Sri Lanka was a country I kind of never wanted to go to, I had just heard about the civil war going on there and that it was not safe for a woman to travel there. Little did I know I was completely wrong. The reason why I went to Sri Lanka was that I had a job to do in the Maldives. Sri Lanka is very close to the Maldives and I thought, why not.

I did some research about Sri Lanka, like I always do when I go to a new country and wow, I had no idea. The country looked incredible. I also found a blog post stating the country is a very safe country to go to by yourself and that just made my choice even easier. I booked my ticket and went to Sri Lanka for a month. And to be honest I could have stayed for a year. It is such an incredible country. In this article, I will talk about Sri Lanka, how to get around, why you should travel solo, what to do and where to go.

Sigiriya rock in Sri Lanka — Dirty booty, looking at the Sigiriya Rock

ABOUT SRI LANKA

The civil war ended in 2009, after about 25 years of violence and conflict. So traveling to Sri Lanka now is safe and they actually are relying on tourism. Then covid hit and a lot of local people went bankrupt and the country needs tourism more than ever.

Just for you to get a better picture of where Sri Lanka is located and what the country is known for, let me simply explain to you. Sri Lanka is the neighboring country to India, just off the southeastern coast. Sri Lanka is a modest country with a population of about 20 million people. The country is known for its rich nature and wildlife. Their economy is based on tourism, fishing, mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.

The country became an independent nation in 1948, formerly called Ceylon. Sri Lanka also suffered from a tsunami in 2004 triggered by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the Indian Ocean. Unfortunately killed thousands of people and destroyed the infrastructure. The country learned an important lesson, don’t touch nature, it is there for a reason. Before the tsunami, the government cut down all the mangroves, which was actually a natural defense against natural disasters such as tsunamis. Now the government has said to not touch any mangroves and let them grow.

Also, a little fun fact for you all, the country is actually shaped as a teardrop. And the country is full of mountains, which is also another reason why I chose to travel to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has a tropical climate dominated by two monsoon seasons. The summer monsoon season lasts from mid-May to October and the winter monsoon from December to March. Monsoon rains are constant and heavy. The winter monsoon has less rain. The climate is hot and humid the entire year. If you go to the highlands, you will feel that the air is fresher and cooler, it can actually get very cold.

SOLO TRAVEL IN SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka is very popular for solo travelers, so chances to meet people there are very high. Sri Lanka is known for their tuk-tuk taxis, you can actually rent one yourself and drive across the country, or hire a driver. The best and cheapest option to get around is with local transportation. In Sri Lanka, local transportation works perfectly. Not very luxurious, but it takes you wherever you need. Just keep in mind to not leave your belonging at any time. I did, and my wallet got stolen by two ladies. I guess I trusted too much.

Compare to India, which can be a little scary for solo travelers, Sri Lanka is fairly easy to explore on your own. The people are very friendly and their English is good. I only did local transportation, and I actually loved it. I took the train wherever I could, and when the train was not an option I took the local bus. I used GPS to see when the bus would leave and what number of the bus, and it worked every time. I know in some countries this won’t work, but GPS in Sri Lanka works wonderfully, especially with schedules for local transportation.

On a bus in Sri Lanka — Me and a local bus

Sri Lanka is a safe country to travel to. I didn’t feel in danger once. People stare at you, but only because we look different, not because of some creepy reason. Sometimes I felt like an alien or something because people wouldn’t stop staring at me. Some people also ran up to me to take a picture with me without even asking, so weird.

Locals are happy to help you as much as they can, if you have any questions about where things are located or what bus you have to take, they will be honest with you and tell you exactly where to go. In Vietnam for instance, they always give you false information, charging way too much just because you are a tourist. It's not like that in Sri Lanka.

ACCOMMODATION IN SRI LANKA:

I think Sri Lanka is the best place in the world for hostels. The hostels sometimes look better than the hotels, they are really beautiful and often very social. I only stayed in hostels when I was in Sri Lanka and I met so many amazing people! I really clicked with 3 people, and we had kind of the same itinerary, so we traveled together to a few places.

Traveling solo doesn’t mean you will be lonely. I would highly suggest going to hostels to connect with other solo travelers. They are usually in the same boat as you and want to find people to talk to. Also, when traveling solo, you are kind of forced to socialize and talk to people and it just becomes easier for every new hostel you arrive at.

