text:
Sranan phrasebook

Sranan (or Sranan Tongo) is a creole language spoken as a lingua franca by approximately 300,000 people in Suriname. Sranan is the most commonly used language in the country, even though Dutch is the official language used by the government. For many years, the Dutch suppressed the use of Sranan, but it has risen to become the most spoken language of Suriname after a former military leader took over the government of the country. As the population of Suriname consists of Dutch-, Javanese-, Hindustani-, and Chinese-speaking communities, and many inhabitants do not speak either Dutch or English, Sranan took its place as the common language of communication for peoples of different ethnic backgrounds. It is also used among immigrants of Surinamese origin in the Netherlands.

Sranan has relatively few written resources. If you know English, however, it is relatively easy to learn as the language basically is a fusion of English, Dutch, Portuguese and Central and West African languages. Don't plan on learning the language by watching television. While seemingly odd, you will hardly be able to learn either Sranan or Dutch from television in Suriname, as those languages together only make up about 7% of all television broadcasts. 40% of the broadcasts are in Hindi, 30% in English, and around 20% in various Chinese dialects. This makes it more difficult to learn Sranan or Dutch in-country.

Basics

 * Hello. : . ( )
 * Hello. (informal) : . ( )
 * How are you? : ? ( ?)
 * Fine, thank you. : . ( )
 * What is your name? : Fa yu kari?( ?)
 * My name is ______ . :  A nen fu mi de ______ . (  _____ .)
 * Nice to meet you. : . ( )
 * Please. : Dankidanki. ( )
 * Thank you. : Grantangi. ( )
 * You're welcome. : . ( )
 * Yes. : Iya.
 * No. : No. ( )
 * I don't know. : Mi no sabi.
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) : . ( )
 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : . ( )
 * I'm sorry. :Mi sari. ( )
 * Goodbye :Adyosi. ( )
 * Goodbye (informal) : . ( )
 * I can't speak Sranan [well]. : [ ]. ( [ ])
 * Do you speak English? : Yu taki Ingristongo? ( ?)
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : Suma taki ingristongo dya? ( ?)
 * Help! : Yepi! ( !)
 * Look out! : ! ( !)
 * Good morning. : . ( )
 * Good evening. : . ( )
 * Good night. : . ( )
 * Good night (to sleep) : . ( )
 * I don't understand. : . ( )
 * Where is the toilet? :Pe na da plei? ( ?)

Problems

 * Leave me alone. : . ( .)
 * Don't touch me! : ! ( !)
 * I'll call the police. : . ( .)
 * Police! :Skowtu! ( !)
 * Stop! Thief! :Tapu! Fufuruman! ( ! !)
 * I need your help. :Mi e abi yu yepi fanowdu. ( .)
 * It's an emergency. : . ( .)
 * I'm lost. :Mi losi. ( .)
 * I lost my bag. :Mi losi mi bagasi. ( .)
 * I lost my wallet. :Mi losi mi portmoni. ( .)
 * I'm sick. :Mi siki. ( .)
 * I've been injured. : . ( .)
 * I need a doctor. :Mi abi datra fanowdu. ( .)
 * Can I use your phone? :Mi e kan fasi yu telefun? ( ?)

Numbers

 * 1 : wan ( )
 * 2 : tu ( )
 * 3 : dri ( )
 * 4 : fo ( )
 * 5 : feifi ( )
 * 6 : siksi ( )
 * 7 : seibi ( )
 * 8 : aiti ( )
 * 9 : neigi ( )
 * 10 : tin ( )
 * 11 : erfu ( )
 * 12 : twarfu ( )
 * 13 : tin-na-dri( )
 * 14 : tin-na-fo( )
 * 15 : tin-na-feifi( )
 * 16 : tin-na-siksi( )
 * 17 : tin-na-seibi( )
 * 18 : tin-na-aiti( )
 * 19 : tin-na-neigi( )
 * 20 : twenti( )
 * 21 : twenti-na-wan( )
 * 22 : twenti-na-tu( )
 * 23 : twenti-na-dri( )
 * 30 : dritenti( )
 * 40 : fotenti( )
 * 50 : feifitenti( )
 * 60 : siksitenti( )
 * 70 : seibitenti( )
 * 80 : aititenti( )
 * 90 : neigitenti( )
 * 100 : hondro( )
 * 200 : tuhondro( )
 * 300 : drihondro( )
 * 1,000 : dusun( )
 * 2,000 : tudusun( )
 * 1,000,000 : milyun( )
 * 1,000,000,000 : millard( )
 * 1,000,000,000,000 : bilyun( )
 * number _____ (train, bus, etc.) : ( )
 * half : ( )
 * less : ( )
 * more : ( )

Time

 * now :now( )
 * later :bakaten( )
 * before :bifo( )
 * morning :mamanten( )
 * afternoon : ( )
 * evening : ( )
 * night : ( )

Clock time

 * one o'clock AM : wan uru ( )
 * two o'clock AM : tu uru ( )
 * noon : ( )
 * one o'clock PM : wan uru ( )
 * two o'clock PM : tu uru ( )
 * midnight : ( )

Duration

 * _____ minute(s) : ( )
 * _____ hour(s) : ( )
 * _____ day(s) : ( )
 * _____ week(s) : ( )
 * _____ month(s) : ( )
 * _____ year(s) : ( )

Days

 * today : ( )
 * yesterday : (esde )
 * tomorrow : ( tamara)
 * this week : ( )
 * last week : ( )
 * next week : ( )

 * Sunday : Zonde (SUN-DAY)
 * Monday : Munde (MOON-DAY)
 * Tuesday : Tudewroko (TWO-DAY-ROCKO)
 * Wednesday : Dridewroko (DREE-DAY-ROCKO)
 * Thursday : Fodewroko (FOE-DAY-ROCKO)
 * Friday : Fride (FRAY-DAY)
 * Saturday : Satra (SA-TRA)

Months

 * January : Fosimun( )
 * February : Tumun( )
 * March : Drimun( )
 * April : Fomun( )
 * May : Feifimun( )
 * June : Siksimun( )
 * July : Seibimun( )
 * August : Aitimun( )
 * September : Neigimun( )
 * October : Tinmun( )
 * November : Erfumun( )
 * December : Twarfumun( )

Colors

 * black : Blaka( )
 * white : Weti( )
 * gray : ( )
 * red : Redi( )
 * blue : Blaw( )
 * yellow : Geri( )
 * green : Grun( )
 * orange : Oranje( )
 * purple : Lila( )
 * brown : Broin( )

Bus and train

 * How much is a ticket to _____? : ( )
 * One ticket to _____, please. : ( )
 * Where does this train/bus go? : ( )
 * Where is the train/bus to _____? : ( )
 * Does this train/bus stop in _____? : ( )
 * When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : ( )
 * When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : ( )

Directions

 * How do I get to _____ ? : ( )
 * ...the train station? : ( )
 * ...the bus station? : ( )
 * ...the airport? : ( )
 * ...downtown? : ( )
 * ...the youth hostel? : ( )
 * ...the _____ hotel? : ( )
 * ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ( )
 * Where are there a lot of... : ( )
 * ...hotels? : ( )
 * ...restaurants? : ( )
 * ...bars? : ( )
 * ...sites to see? : ( )
 * Can you show me on the map? : ( )
 * street : ( )
 * Turn left. : ( )
 * Turn right. : ( )
 * left : ( )
 * right : ( )
 * straight ahead : ( )
 * towards the _____ : ( )
 * past the _____ : ( )
 * before the _____ : ( )
 * Watch for the _____. : ( )
 * intersection : ( )
 * north : ( )
 * south : ( )
 * east : ( )
 * west : ( )
 * uphill : ( )
 * downhill : ( )

Taxi

 * Taxi! : ( )
 * Take me to _____, please. : ( )
 * How much does it cost to get to _____? : ( )
 * Take me there, please. : ( )

Lodging

 * Do you have any rooms available? : ( )
 * How much is a room for one person/two people? : ( )
 * Does the room come with... : ( )
 * ...bedsheets? : ( )
 * ...a bathroom? : ( )
 * ...a telephone? : ( )
 * ...a TV? : ( )
 * May I see the room first? : ( )
 * Do you have anything quieter? : ( )
 * ...bigger? : ( )
 * ...cleaner? : ( )
 * ...cheaper? : ( )
 * OK, I'll take it. : ( )
 * I will stay for _____ night(s). : ( )
 * Can you suggest another hotel? : ( )
 * Do you have a safe? : ( )
 * ...lockers? : ( )
 * Is breakfast/supper included? : ( )
 * What time is breakfast/supper? : ( )
 * Please clean my room. : ( )
 * Can you wake me at _____? : ( )
 * I want to check out. : ( )

Money

 * Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : ( )
 * Do you accept British pounds? : ( )
 * Do you accept euros? : ( )
 * Do you accept credit cards? : ( )
 * Can you change money for me? : ( )
 * Where can I get money changed? : ( )
 * Can you change a traveler's check for me? : ( )
 * Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : ( )
 * What is the exchange rate? : ( )
 * Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ( )

