17 things I Wish I Knew BEFORE travelling to SRI LANKA 🇱🇰

[@RanulHashika]

The thing is Sigiriya is not a viewpoint. It's an ancient fortress complex and a UNESCO heritage site. If you're just looking for viewpoints they are everywhere. Sri Lanka is full of viewpoints.

[@mr.prabathperera-universit978]

100% true

[@ravinuappuhamy]

It is also known as the 8th Wonders of the World

[@Thoist_Mong69]

@@ravinuappuhamythats a fake one. There are only 7. We came up with the 8th on our own.

[@ravinuappuhamy]

@@Thoist_Mong69 no we didn't

[@Thoist_Mong69]

@@ravinuappuhamy there are lots of monuments claiming to be the 8th and this is just one of them.

[@smirglvojtechskovajsa2787]

I spent about 45 days in Sri Lanka about a year ago. Your video is informative but the Wifi was pretty good everywhere, I was able to watch stuff on Netflix and also do a lot of videoconferencing so I would say Sri Lanka is a good place for digital nomads. Also public transportation is excellent, I mean buses and trains run all the time and roads are also good and I wouldn't say it takes hours to get to places. There's loads of amazing places very close to each other in Sri Lanka. So don't be afraid of local transport. I only took a tuktuk once. Also go to those cheap local eateries, the food there is excellent and cheap. And when you arrive you may choose to spend a day or two in Negombo instead of Colombo (it's quite lovely and close to the airport).

[@Toidi123]

Again visit to sri lsnka!!🇱🇰🇱🇰

[@menakadias4287]

Yes you are correct.

[@mrsklugi8972]

I wouldn’t agree on the local transport. It took me about eight hours to get from Ella to Kandy today (100km)

[@SomebodySharp]

Bro I have 300 mbps 😂

[@Joelfriend]

@SomebodySharp ahaha that’s amazing! Obviously had some bad servers 😂

[@benuriwickramarathne5443]

Hey there ! I’m from Sri Lanka! Thank you for spreading word out of not to participate in elephant rides 🙏🏼♥️

[@ankitkeshri7316]

Hi! I am from India. What is the official website for booking trains in srilanka?

[@-jahabara]

I am from sri lanka too

[@sumuduwijayarathna2822]

It is not a waste of 30 dollars to visit Sigiriya. is not merely a view point. It's a historic fortress. as compared to paying £35 to tour The Shard in London

[@cg-wm9no]

Whatever natives try to promote about the country, beware of the safety. Even the locals are experiencing about it.

[@gich33]

Sigiriya is not a viewpoint. It is History. How much is Eiffel tower? You go to a nearby building instead?

[@Thoist_Mong69]

Its a waste of money. Historical things should be shown for free.

[@menakadias4287]

Sri Lanka is beautiful Island with amazing views, nature, food etc. And the people are very friendly and their hospitality is undoubtedly amazing. One should visit this wonderful country❤

[@isuruedirisinghe6266]

Pidurangala is a great viewpoint of Sigiriya, but you will sadly miss out on the architectural marvels that is on top of Sigiriya unless you visit the actual rock itself. Also if you're in Sgiriya the best and nearest Safari experience would be Minneriya National Park which is only a 30 minute drive from Sigiriya. For partying in Colombo you can go to places such as Sunset Blue at Hilton, Colombar at Cinnamon Lakeside, Steurats by Ctirus etc. on Fridays and Saturdays where they will have Live Bands playing during the evening. Or you can go to a Night Club like Cleopatra or The Chiller Room.

[@Clone_me]

I was quite suprised to hear that theres no parties happening in SL😁 I mean theres are many pubs n restaurants clubs etc..

[@thebroadlife]

The 3rd video about Sri Lanka I watched today. I'm going to roam this country soon. Great video!

[@mcalexy2k]

you canot repalce pidurangala or anyother viewpoint by sigirya. Sigiriya is not just about view from top. It has lot more about history, incredible architecture and old arts. Thats why it is called as 8th wonder of the the world.