If you don’t feel like socializing and just want to chill by yourself, Sri Lanka has a lot of options. Budget, luxury whatever you desire. Sri Lanka is a very cheap country, so luxury hotels are usually a lot cheaper in Sri Lanka compared to other countries.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH OTHER TRAVELLERS IN HOSTELS

Sometimes it can feel odd to just go over to a table full of people that have already connected. But remember that all of them were in the exact spot as you are. Travelers don’t really judge other people and are really open-minded. The only judgemental person towards you is usually yourself. I always used to think; “omg, I’m not going to get any friends, I’m not going to have the courage to go up to strangers and talk to them, they will probably not want to hang out with me” all these thoughts were waste of time. The one thing I learned about traveling was to always be open-minded to other people and always smile and have eye contact.

Hiking with new friends at Sirigiya Rock

HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF BEFORE THE TRIP

If you are like me, with a tiny bit of social anxiety, it is still hope for you. You can still book that ticket to your dream destination solo, you just need some preparation before you go. Let me explain. I know it is very scary to sit in front of your computer and look at the flight ticket you want, but don’t really dare to buy it, because no one has the time to join you. But the thing is that if you have to wait for people to travel with you, you will have to wait forever and miss a really good opportunity to gain self-confidence and independence.

Purchase that ticket you always have dreamed of, don’t give it a second thought. Think of it like jumping off a cliff. If you stand on the edge of the cliff for too long you will probably not jump. Then all the thoughts about the “what if” come into your mind and it will stop you from doing something great. If you sit in front of your computer, have the money and time, and dream of going somewhere but don’t have anyone to travel with, just book the ticket.

You need to plan a little bit more than you would usually do if you were traveling with other people. Do some research on the country you are going to. Don’t ever google in your own language, because usually, government sites say all the worst things about the country, such as malaria, war, crime, etc. because there is a tiny change that can happen, but remember that can happen in your own country too. Do research on English sites, about the culture, the food, where to explore, and what to do. Try also to figure out how long you want to stay in each location. Do you want to hike? Party? City? Then find hostels that resonate with what you want to do. For instance, if you are going hiking, don’t go to a party hostel.

The best way to check if a hostel is not a party place is to take a look at the reviews. I usually use Hostelworld, Google, or Booking. The best way is to check the lowest-rated review, one star. The hotels and hostels have so many fake bots to give good reviews to their site, so the most reliable is the low stars. But have some common sense, some people just complain about everything.

THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN SRI LANKA

This tiny island will surprise you. There are just so many things you can do, and the country is very diverse. Sri Lanka is one of my favorite countries I have traveled to solo, because of the unlimited things to do, and the ease of getting around, and there are so many solo travelers in Sri Lanka. The food in Sri Lanka is top-notch, and the culture is beautiful. Let yourself embrace nature, chill by the beach and connect with the wild. Sri Lanka is heaven for adventurers.

TAKE A WALK IN THE STREETS OF COLOMBO, THE CAPITAL OF SRI LANKA

When you arrive in Sri Lanka, you will land at the Bandaranaike International Airport. You can either choose to explore Colombo or go to Negombo, a beach town right outside Colombo. Colombo will give you a little culture shock for you, and you will probably feel a little lonely the first couple of hours after you land. All the thoughts of being alone will come to your mind and you will not find any people to hang out with. But don’t stress about it, you will meet so many great people. Colombo is the largest city in Sri Lanka, it is also the capital. Colombo has a little bit of everything, such as poor areas, where you will find run-down buildings, and then in another area shiny office buildings and luxury hotels.

Colombo is fine to explore for a day, especially for your first time traveling solo. It can be a little chaotic and stressful, and most travelers go to the coast so it is easier to meet people there. What I always do when I go to cities, is to join a free walking tour, that way you will meet other travelers and you will have a guide explaining the history and answer all your questions you might have. Colombo is the melting pot of diverse cultures, religions, and races. It is a city of contrast, where the traffic is no stop, and the pollution is bad, but the smell of the spices at all the different markets makes up for it. Eat like a local at the street food markets or explore the churches, mosques, and temples. I hired a tuk-tuk driver to take me around the city, it was fun but too busy and noisy for me. I stayed in Lagoon Park Residence not far from Colombo Airport. I explored the city for the day and then took the train down to Mirissa the very next day.

