident since the horrendous Easter Sunday bombings in 2019.

Scams

Sri Lanka isn’t a particularly scammy destination, just be aware of the usual scams like inflated tuktuk prices, fake guides at landmarks, etc.

Health concerns

Food and water hygiene in Sri Lanka is no more of a concern for a solo female traveller than if you were travelling with a companion, but being sick is extra horrible when you don’t have someone to run to the pharmacy for you!

Tap water is not drinkable in most places in Sri Lanka, so you’ll want to drink and brush your teeth with bottled or filtered water.

Food hygiene might not be up to the standard of Western regulations, and sheltered bellies are extra sensitive when we’re eating new and different things, so digestive upset can happen.

Take the usual food precautions (eat freshly prepared hot food, avoid salads etc.) and if you do get hit, stay hydrated, top up your electrolytes, and have Imodium with you for unavoidable travel at inconvenient times.

Water safety

If you’re spending time on Sri Lanka’s stunning coast, keep safe when you’re swimming, snorkelling or surfing.

The beautiful beaches can be quite exposed, and rips and currents are often hard to see from shore.

Tell your hotel that you’re heading to the beach and when you expect to be back, take note of any warnings of swimming conditions, and ideally make friends with fellow travellers when you’re in the water so someone can keep an eye out for you.

Dogs & monkeys

Sri Lanka is full of wild dogs that roam the streets, but the good news is that these are the chillest wild dogs I’ve ever encountered on my travels, They’re clearly on island time!

They will probably come say hello hoping for some food, but in my experience they seemed to move on pretty quickly if you ignored them, and many of them weren’t phased by people at all.

I didn’t witness a single incidence of aggression from any street dogs, but rabies does exist in Sri Lanka, so it’s best to keep your distance from the dogs unless you know they’ve been vaccinated.

There’s an incredible dog sanctuary and clinic that you can visit near Mirissa called Dog Care Clinic, if you want to get your fix of doggos and donate to a worthy cause at the same time.

Monkeys though 🙃 I loooove them so much, but they can be very aggressive if they think you have food. Avoid taking food in your bag when you’re walking through areas with monkeys, never feed them, and don’t get too close when you take photos unless you’re willing to part with your phone.

Solo female travel in Sri Lanka: How to get around

Sri Lanka public transport as a solo female traveller

At the risk of fear-mongering, I do have to say that almost all negative stories I’ve heard about solo female travel in Sri Lanka have happened on public transport.

Pickpocketing and luggage theft is a risk in any crowded place, and busy buses and train carriages offer a prime opportunity. Keep your bags with you, and if you’ve got too much luggage for that, consider private transport instead.

Staring and chatting are both common throughout Sri Lanka as I mentioned, but being stuck on a mode of transport means these are very hard to get away from which can make them that much more uncomfortable. If you feel concerned at the thought of this, perhaps avoid long bus or train journeys solo.

There are multiple mentions online about worse behaviour on public transport too, including indecent exposure and physical harassment. From what I can see most of these mentions are from 5+ years ago, that’s not to say it doesn’t ever happen now, but I do think Sri Lanka’s general treatment of foreign women has probably improved with the growing importance of the tourism industry.

If you are an experienced and confident solo traveller, or if you’ve used public transport in places like India, Morocco or Egypt, then I’m sure you will be fine.

If you are quite new to solo adventuring and haven’t taken a bus or train outside of the Western world, then just be aware that Sri Lanka’s public transport might be a shock to your system. And if you’re not comfortable with that, opt for private transfers or organised tours instead.

Private drivers in Sri Lanka

Private drivers are more affordable than you’d find in most countries, the quotes I got in 2024 ranged from $60-100USD per day depending on how nice of a car you want.

If you’re travelling with friends and aren’t pinching pennies then it’s kind of a no-brainer, but for a solo traveller this is still a decent amount per day for transport on top of accommodation, food and activities.

If you do decide to book a private driver for your solo trip to Sri Lanka, I’d recommend choosing one that you have had a personal recommendation for, preferably from another solo female traveller. Online reviews are important too but generally those reviews are for the whole company, you won’t know what driver you’re getting until you get there.

