Is Sri Lanka Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Sri Lanka is generally a safe destination for solo female travelers. The locals are friendly and willing to help, and it's common to encounter many female tourists. However, it's important to be cautious especially in crowded areas to avoid pickpockets or scams. It is also recommended to follow cultural norms, particularly when visiting religious sites. A good practice is to always let someone know your itinerary and keep in regular touch. Night travel is usually considered safe, but as always, vigilance is essential.

Safety index

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How safe is Sri Lanka?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Moderate

Sri Lanka is generally safe for solo female travelers, however caution is advisable, especially at night. While the risk of violent crime is relatively low, petty crime such as pickpocketing or bag snatching can occur, especially in crowded areas. Walking alone late at night in deserted areas or small side streets is not recommended. It's best to stay in well-lit, populated areas and use trusted modes of transportation after dark. Always trust your intuition and follow local guidance on safety measures.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Sri Lanka is mostly safe, reliable and commonly used by locals and tourists. Buses, trains, and tuk tuks are the main forms of local transport. There might be instances of overcrowding on buses and trains during peak hours. However, taking a tuk tuk at night might need some cautiousness. As a female traveler, it's better to use reputed apps for hailing tuk tuks. Always be vigilant about your belongings on public transport, and avoid traveling alone late at night.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Moderate

While Sri Lanka is renowned for its stunning landscapes and warm hospitality, when it comes to street harassment, it's a bit of a mixed bag. Many solo female travelers report light to moderate instances of unsolicited advances, particularly in heavily touristic areas. This could range from persistent offers of goods and services to unnecessary compliments. However, Sri Lankans are generally respectful and friendly, and severe cases are not widespread. Always be alert, maintain a firm assertiveness, and where possible, align your movements with busier times of the day to blend into the local crowd.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Moderate

Sri Lanka is generally a safe destination for travelers. However, like many tourist destinations, petty crimes such as pick-pocketing and bag-snatching can occur, especially in crowded areas and popular tourist spots. It is suggested to always be vigilant, secure your belongings, and avoid flashy displays of wealth. However, the local people are usually warm and welcoming.

Is Sri Lanka worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 29 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

3.8/5

Food

4.4/5

Budget-friendly

4.3/5
Mia

Mia

Taiwan

Sri Lanka, Solo travel

It was one of my favourite trip ever. It's my first time doing solo travel but I never felt alone during the travel. The locals are so nice that offer me to love in there home and provide food for free. I feel really thankful and touched in the end of the trip. I travel Sri Lanka mostly through Bus, the Bus system is so good that you can literally travel anywhere there! I'd say except the capital, Sri lanka is quite safe overall, but I would still suggest you to just stay at home at night if you are a female solo traveller!

Posted: July 18, 2024Experienced: July, 2023
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Hila

Hila

Israel

Weligama, Solo travel

Overall I would suggest to stay in other places around weligama It's a comfortable place for surf learning and has the vibe for parties if this is what you are looking for But the villages around are much more beautiful and mich more friendly. Most of the locals are great, but as everywhere there are some to be aware of Girls, DO NOT walk at night there. After 23:00 there is nothing for you our there. I was attacked by a local guy on a scooter that grubbed me and kept on riding. It happened to three other girls that I know. The fourth one was attacked with a knife! She was saved. We are not coming there to change them or educate them. This is a beautiful traditional community that host us, tourists from all over the world. But when girls are walking with their bikinis around the streets they simply don't know how to react to that. Be careful. Be smart. Be aware if you are walking in the dark, by yourself. Other than that - enjoy the island.