Eating

 * A table for one person/two people, please. : ( )
 * Can I look at the menu, please? : ( )
 * Can I look in the kitchen? : ( )
 * Is there a house specialty? : ( )
 * Is there a local specialty? : ( )
 * I'm a vegetarian. : ( )
 * I don't eat pork. : ( )
 * I don't eat beef. : ( )
 * I only eat kosher food. : ( )
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) : ( )
 * fixed-price meal : ( )
 * a la carte : ( )
 * breakfast : ( )
 * lunch : ( )
 * tea (meal) : ( )
 * supper : ( )
 * I want _____. : ( )
 * I want a dish containing _____. : ( )
 * chicken : Fowru( )
 * beef : Kawmeti( )
 * fish : Fisi( )
 * ham : Ameti( )
 * sausage : ( )
 * cheese : Kasi( )
 * eggs : Eksi( )
 * salad : ( )
 * (fresh) vegetables :  ( )
 * (fresh) fruit : ( )
 * bread : Brede( )
 * toast : ( )
 * noodles : ( )
 * rice : Aleisi( )
 * beans : ( )
 * May I have a glass of _____? : ( )
 * May I have a cup of _____? : ( )
 * May I have a bottle of _____? : ( )
 * coffee : Kofi( )
 * tea (drink) : Te( )
 * juice : ( )
 * (bubbly) water : ( )
 * (still) water : ( )
 * beer : Biri( )
 * red/white wine : ( )
 * May I have some _____? : ( )
 * salt : Sowtu( )
 * black pepper : ( )
 * butter : Botro( )
 * Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): ( )
 * I'm finished. : ( )
 * It was delicious. : ( )
 * Please clear the plates. : ( )
 * The check, please. : ( )

Bars

 * Do you serve alcohol? : ( )
 * Is there table service? : ( )
 * A beer/two beers, please. : ( )
 * A glass of red/white wine, please. : ( )
 * A pint, please. : ( )
 * A bottle, please. : ( )
 * _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. : ( )
 * whiskey : ( )
 * vodka : ( )
 * rum : ( )
 * water : ( watra)
 * club soda : ( )
 * tonic water : ( )
 * orange juice : ( )
 * Coke (soda) : ( )
 * Do you have any bar snacks? : ( )
 * One more, please. : ( )
 * Another round, please. : ( )
 * When is closing time? : ( )
 * Cheers! : ( )

Shopping

 * Do you have this in my size? : ( )
 * How much is this? : ( )
 * That's too expensive. : ( )
 * Would you take _____? : ( )
 * expensive : ( )
 * cheap : ( )
 * I can't afford it. : ( )
 * I don't want it. : ( )
 * You're cheating me. : ( )
 * I'm not interested. : (..)
 * OK, I'll take it. : ( )
 * Can I have a bag? : ( )
 * Do you ship (overseas)? : ( )
 * I need... : Mi nowtu....( )
 * ...toothpaste. : ( )
 * ...a toothbrush. : ( )
 * ...tampons. : . ( )
 * ...soap. : Sopo( )
 * ...shampoo. : ( )
 * ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) : ( )
 * ...cold medicine. : ( )
 * ...stomach medicine. : ... ( )
 * ...a razor. : ( )
 * ...an umbrella. : ( )
 * ...sunblock lotion. : ( )
 * ...a postcard. : ( )
 * ...postage stamps. : ( )
 * ...batteries. : ( )
 * ...writing paper. : ( )
 * ...a pen. : ( )
 * ...English-language books. : Den buku ini a Ingristongo( )
 * ...English-language magazines. : ( )
 * ...an English-language newspaper. : ( )
 * ...an English-English dictionary. : ( )

Driving

 * I want to rent a car. : ( )
 * Can I get insurance? : ( )
 * stop (on a street sign) : ( )
 * one way : ( )
 * yield : ( )
 * no parking : ( )
 * speed limit : ( )
 * gas (petrol) station : ( )
 * petrol : Oli( )
 * diesel : ( )

Authority

 * I haven't done anything wrong. : ( )
 * It was a misunderstanding. : ( )
 * Where are you taking me? : ( )
 * Am I under arrest? : ( )
 * I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : ( )
 * I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : ( )
 * I want to talk to a lawyer. :Mi wani e taki nanga wan afkati( )
 * Can I just pay a fine now? : ( )

title: Sranan phrasebook


text:
Srebrenica

Srebrenica is a city of 3,000 people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, best known as the site of a mass murder during the Bosnian War. The city was declared a safe haven for people in the area when ethnic cleansing was going on around it. The haven was attacked and the women, men and children were separated and more than 8,000 men were systematically slaughtered. The area was under UN (Dutch peacekeepers) control at the time.

Get in
The only way to reach Srebrenica is via bus or car.

As of July 2022 there is no direct bus to Srebrenica from Sarajevo anymore, although some websites list a daily bus (used to be at 07:10).

Instead you have to go from Sarajevo East(!) to Zvornik first (~4h, Centrotrans AD) and change there onto one of two daily busses running between Tuzla and Srebrenica (1:15h from Zvornik, Tuzla Tourist Transport). Check e.g. buskarta.ba for up-to-date connections.

The bus station has burned down and vandalized, so there's no ticket counter. Buy tickets from Srebrenica on the bus.

Get around
Taxis are the way to go. You can get a taxi from the town center to the memorial for about 7 marks. The memorial is out of town in Potočari. It's an 1.5h walk from the bus station along the same road as the bus to Srebrenica. So you could ask the bus driver to drop you off earlier if you know the language a bit.

There's not much traffic. If you got time and the heat allows for it, walking is an option.

See
For the rest there is nothing much. You can see the place were the Dutch soldiers were stationed. The village itself is not very interesting, but you can actually stop with your family here on a small 2-to-4-day vacation and just enjoy nature and the rich history of this area. Srebrenica was quite an important city in the Roman era and between World War II and 1992.

And there is also the spa, which has around 40 springs of healing water, some of which are good for people who suffer from anemia, skin diseases and some other diseases.

People mostly come here to show respect to Muslim (Bosnian 7,000-8,000 killed or missing) victims.

In Bratunac, some 10 km from Srebrenica, there are many smaller Serb monuments for the victims of war.

Do
The nature around Srebrenica is all forested hills with little streams and rivers between them.

If you're into hiking, you could visit "Srebrenica - City of Hope". It's a project associated to the Friends of Nature Bosnia and run by a guy named Irvin who fled the area as a child and now has returned to rebuild a village that has been destroyed during the war - all with ecology and sustainable tourism in mind. Besides offering accommodation in wooden huts he also organizes guided hiking trips in the area around Srebrenica and cooks for his guests with organic vegetables from his own garden. The project has been featured by German "Deutschlandfunk" as well as Swiss and Japanese media.

Eat
On the town square there is a place to eat. On the main road there are several restaurants. They are all cheap and everywhere you can get cevapke.

You will get quite good food in the local motel and hostel. Motel prices are too high and menu in the hostel is not so fancy, but prices are better in the hostel. In other places you will be always offered cevapke, which is common barbecue meat. For great local food you should go to the hostel, or if you have more money and you want a much bigger choice you should try the motel.

Drink
The same places were you can eat something are also places to drink. There are two places basically. Both in the center so just follow the main road.

Sleep
There is one motel in the city, some private houses and one quite good hostel (50m from the bus stop).

Prices are a bit higher than what you may expect for this part of the country. One bed in the motel is 58 KM and 25 KM in the hostel.

Go next
There are two daily buses to Tuzla. There is no direct bus to Sarajevo anymore (see "Get in"). For basically all connections take the bus to Tuzla (via Zvornik from where there are multiple connections daily to e.g. Sarajevo, Belgrade and even west European cities).

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Srebrenica


text:
Sri City

Sri City or Sricity is a business city at Tada about 55 km north of Chennai on NH 5 along the border of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Tamil Nadu (TN) States of India. Much of Sri City lies in Chittoor District and a small part in Nellore District of AP, adjacent to Tiruvallur District of TN.

The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (aka SHAR), India’s satellite and rocket launching centre is situated at Sriharikota, which is on the eastern side of the Pulicat Lake separating Sri City and the satellite launching station.

By train
The closest railway station is, which is 0.5 km from Sri City and local trains are available from Chennai Central to Tada.
 * Tada Station — 0.5 km (0.31 mi)
 * Arambakkam Station — 5 km (3.1 mi)
 * Sullurpeta Station — 12 km (7.5 mi)

By car
Sri City is 56 km from Chennai towards north on NH5 from Koyambedu Bus Station. the approximate return taxi fare from Chennai to would be Indica (4 people) ₹1,400, Qualis (6 people) ₹2,000.

By bus
There are plenty of buses to Tada from Koyambedu, one such bus is Bus No.114 'Chennai to Kalahasthi' which has a stop over at Tada.
 * Koyambedu Junction Chennai — 56 km (35 mi)
 * Kathipara Junction — 65 km (40 mi)

See

 * Mango Groves

 * Gummidipoondi — 18 km (11 mi)
 * Gummidipoondi — 18 km (11 mi)
 * Gummidipoondi — 18 km (11 mi)

Do
Trekking, hiking, picnics, fishing & boating

Work
25 top companies from around the globe are on board to set up shops at Sri City. Some of them are Kobelco, VRV India, Venture Automotive Tooling India, BFG International, Amphenol Mobile Communication Products, Lovepac Converting, Eura D&A, Tablets India, Rockworth Systems Furniture, Saakar Printing Design, A.S. Cargo Movers.

Go next

 * Chennai City (Gemini Circle)- South Entry	63 km (39 mi)
 * Tirupati City              - North Entry	84 km (52 mi)
 * Chandragiri Fort           - North Entry	85 km (53 mi)
 * Nellore City               - North Entry	102 km (63 mi)
 * Chittoor City              - North Entry	120 km (75 mi)
 * Kanipakam Temple	     - North Entry	140 km (87 mi)

title: Sri City


text:
Sriharikota

Sriharikota is a barrier island in the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is home to Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), the premier space launch site of the country.

Understand
Built-in 1971, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre has brought India to the world stage in space exploration. It has sent space probes like Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), Chandrayaan-2, and Chandrayaan-3, most of which are successful. Not only that, India is known for creating and launching rockets at a low cost.

Climate
The climate of Sriharikota is tropical wet and dry. Sriharikota has hot summers and mild winters. Summers can reach up to 38 degrees Celsius, while winters can reach down to 20 degrees Celsius. Due to the proximity to Chennai, its climate is similar to that of Chennai. Refer to the city's climate section for more information.

