Sri Lanka is generally safe for tourists. However, as with most countries in Asia, there are cultural differences to keep in mind and a few important guidelines to keep in mind while staying safe in Sri Lanka.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the surrounding nature, as well as the ground under your feet. Bites from various animals and poisonous snakes pose a great threat. In the ocean you need to be careful with sharp corals that can hurt you and jellyfish. There are also mosquitoes that carry malaria here, so you should purchase medications for this disease in advance.

Getting around the country

In the country of Sri Lanka, security remains the primary concern of the government: despite the fact that the civil war ended in 2009, the authorities still maintain a special position and a visible military and security presence on the streets. There are a large number of control points for people and vehicles in the country. Tourists in Sri Lanka are not recommended to travel to the north-eastern regions of Mannar, Mulattivu and Vavuniya, and travel to the Jaffna region is only possible after obtaining permission from the Ministry of Defense of Sri Lanka and exclusively by transport specified by the authorities. In this part of the country it is prohibited to use satellite and telephone communications.

All other regions of Sri Lanka are open to tourists. You just need to strictly adhere to the instructions and recommendations of the security services, observe the ban on entering areas designated as mined (mine clearance activities are still ongoing) and do not turn off the roads and designated routes.

Jokes with tourists

The most common crimes against tourists are related to the use of bank cards. It is recommended to use cards only in trusted and reliable customer service locations. Pickpockets can be a problem, so it's a good idea to copy your most important documents and carry them with you at all times, and keep the originals in your hotel safe. To guarantee security in the country of Sri Lanka, special police departments have been created in large cities and tourist centers to provide assistance to tourists.

There are cases of tuk-tuk drivers deceiving tourists. The most common is when the driver loudly announces that a wild monitor lizard has appeared in the area. Then he gathers tourists and drives around with them for an hour and a half, after which he tragically declares that the monitor lizard has apparently already left and asks to pay the fare. It's simple, but such a walk will cost a decent amount.

Things to remember

1. In Sri Lanka, it is prohibited to photograph military installations (including buildings), airfields, government buildings and cars used by the first people of the country (especially in Colombo). In the country of Sri Lanka, safety is important not only for tourists, but also for government officials.

2. You cannot take photographs with your back to a Buddha figure, stupa or other religious object - this is disrespect for religion, which can lead to a big conflict, and sometimes even end in arrest. In such places it is always better to ask permission to film.

3. Sri Lanka, like most Asian countries, has strict anti-drug laws: possession and use of drugs is punishable by criminal offenses, including the death penalty.

4. A fine may be imposed for violating the ban on smoking and drinking alcohol in some public places.

5. Young tourists traveling alone may face verbal advances, especially if they are not wearing much clothing. Topless or naked sunbathing is prohibited on public beaches and is only permitted at the pools of some hotels.

If you follow these simple tips, tourists are guaranteed safety in the country of Sri Lanka.

When going on a trip to any country, you need to know in advance not only what to see and where to go, but also what to avoid. The paradisiacal depths of the tropics attract many people, but one must understand that not everything is so rosy. The state of Sri Lanka is no exception - there are also dangers for tourists here.

What is prohibited in Sri Lanka

1. Cows and monkeys are protected on the island, as they are sacred animals. You cannot offend or quarrel with them; local residents will always come to their aid, not you. Therefore, since monkeys run very fast and are not at all afraid of people, it is worth holding tight to your cameras, phones and other small objects that may attract the attention of tailed thieves.

2. Until 2009, there were military operations on the island, and sometimes the echo of war is echoed by the presence of minefields that are still active and not cleared, so if you see a prohibition sign and a bunch of military personnel, then you should not even try to go along any fenced area terrain.

3. There is a law on the island punishing the distribution or possession of drugs, but weed is sold very often. You should be vigilant and not buy anything dubious from street vendors.

4. There is a ban on fishing, hunting and collecting corals (except for those thrown ashore).

5. There are Muslim traditions on the island, so when visiting temples or sacred places you should dress appropriately for the place. And outside the hotel, you should be more modest in your clothes and no nudity (topless) on the beaches, only if they are not private and attached to the hotel.

