Is Sri Lanka safe for solo female travelers?
Safety rating
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How safe is Sri Lanka for solo female travelers?
Travel safety index
based on 44 experiences from female travelers
Sri Lanka, Solo travel
Loved the country, most delicious foods and dishes without doubt, also love the rotis (street food). Very beautiful nature Safety wise back in 2016 they just opened part of the country to tourism and men were not very used to seeing white woman, had some uncomfortable experience ves from catcalling to men touching me in busses or teenage boy on the street showing me hi private area. So def not for first time travelers, have to be careful, but still an amazing trip and 100% worth it!
Posted: November 13, 2025Experienced: July, 2016
Alexandra
Spain
Sri Lanka, Solo travel
I was traveling solo in Sri Lanka, in between I joined a group of backpackers. I had an overall good experience. The locals were mostly helpful and when I had a doubt or question, I could ask a person around and they would mostly try to help. Public transport can get crowded, and there is no centralised bus schedule, so you need to figure it out by asking around. I had some misunderstandings, but all went well in the end. In buses and trains, people were mostly nice to me, I had pleasant conversations and several people shared their food with me when sitting next to me (which I am not used to at all:) ). For booking a taxi or tuktuk, I recommend to use the Pick Me app. Otherwise, I used to tell the tuk tuk drivers the price I would get on PickMe, so I wouldn't have to bargain, and they normally accepted. I haven't spent much time in Colombo, but I felt fine. A lot of traffic, I didn't like to walk around. Some stray dogs (I was fine, but a fellow backpacker got attacked at some point). Places like Sigiriya and Ella have a tourist infrastructure, many guesthouses and restaurants, so it's very easy to be there as a traveler, but also the prices are higher and there are not many locals. Keep in mind that pickMe doesn't work in Ella, so tuktuks are expensive. If you stay far from the centre, it's not always ideal in the night (especially if you have to walk, it is very dark, couple I met got attacked by dogs on the way back; I heard a story of somebody who had to stay at a different person's hotel room, because the tuktuk wouldn't come that "far" in the night for a reasonable price). Tricomalee has a touristy part which has a bar with beach access where all the party happens, many western people stay there etc. But the city centre is not touristy at all. That's the only place where I felt a little uncomfortable sometimes when young men were staring/ calling me "baby", etc., so I recommend not showing to much skin not to attract attention. But also it was the part where I have experienced a festival and learned a lot about the culture. In Kandy I felt generally safe, I just didn't like the air pollution, and around the lake there are many people trying to sell you tickets for the dance show. They will walk behind you and not leave you alone for some time. In Galle (Fort area) I felt very safe, but I was only there for a few hours till sunset. There were many local families with kids, so it had a nice ambience. Also, I went to Ambalangoda and a tea plantation in Dolosbage, and I had good experiences and felt safe there. But I was Couchsurfing, so I was not alone. If you feel I can help you in any way, feel free to reach out:)
Posted: September 3, 2025Experienced: July, 2025
Anastasia
Russia
Sri Lanka, Solo travel
My experience on Sri Lanka was quite good. It was my first solo trip and it wasn’t just a vacation, I came there with one way ticket and eventually stayed on the island for 3 months. Local people seems nice and friendly, sometimes they can be intrusive, but I think it’s just part of Asian culture. I felt safe out there. I stayed at Weligama and I rented a room in villa. It cost me around 300 bucks, in general I spend 1-1,5k in one month. If you stays in Weligama I definitely recommend you to visit Nomad and Pasijou, both places have great kitchens.
Posted: August 28, 2025Galle, Group travel
Truly everything went well just don’t go alone anywhere I did that and almost got raped by a group of men I went to the beach after sunset to get some fresh air and they started following me. Please don’t make the same mistake as me.
Posted: August 27, 2025How safe is Sri Lanka for women?
Local safety index
Based on 12 local experiences
Local crime index
Based on 12 local experiences
Charlie
Talalla
Good area, spectacularly beautiful beach. In season now. There are some nice restaurants and accommodations in my area. Safe to walk, low crime. I've lived in SL for 2,5 years and it's safe for solo female travellers. Dress modestly of possible as it's a conservative area. Use pickme in Matara town or drivers with meters
Posted: November 30, 2025Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is safe but depends on the places you visit. It’s safe in Colombo but night time is bit doubtful when the roads are empty. And downsouth is pretty safe since it always crowded. The public transport is also safe but better to take at your own risk.
Posted: October 20, 2025Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka was as a solo female traveler not really what I expected. I could not walk 2 meters without getting talked to, whisteled at. Colombo was worst, men always came and walked with me. I did not went out at night.
Posted: October 10, 2025
Nimeshika
Weligama
It's usually safe. Bit tricky after dark since it isn't very crowded past around 9 pm. I don’t actually live in the town, so I can’t speak from experience about living there. The neighborhood I’m from is generally very safe, but it’s not touristy, so I’m not sure about what it’s like to live in a tourist-heavy area. That said, I’m in the town every day, and from what I’ve seen, it’s generally safe for a female solo traveler.
Posted: August 13, 2025Safety in Sri Lanka
Hospitality Exchange in Sri Lanka
Dhushy
Colombo
Can host for:
3 days
About me
Hey everyone! I’m Dhushy from Sri Lanka, a solo traveler on a mission to explore the world one adventure at a time! Whether it’s chasing sunsets, getting lost in new cities, or diving headfirst into the unknown, I’m always up for the thrill. Looking for awesome travel buddies to share epic experiences, spontaneous trips, and unforgettable memories. Let’s explore together!
Speaking
Dulmini
Colombo
Can host for:
3 days
About me
Hi, I’m Dul! I’m an adventurous traveler who loves a mix of exploring beautiful beaches and hiking through nature. History is also a big passion of mine, so I’m always eager to dive into the past when visiting new places. I’m a kind of an extrovert who loves meeting new people and sharing experiences, and I’m also really into volunteering whenever I can—it’s a great way to connect with people and help them. If you're planning a trip to Sri Lanka, I'd love to help guide you around and show you some hidden gems! Oh, and I’m always up for trying new recipes—cooking is one of my favorite ways to unwind and get creative. Let’s explore together! 💗
Speaking
Expats in Sri Lanka
Dhushy
Colombo
About me
Hey everyone! I’m Dhushy from Sri Lanka, a solo traveler on a mission to explore the world one adventure at a time! Whether it’s chasing sunsets, getting lost in new cities, or diving headfirst into the unknown, I’m always up for the thrill. Looking for awesome travel buddies to share epic experiences, spontaneous trips, and unforgettable memories. Let’s explore together!
Speaking
Nimeshika
Weligama
About me
I’m a 20-year-old student from Weligama, down south Sri Lanka. I’ve explored a bit around the south, but I’m excited to dive deeper into solo travel in my own country. I’m looking for tips on safety, transport, and hidden gems. A bit shy at first, but I warm up quickly—and I’m totally up for adventures, even the crazy ones!
Speaking