[@sammurphy4122]

Old arts of minimally but glamorously clad beautiful women were destroyed and unfortunately never renovated

[@Thoist_Mong69]

That’s a fake wonder 😂

[@AsiriNanayakkara-mq5dw]

​​@@Thoist_Mong69 What do you mean by saying this ... have you ever visited Sigiriya It's not a fake wonder at all. I have have good enough points ....

[@Thoist_Mong69]

@ it is a fake wonder. We Lankans came up with the 8th wonder title for it. It’s not an official title. There are only 7 wonders officially. There are many that claim to be the 8th and Sigiriya is just one of them.

[@AsiriNanayakkara-mq5dw]

@silentlee2073 Whether it's the official 08 world wonder or not it's a different subject. But it's technology & construction is in a higher position than many other ancient constructions ...it has unique characteristics.It's not a fake world wonder .

[@InAir365]

I love how you captured the essence of Sri Lanka. It's on the top of my travel bucket list now!

[@Roadmap2Adventures]

Awesome video! Super helpful. We’re so excited to visit Sri Lanka❤

[@Joelfriend]

Glad it was helpful! Have a great time! :)

[@malikdilshan6446]

Visit Srilanka I Will Help You

[@pandukabalasooriya2902]

FYI Sigiriya is not a view point. It is a comolete ancient city which was built in 05th century AD. Further, it is a UNESCO world heritage site. People visit sigiriya not only for the fantastic 360 degree view on the top of the rock. It is a place where you can identify the marval of ancient irrigation system in Sri Lanka, architecture, literature , painting , pre historic civilization in Sri Lanka etc... I think you didn't get enough information about this place. Anyway visit again with more information. You will love it !! Thank you so much for the video. It really helps to attract more people to Sri Lanka and to develop our tourism industry . All the best

[@URdeviceRL2014]

Thank you for spreading a word about sri lanka 🇱🇰 I'm from sri lanka

[@roshanpradeep5188]

You have done excellent research about SL, and all of the matters you mentioned in the video are absolutely true.

[@ElmiAriyarathna]

Sigiriya is not only a rock it is an old kingdom

[@zehnihameed6371]

Sigriya has frescos etc. It is a historical monument not a mere viewpoint 😊

[@eshikaudayanawanigasekara]

Explane SRI LANKA Sri Lanka, an island nation in South Asia, is known for its diverse landscapes, including tropical beaches, lush forests, and scenic mountains. It has a rich history, with influences from various cultures, including Indian, Portuguese, Dutch, and British. The country's official languages are Sinhala and Tamil, and it's famous for its tea production and ancient cultural sites such as Sigiriya and the city of Kandy. Sri Lanka gained independence from British colonial rule in 1948 and has a democratic government. Sri Lanka boasts stunning natural beauty, with a diverse range of landscapes. The country is renowned for its pristine beaches, surrounded by turquoise waters, palm trees, and coral reefs, making it a paradise for beach lovers. Inland, you'll find lush rainforests, rolling hills covered in tea plantations, and scenic waterfalls. Sri Lanka's central highlands, including the picturesque town of Ella, offer breathtaking mountain vistas. The island is also home to an abundance of wildlife, with national parks like Yala and Wilpattu teeming with elephants, leopards, and various bird species. Sri Lanka's natural beauty is truly captivating. Anuradhapura,Polonnaruwa,Trincomalee,Batticaluo,Nuwara eliya,Hikkaduwa,Nilawali,Yala forest,Sinharaja Katharagama,Kabiliththa (Inside Yala Forest adventure trip),Horton place,Katusu konda (Search Google),Danigala (Search Google),Colombo,Kandy,Small Siri Padha,Siri Padha Piduruthalagala,nil diya pokuna,jaffna,Ella,Galle Find out Camping sites (Search Google) Thats best thing to vlogings for youtube There more places also just Google it 😍 # visitsrilanka ❤ from 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka......😮 stay in Sri Lanka ...Live like Sri Lankan...Keep Explore 👍 Be Nature friend as strong Sri Lankan. Collect garbage with you. Your garbage not for nature. ඔයාගේ කුණු සොබාදහමට අයිති නැත. ඔයගේ කුණු ඔයාම අරන් යන්න. සෑබැ ශ්‍රි ලාංකිකයන් සොබාදහම් අරක්ෂකයෝ ය. உங்கள் குப்பை இயற்கைக்கு சொந்தமானது அல்ல. உங்கள் சொந்த குப்பையை எடுத்துக் கொள்ளுங்கள். அனைத்து இலங்கையர்களும் பாதுகாவலர்கள்.

