Strangers befriend tourists and convince them to buy 'investment quality' gems at 'wholesale prices' to resell at home for profit. The gems are worthless or heavily overpriced.

Tuk-Tuk Overcharging

Some tuk-tuk drivers quote extremely high fares, especially to tourists unfamiliar with local prices.

Temple/Site Scam

Someone tells you a temple or site is closed and offers to take you to 'better' alternative (usually a shop for commission).

Fake Tour Guides

Unlicensed guides approach tourists offering 'official' tours at low prices, then demand more money or take you to commission shops.

Safety Tips

Traveling Without a Guide

Solo

Important

Use UBER or PICK ME apps for transparent, fixed-rate transportation
Download offline maps before visiting remote areas - internet can be unreliable
Research locations beforehand - check current conditions, accessibility, and seasonal access
Ask locals or hotel staff about road conditions and weather before heading out
Carry a physical backup of important information (addresses, phone numbers)
Share your itinerary and expected return time with someone
Have emergency contacts saved and keep phone charged
Learn basic Sinhala/Tamil phrases - helps in rural areas with limited English

Entrance Fees & Costs

Costs

Advisory

Many national parks, temples, and heritage sites require entrance fees
Fees vary significantly for locals vs foreign visitors
Some locations charge extra for parking, photography permits, or guided services
Always ask for official price lists or documentation when available
Compare prices from multiple sources - avoid street vendors for major purchases
Use official channels or registered tour operators when possible
Ask your guide about discounts for students, seniors, or groups
Budget appropriately to avoid surprises at the site

Transportation Safety ⚠️

Transport

Critical

⚠️ USE UBER or PICK ME apps - transparent pricing, driver accountability, and safety tracking
⚠️ Some taxi drivers may charge excessive amounts to foreigners - apps prevent this
⚠️ Road safety is a major concern - Sri Lanka has high accident rates
⚠️ Never hang out of train doors for photos - MULTIPLE TOURIST DEATHS reported
App benefits: upfront fares, no negotiation, driver ratings, digital payment, GPS tracking
Download ride apps and set up accounts BEFORE you travel
Verify driver's name and vehicle details match the app before getting in
Share your ride details with someone you trust
Sit in the back seat and keep valuables secure
If using traditional taxis, use official taxi stands or have hotel call one
Left-side driving - very different if you're from right-side driving country
Night driving is dangerous - poorly lit roads, erratic drivers, animals

Health & Dietary Precautions

Health

Critical

⚠️ Tap water is generally chlorinated and safe, but bottled water is recommended for taste
⚠️ Avoid ice in local establishments - may be made from tap water
ALLERGIES: Inform your guide about all food allergies (nuts, shellfish, dairy, gluten)
MEDICAL CONDITIONS: Disclose heart conditions, asthma, diabetes, mobility limitations
Carry medications in original containers with labels - know generic names
Recommended vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus (consult doctor 6-8 weeks before)
MANDATORY: Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from risk countries (Africa/South America)
Dengue fever risk throughout the country - use DEET-based mosquito repellent
Rabies exists - avoid contact with dogs, monkeys, and stray animals
Use SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index is very high near equator
Stay hydrated - drink 2-3 liters of water daily in tropical heat
Your guide can adjust itinerary for your health needs and identify nearby medical facilities

Scams & Traveler Awareness ⚠️

Scams

Critical

⚠️ Most Sri Lankans are genuinely kind and welcoming - but small number of scammers exist
GEM SCAM: Elaborate scheme to sell 'investment gems' - NEVER buy gems to resell at home
Common scams: inflated taxi fares, gem fraud, overpriced tours, unauthorized guides, fake currency
Scammers target tourists who appear inexperienced or unfamiliar with local norms
Keep valuables secure - avoid displaying expensive items
Use registered taxis or ride-sharing apps (UBER/PICK ME)
Book tours through reputable, established operators only
Verify credentials and licensing of your tour guide
Avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas, especially after dark
Be skeptical of unsolicited offers or 'special deals'
Trust your instincts - if something feels off, it probably is
Share your itinerary with someone you trust

General Safety

General

Important

Keep copies of passport, visa, and insurance documents - store separately from originals
Register with your embassy if staying for extended periods
Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas
Use hotel safes for valuables - avoid displaying expensive jewelry and electronics
Keep emergency numbers saved in your phone and carry a physical card
Share your itinerary with family/friends at home
Download offline maps - internet can be unreliable in rural areas

