Sri Lanka is a fascinating destination for women travelling alone. Carina from Munich travelled to the pearl of the Indian Ocean on her own in December 2024. The finale of her backpacking trip was nine days of Ayurveda treatment in Sandaru Lanka. In the Sandaru Lanka blog, she shares her best tips for a safe and unforgettable holiday.
Tip 1: Organise your arrival in advance for a relaxed start
Or ask at your accommodation whether the hosts will organise a taxi for you.
Tip 2: Stay connected with an electronic SIM card
An eSIM card is worthwhile so that you as a backpacker can always be online and access information about transport, weather or accommodation. You will find sales stands from various providers directly in the arrivals hall at the airport. Or you can conveniently purchase your eSIM online before your departure. You can find providers online. I have had good experience with ‘Dialog’.
Tip 3: Plan enough time for bus and train journeys
Take it easy – Sri Lanka doesn’t run on a timetable. Trains run when they run. Buses run when they run. There are timetables, but they are more for orientation purposes. This has its charm: you meet very friendly, interested and helpful locals on buses and trains. These encounters are enriching if you are travelling through Sri Lanka alone as a woman. The Sinhalese are very considerate of tourists.
Tip 4: Always carry small amounts of cash with you
With 10,000 to 15,000 rupees in notes in your wallet, you are on the safe side. That’s about 30 to 45 euros.
By the way: I always buy drinks in securely sealed containers when travelling. I’ve also learnt that bargaining is a must at markets and with tailors in shops. Talking about prices with tuk-tuk drivers is also a must.
Tip 5: Stay privately and get to know the country and its people
I generally booked so-called ‘homestays’ and thus found a temporary home. I really enjoyed living privately. The hosts are very welcoming and speak English. I usually got a delicious homemade breakfast in the morning. One of my host families gave me pepper from their own garden. And I was given insider tips, such as visiting the Buddhist Mahamevnawa Monastery or marvelling at the sunrise from Little Adam’s Peak in Ella. I was hesitant at first – it had rained during the night. But this hike through and above the clouds in the early hours of the morning was unforgettable. A magical moment.
Tip 6: Hostels are perfect for socialising
If you are a woman and don’t want to spend all your time travelling alone in Sri Lanka but want to meet like-minded people, rent a room in a hostel. There are also single rooms for those who want more privacy. I have met travellers from Germany, Austria, Israel and North America. Conversations often lead to joint activities such as hikes, temple visits or chilling out on the beach. A spontaneous travelling acquaintance with Anna from Vienna even turned into a friendship.
Tip 7: Travelling anti-clockwise
If you don’t have a ticket yet, don’t worry. You can always get on. There is a remaining contingent of tickets at the ticket counter.
And there’s always a seat in 3rd class. By the way: if you’re planning the famous train journey from Kandy to Ella, it’s better to book your ticket online early.
Tip 8: Find out about public holidays
In Sri Lanka leben Buddhisten, Hindus, Christen und Muslime. Entsprechend viele religiöse Feiertage gibt es. Die wichtigsten sind:
- First and foremost the Poya days on the full moon every month. Buddhists visit the temple and some shops remain closed.
- The Sinhala-Tamil New Year is celebrated on 13 April and
- the Buddha’s birthday, Vesak, on 21 May.
- Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, on 2 April.
- In Sri Lanka there is only one Christmas holiday on 25 December.
I spent Christmas in Sandaru Lanka in Maggona, a Catholic village.
Tip 9: Pack wisely and travel light
Only pack the essentials! Must-haves: sun cream and mosquito repellent. A small umbrella is also a good companion on the tropical island of Sri Lanka, as is a waterproof cover for your rucksack. Take light cotton clothing with you. For me, long linen trousers and a linen blouse worked well. It’s best to pack a large scarf for the trip, because when you visit temples, you have to cover your arms and legs. The head, however, remains uncovered.
Tip 10: Don’t plan every detail and enjoy with all your senses
live in the present moment and stay awake to what you encounter.
I ate it for the first time on the roadside – and enjoyed it every day for breakfast in Sandaru Lanka. Enjoying Sri Lanka with all your senses also means eating as much fruit as possible. Mangos, papayas, watermelons, bananas or soursops are so delicious.
Tip 11: Trust your gut feeling
I myself experienced Sri Lanka as very safe. At first, I was rather cautious when local men or women were very approachable. I quickly understood: They ask if they can help or if I am married. Most people are interested in this, as there are very few single travellers in Sri Lanka. Incidentally, many women travelling alone put on a fake wedding ring to protect themselves. I was often too tired to go out alone in the evening anyway. When it came to safety, I relied on my gut feeling. Sometimes I changed the street side or deliberately dressed inconspicuously.
Tip 12: Round trip first, then Ayurveda for maximum relaxation
If you want to take an Ayurveda treatment, plan it at the end of your round trip. This will allow you to fully relax after your backpacking trip through Sri Lanka. I know from Ayurveda that travelling increases Vata in the body. Vata is the principle of movement – it stands for air and space. The Ayurveda treatment helps you to balance Vata, Pitta (fire) and Kapha (earth and water). I immediately felt welcome at Sandaru Lanka. The soothing treatments at the spa and the view of the sea made it easy for me to let go in this oasis. I was able to indulge in my Panchakarma treatment with all my senses right by the Indian Ocean. It was ideal for flying back to Germany feeling deeply relaxed.
Anyone travelling to this wonderful island in the Indian Ocean will discover an impressive variety: the flora, sea and mountains, jungle and tea plantations, beaches, temples and the ancient natural medicine Ayurveda. The stops on my backpacking trip through Sri Lanka were: Colombo, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Tangalle, Hirketiya, Ahangama, Galle, Sandaru Lanka in Maggona near Beruwala. One thing is certain for me: I’ll be back. The incredibly beautiful nature, culture and spirituality inspired me. Next time I want to hike along a section of the Pekoe Trail and visit the north. And: I will definitely stay longer in Sandaru Lanka for an extensive panchakarma treatment.
Best wishes for all your travels,
Carina
Carina (33) is an IT consultant and yoga teacher. She lives and works in Munich. The personal highlights of her Sri Lanka trip were the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, banana blossom curry and the Abhyanga full body massage at the Ayurveda spa in Sandaru Lanka.
Thank you, dear Carina, for sharing your tips for female solo travellers in Sri Lanka and your personal photos on our Sandaru Lanka blog.
Interested in a round trip, but prefer not to use public transport? We organise individual and guided round trips by car with overnight stays in hotels for our guests.
More and more women are discovering Sri Lanka as a holiday destination to explore the popular tropical island and take an Ayurveda treatment. Our reading tip: ‘My first Ayurveda treatment: a day in Sandaru Lanka’ – an experience report by Nina, who was a guest in Sandaru Lanka in October 2024.