[@jond46687]

Excellent video, really helpful but also excellent editing too

[@Joelfriend]

Much appreciated! Thanks for watching :)

[@gmurtaza]

Super excited to visit Sri Lanka in a couple of months! Thank you for all the tips

[@suayhughes8103]

Great video as always! Good luck

[@Joelfriend]

Thanks so much!

[@tik3197]

Number 16 👏🏻👏🏻 great that you are mentioning this!

[@Joelfriend]

Absolutely!

[@erangahiroshani]

Thank you for giving the news for all the forigners

[@suchirafernando3448]

Im Srilankan and i do recommend these information ✌️

[@chrisnomad]

Great stuff mate - you jam in a lot of really useful and clear info in a short space. Much appreciated

[@LuisSanchez-km9jn]

Amazing large lsland, the fauna and flora are just incredible, elephants, leopards monkeys of all kinds and much more.

[@luisteruzzi]

Nice video man. I loved your honesty. Looking forward to my trip to Sri Lanka next month. Thanks for sharing ✌🏾

[@Joelfriend]

Glad you found it useful! Have the best time in Sri Lanka!

[@Toidi123]

🇱🇰🇱🇰

[@jucylucy777]

Impressive and useful Intel. Thinking of traveling there from Perth with my Cambodian partner

[@pavithadissanayake1178]

to clarify the head shaking thing, its not completely different, its a bit extra. up and down - yes left and right - no notice in the first one your ears act as a axis of rotation. in the second one, your neck. but if you were to keep your nose as the axis and move your head sideways, that means OK. like when you are asking someone is it ok if i sit here, the third one means ok

[@jameslittle4414]

Really enjoy your videos. Keep it up.

[@Joelfriend]

Thanks man, really appreciate that! 😊

[@hindagala]

Great show.!! Please visit our little Villa in the mountains where Time stands Still!. It has breathtaking mountain views. Hindagala Retreat Kandy Sri Lanka

[@theninethrees8044]

Currently at Heathrow making my itinerary. I’m was born in SL left when I was a kid. Going back first time as an adult lol helpful vid

[@boldlife]

Thank you for talking about the elphants rides.

[@imthisallay7028]

This is so helpful for who have the hope to visit srilanka.. and thank a lot this information and the introduction….. enjoy ❤

[@callum9880]

Thanks guys!

[@Joelfriend]

Thanks for watching!

[@scott-hamilton]

These are some great tips!

[@Joelfriend]

Glad you think so! Appreciate your support as always Scott!

[@Toidi123]

Visit to sri lanka 🇱🇰 .. Sigiriya.. Jaffna.. Nuwara Eliya there are many beautiful places🇱🇰🇱🇰

[@rubencunat2488]

Great video. Grew up in Sri Lanka and these tips are great 💪🏼

[@Sofi_k243]

Thank you for the tips and not supporting animal exploitation 🙏

[@Joelfriend]

No worries, of course!

[@carlmiles8948]

Great video Joel ...Just spent 6 weeks there myself, such a great country to visit. Friendly people great food and beautiful scenery. But the thing that REALLY pissed me off was the price of the visa extension. US$100 ($US50 for the first 30 days then US$100 if you want to stay longer) This doesn't encourage people to stay more than the 30 day original visa.

[@manjuarun1550]

And also brother. Hotel wifi sometimes tricky . But we have good WIFi system. There are lot of youtubers in Sri Lanka also ))

[@edstravel]

Keep up the great content guys congratulations on 100K😊

[@Joelfriend]

Thank you Ed! Will do!

[@edstravel]

Your welcome 🙏

[@khaledalhouli8816]

Wow, your video was amazing! Short and full of info I couldn't find anywhere else. Seeking Sri Lanka stay in April - I don’t like changing accommodation, ideally near a city, short drive to exciting safaris, and boasting beautiful scenery. Want to minimize location changes. Any ideal areas?

