Backpacking Sri Lanka: What to expect

If you find yourself in Sri Lanka, expect to interact some of the kindest people this world has to offer. The relationships you form with the locals are genuine and wholesome, not transactional, like many other hosts of tourists. Expect to see tranquil sunsets displayed over beautiful beaches. Go ahead, make your way inland, and you’ll be met with waterfalls, tea fields, and mountain views. Each one of the phenomena deserving more attention than you know how to give. At any given spot on the island, you’ll be free to drink king coconut water and eat rice and curry to your heart’s content. And as if the place isn’t sufficiently magical, there will be monkeys, lizards and peacocks roaming about the city. Traveling mainly by bus, train, and tuk tuk, I spent 3 weeks making my way from village to village, making more memories and friends than I ever expected to. There were many easy hellos, most of them followed by hard goodbyes.

I found myself in Sri Lanka in March of 2023. On a whim I booked a one way plane ticket to the eastern hemisphere with 1 backpack and no plans.