Beach & Ocean Safety ⚠️

Beach

Critical

⚠️ DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS - many tourist drownings each year
⚠️ Swim only at beaches with lifeguards on duty
Obey warning flags: Red = no swimming, Yellow = caution, Green = safe
Monsoon seasons bring rough seas - check before swimming
Never swim after consuming alcohol
Watch for jellyfish (seasonal) and sea urchins
If caught in rip current: swim parallel to shore, not against current
Check with locals about safe swimming areas - conditions vary

Wildlife Safety ⚠️

Wildlife

Critical

⚠️ Wild elephants kill people every year - maintain 50m+ distance minimum
⚠️ Venomous snakes exist - watch where you step, especially at night
If bitten by snake: do NOT cut wound, keep calm, get to hospital immediately
Monkeys can be aggressive - secure belongings and don't feed them
Crocodiles present in some rivers and lagoons - don't swim in freshwater
In safari vehicles: stay seated, no sudden movements, follow guide instructions
Leopards are shy but present in national parks - extremely rare attacks
Mosquitoes carry dengue - use repellent, especially dawn and dusk
Do NOT smile at monkeys (showing teeth is a sign of aggression)
Secure all food and bags - macaques are expert thieves at temples

Leeches 🩸

Wildlife

Advisory

Common in wet forests and tea plantations (especially rainy season)
Wear leech socks or long thick socks tucked into trousers
Salt or soapy water makes them drop off
Bites are harmless but bleed profusely due to anticoagulant
Don't pull them off forcefully - can leave teeth/cause infection

Natural Disaster Awareness

Natural

Important

TSUNAMI WARNING: If sea rapidly recedes, move to high ground immediately (2004 tsunami reference)
Monsoon seasons: SW monsoon (May-Sep) affects west/south; NE monsoon (Oct-Jan) affects east/north
Flash floods and landslides possible in hill country during heavy rain
Lightning strikes common during storms - avoid open areas and tall trees
Check weather forecasts before travel, especially to hill country
Have evacuation plan if staying in coastal areas

Women Travelers Safety

Women

Important

Sri Lanka is generally safe for women but precautions advised
Dress modestly to reduce unwanted attention - cover shoulders and knees on public transport, small towns, rural villages
NEVER wear transparent clothing - cultural differences will attract unwanted attention
Women traveling alone should especially dress conservatively
Staring is common and can be uncomfortable - sunglasses help
While people are generally hospitable, small groups of bad people exist like everywhere - stay alert
Avoid isolated areas alone, especially after dark
Use registered taxis or ride-sharing apps (UBER/PICK ME) at night
Women-only train compartments available on some services
Verbal harassment (calling out, comments) can occur - ignore and walk away
Hotel room safety: use all locks, don't open door to strangers
Report any incidents to police (119) or tourist police (1912)
Solo female travelers report positive experiences with common-sense precautions
Swimwear and bikinis are fine at the beach but cover up when away from beach

Heat & Heatstroke Prevention

Health

Critical

⚠️ It's easy to overheat in humid, tropical Sri Lanka
Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen at all times outdoors
Drink enough water to avoid getting dehydrated (2-3 liters daily)
Rashes and prickly heat are common
More serious symptoms: nausea, dizziness, loss of coordination
Body temperature over 41°C are signs of heatstroke - seek medical help immediately
Take breaks in air-conditioned spaces during midday heat
Hill Country (Nuwara Eliya) offers cooler temperatures - daily mean of 15°C in December

Clean Water Safety

Health

Critical

Tap water is generally chlorinated and safe to drink
Some areas have 'Kiwul water' - distinct taste due to high hardness/mineral content
⚠️ Avoid ice outside of tourist restaurants - may be made from tap water
Bottled water is cheap and widely available but bottles are not recycled
Better restaurants offer filtered water
Consider a portable purification system like a LifeStraw - better for the environment
Use bottled water for brushing teeth in rural areas
Ice in major hotels and established restaurants is usually safe

Health Threats Overview

Health

Important

Sri Lanka is malaria-free but mosquito-borne dengue fever remains a problem
Use DEET-based mosquito spray - can be hard to find in Sri Lanka outside Colombo
Tourists have been killed by crocodiles and wild elephants - keep your distance
Take care when swimming - many beaches have steep drop-offs and undertows
Road accidents and drowning are the two biggest killers of tourists
Sunburn is common near the equator - use SPF 50+ sunscreen