[@sammurphy4122]

About hiring a tuk tuk , first see it there is a meter to calculate the fare. before you get in. Otherwise see the distance and check on Google the average price for a trip that long and negotiate a price before hiring,

[@abductedbyaliens7518]

Love your video! If you're ever vist Colombo, definitely stop by Mint Ceylon. It’s run by three sisters who make beautiful, sustainable products from upcycled fabrics. Such a cool spot for unique finds!

[@pivot90000]

Thank´s! Happy travelling!

[@keithwijesuriya]

Two things... I am very glad you pointed out the elephant rides. There are plenty of us locals fighting to stop this horrendous habit. Like with the ivory trade, when the buying stops, so will the rides. There is a crackdown on this by the authorities finally, and what you see are the older establishments who continue this with the elephants already tamed and owned by them. If the tourists stop the riding, this too will dry up. Unfortunately, these elephants cannot simply be released back into the wild AND it costs a packet to keep them fed. So there IS a situation with the ones already in captivity. But yes, STOP riding. Secondly, the point about Sigiriya. Merely gazing at the rock is a bit of sad way to experience the magnificence that is Sigiriya, rated as the "8th Wonder of the World". Take the time to read the history and visit the museum at the base BEFORE climbing the rock. There is a heckuva lot to see and learn from a historical POV. Thanks for the vid though. Quite a few are actually spot on!

[@thosoz3431]

What is 'horrendous', about riding an elephant ? People ride horses, donkeys and camels and have for thousands of years.

[@Thoist_Mong69]

@@thosoz3431ane me 😂

[@nuwanrabel9220]

Cool! Very informative video 🤝🤝

[@Joelfriend]

Thank you 👍

[@chandanafernando6477]

Going to & Climbing sigiriya is a Totally different experience than looking it from far viewpoint. The experience of Sigiriya is not looking at it but to immerse in climbing it and knowing it's ancient History and lots ancient Ruins to see. A person didn't go and see it from a far viewpoint won't know what it is at all

[@bro_math]

Bring a fly swatter, you'll need it, and they don't sell them almost anywhere.

[@johnsmith-st6rq]

Became a very good fan of you. Thank you for your great video about my country

[@eshikaudayanawanigasekara]

Congratulations for 100k❤

[@Joelfriend]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Lola_Cascade]

I’ve lived in Sri Lanka a long time I don’t agree with you about your fist point It doesn’t mean yes 🙈 It’s more a: I acknowledge what you just said; like I heard what you said 😅

[@Joelfriend]

Yeah I get what you mean definitely feels like this! Would you say that’s what yes or okay kind of means in a way? Hmm 🤔 good point, maybe not a direct yes

[@sujeevadealwis5513]

@@JoelfriendYes, the head shake means okay ;

[@GenaMcLean-pj3iw]

I was in India and the head rolly shake can be asking a question with a yes or no answer..... like a little girl liked to do my hair...she would show up....head shake....and respond to my yes or no...

[@gihankanishka]

Three types of head shakes (to say yes, no and okay) English is a mandatory (ish) subject in school until you leave school (this can be O levels or A levels)

[@sajeewakalamba1796]

This is good information but bit off in some areas. WiFi is good in Sri Lanka (it is almost the same as Dubai), but you should get your own SIM to have it. 4G is available in most parts of the island & 5G is available in some parts of Colombo. If you use hotel/guest house public free WiFi, it is weak & it is similar to any hotel in Europe or USA. I can compare this as I am a Sri Lankan living in Dubai for many years & travel to Europe every year for a month for business. Sigiriya is expensive compared to any tourist attraction in the world, but it is worth visiting, as it is a unique monument not seen in any part of the world. The closest one to Sigiriya could be Machu Picchu in Peru, but Sigiriya is 1000+ years older than Machu Picchu. Suggestion to replace Sigiriya by Pidurangala is a joke. It is understood that these tips are for a typical sightseeing tourist who goes to places to say that "I have been there", but not very interested in understanding/appreciating the nature, culture, etc. of the place.