Get in
Sullurpeta is the nearest town to Sriharikota and is away from the island. Sullurpeta is fairly well-connected to Chennai by bus and train, which is away.

By plane
The nearest airport is in Chennai.

By bus
From Chennai, get to the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) and take a bus to Sullurpeta. Buses to Nellore, Tada etc. will most probably take you to Sullurpeta. You will find most of these buses on Platform 3 (Bus Bay No. 18, 19). The travel time from CMBT to Sullurpeta is about 2 hours.

By train
You could take a suburban train from MGR Chennai Central to. This would work out cheaper than the bus and is more comfortable. The travel time is around 2 to 2.5 hours by train.

By terrain vehicle
Although bus services to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre are available, getting into a terrain vehicle or a share-auto would be the best way to get there. A word of caution here, you might have to stand on the footboard in the rear end of the terrain vehicle or sit in the driver's seat and yet not drive the terrain vehicle! The terrain vehicle drive would cost ₹10 per person and the share auto even lesser. The drive is extremely beautiful with the Pulicat Lake on both sides of the road.

By cab
Local cabs, usually Ambassador or Indica cars, would charge you about ₹250 for SDSC-SHAR.

Fees and permits
Typically, without permission, one cannot enter the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota.

Get around
You need prior permission to get around SDSC-SHAR. Knowing an employee at the centre might help.

See and do
On being permitted to enter the centre, one could tour the whole place and have a look at the launch vehicles and pads from up-close. If you are planning to get to Sriharikota to watch a rocket launch and do not know anybody working at SDSC-SHAR, never mind. You could still watch the launch, although from outside the entrance of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The launch will be visible fairly well, and also audible more than fairly well.

Buy
Rocket models, posters, fresh, yummy and cheap seafood from local fishermen, and that's all you can get here.

Eat and drink
There is a canteen outside SDSC-SHAR where you will get water, soft drinks, biscuits, etc. However, it is suggested that you carry your stuff from the nearest town Sullurupeta. The canteen is sometimes closed and all you can get is only water from the CISF personnel manning the entrance gate to SDSC-SHAR.

Sleep
Sriharikota has two guest houses for accommodation, Aryabhatta Guest Hose and Narmada Guest House. However, in all probability will not offer any place to sleep. Knowing an employee working at SHAR would help as they can accommodate you in a cheap guest house or hostel.

You may also find boarding and lodging at Sullurpeta.

title: Sriharikota


text:
Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte

Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte (Sinhalese: ශ්‍රී ජයවර්ධනපුර කෝට්ටේ; Tamil: ஶ்ரீ ஜெயவர்த்தனபுர கோட்டை) (also known as Kotte) is a city in Sri Lanka with around 100,000 inhabitants in the city proper, and 2 million in the metropolitan area.

Understand
Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is the administrative capital of Sri Lanka. The name translated into English means "the blessed fortress city of growing victory". It was inaugurated as the new administrative capital in 1982 and is a conurbation of several suburbs. It is not commonly regarded as a tourist area though some tourists visit the area out of curiosity and it is a popular place of residence for expats. There are a few hotels and other places that provide accommodation in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte and the area is well serviced by restaurants and shops.

title: Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte


text:
Srikakulam

Srikakulam is a city in the North Coast region of Andhra Pradesh. It's the capital of the eponymous district, and home to around 120.000 people.

By bus

 * For Vizianagaram there buses for every 30 minutes from 5AM-8.30PM For Palakonda there are buses for every 30 minutes from 6AM-9.30PM
 * To Narasannapeta there are buses every 10 minutes round the clock up to Icchapuram and to some parts of Odisha.

By train
Srikakulam town is proximate to the Srikakulam Road station, located at the Amadalavalasa railhead of Srikakulam town. Many trains to the north (Palasa, Howrah, and Bhubaneswar) and south (Vijayawada, Secunderabad, and Chennai) leave from here.

It's a bit outside town, but many taxis and autorickshaws are available from Srikakulam to reach the railway station. RTC and private busses are also available for every 5 minutes from Srikakulam Road railway station to Srikakulam RTC Complex and old bus stand.

Get around
RTC bus complex has two depots that provide service to almost all villages around Srikakulam Town. Every 20 minutes there are non-stop buses to Visakhapatnam from 5AM-9PM and every 15 minutes there are express buses from 5.30AM-10.15PM

Sri Kurmam
Sri Kurmam is a small village just outside the city, which has a famous temple dedicated to Sri Kurmanatha, second avatar of Lord Vishnu. There are regular bus services from the bus stand which takes around 1 hour to drive the 13 kilometers Alternatively, you can hire an auto rickshaw and it generally costs ₹150. On the way to Sri Kurmam, you can visit Surya Narayana Temple at Arasavilli (approximately 2 km from Srikakulam bus stand), dedicated to Sun god.

Eat

 * Vijetha Restaurant
 * SVD Restaurant
 * NAGAVALI Restaurant
 * VARUN Restaurant
 * Alpha Restaurant
 * Red Chillies
 * Hotel Grand

title: Srikakulam


text:
Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka (Sinhalese: ශ්‍රී ලංකා Śrī Laṃkā; Tamil: இலங்கை Ilaṅkai), formerly known as Ceylon, is in South Asia. In the Indian Ocean just south of India, Sri Lanka is an island known for its natural beauty. Sri Lanka has stunning beaches all along its coastline, great wildlife and biodiversity, tea plantations, orchards, temples, monuments, and a cultural heritage dating back several millennia. Its cultural landscape includes the (mostly Buddhist) Sinhala and the (mostly Hindu) Tamil ethnic groups, with substantial Muslim and Christian communities.

Regions
Sri Lanka is divided into 9 administrative provinces:

Cities

 * (Sinhalese: ශ්‍රී ජයවර්ධනපුර කෝට්ටේ; Tamil: ஶ்ரீ ஜெயவர்த்தனபுர கோட்டை) — also known as Kotte, new capital of Sri Lanka
 * (Sinhalese: අනුරාධපුරය; Tamil: அனுராதபுரம்) — ruins of ancient capitals (partially restored). UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * (Sinhalese: මඩකලපුව; Tamil: மட்டக்களப்பு) — called land of singing fish. Beautiful shallow beaches, paddy fields, historical places.
 * (Sinhalese: කොළඹ; Tamil: கொழும்பு) — commercial capital and the largest city of Sri Lanka. Hotels, cafés, restaurants, night clubs and shopping.
 * (Sinhalese: ගාල්ල; Tamil: காலி) — famous Dutch fort. Host city of the Galle Literary Festival. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * (Sinhalese: යාපනය; Tamil: யாழ்ப்பாணம்) — northern capital. On display is the rich heritage of the Tamil-speaking community.
 * (Sinhalese: මහනුවර; Tamil: கண்டி) — spiritual heart of the country, home to a tooth of the Buddha. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * (Sinhalese: මීගමුව; Tamil: நீர்கொழும்பு) — beautiful landscape and great blue oceans.
 * (Sinhalese: නුවර එළිය; Tamil: நுவரேலியா) — cool weather, Victorian architecture, top hats, tails and fascinators on race days.

Other destinations

 * (Sinhalese: ආරුගම් බොක්ක; Tamil: அறுகம் குடா) – southeast-coast beach town with several top surfing spots
 * (Sinhalese: දඹුල්ල; Tamil: தம்புள்ளை) – A city of historic importance with fabulous hotels, close to Sigiriya. Both UNESCO World Heritage Sites
 * (Sinhalese: හෝර්ටන් තැන්න ජාතික වනෝද්‍යානය; Tamil: ஓட்டன் சமவெளி) – A cloud forest in the central highlands with many endangered fauna and flora and endless hikes
 * (Sinhalese: කිතුල්ගල; Tamil: கித்துள்கலை) – known for pristine nature & adventure seekers and white-water rafting - 4 hours from Colombo
 * (Sinhalese: මිරිස්ස) – beach village on the south coast close to Matara with two good surfing spots
 * (Sinhalese: පාසිකුඩා; Tamil: பாசிக்குடா) – famous beach resort in Sri Lanka's east region with white beaches and upscale hotels
 * Crocodile sun bathing, Kumana, Sri Lanka.jpg.]] (Sinhalese: සිංහරාජ වනාන්තරය; Tamil: சிங்கராஜா வனம்) – Largest rainforest in Sri Lanka, also a World Heritage Site. Extremely diverse fauna and flora. It is home to almost all the endemic species of birds in Sri Lanka. Open at 6AM onwards.
 * (Sinhalese: උණවටුන) – beach resort on the south coast very close to Galle
 * (Sinahalese: යාල ජාතික වනෝද්‍යානය; Tamil: யால தேசிய வனம்) – Wildlife safari in Hambantota. Yala national park is a very large animal sanctuary in Sri Lanka. When you go to the Southern part of the country, it is a must-see place. There are a wide range of animals that roam around the park, including the rare Sri Lankan Leopards. If you are lucky enough, you would be able to spot them near a watering hole. Open at 6AM onwards.

History
Sri Lanka has more than 2,500 years of continuous written history by means of the Mahawansha, and was also mentioned in several ancient Indian texts. One of the most famous is the Ramayana, in which the island, which was referred to as Lanka, was the island fortress of the king Ravana, who captured the wife of Rama, an incarnation of the Hindu God Vishnu. Legend has it that Hanuman the monkey flew over to Lanka and destroyed the capital by setting it on fire, while Rama and his remaining troops later crossed over from the mainland by building a land bridge across the sea.

The Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka in the late 6th century BC, probably from northern India (the most likely candidates being Bengal or Maharashtra). Buddhism came to the island from the middle of the 3rd century BC, and a great civilization developed in cities like Anuradhapura (kingdom from c. 200 BCE to c. 1000 CE) and Polonnaruwa (c. 1070 to 1200). The oldest of Buddhist monuments date to the Anuradhapura period. It was a period where Sri Lanka traded with other civilisations in Asia and Europe, including the Roman Empire. Most notably Sri Lanka exported cinnamon to the rest of the Old World. Other later famous kingdoms are the Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Gampola, Kandy and Jaffna Kingdoms.

Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century, the island was ceded to the British in 1796, and became a crown colony in 1815.

With the capture of India, during the rule of king Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe (ශ්‍රී වික්‍රම රාජසිංහ), there were tense arguments between the king and his subjects, which provided the British a chance to invade the Kandyan Kingdom and gain power over the country. After capturing power, the British governance made a new set of laws and turned Ceylon (as the island was called in those days) a colonial territory. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972.

Sri Lanka was engulfed in a bitter civil war for thirty years between the government and the Tamil Tigers, who were fighting for an independent state for the Tamil-speaking minority. The war cost lives of many Tamil, Sinhala and foreign ethnic groups and destroyed many parts of the country, leaving them in ruins. The war ended in May 2009 with victory for the Sri Lankan government, but the consequences persist, and heavy emigration is still slowing Sri Lanka's population growth.

After 2009, the Sri Lankan economy recovered from the ruins of the civil war under the administration of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his family. However, the government heavily relied on foreign debts to develop the country. With a combination of anti-fertilizer policy that slumped agriculture production, unbalanced economic structure and long running economic mismanagement, the Sri Lankan economy was devastated by an economic crisis that was intensified since 2022.

Climate
Since Sri Lanka is a tropical country, you can expect the rain anytime of the year in most parts. However, there are two major rainy seasons:

 * The North-East monsoon, October to January. True to the name, this drenches the north and east, so stay on the west or southern coast to avoid it.  The central hill country is also at its sunniest between January and March, although October and November can be very wet.
 * The South-West monsoon (May to July). The reverse of the above, this is a good time to visit the north and the east.

Being an island, the climate of Sri Lanka changes dramatically from one part of the country to another. For example, at Nuwara Eliya, in the hills of Central Sri Lanka, has a temperature around -5 to 20°C throughout the year, whereas Hambantota, in the dry zone, has a temperature consistently around 30-35°C.

In general, Sri Lanka also has very hot temperatures all year long, which is why most Sri Lankan men wear sarongs while Sri Lankan women dress lightly with a long dress.

Religion
Religion in Sri Lanka is largely divided along ethnic lines, with the Sinhalese majority being almost entirely Buddhist, while the Tamil minority is mostly Hindu, but with significant Christian and Muslim minorities.

Terrain
Mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior.

 * Highest point: Pidurutalagala, 2,524m.
 * Second highest peak: Kirigalpoththa (Horton Plains) 2,388m.
 * Third highest peak: Thotupola Kanda (Horton Plains) 2,357m.

Visitor information

 * Sri Lanka Travel website

Talk

Sinhala, spoken by the majority Sinhalese, and Tamil, spoken by the minority Tamil and Muslim groups, are Sri Lanka's two official languages. English is commonly used in most cities, especially Colombo, Kandy and Galle, and by government and tourism officials. But while most of the people in Colombo can speak English, don't expect everyone, everywhere to be able to speak it fluently. In the beach and tourist areas you will have no problem with English. Most people in rural villages, however, cannot speak any English, beyond a few simple words.

 * Sinhala language The greeting in Sinhala is āyubōvan. It means "May you live longer"; 'Thank you' is sthūthiyi and "how are you" is kohomədə.
 * Tamil language: The greeting in Tamil is vanakkam; 'Thank you' is nandri.

Sinhala writing is much more curved than Tamil. After a while, you'll learn how to distinguish between the two.

Given the history of sectarian tensions, language is a sensitive issue in Sri Lanka, and some Tamils may find it offensive to be addressed in Sinhala.

Visa rules
Nationals of most countries can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online, except for nationals of Maldives, Seychelles, Czechia and Singapore, who do not need to get an ETA. It allows a stay in the country for 30 days and is valid for six months. Application should be lodged in advance before entering the country and shall be done online. After this, the applicant will receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) which should be presented at the port of entry in Sri Lanka and exchanged for a tourist visa. Visa charges are US$20 for SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan) and US$50 for others (2022). ETA is supposed to be ready in 2 days, though in practice they can be issued in only 10-20 minutes after the payment is received. Transit visas for up to 48 hours are issued free.

Alternatively, a tourist visa can be obtained without getting a prearranged ETA right at the Bandaranaike International Airport (at a visa desk in the arrival zone before customs) for US$60. Therefore, online visa is not a pre-condition to board a flight/vessel to Sri Lanka.

Important: immigration authorities at Colombo airport are very demanding with respect to the accuracy of the passport number on your electronic travel authorization obtained online. A single digit mistake is taken as a reason to force you to buy a new visa and refer you to some obscure government office in Colombo for refunds of your online payments. Be careful about 1 vs. I and zero vs. O. The number should exactly match the machine-readable section of your passport, and not anything else (for example, Russian passports have a non-alphanumeric number sign that should be completely excluded).

Visa extension
Extensions can be made at the Department of Immigration, +94 11 532–9000; M-F 09:00-16:30, "Suhurupaya", Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla.

A visa extension gives you an additional 2 months in the country beyond the initial 30-day entry visa (so in total, you can stay in the country for 3 months). You can apply any time from immediately after entering the country until the expiry of your visa. An additional 3-month extension is possible (so in total, 6 months), but you must again pay the extension fee plus another Rs10,000. Extensions beyond this are at the discretion of the department, and incur a Rs15,000 fee plus the extension fee. See above for fees for the first 90-day extension.

The department sets the cost in US dollars, but you pay in Sri Lankan rupees. To process the extension, the immigration office requires your passport and an onward ticket. Your proposed stay in Sri Lanka must end at least two months before the expiry date of your passport.

The immigration office begins processing visa extensions Monday through Friday a bit before 08:30 in the morning. However, a worker usually starts to give out queue numbers and forms some time between 07:00 and 07:30, so arrive early to be among the first processed.

Based on several extensions done in summer 2015, total time is about 2.5 hours if you arrive by 07:00: get ticket around 07:15, submit documents at 08:30, make payment at 09:00, get passport back around 09:30. If you arrive at 08:30, the room usually has started to fill and it could be around 3-4 hours. Arriving after 09:30, it'll be full and total time can be at least 4 hours. Arriving after 11:30 is usually not worth it, because the payment counter closes at 14:30; if they haven't finished the pre-processing necessary to get you to the payment stage before 14:30, you'll have to return the next day.

Agents can do the visa extension for you: they take your passport and documents, wait in line, pay the fees, etc., then return the passport to you. Larger tour groups often use these agents for extensions. The agents know the system: they arrive early and get the first queue numbers. Because of this, being behind one local agent representing a group of 25 foreigners needing extensions could make your wait time significantly longer. Best advice as an independent traveller is to get your queue number before the local agents: arrive before 07:00, immediately stand waiting at the wooden desk which is on the left just after the entrance, and don't let the agents cut in front of you.

By plane
The first and the biggest Sri Lankan airport is Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport, the journey to Colombo (35 km) will take about an hour by taxi. Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (Hambantota International Airport, ), in the southern part of the country, is 250 km away from Colombo but isn't served with regular flights. The only international route into a different airport is the daily Alliance Air flight between Jaffna and Chennai.

Sri Lankan Airlines is the flag carrier, operating flights from cities throughout Europe, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. SriLankan also flies to nearby destinations such as Chennai, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Bangalore and the Maldives. If you have to transit here for 8-48 hours between Sri Lankan Airlines flights, the airline will provide free transit accommodation and meals (as of July 2023 the accommodation is the Full Moon Hotel near the airport) and also a place on a free group van tour of Colombo if requested. This is subject to some conditions, and you need to contact the airline to request it at least 48 hours in advance. Free transit accommodation will not be provided if not booked beforehand.

Emirates Airlines connects many major European cities and others worldwide to Colombo with several flights daily from Dubai and Singapore to Colombo. The airline operates 777-300ER widebody aircraft on these routes.

FlyDubai Airlines connects Dubai to Colombo.

Qatar Airways has 3 daily non-stop flights from Doha to Colombo.

The budget airline Air Asia flies between Kuala Lumpur & Colombo.

Oman Air has announced flights to Colombo via Muscat and Male, they seem to have special prices for their new destinations' start (Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Male, Colombo)

Royal Jordanian has a daily flight from Amman to Colombo.

Ukraine International Airlines has a flight from Kyiv to Colombo via Dubai.

KLM has regular flights to Colombo from Schiphol Airport.

Fits Air is a small Sri Lankan airline which flies daily to Chennai and Dubai and twice a week to Male.

Other airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, Thai International Airways, Cathay Pacific, Saudi Arabian, Condor (Germany), and Spicejet (India) operate to Colombo-Bandaranaike from their respective home bases.

From America

There are no direct flights that reach Sri Lanka from cities outside Asia, the Middle East and Europe. From the American West Coast, the distance is almost half the globe. Depending on your preferences and how much spare time you have, you can consider a stopover in Europe, SE Asia/E Asia or Melbourne or take a non-stop flight over the North Pole to New Delhi or Mumbai from Chicago, Newark, New York City (JFK), or Toronto. In many cases, this may be the fastest route, but check if an Indian transit visa is required. Another fast and easy idea is to use Middle Eastern airlines from the US with stopovers in either Qatar, Bahrain, or the UAE (no transit visa required). For example, the Dubai-based Emirates offers daily flights from SFO, LAX, Houston (IAH), and Toronto (YYZ) with a very short stopover before the short flight to Colombo. Emirates Airlines offer non-stop service to Colombo two to three times daily from Dubai. SriLankan Airlines is part of the Oneworld alliance which allows through ticketing with American Airlines, and several Asian, European, and Middle Eastern airlines.

