Sri Lanka is a hidden gem that travelers are slowly discovering. The mass of tourists and expats has been growing in recent years on the island to discover its beauty. Despite the size of Sri Lanka, the island has a lot to offer from the nature and greenery to the hospitality of the locals. Friends who had visited Sri Lanka marveled about its beauty before my journey began and advised to visit before it gets overly crowded with foreigners.
My experiences as an expat and traveler have enabled me to understand the common impressions that foreigners have of the island. This includes thoughts and opinions shared with countless other foreigners in the country. Here are five impressions that foreigners have of Sri Lanka.
The Island Boasts Natural Beauty Everywhere
Where to start? Foreigners think Sri Lanka has a unique natural beauty. They describe it as exotic since it is different from western countries where urbanization is more widespread and rural beauty is harder to find. The island boasts beautiful mountains, trees, flowers, waterfalls, wildlife, fresh fruit, and more! The outstanding views are breathtaking and incredible, especially in places like Nuwara Eliya and Ella. The lively colors of green and blue everywhere are hypnotizing and it feels like you have discovered paradise.
Furthermore, there may be extremely hot weather in Sri Lanka, but the surreal scenic views make it worth it to be out in the sun. When your eyes are absorbing the colors of nature or you’re enjoying laying on the beach, your happiness overpowers any uncomfortable feeling. Many foreigners do not know much about Sri Lanka, and then are amazed when they finally visit. The experience in Sri Lanka is so inspiring that travelers often decide to extend their trip.
Sri Lankans Are Extremely Friendly and Hospitable
The people of Sri Lanka can be extremely friendly and the vibe is contagious. They say Sri Lankans like to stare and a returning look is all it takes to make them smile. They seem like happy people. Sri Lankans are also very hospitable and it helps that most people speak English, which makes it easy to welcome foreigners and interact with them. You can see their hospitality when they invite you to their home or cook their family recipes for you. They like to give everything they can so that a guest in their country can enjoy it to the fullest extent. It’s a welcoming and comforting experience.
It’s also comfortable walking up to locals and asking for help, and people are eager to help with directions or anything else. Sometimes they even come up to you when you appear lost and they offer their help. Moreover, the traffic police can be very helpful to foreigners. Anytime you need help or have any questions, they can be very helpful even if there is a communication barrier.
Food is Delicious and Spicy (plus expensive)
Sri Lanka has some really delicious spicy foods. The peppers are extremely hardcore. Whether it’s rice and curry, kottu roti, or sambol, spices are never lacking. Some foreigners find this hard to digest, and try to stick to the basics like plain rice and hoppers. Others find Sri Lankan specialties delicious especially if they come from a country which also embraces the spicy food culture, like Thailand or Mexico.
Aside from Sri Lankan food being spicy, foreigners think food is expensive. This is particularly true for Colombo and tourist areas. It can be considered one of the most expensive things on the island, especially since some products are imported or the materials to produce it are imported. Eating at restaurants always seems pricier since the taxes are not included in the menu price. Moreover, it’s not just eating out but also shopping at supermarkets. Meat, cheese, nuts, etc. usually have high prices, even sometimes higher than countries like the US. The higher priced items also include the produce section at major supermarkets like Arpico and Food City. It seems like the stores conveniently forget to mark the prices for the highest priced items or place the wrong price tag. Sometimes when you finally see the price sticker of your weighed produce, it’s a disappointing feeling to see the price of those pomegranates and kiwis! It’s these kinds of examples that explain why people tend to stick to local favorites or in-season produce like bananas, papaya, watermelon, etc.
There Exists A Large Gap Between Local and Foreigner Pricing
While it is normal that foreigners may encounter additional charges when travelling abroad, there can be a huge gap between local and foreign prices in Sri Lanka. This includes entrance fees for most popular tourist sites. For example, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Dehiwala Zoo tickets are Rs. 2,500 (USD 17) for foreigners and Rs.100 (USD 0.70) for locals. It makes sense considering the wages on the island, but this is a huge gap in pricing compared to other countries. Some foreigners selectively choose which sites to visit for this reason, such as choosing to visit Udawalawa Safari over Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. However, others don’t mind the prices and believe the beauty of the island makes the experience worth every rupee.
Additional experiences that involve increased charges include transportation. While it is typical for drivers to take a long route (sometimes even for locals), there are times that the drivers may go a little too far with overcharging prices. A friend paid Rs. 4,000 (USD 27) for a short tuk tuk ride that should have cost Rs.250 (USD 2) during his first week in Sri Lanka. The driver claimed it was a great discount from his initial charge of Rs. 6,000 (USD 41)! This confused friend definitely learned his lesson, although later it became a funny story to tell. This was an extreme occurrence, but it does happen. Other foreigners have learned how to handle the Sri Lankan transportation system by only using metered vehicles or haggling. Overall, foreigners prefer to pay extra for something from their own will and often do so when they receive good service.
Sri Lanka Is Peaceful and Relaxing
Foreigners find Sri Lanka very peaceful and relaxing. It may be the sound of waves on the beach or simply the way it feels that no one is really ever in a hurry. Sri Lankans are also running on island time. Many things are not planned. It seems that sometimes something can’t be decided until the very last minute. This can provide the idea that everyone is just laid back and patient with life. This peaceful energy contributes to the way visitors feel in Sri Lanka, and the combination with nature provides this relaxation.
The feeling is great, although it is also seen as a downside at times when there is no sense of urgency. This can occur when you’re trying to spend a day out with friends but no one can commit (even if they agreed five minutes ago). And if they commit, they may be an hour late. Whoops! Also, it can be quite uncomfortable when you visit a restaurant and expect to receive your food, but it takes a long time and you go hungry. Even when you try a fast food restaurant, it is usually not really “fast.” Despite the downsides, foreigners find it admirable to see that people are relaxed and not living the fast-paced life that they may face back home.
Conclusion
Overall, foreigners tend to have a positive view of Sri Lanka. Many explain that their experience in Sri Lanka was unlike anything they’ve experienced in other countries; it was more than they expected. Of course there can be disadvantages like people taking advantage of foreigners on the island, but that can really happen anywhere in the world. Those who visit and stay in Sri Lanka admire its beauty, hospitality, cuisine, and peacefulness.