[@saranobrega]

Thank you for alerting people to not ride elephants! great video

[@mmunidasa9193]

Everything is accurate except the comment about Sigiriya. It is not just a rock to be viewed from some other place. Climbing the Sigiriya rock is a must. It has ancient paintings on the surface of the rock and the ruins of a fortress on the very top. It is well worth the entrance fee.

[@johnkingpenguin]

Thanks for all the info. will be there in March 2025

[@harshitha_yasiru]

OHH i saw you in kurunegala town but i never thought this video recommend for me

[@padmalsri4547]

Im sri lankan no worries and no war

[@ElmiAriyarathna]

In top of the sigirya rock there is an old castle

[@nanwithabackpack]

Thanks for this I’m thinking of heading to Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 early next year (feb). Just starting to do some research on it so any other recommendations or tips greatly received.

[@nishandesilva1844]

Colombo is to Sri Lanka what London is to England. Busy but convenient, and a gateway to the rest of the country. Just depends on what you want.

[@kanishkaherath2850]

Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 the fast developing tourists destination ❤

[@manjuarun1550]

Brother great video, But one thing is wrong about elephants. We love elephants. They are our pride. You have the wrong idea about taming them. Spend a day with a elephant and mahout , how they treat his elephant, bathing , cleaning , feeding. He dedicated his whole life for the elephant. And these elephants have been tamed since baby elephant most of them.

[@Joelfriend]

Thank you! Yes, most people and a lot of sanctuaries in Sri Lanka will be 100% ethical, and I'm sure most people love the elephants a lot. However, riding elephants is not natural, and unfortunately is a big misconception people have. To be able to ride elephants there is a process and it's far more than just taming from birth. This article is quite informative - www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/why-elephant-riding-should-be-removed-from-your-list

[@Thoist_Mong69]

Ane me pissu kiyawanne nathuwa palayan

[@thegamerzone-h3r]

Sri Lanka is very beautiful country.

[@-nf9vt]

I wish i knew that I need a translator while traveling. I knew about Immersive translate and it has really helped me out especially by its translation services which are free

[@christiancorujo2369]

Great video. It was very precise.

[@dinukialanka5727]

True.lot of sri lankan's know english😊.

[@mariankennedy1975]

Is the food in your video Rainbow Cafe in Ella? I love this place!

[@Joelfriend]

Yes we loved it there! So good right?

[@mariankennedy1975]

@@Joelfriend yeah awesome! One of the oldest restaurants in town and even in the centre it feels tucked away and chilled out

[@alphubel1000]

thanks so much, awesome video !!

[@karaalan2678]

Liked n subscribed Off to SL soon Great information 🙏🙏✈️✈️

[@Joelfriend]

Aww thank you so much! Enjoy your time in Sri Lanka!

[@sarahrattle6375]

Great message about the elephants

[@sachithmalalagama7166]

0:10 BS. Sri Lankans don’t shake their heads to say “Yes”. This is an Indian thing.

[@desilvakts2071]

This is true !

[@vihangabimsara4716]

But i do that all the time 😅

[@sachithmalalagama7166]

@@vihangabimsara4716must be back and forth 😉

[@team7729]

We do but up and down

[@creeew]

Please read about northern part of srilanka (delft island )

[@catherinefriederich]

Thank you for a wide view of Sri Lanka. I am most grateful to learn why not to ride elephants. I have heard it’s not humane but nerve why. I will never get on an elephant again thanks to you!

[@gich33]

Sigiriya is not a viewpoint. It is History. How much is Eiffel tower? You go to a nearby building instead because Eiffel tower is expensive?

[@tonyritter9493]

Yes. No need to go on eifeltower

[@rheabelafonte1913]

Sigiriya is not just a rock..it's an ancient rock fortress

[@nadeeshankannangara2253]

Very informative and honest review.

[@Joelfriend]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@Pete-o5r]

Thanks for the video! Withdrawing money from ATMs, with a UK card do I withdraw local currency or am I best to get hold of USDs?