By ship
Since October 2023, there is a ferry service giong from Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai in Jaffna. It runs every day from Nagapattinam at 7 am and it reaches Kankesanturai by 11 am. The return service from Kankesanturai is at 2 pm, and it reaches Nagapattinam by 5 pm. A one way trip costs Rs6500 and includes one piece of luggage up to 50 kg. For booking call +919789879971, online bookings are announced to be possible soon (January 2024).

The Tuticorin (India)—Colombo passenger ferry service has been suspended indefinitely. According to the customs office in Tuticorin it is illegal for a cargo ship to transport passengers from the Tuticorin Port to Sri Lanka.

Get around
Sri Lanka is rapidly expanding its infrastructure and public transport services, making independent travel easier over time. However, many roads are still thoroughly potholed and at times terrifying due to local driving traditions. Together with occasional massive crowds (especially on holidays), often lacking luggage space and occasional harassment of women travelling alone, buses may not seem like the most appealing way of travel for some. Yet, they offer great opportunities for interaction with locals, are cheap, plentiful and come in different qualities. Some places are reachable exclusively with public transport.

By plane
Sri Lankan Airlines operates seaplane service to destinations such as Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Galle and elsewhere. This is perfect for photography trips because you can get a bird's eye view of the island and takes less time to get to a destination than using the road. Also the seaplanes land on picturesque lakes and tanks (reservoirs) around the island.

Ratmalana Airport is a minor domestic airport 15 km from central Colombo. Two domestic airlines operate charter helicopter services from this airport. Fits Air used to operate domestic services from here as well, but no longer does so as of early 2024.

By bus
For those on a budget, buses are everywhere. As a foreigner you maybe be overcharged, simply ask for a ticket to your destination to get the correct fare. They're sometimes crowded and uncomfortable, but they get you around for almost nothing; it costs about a dollar to get half-way across the island. If you're planning on splashing out, AC buses run most routes for twice the price, which offer air-conditioning and a guaranteed seat. However, they're still uncomfortable. Bus stations are confusing places, especially the big ones, but almost everyone will be delighted to practise their English and help you. Also, when travelling by bus, it is local etiquette in most buses to provide or give up the very front passenger seats to members of the clergy such as monks or priests if they are present.

If you're on a very tight budget, the standard public buses (CTB) lack air-con and are regularly pretty overcrowded, but they're dirt-cheap for western standards and run everywhere all the time. Private buses charge about double but are still cheap and often do have air-conditioning and often guaranteed seats. Your best bet is to inform upon arrival in a destination about your way out, and if possible secure a seat already. In all cases, arrive early and preferably travel light. If you're carrying a lot of luggage, you might have to purchase a seat for your backpack if you don't want to keep it on your lap or under your feet.

By rail
Sri Lanka has an extensive railway system serving all major towns and cities in the island except for the North. Trains are reasonably comfortable and inexpensive if you can buy the tickets directly. However tickets only officially go on sale 30 days in advance at 10 am local time and often sell out within minutes to third parties that then sell them onwards at many times the original price to foreigners. Even if you manage to buy your ticket directly online, you will need to convert your emailed receipt to a formal ticket which can only been done at certain stations.

The railway system in Sri Lanka is picturesque when entering the hill country because of the winding tracks along the mountains. Travel by train is itself a journey to remember, be it travelling to Central Sri Lanka or travelling on the coastal line is just amazing. Preferably choose the express trains, and try to get a reservation beforehand, if you can. There are special Observation cars for tourists to take in the scenery. Trains can be slower than buses, depending if you are on a line that offers an express train or not, but more comfortable and even less expensive than buses.

You can look up train schedules and prices on the official website of Sri Lanka Railways. This site will only give you results for direct connections between stations. There is a slightly more user-friendly website that will give you fares and distances.

There are three classes of railway cars, although 1st and 2nd class are only available on some Intercity and Express trains. Travelling 3rd class is not as bad as it may sound. Often the difference between 3rd and 2nd class is only a missing armrest between seats. Intercity and Express trains have reserved cars which can be booked online in advance on 12Go Asia website among others.

Trains are sometimes crowded, especially in the morning and late afternoon. Also, observation car seats for the lines popular with tourists (like the Colombo-Kandy line) are often booked out several days in advance in the high season. So whenever possible you should get a reservation beforehand: see Sri Lanka Railways and Train travel in Sri Lanka for more information.

Trains offer good alternatives when they are available, and the standard trains are only slightly more expensive than the private buses, if at all. One of the advantages is that 1st and 2nd class train tickets can be reserved several days in advance. Sri Lankan Railways has a useful website in English. There are also more expensive private trains with 1st class wagons and good service to some of the destinations. These obviously come at higher prices, but are still a reasonable and convenient option for travellers on a mid-range or higher budget, with a trip from Colombo to Kandy costing around Rs1700.

The train ride between Kandy and Badulla is especially famous for its spectacular views - particularly between Nuwara Eliya and Ella. If you can, sit on the right side of the train when going in the direction of Badulla, as it offers the better view.

Privately owned train services no longer run. Exporail and Rajadhani Express used to operate air-conditioned and serviced first-class railway cars to certain destinations.

By three-wheeler
One common mode of transport in Sri Lanka is via a three-wheeled automobile appropriately referred to as a three-wheeler (tri-Shaw). Also known as tuk-tuks (commonly referred as they're called in Thailand) from the noise of their motors. These operate in a manner similar to taxis, and in many situations are a convenient and cost-efficient way to get around. Safety is a concern however, as none of them have seat belts and they are open to the sides. They are NOT permitted at Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport, so don't let a tuk-tuk driver talk you into hiring him on your departure.

Three-wheelers are ubiquitous in Sri Lanka. On any given street, you'll hardly have to wait more than a few minutes without one going by that you can wave down. If you're travelling with luggage, there are slightly larger three-wheelers with more space for your bags that you can look for. While it may be the most novel way to get around, it may not be the most cost-efficient in every situation. Public transport is cheaper by far, and most three-wheel drivers tend to over-price foreigners. So, never agree to the first estimate. The best price you can get is about Rs80–100/km. If you come across a metered tri-shaw make sure the meter is switched on. Taxis are slightly more expensive but surely a lot safer. You probably have not experienced everything Sri Lanka has to offer until you travel in one.

Three-wheelers can be hailed via various apps: As of 2023 PickMe is the most popular.

You can also rent a tuk-tuk from various companies. Some of these companies offer more services than others. For example, some companies offer help with licencing, free repairs, unlimited kms, and tuk-tuk features such as bluetooth speakers, an esky, lockable storage, and 24 hour phone support. Do your research.

By car
Rented cars usually turn out cheaper than three-wheelers, are less prone to road accidents, and are recommended by most hotels. Rented cars generally come with their own drivers. Often the automobile itself is free but the driver will charge a fee for his services. Some drivers and guides are government-licensed; some are extremely knowledgeable and multilingual, specialising in historical and cultural knowledge, and environmental/natural history for your visits to the ancient sites and the natural reserves.

Of course, if you're not on a budget and especially if you're pressed for time, renting a car with driver for the whole or part of the journey can be a convenient way to follow your itinerary, and will in some cases allow you to see two sites on one day. Daily rates vary between Rs5000 and 10,000 per day excluding fuel, depending on the kind of car you want and whether you book via a hotel or travel agency that will take a commission.

You can also rent a car without a driver but you will need to bring your international driving license and get it validated by the Automobile Association of Sri Lanka to be able to drive on your own. You can opt to pay an agency to do this for you in advance. Otherwise, you must do it in Colombo, and it will take a day. You will find international car hire agencies in Colombo Airport and some local companies in Negombo's beach area.

Traffic is on the left. Some of the main roads are in good condition, but other roads are still narrow and bumpy, especially in the interior. Cyclists, pedestrians and animals are among the cars on the roads. Be prepared for traffic jams. Local driving habits are very different from those in the West and traffic is dangerous. Risky accidents occur constantly and traffic fatality rates are high.

Tour operators
Tour operators are happy to get you a van and a driver who will take you all over the island but beware, the roads are bumpy and slow. If you book off-the-cuff when you arrive, ask to be shown on a map where you are going before agreeing to any 'tour' of the island and research before you arrive so that you have a clear idea of where you might like to travel. Senseless backtracking to lengthen the trip and increase the cost is a real danger, as is a driver's wish to take you on unwanted shopping expeditions in an effort to gain commission. Travel websites specialising in Sri Lanka are easily found and have greatly increased the choice that is readily available to independent travellers seeking tailor-made tours. The best of them will produce clearly-stated travel itineraries and some are flexible enough to make late changes to itineraries. Ask to see their booking conditions and anti-fraud policies.

Taxi companies
Taxis are a better way of getting around Colombo than three wheelers as, due to the metering, they often turn out to be cheaper. Rates are about US$0.55 and they have full day packages (approx 8 hours and 80km) for around US$40. They will also take you outstation for around US$0.30-0.35 per km with no waiting charges. You can also set up your own itinerary and travel around that way as opposed to whatever the tour operator tells you. Transportation companies such as Uber are also available in the country, It is advised to transport in a taxi which has a specific company tagline.

See
Admission fees for foreigners to many of the tourist sites in Sri Lanka are up to ten times those for locals.

Temple of the sacred tooth relic (Dhaladha Maligawa) is a historical structure built around the 16th century to treasure the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. It was built as a palace for the kings of Sri Lanka. which was later turned into a temple. This structure has been reconstructed many time after demolition, including by a terrorist attack during the 1983-2009 civil war.