TAKE THE TRAIN TO MIRISSA AND TUKTUK TO UNAWATUNA

Mirissa is one of the most popular beach towns in Sri Lanka and is a must for backpackers. Mirissa has a lot of very nice hostels for you to get social. There are several ways you can get down to Mirissa. Either take the train, which is what I did, and I can highly recommend it. You can also take the bus, rent a tuk-tuk or hire a taxi driver.

If you want to take the train, go to Maradana Railway Station, tell them you are going to Mirissa and they will give to the exact ticket you need and tell you which platform the train will depart from. In Sri Lanka, most people speak English, so don’t worry about that, and to be honest they are pretty good at understanding.

When I arrived in Mirissa, I took a TukTuk to Unawatuna.

6 THINGS YOU MUST DO IN UNAWATUNA

Unawatuna is a very popular destination in Sri Lanka. A lot of Instagram-friendly places and so photogenic. This side of the country is known for the best beaches in Sri Lanka and that is why tourists are coming here for holiday. I liked it a lot because it is so chill and the vibes are very relaxed. You only need about 2 - 3 days here.

1. Jungle Beach

This is a really cool beach you have to check out on your trip to Unawatuna. The jungle beach is tucked between the jungle. It was a hidden beach before, but very crowded when we got there. You will see a lot of locals here on the weekends.

2. Unawatuna Beach

I went here to check it out real quick. Not the coolest beach in Sri Lanka, but worth a visit. This beach is popular with tourists and locals, full of sunbeds and restaurants around.

3. Dalawella Beach

Ah, this beach is wonderful. It is also where you will find the popular swing that has become an Instagram thing. The beach also looks so untouched, surrounded by coconut trees. Bring your new friends from the hostel, take a walk at the beach and take pictures of each other from the coconut tree swing. There is also a really cool rock, called Wijaya rock. Also very famous for its pictures and it is not far from the swing.

sunset at Dalawella beach — Sunset at Dalawella Beach

4. Surf at Sahana Beach

If you are into surfing, go surfing. Also a good way of meeting new people. This beach has really good waves for beginners. Lessons cost around 2000 LKR, which is around $12.

5. Visit the dog care clinic

I was very amazed by some people in Sri Lanka. When I was sitting at a restaurant, this American lady came with several dogs, she had picked up from the street. She was going to castrate them and give them different shots for parasites. There is a dog clinic you can visit and they also castrate for free. It is a self-funding place and you can come and play with the dogs. Sri Lanka has over 40 million stray dogs, very sad. And most of the time they are very unhealthy.

6. Check out local gyms

I love going to the gym when I travel, when I was in Unawatuna I went to a local gym. Of course, I was the only white-blonde girl there, so all the guys were staring, but it is how it is. I am just different from them so I don’t blame them. I also look when people are different from me, it's human. We have to stop thinking that everything is sexual.

WHERE TO STAY IN UNAWATUNA

I stayed in a really beautiful bohemian chic hostel when I was there. I tried to look up the exact same hostel, but it seems like they didn’t survive the pandemic, unfortunately. The hostel has turned into a villa, so no more bunk beds. The new villa is called JJ JungleJoy villa. It doesn’t even look like it did when it was a hostel.

Hostels you can check out are:

Cycling Hostel Sri Lanka - 1km to the Unawatuna beach, but they have bikes available. A very clean hostel with a good breakfast, also easy to get to know people as it is very social. A 5-minute walk from shops, shopping, restaurants, and bus stop. Also located next to the train station. Their price per night is around $5 or $7 if you want included breakfast

Hostel Single Lounge - 800 meters from Dalawella beach. This hostel features a garden, free private parking, and a shared lounge. All rooms have a kitchen and bathroom. You can also rent a bike and the hostel is very social so it is easy to get friends.

Rockstell Hills Hostel - Located in the middle of Unawatuna beach and jungle beach. Every room has bathrooms and they offer a buffet or Asian breakfast. They don’t have bunk beds, but separate beds. This is a cool hostel and is easy to meet people that you can go and do things together with. The place is surrounded by nature. This hostel is also brand new. People usually come back here because it is so social.

Wanderers Galle - 1 km from Mihiripenna Beach. Wanderers Galle has a swimming pool, a garden, and a shared lounge. This is more like a villa, but they also offer bunk beds for solo travelers. The social part might vary from time to time. But it has a good location.