6. Do everything with the right hand; the left hand is not actually used here.

7. You cannot point a finger at a person, or touch a monk on the head. Women are not allowed to touch monks at all.

You should be wary of

– water: drink only bottled and clean water;

– food: local cuisine is very spicy and in general it is better to find out in advance what dishes are prepared from in order to avoid indigestion;

– local guides and traders: some try to deceive and extract a large amount of money. Do not hesitate to bargain, because prices for goods are sometimes inflated by almost 10 times;

-transport: It’s better not to rent a car, since in addition to left-hand traffic, poorly lit and broken roads pose dangers.

Don’t forget to wash your hands more often; if you buy fruit, handle them thoroughly, you can even pour boiling water over them. Unsanitary conditions and poor drinking water on the island of Sri Lanka are the number one dangers for tourists.

Where to find cheap tours?

It’s better to look for profitable tours through a service that compares prices from more than 120 tour operators and allows you to find the cheapest offers. We do this ourselves and are extremely happy :)

The main thing that attracts tourists to buy a tour to Sri Lanka is the exotic nature of the tropics.

But the nature of this island state can not only please you, but also pose a threat to your health. In this article we will talk about what threatening dangers there are in Sri Lanka.

Wild monkeys

Literally at the airport you will be greeted by wild monkeys. Here they are considered sacred animals, so they are found everywhere. The largest number of wild monkeys live near the ruins of temples that tourists love to visit. Here animals beg for food, sometimes even aggressively.

Often monkeys can enter the room and steal things, so it is recommended to close the windows in the rooms. And handbags and wallets should not be left in a visible place. Don't tease monkeys with fruit or other food. This is fraught with bites and injuries.

Tropical rains

During the rainy season, you need to be prepared for heavy rainfall, at this time you can get wet within one minute, you need to prepare for this in advance. For example, backpack accessories will prevent the backpack and its contents from getting wet.

Lots of insects

There are a lot of insects in Sri Lanka. Reputable hotels struggle with this danger, which cannot be said about inexpensive hotels, where the only protective measure is a mosquito net. Therefore, when going on holiday to Sri Lanka, it is worth stocking up on repellents. Try to walk in closed clothes, especially in the evening.

Many tourists associate exotic countries with malarial mosquitoes. But it is worth noting that the risk of contracting malaria is not high. These mosquitoes are usually found in swampy areas.

Crocodiles

Another encounter awaits tourists when visiting national parks. This is an encounter with crocodiles that live in park ponds, where tourists often go boating and fishing. Although to date there are no recorded cases of these reptiles attacking tourists in Sri Lanka.

Strong waves

Tourists, of course, are attracted by the Indian Ocean and the opportunity to swim in the waves. But waves are one of the biggest hazards and most often cause accidents. Therefore, you should not swim on deserted beaches. In general, it is better to get information about which beaches in Sri Lanka you can swim at at the hotel.

A wise man learns from the mistakes of others, a smart man learns from his own, a fool does not learn at all.(Folk wisdom.)

01/22/2016 ($1~140 Sri Lankan rupees). Tropical nature, unknown flora and fauna, the Indian Ocean, exotic fruits, the climate itself, extreme excursions, driving on the left, unknown traditions and customs of the islanders - all this, under unfavorable circumstances, can pose a serious threat to the life and health of guests of Sri -Lanka.

Sri Lanka: natural dangers for tourists

The warm waters of the Indian Ocean attract the bulk of tourists to the shores of the island.

If water safety measures are violated, the ocean can turn from gentle, azure and hospitable in an instant into ruthless, leaden and bottomless. More details about safe swimming and coastal currents can be found in a separate article.

Sri Lanka is Tsunami zone. In 2004, such waves led to huge casualties. When you are on the island, plan in advance for yourself and your loved ones an escape route to a safe place. To escape, it is enough to move 1-2 kilometers away from the sea and climb to the top of a small hill. Signs of an approaching tsunami: information from the media, animals “making their legs”, the water has moved very far from the shore.

Underwater wildlife varied and beautiful.

You can observe it with scuba diving, snorkeling, or from a glass-bottomed boat. Sharks are safe and tasty. Moray eels, sea snakes and other possibly dangerous animals usually live in corals. Close contact with sea urchins usually results in injury. Swim on equipped beaches, away from rocks, where all the people swim and you will be fine.

Land snakes During our three months of living in Sri Lanka in Hikkaduwa, we didn’t catch our eye. Thanks to the mongooses for this. And they were seen often. King cobras have only been seen among snake charmers. Crocodiles are rare, mostly in nature reserves: for example, in Yala. Walk along the paths, do not climb through bushes and thickets, and in the dark, use a flashlight to illuminate your path.

