Sri Lanka Travel Guide: The Honest Truth 🇱🇰
The Good: 🌈 Vibrant architecture, ancient temples, and a deeply spiritual culture. 🤝 Friendly locals—despite being a "bankrupt" nation, it's very safe! 🌿 Pristine nature: Lush jungles, wild beaches, and refreshing Indian Ocean breezes. The Bad: 🚧 Terrible infrastructure: Only 2 highways in the whole country! 🚽 Few public restrooms—plan ahead. 🍛 Food is meh: Mostly spicy/sweet curries (pack instant noodles if you’re picky). 📋 Packing List (Survival Edition) 💊 MEDS YOU NEED Anti-diarrheal pills (food is heavy on spices) Bug spray (mosquitoes are relentless!) Motion sickness patches (daily 2hr+ bumpy rides) 🏨 HOTEL HACKS Disposable toiletries (hotels often don’t provide them) ⚠️ Disposable bedsheets! (Even 4/5-star hotels had stained sheets/sand—locals admit they rarely wash them!) Dehumidifier bags (rooms are often damp) 🍽 FOOD TIPS Stick to hotel buffets (least risky) Bring snacks (Pringles, cup noodles, etc.) 🎒 ESSENTIALS 1️⃣ Dialog SIM (Best coverage! Buy at Colombo Airport—20GB/1,400 LKR) 2️⃣ Small bills (Tips expected for luggage help—200 LKR per stay) 3️⃣ UK plug adapter (Most hotels use British outlets) 4️⃣ Sunscreen/hat (I finished a whole bottle in 9 days) 5️⃣ Rain gear (Sudden downpours + chilly highlands) 6️⃣ Snorkel mouthpiece (If you hate shared gear) 7️⃣ Binoculars (Game-changer for Yala safaris!) 8️⃣ Visa card (Works in big stores like Spa Ceylon) 🚫 TOURIST TRAPS "Authentic" gem shops (Many sell fakes—stick to govt-certified stores) Tuk-tuk scams (Agree on price before riding) #SriLankaTravel #NoFilter #TravelTruths #WhatToPack #BudgetTravel