After Unawatuna, I went again with the Tuk-Tuk to Mirissa. I checked into a really nice hostel, actually the most beautiful hostel in Sri Lanka. Satori beach hostel is the name.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN MIRISSA

Mirissa is a very hip place for yoga people and surfers. People stay there for months. You will never get tired of the endless beaches, beautiful hostels and villas, and good restaurants and bars. This is definitely the most popular beach town in Sri Lanka. In Mirissa you can catch big surf, go whale watching and swim with turtles. I recommend 2-4 days here if your time is tight.

1. Stay in the coolest hostel in Sri Lanka, Satori Mirissa Beach Hostel

This hostel has been closed for a couple of years, I’m pretty sure it is because of the pandemic, but they have reopened. This hostel is located right at the beach, all dormitories have balconies with ocean views, very comfortable beds, ceiling-height glass doors, privacy, and good showers. They offer family dinners, bonfires, and yoga. Very easy to connect with other travelers. This is the hostel where I met most people.

The complete guide to travel solo in Sri Lanka — View from the dorm, not bad for a hostel

2. Check out Secret beach

Not very secret, but worth the visit. There are sun beds there, chairs and tables. I don’t know why I don’t like that, but I just don’t like to see plastic on a beach. And when there are sun beds, I feel it is not secluded and untouched. I like to find empty beaches with only sand and palm trees. If you go to the beach very early though, you might be lucky to get the beach for yourself. Also, if you ask the locals where you can find the natural swimming pool, they will most likely give you directions and this place is a lot less tourist and very charming.

3. Polhena beach

Swimming here is like swimming in a pool. Coral reef, amazing sea life, white beach, and palm trees all around you. It is actually located in Matara, a little bit outside Mirissa. But worth the visit.

4. Coconut Tree Hills

This place has to be on your list. You can’t go to Mirissa without checking out Coconut Tree Hill. It is the most Instagrammable spot in Sri Lanka, even more than the swing at Dalawella Beach. It is a private coconut farm located just a 15-minute walk from Mirissa Beach. The views are outstanding and all the palm trees make a perfect picture. This place tends to be very crowded, so come early.

5. Parrot Rock

Check out the big rock over the water, right next to Mirissa beach. It is worth checking it out if you have a drone. If you don’t, it just looks like a small island full of rocks. It is still beautiful though. If the tide is low, you can also cross over to it.

6. Mirissa Beach

I went here several times by myself, it is just a really cool place to look at people, and surfers and cuddle with stray dogs (be careful though as they might have rabies) It is a very crowded beach but still has good vibes. There are plenty of restaurants and bars along the beach.

7. Snorkelling with Turtles

Mirissa is perfect to swim with turtles. It is wildlife, so you might not see a turtle, but if you do please respect it and don’t touch or get too close. Remember it is their home and you are just on a visit.

8. Diving

Go diving with diving companies in Mirissa. I didn’t do this, but I heard it is very cool. Get along with someone at your hostel, or go alone, you will always meet people on the diving tour as well. Usually, solo travelers do this to meet other people. It is not just in the hostels you will meet people.

9. Surfing

Are you into surfing? Well, Mirissa is known for good surf, so grab a surfboard, take lessons or just watch the surfers catch the waves.

10. Whale and Dolphin watching

If you are in Mirissa between November to April, the chances to see whales are big. You can book a tour. The boat usually departs at about 7am and you can be able to spot blue whales, bred whales, sperm whales, and spinner dolphins.

Doing things alone doesn’t mean you are a loner, remember that. Eating alone at a restaurant is not weird, it is actually becoming more normal because of the huge solo traveling community. Sometimes, people invite you over to their table if they see you are eating alone. And if you book tours alone, you will most likely meet other travelers. It might seem scary in the beginning and you will feel weird, but it is going to get better every day. Remember, if you have never traveled alone, you will encounter a lot of uncomfortable events that will only make you stronger.

Hostels in Mirissa

Satori Mirissa Beach Hostel
Why Not Backpackers - this is a party hostel, but very cool vibe. They have activities every day, a pool, and a really good place to meet other people. I didn’t go there because of the parties, but I heard from others that it is a very cool hostel. The hosts do a great job of getting everyone involved. Around $6-7 a night
Happy Sack Hostel - Excellent hostel, the vibe is cool. The location is great and clean and easy to meet other travelers. A 7-minute walk to the beach. $7 per night.

After Mirissa I also recommend going to Dikwella on the local bus. I found this bus by typing in Dikwella from Mirissa on my GPS, and it found the exact number for my bus. You pay cash on the bus. I had to sit on the floor because the bus was full.