Monkey pose the main danger

on par with sea urchins. There are a huge number of them on the island: in the Royal Botanical Garden, and in the Temple of the Tooth Relic, in Mehintala, in Hikkaduwa, in Mirissa, at Adam’s Peak and in other places. Tailed beggars often do not ask, but demand food.

Leeches- a real threat to travelers in the forests of Sinharaja, on the tea plantations at Adam's Peak and, possibly, in other favorite places. To prevent an attack, you need to spray your shoes and feet with water, wipe them, and sprinkle them with table salt. But this measure does not always help. This is what happened to us in the Sinharaja rain forest. How to properly remove a leech and quickly stop bleeding is described in detail in a separate article.

Mosquitoes, mosquitoes- found almost everywhere on the coast. They lead an active night life. There are almost no flights to the highland part of the island, to Nuwara Eliya. The best protection against such uninvited guests is a proper bed with an anti-mosquito net.

Simpler bed and mesh options certainly help, but are not as comfortable.

It is better not to use repellents. There is a simple and safe way to combat these insects.

The trap is easy to make with your own hands from scrap materials.

Major diseases of tourists: colds from air conditioners and upset stomach due to poor hygiene.

Hot and very humid climate, may be contraindicated in some diseases. When planning your trip, consider your health status. And if you go, don’t forget your medications.

Human factor

Civil war 1983-2009 in Sri Lanka have ended, but some tension is still possible in the northern regions. And you can, of course, run into an anti-personnel mine in the jungle if you are completely unlucky.

Crime situation“good” for tourism. Thefts, muggings and other serious crimes are rare. Handbags on scooters are not snatched. Sometimes some people who are not indifferent to the female sex can give up.

Grizzly bears living in Canadian forests never attack a group of people with six or more people. Moral: Come to Sri Lanka with friends and spend more time with them.

You need to remember the rule that no one will approach you just like that. Never! Each speaker pursues his own goal. And simple communication or the joy of an unexpected meeting are at the end of this list of reasons.

When purchasing various goods and services, you need to bargain. Prices may be a little high. A tuk-tuk driver in Colombo is not averse to taking his passengers on a long ride. They may not fulfill their promise, not conduct a full tour, check for firmness and extort a little hard cash; there are plenty of beggars and various “seeing off” people. For the simplest service, in our opinion, they may ask for money.

Left hand roads in Sri Lanka pose a real danger to tourists renting scooters and cars. There is little time to adapt and study the features of movement. We shared our three-month experience in an article about renting scooters.

Excursions or a combination of them. Most tourists come to Sri Lanka with limited time for sightseeing. And he wants to compensate for his lack due to the intensity of excursions. Some excursions themselves require visitors to be in good physical shape, endurance and determination.

For me personally, climbing Adam's Peak

became the most serious test in Sri Lanka. And when you consider that we spent the entire previous day chasing a jaguar on foot on the flat top of the Horton Nature Reserve, the loads become simply prohibitive. Alternate various hikes and climbs with excursions that do not require large amounts of energy. Therefore, soberly assess your capabilities and do not push yourself, you cannot embrace the immensity.

In Sri Lanka average speed on roads and railways it is not high, about 25 kilometers per hour, sometimes a little faster. The reasons are different: for example, on one of the main highways in the country, Colombo-Matara, traffic can be stopped by a street festival in Hikkaduwa.

The road itself to the next attraction can be very exhausting. You need to give yourself a rest before a new excursion.

Our friends from Moscow, they have been wintering on the island for several years, once they went. They spent the whole night on the road in a rented minibus, they couldn’t sleep properly, so they arrived at the start of the excursion simply “broken.” As a result, we didn’t see any animals, and we didn’t enjoy the trip. Take this factor into account as well.

For long flights try not to be in one position all the time, go to the toilet, walk around the plane, move around if possible. Prolonged immobility contributes to the formation and breakage of blood clots. The percentage of such accidents is very small, but still...

Racial, religious and national differences in Sri Lanka, like glass in a kaleidoscope, they formed a unique and bright pattern. Residents of Sri Lanka, for the most part, are kind and friendly people.

Sometimes they are a little annoying. Respect their laws, customs, behave with dignity, think and then everything will be fine with you.