Posted: July 10, 2024Experienced: October, 2023
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Sabrin

Sabrin

Bangladesh

Sri Lanka, Group travel

So few months back i travelled to Sri lanka with one of my female colleagues. I was there for 5 nights and 6 days (could not manage any more days from office 😭). But 5 days are definitely not enough to cover the beauties of Srilanka. What an amazing country it is! But still we covered as much as possible within these days. Thanks to our travel agency who arranged the tour plan based on our travel taste and budget. I must say it was pretty cheap comparing the accomodation and the beautiful locations! He took only 600 USD for 5 days accomodation and 6 days full time car service. We had spent 5 nights in 5 different cities! Yeah it was hectic, but man i hadnt missed one place from the itinerary and thank god i havent. Because all the places were just amazing. I know there are much more things to do and places to go. But because of the timings constraint i couldnt 😭. Here are the places we have been. * Dambulla cave temple * Sigriya rock fortress * polonnuwara ancient city and Museum * Kandy city explore * Tooth relic Temple at Kandy * Ramboda waterfall * Tea factory visit at Nuwara Eliya * THE train journey * Ravana waterfall * Nine arch bridge * Mirissa coconut hill tree and beach * Galle Fortress * Shopping at Galle Turtle hatchery was in our itinerary but we didnt visit even though we had chance. Because we were just not into hatchery that much. Two of the best part of Srilanka are the local people and the food. They are super friendly and the food is just delicious 😋🥰. Please try the local foods as much as possible if you ever visit Sri lanka. Thanks.

Posted: July 9, 2024Experienced: March, 2024
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Marion

Marion

France

Haputale, Solo travel

I've stayed dias home in haputale with a nice family and an amazing view on the mountains. There were so mech places to go by walk (I walk a lot) and the village is so nice. I did a nice walk with an host going to a waterfall and I loved to take the train from there. The tea plantations are so beautiful and the way to go to the lipton seat pretty hard but amazing. Love that place so much. Still thinking to go back there.

Posted: July 1, 2024Experienced: December, 2016
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Maria

Maria

United States

Sri Lanka, Group travel

That was an incredible experience!! I had lots of fun. I spent 2,5 months exploring this magnificent country, I was staying in Weligama - it was less crowded than Hikkaduwa or other popular towns. It’s a great spot to learn surfing. I totally recommend to visit Adam’s peak, nine arches bridge, sigiriya. Locals are very friendly and nice, everything is pretty cheap.

Posted: June 26, 2024
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Joana

Joana

Germany

Sri Lanka, Solo travel

Sri Lanka became a second home for me. It feels just great, cozy and i enjoy it a lot. Very nice people, good food, good surfing and amazing landscape. You can join the mountain life in the middle of the country or the beachlife at the south- or eastcoast.

Posted: June 25, 2024
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Sri Lanka, Solo travel

I feel safe I really recommend surfing at the welligama beach I recommend Kottu roti as a food The city was really cheap including accommodation and transportation I stayed 4 different airbnb and all of them were great Transportation around the whole country was so easy and accessible

Posted: June 19, 2024
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Sri Lanka, Family travel

Sri Lanka is one of the safest travel destinations for women traveling alone (at least according to the rankings and even though I didn't travel alone, I would have felt safe anyway). The locals, in my experience, are very hospitable and helpful, even though they like to negotiate at least at all shopping opportunities/taxis/tuk-tuks. It's better to always start with low prices to avoid having to pay too much ;) Some of my highlights included a safari near Arugambay (our guide's name on Insta is lesitha_prabath - I can recommend him 100%, he has eyes like an eagle and finds leopards without much difficulty) :) The best hostel, in my opinion, is the Yoyo Surf Hostel Ahangama, a host with a golden heart, you feel like part of the hostel family. There are opportunities for parties with transport organization to top locations every second/third day and Sunday curries at family dinners <3 Whale watching trips are ok, but the safari was better. Restaurant prices are very cheap, especially breakfast on the beach in Wedigama which is highly recommended after the perfect surf wave at the Blue Wave surfboard rental. Don't underestimate the sun, 50+ sun cream is a must in the tropics. Always drink water only from packaged/sealed bottles (even my filter bottle was unable to protect me from poisoning). Enjoy the Sun, Waves and people :) The food was too spicy for me.

