fraiztravels
June 1, 2024
Solo traveling has been a recent sensation among women thanks to Generation Z females mustering the courage to visit multiple countries, even those deemed inadvisable for travel. With the advancement of technology accompanied by several other factors including the safety measures provided by the authorities, cordial locals, as well as the secure itinerary guides made available by travelers, the number of solo female travelers is heightening.
Despite the number of countries that are ideal for solo female traveling being considerably small, it’s a massive feat that Sri Lanka has made an appearance among these countries that are highly recommended for solo traveling for females. According to TimeOut, Sri Lanka has been ranked the top destination for solo female travelers in 2024. This is your confirmation to add Sri Lanka to your must-visit list if you’re a female planning to solo travel.
Sri Lanka has gained fame for its versatile weather, breathtaking mountains idolized by trekkers, stunning beaches, flabbergasting safari spots and not to mention some of the most amicable locals you’ll ever meet. Why choose Sri Lanka as your go-to destination if you’re a solo female traveler and what should you know when traversing across Sri Lanka?
We’ve got you covered with a travel guide, essential tips, prime tourist spots, and everything you need to know about your solo quest to Sri Lanka in our blog.
It’s no astonishment that solo female traveling has been on the rise lately. However, what resulted in the surge of women desiring to travel all by themselves to unprecedented locations?
According to a survey conducted by Solo Traveler, 46% of females stated that the sense of independence and empowerment inspired them to travel alone. In comparison, 15% of the participants mentioned that they consider solo travel a challenge that enables them to gain confidence.
There are multiple factors as to why solo female traveling has been a trend for a long time now. One of the major factors is financial independence among women. Women have made their way into the corporate world and have been occupied in nearly all fields of work which simultaneously grants them exposure and a source of income to make ends meet.
This guarantees working women the financial security that is necessary for funding their expenses and the exclusive control over their finances also plays a pivotal role in influencing women to solo travel. In addition, pop culture and social media have created an enormous impact on how women view the world. Movies that prioritize female empowerment have portrayed how captivating the feeling of independence is and this can be regarded as a contributing factor for incentivizing females to solo travel.
On the other hand, social media influencers have enticed much of the female population with their alluring travel vlogs and videos. The countless uploads of content that depict daring ventures to incredible locations where tantalizing foods and accommodating locals are invariably some of the greatest sights to behold.
Consequently, independent women have developed a hankering for solo travel to experience what the world has to offer them. Not to mention, how a relative number of women are seeking to boost their morale by being prepared to take on any obstacles that come with solo traveling.
There are regrettably only known to be a couple of countries that are quite secure for solo female travelers. As mentioned above, Sri Lanka has been ranked the first country to be the safest tourist destination for solo female traveling in 2024. With the exclusion of Sri Lanka, countries such as Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Czechia, etc have also been accredited among the top 10 countries females can safely navigate.
For a nation to be safe for female tourists to freely and solely navigate, the government, the tourism industry, and the authorities of that particular nation have to exert much spadework.
This would include implementing laws for locals on how to conduct themselves toward tourists, ensuring public transport and the infrastructure are up to high standards, endorsing secure and popular local tourist spots, as well as advising tourists on how to carry themselves in significant areas.
The Sri Lankan tourism industry is unquestionably performing a stellar job of promoting to foreigners, particularly female tourists which is why the island nation has been ranked number one on the safest destinations for female solo travelers.
The Sri Lankan locals also deserve commends for their exceptional hospitality and sincerity that have drawn countless female solo travelers. Despite language barriers, the tourists seem to connect and get along with the locals in Sri Lanka which also has brought about solo female travelers to Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the public transportation system in Sri Lanka is quite versatile which allows female solo travelers to pick and choose their preferred mode of transport to navigate across distinct parts of the island. Taxi-hailing apps like Uber and Pickme have been the go-to public transport choice for solo female tourists exploring Sri Lanka because these apps help them monitor their routes and display the fare before hailing a taxi thus essentially avoiding scammers.
Besides taxi-hailing apps, other public transport like buses and trains are quite popular among locals and tourists. This is the most recommended mode of transport in Sri Lanka if you’re traveling long distances, especially from one province to another. Make sure to take in all that awe-inspiring view when traversing by train, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Although there can be instances when tourists may face a few obstacles and negative experiences, Sri Lanka is mostly a safe and ideal destination for solo female travelers.
It’s always best to gain an understanding of the destination you’re traveling to ensure you have an overall positive and exhilarating experience. Despite the admiration that Sri Lanka is safe for female solo traveling, it’s always crucial to be vigilant because your safety should take precedence over any other aspects.
Thus we’ve delved into a couple of realities you need to be aware of if you’re a female on her way to indulge in solo traveling across Sri Lanka. Take heed that these factors can apply to solo female travelers irrespective of where they traverse.
Solo female traveling comes with its hurdles. It shouldn’t be alarming if tourists are confronted with difficulties when navigating such as going off the right track. Hence, it’s integral to carry out extensive research on areas you’re planning to visit. Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnical country, as a result, certain parts of the island are dominated by particular ethnic groups.
The locals in the north and the east parts of Sri Lanka predominantly speak Tamil whereas the south and central are where Sinhala is frequently spoken. In addition, Sri Lanka is home to people from distinct faiths such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. It’s best to learn the customs and traditions of the inhabitants in the areas that are on your itinerary to avoid offending them.
The thrill of solo female traveling is achieved by familiarizing yourself with the locals and what better way to get to know the locals than traveling with them? Most locals in Sri Lanka use buses and trains as their mode of public transport and these are generally the safest form of transport during the day time. The Sri Lankan bus drivers can get chaotic particularly if they’re journeying long distances and the train rides are when you’ll witness the most phenomenal sights.