Dikwella - Things to do and where to stay

Dikwella is a very cool surf town. I stayed here for 3 nights. One of the girls I met in Satori Hostel in Mirissa also arrived here a day later. This was the first time I felt lonely when I arrived, but it didn’t last long. People had already started to bond, and the area where people eat is kind of small, so sometimes not enough tables. But the hostel is very cool. Maybe not be the most social hostel I have been to, but I still recommend it. I got my bed in a beautiful dorm, and then went out exploring. I was sitting at a beach when a guy came over and asked “hey can I hang here with you” and I said most definitely. See? How easy it is. There, I already had a new friend in Dikwella.

1. Check out Hiriketiya Beach

This is a very beautiful beach. I wish I had a drone back then, but I didn’t, that just means I have to come back to Sri Lanka to create more content. Hiriketiya Beach is a horseshoe bay surrounded by jungle. It is a 2-minute drive from Dikwella with a Tuk-Tuk. We went here for sunset.

2. Dikwella Beach

My favorite in Dikwella actually. There is also a very cool swing in a falling palm tree. We also went here for sunset. Really cool place.

3. Hummanaya Blow Hole

Go check out this cool spot. It is located in Kudawella. It is the only known Blowhole in Sri Lanka and is supposedly the largest blowhole in the world. It explodes every 10-15 minutes.

4. Sunset at Dondra Light House

The southernmost point in Sri Lanka is where you will find this tall lighthouse. It is surrounded by palm trees and is supposed to be the tallest lighthouse in Asia.

5. Blue Beach Island

I walked here from the hotel I stayed at. On the way, I met another guy from the hostel. He wanted to explore the beach as well, so he joined. Again, met a new friend which was awesome. The little island that connects with the beach is known as the tied island.

From Dikwella, we rented scooters to check out the beaches that are located more east. Personally, I think that the most beautiful beaches I had seen in Sri Lanka were located here. I am so happy that we explored this less-known area of Sri Lanka. We drove to a little town called Tangalle.

The places I have mentioned above are super to travel to solo. There will always be other travelers there and the vibes are very good. But Sri Lanka has also a lot of other places worth checking out if you travel solo. These places are also easy to get to with local transportation.

One of many beautiful beaches on the way to Tangalle

UDAWALAWE OR YALA NATIONAL PARK

I looked at my travel itinerary and shared it with Typhaine, the girl I met at the hostel. She said she had the exact same plans, so let's travel together. The next stop was the national park to see wild animals on a jeep safari tour. We could either choose Udawalawe or Yala National Park. We chose Yala since it was more in the same direction we were going. And Yala is one of the most famous national parks in Sri Lanka.

Kataragama - We stayed in Kataragama for 2 nights. The hostel we went to had no tourists. Not the best choice, but I really liked the hostel. So I will recommend it. But you might be there completely by yourself. But it is the hostel that is closest to the entrance of the Yala National Park as of then. Jeep Safari in Yala Nationalpark was so fun, and we saw elephants, leopards, birds, crocodiles, and a lot of monkeys. Keep in mind that you will not be alone, 100 other cars will also look for animals, and the drivers speak to each other on walkie talkie if they see the leopard.

Please do a lot of research before you go to the hotel where you have elephants in the backyard, or other elephant orphanages. Read why here and here.

After the National Park, we hired a tuk-tuk driver to take us to the road where elephants usually cross the roads. That was such a cool experience. Something I really recommend doing.

WHERE TO STAY IN KATARAGAMA - YALA NATIONAL PARK

Funky Leopard Safari Lodge - This hostel is literally at the entrance of the park. It is the closest hostel to the lodge. The dorms are beautiful and pretty new. You can encounter wildlife right outside the hostel as well. It cost around $8 per night. Not too many people come here for some reason, so don’t expect to meet other travelers, maybe you have better luck than us. I was very happy I had my new friend along. Otherwise, I think I would go to another place because we were the only ones. And no people are working there at night. It is the only hostel around.

Humbhaha Jungle Nature eco Resort - This place is supposed to be really cool. You will stay in a treehouse surrounded by jungle and wild animals. You can also swim in the river next. The reviews say it is a very special atmosphere. But you will have a double room, not a dorm.

