Don't let criminals and con artists ruin your trip to Sri Lanka. Find out how to avoid crime with these tips to stay safe.
Photo © iStock/efesenko
in Sri Lanka, routine petty crime, especially thefts of personal property and pick-pocketing are not uncommon. Street hustlers or "touts" are common around hotels, shopping centers, and tourist sites. Visitors are unlikely to encounter any violent crime.
- Women's safety in Sri Lanka
- Con artists and touts in Sri Lanka
- Common scams in Sri Lanka
- Transport scams and crime
Women's safety in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankans are generally friendly and welcoming, and most female travelers have a safe and fun time in Sri Lanka.
There have been occasional reports of women experiencing unwanted attention from local men including being asked personal questions, being followed while alone or in an isolated place, plus lewd comments, physical advances and sexual assaults. These can happen in crowded areas such as marketplaces, busy transport hubs and sporting events. Drink spiking has been reported in southern beach resorts. Don't accept drinks from strangers at bars and restaurants, and don’t leave drinks unattended, or drink anything you haven't watched being prepared and poured. Some measures you can take to keep safe include:
- Try to relax, be confident and enjoy the place, most locals aren't out to get you. Embrace the local culture
- Most people in the urban areas will speak some English but it's good to learn a few phrases in the local lingo to help you get by
- Make some new friends! Connect with other solo travelers in your accommodation
- Sri Lanka is a conservative, religious country, so dress modestly, and save the beachwear for the beach
- If you are concerned about being harassed, wear a fake wedding ring
- Like in any country, don't drink to excess which could compromise your safety
- Don't walk or catch a tuk-tuk alone at night especially in poorly lit areas. Always book a taxi
- Avoid traveling overnight by train and if possible try to sit with other women or families.
Con artists and touts in Sri Lanka
There are numerous scams used on visitors in Sri Lanka. Some tips to avoiding being scammed:
- Pre-book your tours and activities where possible instead of using the services of a tout for accommodation, local travel or tours – they will usually be more expensive and result in a dud experience.
- Do not believe anyone who claims to be a professional (e.g. airline pilot), or in charge of a location (like a bus terminal) without proof. Most terminals do their best to scare or move these people on
- Scams involving gemstones are common. Do not buy with the intention of selling them in your home country for a profit. They are usually fakes or stolen
- Be aware of people offering unsolicited travel advice, especially if you're being told of alternative destinations or accommodation because the places you want to visit are closed, dangerous, non-existent etc. If you are unsure, check with the destination or hotel directly
- Don't engage in business with people who actively approach you first, and always compare prices and shop around
- If you are a first time visitor to Sri Lanka, keep that to yourself in case it makes you a target for scammers.
Common scams in Sri Lanka
Visa scams
Visas for Sri Lanka are electronic so you can apply for one before you travel saving you the drama when you arrive so you can breeze through immigration. Tourist visas are still available on arrival though if you have been unable to obtain one online beforehand.
Be aware when you arrive at Colombo International Airport of being overcharged for the Sri Lankan visa. Do your research before leaving home.
Credit card scams
Always be careful whenever you use a credit card as there are times when people inflate the prices charged or they may duplicate your card information. Never let the machine or card out of your sight and be diligent about checking your account in case of shonky transactions. It's advisable to use cash wherever possible and if you need to use an ATM, make sure it's attached to a bank or major hotel. Avoid withdrawing money at night. Let your bank know before departure where you are heading so their fraud protection doesn't kick in and block your transactions.
Cigarette scam
I am a ...... (some official - off duty today) but come to my office for tea or something, I will show you what I do for a living / help you understand the life here in Sri Lanka / show you some places that tourists don't normally go
The scammer will take you to an (expensive) hotel or restaurant – as their office is too far away to walk – and order drinks. After some convivial conversation, when you try to pay and move on, you find it's extraordinarily expensive, as the con artist has asked for some cigarettes to be added to the order. You don't want to make a fuss, so you let it ride after all it's only a packet of cigarettes (and they are such nice company!).
Spice garden scam
Lots of freebies are offered then they claim you are suffering from X and Y and need to purchase these medicinal herbs at expensive costs. The free tours are great but do your own research and buy from spice shops in the bigger cities where the quality is likely to be higher.
Safari scam
Book through only via official travel agents, hotel, or online. Don’t book through a taxi driver or a tuk-tuk driver as they will take a commission off the top and the quality is likely to be lower.
Transport scams and crime
If an overly friendly stranger on the street tells you there is a festival or a ceremony or a special temple open for one day only and it sounds too good to be true, then it is. They will hail a special tuk-tuk who will say they are an official government tuk-tuk but they will take you somewhere secluded and rob you, or take you to stores where they will get a commission.
- Always haggle and agree on a price BEFORE you travel, especially if the price is for multiple people
- Keep small change to pay for your journey and don’t expect to get change in return
- Taxis often won’t drive with the meter so often you will have to try several taxis before one will travel with the meter switched on. Then they may drive the long way round. A good way to get around this is to download google maps or maps.me for the area so you can tell if they’re going the wrong way
- When catching a bus, only buy from reputable ticket sellers at the window at the bus/train station and don’t let anyone carry your bags for you.
And as always on transport, be wary of bag snatchers and pickpockets. Don’t show off valuables or keep your wallet or phone in your back pocket.
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