Taxis are ideal if you’re embarking on a short quest and we recommend hailing a ride through Uber or Pickme which is a local app. In case you fail to book a ride on these apps you could consult if the tuk drivers are metered to prevent being scammed.
Despite Sri Lanka being a conservative country, there’s no stipulated dress code for locals or tourists. However, this depends on what parts of Sri Lanka you’re embarking on. As mentioned above, particular ethnic groups are predominant in specific areas, notably the East where Muslims reside.
If you’re a solo female traveler traversing to such areas, it’s advised to wear modestly as the locals are not accustomed to women wearing very revealing clothes. Donning modest attire is also a rule in key areas of Sri Lanka such as temples, mosques, churches, government offices, museums, parliament, etc.
Besides these areas, you can wear your preferred choice of clothing be their shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, and whatnot.
This rule of thumb is applicable everywhere if you’re a solo female traveler because you can never be too secure. The odds of someone prying on your personal information are low in Sri Lanka but never zero. Female solo travelers might experience tuk drivers or fellow locals being too inquisitive about their whereabouts or phone numbers. In such instances, it’s best to not pay heed to them and simply walk away. Always keep tabs on people who you communicate with as some locals might exploit your kindness.
This shouldn’t be of concern if you’re at your hotel surrounded by trustworthy friends and colleagues. However, if you’re a female solo traveler partying at a club or bar, it’s wise to limit your alcohol consumption since you’re among strangers as anybody might take advantage of you when you’re vulnerable.
Solo female travelers should never encounter any hindrances on their journey. Yet it’s undeniable that there are several hindrances presented to them and one such is the inability to travel during the night simply. This is essential as you’ll infrequently see women walking at night in Sri Lanka, hence the womenfolk aren’t around, and it’s best not to be around
In this segment, we’ve curated the ideal spots in Sri Lanka for solo female traveling. From beaches to mountains, safari rides, bird parks, etc you’re in for a wild ride if you’re planning to add these locations to your itinerary.
Mirissa – Mirissa is one of the most prominent beaches in Sri Lanka situated on the southern coast in Matara. It’s a popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka particularly for solo female travelers who are eager to have a dip in the crystal clear beach. The beach is surrounded by groves of palm trees and it’s a renowned spot where whale and dolphin watching is a frequent event. With multiple beachfront cafes containing sun loungers and serving delectable food, you’ll never want to leave Mirissa.
Galle – Galle is a location that has maintained its fame of being a city that still reflects the remnants of colonialism. This city is renowned for its Galle Fort constructed in the 16th century by the Portuguese. Almost every significant spot in Galle exudes the rich culture of past colonialists while also consisting of iconic beaches where most tourists stop by.
Unawatuna is a coastal area situated in Galle which is an ideal destination for solo female tourists to Sri Lanka. Scuba diving is one of the activities carried out in Unawatuna due to the prevalence of coral reefs.
Ella – Ella is a town located in Badulla and that’s where most tourists venture to hike. Solo female travelers who are inquisitive hikers should pay a visit to Ella. It’s also a tourist destination that’s renowned for its train rides, particularly on the Nine Arches Bridge that’s encompassed by thick trees.
If you’re a nature lover, then Ella should be on your itinerary because it’s one of the few places in Sri Lanka where the flora and fauna are untouched by most humans. Don’t forget to click pictures for your Instagram when navigating to Ella by train.
Yala – Yala is one of Sri Lanka’s largest national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that’s located in the southern province. The entire area of Yala covers over 970 square kilometers. This is where safari enthusiasts flock to experience a real-time wild safari and click pictures of the wildlife residing in the jungles nearby.
Yala is where leopards, wild elephants, boars, and a compendium of wildlife inhabit. It’s an ideal destination for solo female travelers as there are countless hotels situated not too far away from the national park where travel guides are provided to the tourists.
Trincomalee – Trincomalee which is frequently referred to as Trinco is a spot that has a huge religious, cultural, and historical significance. It’s situated in the northeastern part of Sri Lanka and once again is notable for its crystal clear beaches with gentle waves. Hinduism plays a huge role in Trincomalee’s cultural background as it’s filled with Hindu temples. The most notable Hindu temple in Trincomalee is the Koneswaram Temple often visited by tourists as it’s where one of the largest statues of Lord Shiva is placed at.
Trincomalee is infrequently visited by tourists, however, it’s gaining popularity lately among solo female travelers due to its off-the-beaten-track feature.
Sri Lanka has been ranked as the top tourist destination in 2024 for solo female travelers, according to Timeout.com. Solo female traveling has gained massive popularity since 2010 and it has still been on the rise ever since.
The best destination for solo female travelers to navigate is Sri Lanka as the island nation has topped the list in 2024. Other countries that follow Sri Lanka are Japan, Portugal, Austria, Vietnam, etc.
Some of the best spots where solo travelers can travel in Sri Lanka are Ella, Mirissa, Trincomalee, and Galle. Although everywhere in Sri Lanka is ideal for solo traveling, these are the frequently visited destinations by most solo backpackers.
One of the renowned magazines, Timeout Magazine has mentioned Sri Lanka as the best destination for female solo travelers in 2024. If you’re a solo female traveler planning to visit Sri Lanka make sure to check out the most recommended spots such as Galle, Mirissa, Ella, etc.
Among the countless countries that have garnered popularity for being safe for solo female travelers, Sri Lanka has topped the list in 2024. Sri Lanka is popular for its amiable locals, stunning landscapes, and delectable foods that leave you desiring to visit the island more often.
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