I can personally vouch for Shan Udagama, I found him through another friend’s recommendation for my first solo trip to Sri Lanka last year. Great communication, available 24/7, his Prius was comfortable enough for long journeys and had decent air con, and he was helpful and friendly. You can get in touch with him on WhatsApp, his details are in his Instagram bio here.

Group tours for Sri Lanka solo female travellers

If public transport seems daunting, and if a private driver is out of your budget, my top recommendation for solo travellers heading to Sri Lanka would be to jump on an organised tour. This is what I did on my second Sri Lanka solo trip, and I had the time of my life.

The main benefits of booking a group tour are:

• All the logistics are taken care of
• You can meet fellow travellers and make new friends
• You’ll have an expert guide to show you around
• A good tour will cover major must-dos as well as give you some downtime
• One price covers most of your travel costs, so you have a better idea of how much the total trip will cost you
• You can feel safe and comfortable as a solo traveller, and your guide will be available 24/7 if you need help
• You generally cover a lot of ground in a short time period

But as with any decision, there are also cons. The not-so-great things about group tours are:

• They’re usually quite fast-paced and can be a whirlwind
• You’ll be around your tour-mates for hours each day and days on end, which is great if you like them, but not so great if you don’t 😂
• Some tours (particularly big bus tours) can feel very inauthentic and and sightsee-y (that’s a word now), rather than giving you a true cultural experience. But that really depends on what tour you choose, which brings me to…

My top Sri Lanka tour recommendation: One Life Adventures

I actually had the One Life Adventures Sri Lanka tour booked for March 2020, they had just won TourRadar’s ‘Best Tour in Sri Lanka’ award for 2019 (and the company won ‘Tour of the Year’ for their Japan tour!). A little something 🦠 obviously got in the way and it was cancelled.

For my 2023 Sri Lanka solo trip I didn’t have enough time for the tour, but in May 2024 I had two weeks to explore and it perfectly aligned with a One Life Adventures Sri Lanka departure. Ideal!

You can read my full One Life Adventures Sri Lanka tour review to get a play-by-play of what the tour’s like and who it’s good for, but here’s a quick intro to One Life:

• They run small group adventures for 18-45s
• They’re best known for their Sri Lanka, Japan and Philippines tours but they also operate in Morocco, Bali, South Korea and Vietnam, and all their tours are top-rated on TourRadar
• They’re all about transformational travel, combining bucket list ticks with authentic travel experiences that take your trip to the next level
• The tour is kind of flashpacker-style, simple but comfortable accommodation with some epic stays (like jungle glamping in Sri Lanka!)
• They combine nature, culture and adventure with a big focus on responsible tourism as well, which I love!
• They include a bunch of activities, like the Ella train, a safari, all the temples and some incredible hikes, whereas many youth-focused or budget-friendly tours have these as ‘optional extras’ that you have to budget for separately
• They’re perfect for solo travellers, there’s no single supplement if you’re happy to share with another solo rider. 70% of our tour were solo travellers!

P.S. One Life have given me a cheeky discount code to share with you, you can get 15% off any of their tours (Sri Lanka or any other destination) with the promocode FINDINGALEXX. See all the tours here >>

Sri Lanka solo female travel safety tips

To help you see the best of Sri Lanka while minimising any chances of hiccups, here are some helpful tips for planning your trip.

All the usual solo safety precautions

As solo travel girls we often have to take additional precautions vs. our male counterparts or if we were travelling with friends or a partner, regardless of the destination. Take all these usual precautions in Sri Lanka too:

• Avoid walking in unlit areas at night
• Be careful when drinking
• Make sure someone back home knows your travel plans
• Take a battery pack with you so you’re never stuck without a phone
• Dress according to social and cultural norms so you don’t draw attention to yourself

Stay connected with an eSIM or local SIM

One of my top solo travel must-haves is an eSIM or a local SIM, they’re so affordable and convenient these days that there’s no reason to *not* get one.

