Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In Colombo and popular tourist areas you can relax the dress code. 'Are you married?'
could be the snappy conversation starter you hear most often, so consider wearing a fake
wedding ring and carrying a few pics of your imaginary partner back home.
Women travelling alone may be hassled while walking around day and night, or while ex-
ploring isolated places. Physical harassment (grabbing and groping) can occur anywhere.
Single women may be followed, so try to be connected with larger groups of people. There
have also been cases of solo women being attacked by guides at heritage sites; again,
don't go alone.
However, travelling in Sri Lanka is not one long hassle. Unpleasant incidents are the ex-
ception, not the rule. But remember there are many social environments that are almost ex-
clusively male in character - local bars, for example.
Stock up on tampons as they can be very hard to find.
Bus & Train Travel
Women travelling solo will find buses and trains trying at times. In Colombo ordinary buses
are so packed that sometimes it's impossible to avoid bodily contact with other passengers.
Stray hands on crowded buses and trains happen; this is something that local women are
also subjected to. Change your seat or sit with a local woman. If you gesture to a local wo-
man to sit next to you, she'll understand.
Women travelling solo should avoid night trains.