Some popular sights in Sri Lanka are:

 * Lagoons such as Mannar and Jaffna, alongside marshes in these areas.
 * Beautiful villages which look like England in Nuwara Eliya. There are many tea estates and Hakgala gardens too.
 * The beaches of Unawatuna, Galle, Weligama, Bentota and northern areas.
 * The unexplored Sri Lanka in Jaffna and the islands in the Northern Province (Neduntheevu known as Delft).
 * See Negombo's beaches, all sandy and blue.
 * The ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa (not temples)
 * Chilaw sandpits (great place for bird watching)
 * Pinnawala elephant orphanage
 * The rainforests of Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Knuckles Mountain Range and Sinharaja Forest Reserve.

With a recorded history of more than 2,500 years, Sri Lanka has a rich cultural and natural heritage and its World Heritage Sites are among the absolute highlights in the country. With eight recognized entries, Sri Lanka has the second most listed World Heritage Sites in South Asia (only India, with 30, has more). The vast Central Highlands (including three highland parks: Horton Plains National Park, Knuckles Mountain Range and the Peak Wilderness Protected Area) were inscribed in 2010. Other than these, Sri Lanka has identified two prospective World Heritage Sites: Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara and Seruwila to Sri Pada (Sacred Foot Print Shrine), an ancient pilgrim route along the Mahaweli river in Sri Lanka.

Itineraries

 * World Heritage Sites Tour in Sri Lanka

Surfing
From November to April you can surf on the western and southern coast. Best place for the beginners is Weligama on the southern coast.

Kitesurfing
From April to September you can kitesurf at the eastern coast. The best place for the beginners is Kalpitiya (Sethawadi and Kappaladi lagoons), where you can find kite schools and the best conditions in Asia.

White water rafting
White water rafting is done in tropical rain forests, where the rowers, use an inflatable raft which is sent down small waterfalls. Places like kitulgala are famous for this outdoor activity.

Snorkeling
Off the coral a sanctuary near Hikkaduwa is a popular spot to see turtles.

Hiking
Horton Plains National Park offers a nice hiking opportunity to the spectacular view at World's End.

Bird watching
There are over 400 bird species in Sri Lanka, and over 30 of them are endemic. Bird watching is an excellent activity to take on during a visit to the island. The only requirement would be a binocular and a field guide which you can easily purchase from local bookshops and Plazas (When buying field guides, publications of Ceylon bird club and FOGSL (Field ornithology group Sri Lanka) are highly recommended.)

The best place for birdwatching is Kumana National Park, which is known for the existence of a large number of vagrants and migrants. Places like Mannar and Chilaw are filled with migratory birds (mostly waders) during migrating seasons. If you want to see birds from deep forests, the best place for that is the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, the home to almost all the endemic birds of Sri Lanka. Another good place is Bundala National Park near Yala National Park.

Sightseeing
Sri Lanka has a history of over 2500 years and many ancient ruins can be seen around the country... if you like archaeology, sightseeing might be a great choice. The suggested places are in the Central Province, places such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are the most famous for sightseeing.

History and Culture
Anytime is good for a cultural trip, but August is ideal for the famous Esala Perehera pageant. Explore ancient relics and World Heritage sites that still captivate despite the years. For cultural insights, check out Love Sri Lanka.

Money
The currency is the Sri Lankan rupee, denoted by the symbol "රු" or "Rs" (ISO code: LKR). There are coins for 1 rupee (old version is big and silver, new version is a much smaller with a little change in design), 2 rupees (silver), 5 rupees (gold and silver) and 10 rupees (silver). Banknotes range from Rs 20 to Rs 5000. Coins that are more than a few years old are typically in quite bad condition. Banknotes that are ripped, painted, scribbled or written upon are not accepted in stores. Wet and balled up bank notes are not accepted as well. Be alert when accepting change you will come to know that our money is in good condition as the slightest tear or ink stain might mean that they are worthless. Sri Lankan bank notes have telltale anti-forgery markings that travellers should familiarise themselves with. These include a watermark on the left hand side, raised threads of the left and right edges of the note, and a shiny hologram strip down the middle of the note.

Credit cards and ATMs, banking services
ATMs are in many places (especially at bank branches) in the cities and suburbs, less so in the countryside. Be careful of using credit cards, as fraud is on the rise in Sri Lanka. You can withdraw from debit cards too (Cirrus, Maestro, Visa Electron, etc.) where the logos are displayed. Mostly your card will be replaced by your bank once you go back to your country. Not every ATM accepts international cards, try Commercial Bank they accept international cards but charge Rs 400. A better option is Peoples Bank, withdraw up to Rs 100,000 with no fee. You can't send money by Western Union or Money Gram from Sri Lanka abroad. One can only receive money via international money transfer while in Sri Lanka.

Costs
Sri Lanka is a little more expensive than Southeast Asia for accommodation. However, food is comparable: local street food costs around €1, a meal in a local restaurant, €2-5, and a bottle of the local Lion beer is €1. All across the country there are simple accommodations, hostels and homestays. The prices vary depending on the equipment at €10-20. On the coast many small boutique hotels opened up in the last years with prices of €20-30 per night in a double room. For more comfort expect to pay more than €40.

Shopping
Colombo is the shopping capital, with many malls and plazas selling items of both modern and cultural origins. Rural areas tend to sell handicrafts of Sri Lanka. For reed, cane, cotton, paper, leather, wood, clay, metal, and gemstones have been transformed in an array of batiks, toys, curios and jewellery, hand made treasures. When out in the more rural areas, you will encounter shops selling low-quality but cheap toys, hats, sunglasses. Counterfeit sunglasses may look good but may not protect your eyes from UV light like the real thing. Many packaged goods show the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on the package. This includes taxes. Retailers are not supposed to charge more than this. Though this rule is adhered to at most places, at tourist destinations or remote places, you may be charged more.

Gems (mainly sapphires and moonstones) are mined in the country. Both unset stones and finished jewellery are easily found and often well priced. See Colombo.

Eat

Sri Lanka and South Indian food share a lot in common, and many local restaurants describe their menus as Sri Lankan & South Indian. There are a number of regional variations, though, the different types of hopper, devilled prawns, cuttlefish, chicken, etc., and the common fiery addition to any curry, pol sambol made of grated coconut, red chilli powder and lime juice.

Sri Lankan food is generally spicy, but you can always ask for less spicy options if you prefer. Sri Lankans eat with their right hands - this isn't a major problem, because every eatery can provide cutlery if you can't eat otherwise. But try the Sri Lankan way (tips of fingers only!); it's harder than it looks but strangely liberating.

Food is generally very cheap, with a cheap meal costing about a US dollar. The most expensive tourist-orientated places seldom charge more than US$10. The staple food of Sri Lankans is rice and curry - a massive mound of rice surrounded by various curries and delicacies. If you want to eat a cheap lunch you can follow the Sri Lankan crowds and duck into any of a million small cafes, confusingly called 'hotels'. These normally sell a rice and curry packet, as well as 'short eats', a collection of spicy rolls. This is ideal for backpackers and those who want to get past the touristy hotels selling burnt chicken and chips - you're charged by how much you eat, and unless you're absolutely ravenous it probably won't cost over a US dollar.

If you are taking road trips outside Colombo, there are endless options for places to stop on the road for lunch. Rest houses and hotels along major roads throughout Sri Lanka have good restaurants that offer both Sri Lankan and Western menus. If you are less adventurous, you can easily get good sandwiches and soups at these restaurants. These places have excellent rice and curry plates, and you will be served many different types of curries over an extremely generous portion of rice. These meals are extremely delicious and will leave you full and happy at the end of the meal. Eating is definitely a memorable experience in Sri Lanka.

Kottu (Kothu) Roti (a medley of chopped roti, vegetables and your choice of meat) is a must-have for anyone - tourist or otherwise - in Sri Lanka. It is uniquely Sri Lankan and tastes best when made fresh by street vendors. However, several kottu roti restaurants have been closed down due to their use of stale and old roti, which made some patrons sick. Use caution, and even better, talk with the locals to figure out where the best kottu roti restaurants are.

Other foods that you should try include String Hoppers,  Hoppers, Pittu and Kiribath.

There are many upscale restaurants to choose from in the city of Colombo. There are several fine dining restaurants at the 5-star hotels which offer both local and international cuisine. These establishments are found largely in western Colombo (along Galle Road), though more are around Colombo and other major cities.

Fast-food outlets such as KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Subway and Burger King can be found in major cities.

Snacks such as 'Wade' (wah-dei) can be bought from local stores along with other Indian-based food items such as pouri and hoppers. Most of these food items are prepared with flour and oil. They mostly act as dinner meals and can be found in most Mannar restaurants. String hoppers are mostly seen in these areas and are quite fulfilling meals. Most of these products are made to be enjoyed with a special type of curry such as "pol sambol" or dhal. Seafood is present in some of these restaurants. Crabs, lobsters, fish are all fine choices and can be usually found in inns and hotels (rather than streetside restaurants)

Ritzbury and Kandos are the main brands that manufacture chocolates in Sri Lanka, Kandos products are higher quality but pricier. Other Sri Lankan-made snacks include Munchee and Maliban brand biscuits.

Ice cream can usually be found in local supermarkets. Two common Sri Lankan-made brands are elephant house and magic. You can also buy ice creams from carts which drive past beaches. The cheapest ice cream is a popsicle named "Captain Cool" which normally costs 20 Rupees. Ice cream should be bought from recognized brands as the others may not be up to your standards. Some districts have ice cream three-wheelers that roam around playing a tune. Purchasing your ice cream from a three-wheeler is the second best option as they provide items that are manufactured by the aforementioned brands. You can also find a substitute for popsicles known as "ice packets", though these are generally considered to be unhygienic since they are manufactured by unofficial companies. This item a frozen beverage that you drink by biting off the corner edge of the polythene sheet that coats the contents and sipping from the hole. The packets are uncomfortable to consume, however, they are cheap (10 Rupees) and wildly refreshing.