After Kataragama, we headed towards Haputale. We stayed in Haputale for 3 nights. I really loved this place, located in the mountains. There are so many hikes, waterfalls, and the famous Lipton tea plantation. Haputale is a very popular place for travelers as well, so meeting people here is easy. Haputale doesn’t have hostels. But they have guesthouses. When you arrive in Haputale town, you need to get a tuk-tuk wherever you are going next. Some people go directly to Ella and visit the plantation from there. But I recommend checking out Haputale as well.

HAPUTALE - WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO STAY

1. Lipton seat for sunrise

From your guesthouse, you can take a tuk-tuk to the Lipton seat for sunrise. It is the highest point of Haputale. It sits at an altitude of 1,970 meters. I recommend going during sunrise, with fewer people, beautiful colors, and a misty morning. Keep in mind, it is very cold in the morning. Bring a jacket.

2. Hike down the Tea Plantations

After the sunrise and tasting of the tea, walk down the plantations until you reach the tea factory. There are trails and it is so beautiful. Takes about 3 hours to walk down to the factory. Depends on your hiking skills and how many times you stop for pictures.

3. Check out the tea factory

It was cool to see how they actually make tea. From the leaves we just saw outside to the tea we buy in the grocery store with the Lipton logo.

4. Diyaluma waterfalls

This waterfall is worth the visit to Haputale. Such stunning surroundings. We were here for one full day. The tuk-tuk driver took us to all the coolest spots.

WHERE TO STAY

Stay at White Monkey Dias Rest

The coolest place in Haputale. The guest house is located on a mountain hill, surrounded by hikes and beautiful nature. It is also easy to meet other travelers here since they have family dinners and that makes it very social. I can recommend this place for solo travelers. Also families and couples. They will arrange a tuk-tuk for the day with their cousin.

Note: Don’t buy tea at the factory, buy in the White Monkey Dias Rest. They will sell it a lot cheaper.

After Haputale we finally went to Ella. Ella has everything for any traveler. Going solo here is very safe, and high chances to meet other travelers. There are plenty of hostels, cute cafes, a more modern environment, waterfalls, nature, tea plantations, and Instagrammable places.

ELLA, SRI LANKA - WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO STAY

1. Little Adams Peak

Really cool hike you can’t miss. amazing nature, tea plantations, and crazy views. You will have a panoramic view from the top.

2. Zip Line

Zip Line with Flying Raven was very fun. Really cool views, a dual zip-line where you fly across mountain views, and luscious green estates.

3. Nine Arches Bridge

The most photographed place in Ella. It is famous worldwide and everyone has heard of this iconic bridge. It is 25 meters high and located above tea plantations and in the middle of a bamboo forest. Really cool to see a train pass by. You can walk on the rails when the train is not coming.

4. Rawana Waterfalls

I love waterfalls, and I want to check them all out. This one is also very cool. 10 minutes drive from Ella, the winding road is also worth checking out on the way to the waterfall.

5. Rawana Ella Cave

Check out this small cave, just 2km outside Ella town. The cave lies 1,370 m above sea level on the foundation of a cliff.

6. Ella Rock

Hike to Ella Rock. It is one of the most popular hikes in Ella, and for a good reason. The hike is very overgrown and takes about 2 hours to complete.

7. Cafe chill in Ella Town

Check out Ella town, there are plenty of restaurants and cute cafes. My favorite cafe was Cafe Chill. Huge pillows on the floor you can sit on, good drinks, coffee, and food.

WHERE TO STAY IN ELLA

Pepper Hills Hostels - This is where we stayed. 12 km from Ella, but if you rent a scooter it is no problem. One of my favorite hostels so far to be honest. Super cool, with amazing views, nice dorms, monkeys, and a little outside gym. They haven’t posted anything since 2020, so I am not quite sure if they survived Covid. I have tried to find information, but it seems like they are still accepting bookings. But a little heads up last they haven’t posted anything in 3 years. The last review says they arrived and it was closed, that was in 2022. The review after that is from 2020.

The Hangover Hostel - This is the most popular hostel in Ella. And that makes it very social. $12 a night

Kurumba Hostel - $3 a night, has very good reviews and an amazing location.

After Ella, I recommend you to go to Adams peak if you are into hiking. We stayed there for 2 nights. Take the train from Ella to Hatton, then take the bus to go to Nallathaniya.