Posted: May 3, 2024Experienced: February, 2024
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Sri Lanka, Solo travel

I was alone in Sri Lanka and felt safe. People really like to talk and offer their hospitality to travelers. But if you don't like to be squeezed or hanged on public transportation then traveling between cities is quite challenging.

Posted: April 7, 2024
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Anna

Anna

Spain

Sri Lanka, Solo travel

Wear a ring and say you're married. Even if you say you have a boyfriend, guys are going to insist. Be careful with CouchSurfing. They think it's tinder, so unfortunately I had bad experiences. Be careful. When I was in Mirissa, a touristic beach place, I went out to a bar. Some girls were drunk, completely, and local guys were there trying to take advantage. Thanks to some friends we walked two of them to their hostels. So if you travel solo, try to avoid a man thought apps (like CouchSurfing). Try to find someone to travel Apart from very insistent men, it's a safe place ( well they will try to make you paid like European prices, but apart from that, it's nice)

Posted: March 14, 2024Experienced: November, 2023
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Is Sri Lanka safe for women?

Sri Lanka

Sri lanka is moderately safe for solo female travellers as. Long as they take necessary precautions. Make sure you do not go out alone at night or travel long distances with unknown people. While most people are very kind and helpful, there are black sheep who ruin the experience. So better safe than sorry.

Posted: April 24, 2024
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Is Sri Lanka safe right now?

Before your visit to Sri Lanka, it's essential to check travel advisories for Sri Lanka, including your home country's official travel advisory. These advisories can provide up-to-date information on safety, health, and any specific considerations for travelers.
🇺🇸

United States Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

The United States Government advises to **exercise increased caution** in Sri Lanka due to **civil unrest** and **terrorism**. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: October 2, 2024
🇨🇦

Canada's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

**The Canadian Government advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Sri Lanka due to demonstrations, the threat of terrorist attacks, and crime.** Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: October 7, 2024
🇦🇺

Australia's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

The Australian government advises exercising a high degree of caution in Sri Lanka due to the threat of public demonstrations and security risks. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: October 4, 2024

Meet locals in Sri Lanka

Dashini

Dashini

About Me

Hi Gals I’m a 42year old lady living in the colombo suburbs. I wish I could say I’m a a regular person at day and moonlights at night, however I’m a doctor working at one of the largest hospitals in Colombo. Don’t let my profession discourage you! I was brought up in Dubai, so I’m quite fun loving and I know the ropes to surviving in SriLanka . I am also an extensive travel enthusiast and have travelled to over 30 countries. I’m the nature lover and an adventure sport junkie

Speaking

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Habbipriya

Habbipriya

About Me

People call me Habbi/ Habibi/ Habbs/ Hab and in multiple other ways. I enjoy meeting new people and engaging in deep conversations on the swarm of stories that make us who we are. I love traveling like a local, picking up languages, having a good laugh, trying out street food and learning about local traditions and culture. I don’t travel to live, I live to travel 💜

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Sri Lanka

Dashini

Dashini

Colombo

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi Gals I’m a 42year old lady living in the colombo suburbs. I wish I could say I’m a a regular person at day and moonlights at night, however I’m a doctor working at one of the largest hospitals in Colombo. Don’t let my profession discourage you! I was brought up in Dubai, so I’m quite fun loving and I know the ropes to surviving in SriLanka . I am also an extensive travel enthusiast and have travelled to over 30 countries. I’m the nature lover and an adventure sport junkie

Speaking

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Nelum

Nelum

Colombo

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I'm Nelum 55yrs old doctor married has 2 teenagers. I like travelling reading books music. interested in exploring different cultures and people and meet a travel buddy .

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Sri Lanka

Leti

Leti

About Me

I am a restless introvert looking for beautiful places to explore and read in. I am a psychologist currently editing a small volume of poetry in my spare time. I love live music, dancing, boxing, and ongoing urban walks.

Speaking

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Bindi

Bindi

About Me

I’m Bindi, a solo traveller and I’m planning my first big solo trip to Sri Lanka and southern India this winter

Speaking

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Safety in Sri Lanka