If you love beach days, wildlife and culture, Sri Lanka is probably a good choice for a solo trip. The sunny island is small but it offers gorgeous views, enthralling adventures and intriguing experiences. Can you travel solo in Sri Lanka? Is it safe? And, what are the top things to do in Sri Lanka as a solo traveller? Let’s take a look.

Sri Lanka | img by Sergei Gussev via flickr

You'll be spoiled for choice from the number of soulful beach stays and green stays available in Sri Lanka. And, there is no need to compromise on luxury either. All you have to do is figure out what you want from your holiday. Have you been considering things to do in Kalutara? If so check out hotels like the Mermaid Hotel & Club. You can find colonial-style guest houses or ritzy hotels with indulgent amenities. If you wish to go into the wild, there are villas and wildlife camping available.

Overall, Sri Lanka is safe for solo travel. It is always a good idea to rely on your common sense as a precautionary matter. The local Sri Lankans are friendly and helpful. If you are worried though, make friends with fellow solo travellers. You can also avoid being alone after dark to feel absolutely safe as a solo traveller.

You can use a mix of public transport and car rentals to get around Sri Lanka. Train rides from Colombo to Ella and down south present you with amazing views. If you pre-book the observation car or second-class reserved seats in intercity trains, you can travel in comfort. Buses are cheap and ubiquitous, but they tend to be slow and uncomfortable. The most comfortable and convenient way to travel is to rent a private car with a driver. You can drive on your own if you have an international driver’s license, but roads can be unpredictable in Sri Lanka.

You’ll find enchanting roadside eateries serving delicious local food, and plenty of fancy restaurants, especially in Colombo. Try some milk rice with piquant chilli and shallot sambol and sour fish curry. Don’t forget egg hoppers with golden yolks in the middle of a crispy and fluffy rice pancake. Rice and curry come with fresh vegetables cooked in coconut cream infused with spices and herbs, meat dishes with a kick, green salad and poppadom. Wash down your meals with icy cold lion beer. If you love to cook, join a Sri Lankan cooking class. You’ll get to go to a local Sunday fair and browse through fresh veggies, fruit and fragrant spices. Then you’ll be let in on the art of Sri Lankan cuisine.

You can dress freely at the beach in your favourite bikini and dress for the warm weather elsewhere. But, when you are on public transport or visiting religious sites, it’s better to dress conservatively. When you visit religious sites, always cover your shoulders and knees. Some travellers carry a sarong or pashmina that doubles up as a cover-up when necessary.

If you love the beach, try some seaside resorts in Kalutara, Hikkaduwa or Arugam Bay. While you are in Arugam Bay, visit the Kumana Wildlife Park – an off-the-beaten-path sanctuary where leopards, sloth bears and spotted deer thrive amidst a plethora of birds of many hues. The southern coast also boasts great swells for surfing. If you are visiting between July and October make your way to Minneriya for the large elephant gathering.