[@richarddias6436]

I see a lot of comments in relation to Sigiriya, Sigiriya is a marvel and worth the visit, is it worth $35 (not $30 anymore) p/p to visit, I don't think so. I understand the locals getting cheaper rates in general but it's all about the ratio for me, 120LKR vs 10,320LKR (at current exchange rate) is an absolute joke. Same story for most of the hotels, when comparing the local vs foreign rate it makes me a bit sick in the stomach. As someone born in SL & living overseas that likes to spend several months in Asia working remotely, I'm of the opinion that SL basically shoots itself in the foot by this kind of disproportionate markup, I much rather go to Thailand as a result. I really hope the new Govt can see this and even up the playing field in order to increase the tourism income as a whole into the country.

[@williamjarltoft5321]

nice

[@Joelfriend]

Thank you :)

[@leeguest2418]

Hi joel Love the content.where did you get the map behind you from please

[@pedrogiao1539]

Hi Joel! I’m going end of this month! How did you exchange money and what is the best way to do it?

[@pramithagayan5920]

there's a counter at airport that you can exchange money. but dont hold a lot of cash. you can just withdraw money from ATMs which are widely available everywhere you go

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Just to say that shaking head is found in india. Not only sri Lanka

[@nuwankalanamith8670]

Thank you so much for telling about our country... We need more tourists, as our country faces a huge financial crisis. Thank you again.

[@ihsanizwer]

I hope other people also talk about the mobile data here. Atleaset then the network providers would show some concern

[@claudias65]

Fast but great info ❤

[@letssaylucky5240]

Hi everyone, I am wondering how much luggage I should bring/is necessary for 3 weeks in Sri Lanka. Is it better to bring a big suitcase + a smaller backpack or just go with a medium/big sized backpack overall? We´re a couple and won´t be backpacking exclusively.

[@LarsLangrustenLL]

thank you soooo sooo much taking time to mention about sad reality of elephant rides 💝💝 and for saying NO to it 💖💖 Lack of demand can create a big difference 💯💯

[@Joelfriend]

Of course this is the least I could do! ☺️

[@malithrathnasekara962]

Sigiriya not a view point......its a ancient fortress and a word heritage

[@kanishkaherath2850]

Nice video ❤

[@palindab]

The Kangaroo app for cabs is more reliable.

[@YoutubeYogi-xl1kr]

Did you see many motorcycle rental shops in Sri Lanka ?

[@Finn-wy8fh]

Hey Joel, what would you recommend if you had to choose between Lombok and Sri Lanka? I see you've been to both places. My girlfriend and I (both in our mid-20s) are planning to travel for 2.5 weeks. A mix of relaxing in nice hotels/beaches, experiencing culture, good food, exploring on our own, and a bit of surfing is important to us. We just can't decide. Thanks for your content! :)

[@affiliateclimbmax9287]

this was insighful thx

[@PaulusdeBk]

Hi, nice video! I live in Sri Lanka and was wondering how you did so much drone footage. They are actually quite picky about using drones. I have one here, but don't use it in public places. Did you arrange some sort of license? As an add-on: People should always buy internet data. Dialog has the best coverage. It is cheap and surprisingly good and fast.

[@Clone_me]

Who said you need a license for using a drone?? Even sri lankans use them.

[@WildHavenSL]

You nailed it ,

[@thomashunt9391]

Hey, what did you do for drone permission there, is it as simple as just applying for it online?

[@PrinceCity007]

Good video

[@lukaszb8328]

What about mosquitos and diseases they transfer? Are there many?

[@G.K.S-o1r]

Hi, I don't agree with your view on Sigiriya. The place is not just a hike or a viewpoint. It is a historical and architectural marwal which is fondly known as 8th wonder of the world. Sigiriya frescoes are world renowned too. But, to enjoy Sigiriya, you have to go a bit deeper in to it, not thinking of it as a good climb and a viewpoint. Pidurangala too is not a mere viewpoint. It too is an ancient monastery. Recently I saw a number of videos discussing Sigiriya just as a hike or a viewpoint which is far from the truth. You can get all the info needed from the internet.

[@Falcon24atl]

❤❤