Phone data in Sri Lanka is especially cheeeeap, I got an eSIM at the airport for 10USD that gave me 30GB 🤯 This was from Mobitel but all the phone companies offer the same deals, the only downside is that you have to line up at the stalls in the arrivals terminal (which can be busy) and they only take cash so you’ll need to line up at the ATM too.

If you’d prefer to have your eSIM sorted when you hit the ground, buy one and install it in advance so you can switch it on as soon as you land. Generally I sort my eSIM before I arrive for this reason, getting eSIMs on arrival are sometimes cheaper but I prefer to ditch the airport ASAP instead of faffing around with SIM cards and cash withdrawals. But with Sri Lanka I forgot until I landed and realised I had no data 🙃

I use MobiMatter for all my eSIMs, they’re always cheaper than the brands with big marketing budgets! Here’s a quick comparison for you for their Sri Lanka eSIMs:

• MobiMatter: 10GB for $17USD
• Airalo: 10GB for $21USD
• Alosim: 10GB for $48USD
• Holafly: Unlimited data for 12 days for $43USD
• Nomad: 10GB for $20USD

You can use the promocode FINDINGALEXX to get extra cashback on your MobiMatter eSIM 💰

Check the political situation on the ground

As I mentioned, Sri Lanka has an election coming up in September/October 2024, and campaign events, protests and demonstrations can be expected in the weeks leading up to it.

Check local news, post on travel Facebook groups or get in touch with your hotel or tour company just before your trip to get an insight into what it’s like and if there are any particular places you should avoid.

If you’re going to be there during the actual election, I’d recommend being somewhere small and calm that day, rather than being in Colombo or another big city.

Check reviews before booking

Reviews are gospel, always always always check them before booking accommodation, tours or activities.

For accommodation I’ll always check on booking.com because they’re from genuine customers, and you can order them by ‘lowest score first’ so you can see what people don’t like about a place. If they mention safety, security, dodgy location or staff that make them feel uncomfortable, it’s a no-go.

And as a bonus tip, pleas leave reviews for the places you stay and tours you join! Recent, honest feedback can really help other solo female travellers heading to Sri Lanka.

Don’t share your location online (until you leave)

One thing I did notice about Sri Lanka is that local men aren’t shy about sliding into the DMs of a stranger, and after sharing a TikTok about a particular hotel I had looooads of messages from guys asking me where I was going in Sri Lanka and if I wanted a tour guide. No thank you 🙃

Don’t post anything on social until you’ve left that accommodation or that city, turn off your dating apps if you have a unique name, and block people if they’re weirding you out.

Lie about being solo

I’ve never gone as far as wearing a fake wedding ring, but the ‘I’m waiting for my boyfriend’ lie can work wonders.

Beware of the Arrack Attacks

Arrack is a local spirit in Sri Lanka that’s made from the sap of the coconut flower, and it’s used in cocktails like the infamous Arrack Attack, which you’ll find at most bars throughout the country.

The alcohol is generally between 33-50% ABV but they don’t measure pours in Sri Lanka, so one drink can give you a good buzz if you’re somewhere with friendly bartenders! Drink carefully if you’re solo, keep your wits about you, never leave your drink and ideally stay close to your hotel so you don’t have to wander home in the dark.

Book an airport transfer in advance

Colombo Airport can be hectic when you walk out of the arrivals terminal, with hundreds of taxi drivers vying for your business.

It’s no different to most other major airports in South/Southeast Asia so if you’ve dealt with this before you’ll be fine, but if you’re fresh to solo travel or you prefer a calmer arrival experience, book an airport transfer in advance.

Book organised tours

Even if you aren’t keen to do a fully guided tour like the One Life Adventures one I did, there are loads of day trips and organised city tours that you can book to see particular places with the comfort of a local guide and other travellers.

These are a great idea for places that are a little remote, like the Pidurangala Monastery or the hiking trails in Ella, or for things that would be more fun with fellow travellers, like a snorkelling trip, cooking class or safari.

P.S. Check out all the Sri Lanka experiences available on Klook, you can get 10% off all of them with the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK

Get travel insurance

Travel insurance is essential for all international trips, and a good travel insurance policy will cover mishaps like lost luggage, delayed flights, medical issues and more.