Drink
In Sri Lanka, tap water is not considered safe to drink. However, if you are using bottled water (1 litre for Rs130-140 in January 2023) always make sure the SLS (Sri Lanka Standard Institute) label is present. Also in some parts of the country you'll find hard water due to the high presence of lime in the soil.

Fresh milk, due to the climate, spoils easily, and so is often very expensive. Powdered milk, however, is safe and is often substituted.

Thambili the juice from king coconut, is very refreshing. It's sold at the side of streets throughout the island, you know it's clean as the coconut is cut open in front of you and it's cheaper than bottled drinks at about Rs30/- each. Soft drinks are available almost everywhere, normally in dusty-looking glass bottles. The local producer, Elephant, make a range of interesting drinks - try the ginger beer and cream soda. "Coca Cola" and "Pepsi" also available in large and small sizes (plastic bottles) including several local soft drink brands - all available at rapidly multiplying supermarkets all across the country and grocery shops.

The most common local beer is Lion Lager (Rs140 in "wine shops" or Rs200-300 in restaurants in March 2012). For something a bit different try Lion Stout. It is characterized by its high alcohol content, smooth, dense body and chocolate finish. Other brews include Three Coins, which is brewed by the Mt Lavinia hotel chain, allegedly to a Belgian recipe.

The traditional spirit is Arrack, which costs about US$4 for a bottle, and is often drunk with club soda. The quality can vary depending on how much you want to pay. However, widely recommended brand would be "Old Reserve" and worth paying US$7.50 for it.

Sale and public consumption of alcohol is forbidden on Poya Days, which generally fall on the date of the full moon, but occasionally it falls a day either side. If you really want to drink on these days, plan ahead.

Sleep
Accommodation in Sri Lanka has been transformed. What would be recognized as the modern tourist industry began in the 1960s with traditional beach hotels built on the west coast which were aimed primarily at the package holiday crowd and traditional travel operators. But the past decade has brought a major change, with the growth of villas, boutique hotels, and independent properties offering a huge array of choice.

Learn

 * Buddhist Studies and Pali Language. The universities of Peradeniya and Kelaniya offer a variety of Buddhist studies and Pali language courses in English.
 * Meditation. You may find monasteries and meditation centres that offer meditation courses (generally free of charge) in the Buddhist Publication Society guide.
 * Mahamevnawa Meditation Monastery is a good place to learn true Buddhism.
 * Dancing There are many foreign enthusiasts to learn Sri Lankan traditional dance under three categories which are Udarata, Pahatharata and Sabaragamu. And there are distinguished drumming for those categories.

Stay safe
Violent crime is not usually any more serious a problem for tourists in Sri Lanka than it is anywhere. There has been an increase in violent crimes involving tourists in the past few years, but it is still very rare. Tourists should exercise the same care and attention as they would at home.

An economic crisis has impacted Sri Lanka since 2020, which caused shortages of food, fuel, and medical services. Lengthy rolling blackouts are also occurring. However, the situation has mostly calmed and it is safe for tourists to return. It is recommended to comply with government orders and avoid participating in protests.

Terrorism
Sri Lanka's lengthy and bloody civil war was ended in 2009, when the government forces finally wiped out the Tamil Tigers. However, there might be land mines remaining, and the facilities in northern (and some parts of the east) cities and towns are war torn. These were the areas where the Tamils lived. The UN, NGOs and the Sri Lankan authorities are engaged in rapidly clearing landmines laid out by the warring parties and repairing damage done by the fighting. It's a long and difficult process. Should you encounter possible unexploded ordnances, dial 114 to report them to authorities.

In general, though, traffic accidents kill more people than terrorism, though terrorists linked to the Islamic State did perform a series of bombings in Colombo and elsewhere around the country killing hundreds of people on Easter 2019. It's quite safe to travel in Sri Lanka and many tourists from all over the world started to come to the country after the end of the civil war. You'll see many foreign tourists at the tourists sites, mostly Westerners. Locals will greet foreigners with a smile and are generally helpful. It is recommended to avoid going alone after dark. Pickpocketing on public transport is uncommon, but take precaution. Make sure that you avoid the places which are shacked up, some places sell drugs and it is important that you are safe from them.

Women's safety and LGBT rights
In general it is comparatively safe to travel as a woman alone in Sri Lanka, but follow some rules for your own safety.
 * Do not take public transportation late at night.
 * In rural areas, try to avoid being on the street past nine and if you have to, cover your shoulders and knees.
 * At the beach try to stay in groups or in tourist areas.

Under colonial-era laws which are still in place, homosexual activity between consenting adults is punishable by fines. LGBT travellers should exercise discretion.

Con artists and touts
Con artists and touts are a serious problem throughout all tourist areas. Using the services of a tout for accommodation, local travel, etc. will most likely increase the price. First time travellers to Sri Lanka may find themselves the victim of scams, however seasoned travellers to Sri Lanka are very rarely scammed and it is simple to avoid becoming a victim of scammers by taking precautions:

 * 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.
 * Scams involving gemstones are common. Do not buy with the intention of selling them in your home country for a profit.
 * Be on guard for anybody trying to help you by giving you unsolicited directions or travel advice. Take any advice from taxi and auto drivers with a grain of salt, especially if they tell you the place you want to go to is closed, dangerous, non-existent, etc. If you are unsure, check a map.
 * If you have been told your hotel is closed or full, give them a call. If you are a first time visitor to Sri Lanka, don't admit it as it will make you a target for the scam artists.
 * Unless you absolutely have to, do not agree to hire the same driver for more than a day at a time. They are a dime a dozen at each city and the whole country is so small that you will not have trouble getting between towns via bus, train, tuk-tuk or another driver if you have to. Even though you agree on a daily or hourly rate, the drivers will all generally attempt to make more commission out of you by forcing you to visit one of their friends' businesses (e.g., spice, carving or gem shops). Calmly and firmly say you are not interested and if they continue to force you to go then find another driver - they are very common and you will have no problem finding another one.

Stay healthy

 * Vaccinations are recommended for Hepatitis A+B and Tetanus. Also, obtain the Typhus vaccination outside of tourist areas especially in the wet season. The CDC also recommends vaccination against Japanese encephalitis.
 * Dengue fever: During the rainy season use mosquito repellent. When head and joint aches occur get a blood check. There are two vaccines available: Dengvaxia and Qdenga.
 * Malaria: since 2016 Sri Lanka is declared malaria free zone by WHO
 * Yellow fever: Sri Lanka, like the rest of Asia is free from yellow fever, but a vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.
 * Visitors should avoid drinking water from the tap. Stick to bottled water for both drinking and tooth-brushing.
 * Although snake bites are extremely rare among tourists (comparable to being struck by lightning), anyone bitten should seek prompt medical care. This is true even if the bite doesn't result in any pain and swelling. The National Emergency number is 119. In Colombo, dial either 119 or if you want an emergency ambulance - 110.
 * There are tiny little flies that live in the sand (inland only, not on the beaches). Any contact with the dry sand usually results in bites and subsequent painful scratches.

Tour guides
Some tour guides can be annoyingly clingy. They will constantly try to lead you to places where they can make a cut from the stuff you buy there, because they know the owner or there is just a common understanding that it works like this.

Stand your ground and tell them outright to get off your heels and to meet up later, after you have done your shopping or roamed around and done your sightseeing. Agree on a specific place and time. If they don't give in, threaten them with a complaint with the tour or travel company, or even to demand your money back.

Especially if you paid €2,000 or more for your holiday, they should really respect your will and not bother you at all.

If you don't stand your ground, your holiday can become disappointing quickly.

Religions
Sri Lanka has many varieties of cultures and religions. The main religion is Theravada Buddhism. Sri Lanka, like many other countries, takes its religions seriously. Any scornful actions in the public may lead to arrest. Aside from Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism and Hinduism are also present in the country.
 * Buddhism- Arrived in Sri Lanka in the 3rd Century AD, now it is the most common religion in Sri Lanka, and is part of its 2000 years of history.
 * Hinduism- this religion can be found scattered across the country, mainly among ethnic Tamils, in spite of the 26-year civil war. This religion adds many cultural features to the country.
 * Islam- Arrived at the country via traders; now a common religion seen all across the country.
 * Catholicism- A religion which arrived in Sri Lanka during the Portuguese invasions.

Religions contribute to the country's architecture. Sites such as temples, kovils and churches are known for structures based on religions of Sri Lanka.

Respect

There are several customs that, especially for Western travellers, will take a bit of getting used to.

 * It is customary to remove shoes and wear respectful attire (i.e., no miniskirts, tank tops, short pants) when visiting temples. It is also the custom to remove shoes before entering a home, though this is not as strictly followed as in places such as Japan.
 * Never touch or pat Buddhist monks, including younger monks and children who practice at a temple.
 * Do not display tattoos that depict the Buddha. They can be regarded as highly insulting in Sri Lanka, even if acceptable in other Buddhist countries and regions. Arrest and deportation are realistic scenarios.
 * Do not turn your back to a Buddha statue while within a reasonable distance. This includes posing for photos, where you should not make arm or body contact with the statue. It is advisable to photograph a Buddha statue with all persons facing towards it (as observing it), rather than posing alongside.
 * Public nudity is illegal in Sri Lanka – nude or topless sunbathing and skinny dipping should be avoided, except in the private beach resorts which allow it.
 * Although much latitude is given to tourists, it is more polite to use your right hand when handing money and small objects, etc. Of course you can use both hands for something big or heavy.
 * Be respectful to monks/elderly/disabled. There's no particular etiquette for Westerners – just be polite. Always give them a seat on a crowded bus.
 * It is highly controversial to discuss politics, particularly the Sinhalese/Tamil divide or the LTTE. The 26-year civil war which ended in 2009 saw thousands of attacks throughout the country, including suicide bombings and massacres which have killed scores of politicians and civilians on both sides alike.
 * No photography of sensitive locations (inside and outside), and inside of shopping malls and tea factories (outside OK). Be especially careful in Fort, Colombo (except on the beach). If soldiers are guarding something, it probably shouldn't be photographed. Don't rely on signs alone, as sometimes they are old or missing. For example, one end of a bridge may have a "No Photography" sign, but not the other.
 * Seemingly innocuous public displays of affection between lovers such as kissing and/or hugging may be culturally frowned upon as it is considered to be private behaviour, but it is acceptable in functions and establishments designated for adults such as nightclubs, casinos and beach parties. Much lenience is given to foreigners and holding hands and public affection between parents and their children is not frowned upon.
 * The poor must be respected. Many poverty-stricken individuals roam in the streets of main cities. Disrespecting them is not the right thing to do. But it is also important to not be caught by touts and con artists.