ADAMS PEAK, SRI LANKA

I wish I had my drone for this peak. Such a cool mountain. Looks like a china-mans hat. We stayed in White House Adams Peak. They have dorms also, which makes it easy to meet other people that are going to climb the mountain. The hike starts at 2:30 AM and you will arrive at the top around 5 PM depending on your fitness level. The hike has 5.500 steps to climb, which makes your butt work hard. The peak has an altitude of 2,243 m. It is a sacred mountain and you will pass Buddha statues and monks. The top is very cold, so bring layers and a change of clothes. I was completely soaked from sweat, so I changed all my clothes when I reached the top. It is about 5 degrees Celsius.

Adams peak Sri Lanka — View from the top of Adams Peak

TIPS: Don’t go during the weekend, as this mountain is a pilgrimage for locals. It will be too many people so impossible to go up.

The last place you should not miss out on your solo trip to Sri Lanka is Sigiriya. Take the train from Gambola to Sandy. Explore Sandy by food, before you take the bus to Dambulla. From Dambulla, you take another bus. They will tell you the exact bus you have to take to get to Sigiriya.

SIGIRIYA, SRI LANKA

I really liked this little town. No paved roads, really great hostels, and some cute local restaurants. The reason why most people come here is because of the huge rock hikes.

1. Sigiriya Lion Rock

This 180-meter-high rock is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an ancient rock fortress that dates back to 477-495 AD. The rock is dominated by jungle from all sides. The hike up is a little challenging and very steep with 1200 steps. It is not allowed to take pictures of statues on the way up. The police made me delete the pictures from my phone. It opens at 8AM and costs about $30-35. It is worth it though.

2. Pidurangala Hill

Go here for sunrise. This hike is really cool. I liked this better than the Lion Rock itself. Because from here you will see the sunrise and a beautiful view of the Sigiriya Lion Rock. The entrance is $5 and you can take a tuk-tuk from your hostel. We met a lot of people from our hostel that we went together with to both of the rocks.

3. Lake next to Sigiriya Lion Rock

After the hike, we asked the Tuk-Tuk driver to take us to a lake where we can have a view of Sigiriya rock and Pidurangala Hill. Really beautiful place.

WHERE TO STAY IN SIGIRIYA

I no longer find the hostel that I stayed in. But these are really good alternatives:

One More Night Hostel: Very social, has a pool and good environment. $5 a night. Breakfast included. Very good reviews.

Roy’s Villa Hostel: This is a little more expensive choice, but again, very comfortable dorms, easy to meet other travelers, good vibes, family dinners and so much more. $15 a night.

Another World Hostel - Breakfast included, social, a good place to meet other people. $5 a night.

Now, after doing everything I listed above I’m sure you will leave Sri Lanka full of good memories, new friends, and an addiction to solo traveling. After Sigiriya, you can take the bus back to Dambulla. Then you can choose to stay there for a couple of nights or take the bus to Polgahawela, then from Polgahawela you can take the train to Ragama, where you have to change train to go to Negombo, another beach town right outside Colombo. This town is so much cooler than Colombo and closer to the airport. The train stops at Kurana, and from there you can take a tuk-tuk.

Stay a night in Reggie’s guesthouse. The guest house is located on the beach and has some really cool art on its walls. Check out some delicious restaurants close by and take your last dip in the ocean before you fly to another country or back to your home.

What I love about traveling solo is that there are no limits on what you can do. You don’t need to ask anyone what they want to do. You are the boss, and you can hang out with whomever you want. If the vibes are off, you can just leave and find new people. If you travel with friends you cannot just leave like that. You have the freedom to do and go wherever you want whenever you want.

Some solo traveler tips to make your trip easier:

Download offline maps (in case there is no service) https://maps.me is a good option.
Download the offline translator.
Download Hostelworld, Booking, and Agoda to find the best hostels.
Read reviews before you book hostels.
Never book more than 2 nights. In case you don’t like the vibe there.
Study the country you are going to before you go.
Before you leave, do some research on where you want to go and what you want to see.
Pack in cubes, and pack light. No one will help you with your luggage.
Never be afraid to talk to people at your hostel, just do it. Start with “Hi, where are you from, what is your name and your plans”
Have a certain budget for every day.
Sign up for activities that the hostels offer.
Don’t go by yourself after dark, or late at night.
Don’t get drunk ( I never taste alcohol when I travel solo)
Use common sense, all the time in every situation.
Before you go, check what paperwork or visas are required for Sri Lanka

Leave a comment below if you have any questions about traveling solo. Thank you for reading this article and I hope it will help you for your next solo travel to Sri Lanka. Personally, I think it is the best country for your first time traveling solo.

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