What to wear in Sri Lanka as a solo female traveller

Sri Lanka is a conservative country, and dressing appropriately is not only respectful but also helps you blend in, which is a key part of feeling comfortable as a solo traveller.

Temples have strict regulations of what you can wear, as women we need to cover our shoulders and our knees, and avoid sheer or tightly-fitting clothes. Most temples have scarves and skirts you can borrow or rent if you get there and realise you aren’t wearing the right clothes.

If you’re visiting small villages away from tourist areas, it is respectful to dress conservatively.

If you’re in the big cities there are no specific rules, you’ll see some locals as well as tourists wearing all kinds of outfits, but if you show a lot of skin or wear tight-fitted clothes you will definitely draw attention to yourself.

Some must-haves for your solo female travel Sri Lanka packing list are:

• Lightweight tshirts, tops and blouses that cover your shoulders and chest
• Flowy trousers and long skirts
• Maxi dresses
• A wrap that can be used as a shoulder covering
• An easy dress or kaftan to wear over swimwear if you’re at the beach and want to head into a cafe or restaurant for something to eat
• Hiking clothes for Pidurangala Rock, Sigiriya, Little Adam’s Peak or other epic hiking trails
• Long socks to wear if you’re walking through the jungle, there are leeches 🩸

I hope this Sri Lanka solo female travel guide has helped you get a better idea of what to expect on your upcoming adventure! If you have any questions let me know in the comments below.

SAFE TRAVELS MY FRIENDS 💃🏼

MORE ABOUT MY TIME IN SRI LANKA:

• The most epic safari glamping experience in Sri Lanka
• 12 days in Sri Lanka with the country’s top-rated tour
• That time a travel company CEO undercover-bossed us on our tour

MORE SOLO TRAVEL TIPS AND GUIDES:

• A guide to solo travel in Porto, Portugal
• A guide to solo travel in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• A guide to solo travel in the Maldives
• A guide to solo travel in Marrakech, Morocco
• A guide to solo travel in Edinburgh, Scotland
• A guide to solo travel in Jordan

MY GO-TO TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES

Flights ✈️ I use Skyscanner to find the best flights for my trip and then I’ll always book direct with the airline to protect myself from having to deal with dodgy third parties if anything goes wrong.

Trains 🚂 If I’m travelling through Europe, I try to travel by train wherever possible! For an extended trip (2+ weeks) I’ll calculate if a Eurail Pass is worth it, or I’ll book point-to-point tickets through RailEurope or the local train operator.

Accommodation 🛎️ I book almost all of my accommodation through booking.com, they have a user-friendly website + app and many of their options are free cancellation, easily cancelled with a simple click of a button.

Activities 🗽I use GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator to look for activities in the places I visit, or I just Google ‘things to do in [city]’! P.S. If you book anything on Klook you can use the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK to get 10% off

Travel cards 💳 I’m a Wise gal through and through, they’ve been my chosen travel card for more than five years now. You can easily top up your card from your bank account or through Apple Pay, convert your money to local currency, and spend money with minimal fees and the best exchange rates around.

Travel insurance 🩺 I use Cover-More NZ travel insurance for my own trips, I have a comprehensive policy and I’ve only had good experiences with them. Cover-More also has an Australian company, but if you’re from elsewhere then two popular insurance options for global travellers are SafetyWing (cheaper policy, lower coverage) and World Nomads (more expensive but significantly better coverage).

Luggage 💼 I travel with Samsonite Cosmolite suitcases, one 75cm check in bag and a 55cm carry on bag, and I absolutely adore them and will never travel with anything else! They are SUPER lightweight (2.8kg and 1.9kg respectively) so I have much more space for my actual stuff.

Camera gear 📸 I use a iPhone 15 Pro Max for phone photos/videos, and my camera kit includes a Lumix S9 (incredible lightweight full-frame camera, a game changer for travel creators!) with a 20-60mm lens, a Lumix G9 with an 8-18mm and 12-60mm lens, a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and a GoPro Hero 10. I do all my writing and editing on my ASUS Zenbook 14, it’s lightweight but powerful enough for photo editing and intense blogging sessions.