Phone
The country code for Sri Lanka is 94. Remove the intercity prefix (0) before the area code when dialling internationally into the country (i.e., 0112 688 688 becomes +94 112 688 688) when dialling from abroad. The two next numbers after 94 represents the area code, they are different for every district for more information see Telephone numbers in Sri Lanka.

Mobile
The use of GSM cellphones is widespread and the coverage is good.

Dialog and Mobitel are two operators that have sales offices at the airport inside the arrivals lounge. Dialog Mobile has the widest coverage in the country including rural areas and has the best quality GSM / 3G / HSPA +/4G network. Mobitel also has a 3G/HSPA+/4G network. All the mobile operators are having same call rates due to floor rate tariffs. Therefore, it is advisable to go to the network which offers you the best quality. All Mobile Operators offers cheap IDD Call rates.

When you are in dire need of internet connection, go to the nearest store (any store.) and ask for a 'Data Card'. After purchasing the card, dial the number on the back and do as advised.

If you want to surf internet, best way is to buy a HSPA dongle and a Mobile Broadband connection. Dialog Mobile, Mobitel, Hutch and Airtel offers prepaid Mobile Broadband services which can be activated and used immediately.

Buying a wifi router is really not necessary as it will be dysfunctional once you are out of the country. (Unless you are planning a long stay like 1-2 years.) Dialog is the Vodafone Roaming Network in Sri Lanka and offers the best range of Value added services for Roamers and the rates are cheaper. Airtel also provide cheap roaming rates specially to India.

Mobile phones are cheaper and widely available.

title: Sri Lanka


text:
Srinagar

Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir and the largest city in the Kashmir region.

Understand
The city has become safer to travel to since 2021, after years of unrest and violence; however, police/army presence is still heavy. Many buildings of value will also have a sandbag bunker and razor wire for protection.

Climate
Most people visit the city in the summer months. The temperature at this time is cool to pleasant. Light sweaters may be needed for occasional cool nights in the summertime. In winter, you will need full winter gear and expect snow and few places to have hot water.

Get in
Many people take the train to Jammu followed by a taxi or bus ride to Srinagar. The journey from Jammu to Srinagar is costlier in the summers because the capital is being shifted from Jammu to Srinagar on both the state buses and Sumos. State buses are safer but take more time and are a bit uncomfortable.

Foreigners are required to register upon arrival at the airport or at their hotel or houseboat.

By plane

International, domestic and seasonal Hajj pilgrimage charters to Jeddah are operated from Sheikh ul Alam airport.

Flights are operated by SpiceJet, Go Air and Air India from Delhi and Mumbai to Srinagar, with or without a stopover at Jammu. The frequency is once or twice a day by each airline. The cost is approx ₹2,500 from Jammu, ₹ 2,500-5,000 from Delhi one way and higher from Mumbai, depending on the different season.

The airport is still heavily patrolled and you may see many soldiers or other armed security detachments. Winter flights can easily be canceled due to weather conditions. Tickets are easy to purchase in the city. The airport requires a ticket for entrance. A taxi into Srinagar town should be ₹ 720 (as in August 2017) and direct to Gulmarg is ₹1,500-2,000. There is a mini bus from airport to TRC (Tourist Reception Centre). It costs ₹ 70. TRC is 1 km to the Dal lake. The mini-bus is dirty and fly-infested.

When departing Srinagar by air, make sure you have a printed copy of your ticket at hand, otherwise you will not be able to enter the airport. Additionally, allow approximately one hour to get from Srinagar to the airport. Security checks can cause traffic to bank up if there are a few flights leaving at around the same time.

By taxi
Hiring a TATA Sumo SUV (fits up to 9 people, or 5 comfortably plus luggage) from Jammu costs approximately ₹1,900-2,700 depending on time of year or even time of day. To reduce costs many people choose not to take an exclusive taxi, and share the Sumo taxi with others. This costs about ₹300-400 per person. For a comfortable trip, try for a seat in the middle row - the front bucket seat is (sometimes uncomfortably) shared by 2 people, and the far back could be quite bumpy as the highway is full of mountainous roads. The journey takes around 8 hour.

By bus
J&K State Road Transport Corporation (J&KSRTC) operates fairly comfortable buses from Jammu costing around ₹350 and do the journey in around 12 hr. 2-day buses run between Srinagar and Leh staying overnight in Kargil.

There are also direct buses from Delhi taking almost 24 hours to reach Srinagar.

By bicycle
Srinagar is about 80 km away from Sonamarg. Cycling to Sonamarg is a reasonable day ride for a fit cyclist, and Sonamarg provides plenty of accommodation options. The ride from Sonamarg to Srinagar, being mostly downhill, is an easy one. Riding on the East side of Dal Lake is slightly less direct, but traffic is low, and the route provides lovely views over the lake.

By train
Despite serving the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, the is served only by local trains from Banihal and Jammu. Rajdhanis aside, even ordinary express trains don't arrive at Srinagar. If you are coming from an express train, you have to get down from the terminal station and take a local train/bus to Srinagar.

Get around
Auto-rickshaws can be found everywhere. Taxis and buses area also available. Motorcycles can also be rented for enthusiasts.

Negotiate a price with a rickshaw driver before getting in; they are notorious for overcharging and generally being dishonest. Their usual ploy is: "no problem" or "up to you". As soon as you reach your destination they will have a volte-face! Drivers usually don't speak English but there will always be a passer-by to help translate for you.

A rickshaw from Nigeen Lake to Boulevard is approximately ₹70 depending on negotiation skills (August 2009).

Usually private service buses run throughout the city and are well networked with major tourist spots.

See

 * The dal lake also consists of two islands Rupa Lank and Sona Lank. Both the islands are square in shape and with the four corners marked with Chinar Trees. For these reason the islands are popularly known as Char Chinar.
 * The dal lake also consists of two islands Rupa Lank and Sona Lank. Both the islands are square in shape and with the four corners marked with Chinar Trees. For these reason the islands are popularly known as Char Chinar.
 * The dal lake also consists of two islands Rupa Lank and Sona Lank. Both the islands are square in shape and with the four corners marked with Chinar Trees. For these reason the islands are popularly known as Char Chinar.

 * Mughal Gardens. With terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal in front of them: the three Mughal Gardens of Chesmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar are the Mughal Emperors' concept of paradise and are today very popular places for picnics and excursions. The beauty of these gardens is at their best during spring but the Mughal structure of these gardens lends them a unique sense of beauty even when the flowers are not blossoming.
 * Mughal Gardens. With terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal in front of them: the three Mughal Gardens of Chesmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar are the Mughal Emperors' concept of paradise and are today very popular places for picnics and excursions. The beauty of these gardens is at their best during spring but the Mughal structure of these gardens lends them a unique sense of beauty even when the flowers are not blossoming.
 * Mughal Gardens. With terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal in front of them: the three Mughal Gardens of Chesmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar are the Mughal Emperors' concept of paradise and are today very popular places for picnics and excursions. The beauty of these gardens is at their best during spring but the Mughal structure of these gardens lends them a unique sense of beauty even when the flowers are not blossoming.
 * Mughal Gardens. With terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal in front of them: the three Mughal Gardens of Chesmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar are the Mughal Emperors' concept of paradise and are today very popular places for picnics and excursions. The beauty of these gardens is at their best during spring but the Mughal structure of these gardens lends them a unique sense of beauty even when the flowers are not blossoming.

Do

 * Shikara ride in Dal Lake: Go for a shikara ride in the Dal lake which costs around ₹150 (off season) - ₹500 (peak season) for the whole shikara. For better views and a more peaceful ride in an area devoid of other tourists, walk up a fair bit of distance till you can see the fountain and ask the shikara rider to take you for a ride to the fountain. It costs ₹300 (off season) to ₹600 (peak season). Make sure you bargain a little, especially in off season. If you are staying longer, you could go on shikara rides more than once, each time to a different part of the lake. A must see is the "village" in the lake. Ask for a ride to the side where locals live and see the floating vegetable market. The market is usually operational only at sunrise and is easiest organised through an agent or your hotel/houseboat.

Buy
If you hire an auto rickshaw to go shopping, please mention that you want to go to Lal Chowk Ghantaghar only for shopping, as most of the auto rickshaw drivers will insist that there is nothing in Lal Chowk, and you should go to the wholesale market instead. This is because the prices at the so-called wholesale market are very much inflated, as they pay at least 20% commission to those auto rickshaw drivers. Also, there are very few shops there. Do not fall into the trap of these cheating auto rickshaw pullers.

 * Chainstitch rugs There are rugs in two styles; English design or Kilim design. It will be evident what is meant when you see them.
 * Carpets.
 * Cashmere (Pashmina) shawls Have been manufactured in Kashmir for thousands of years. Pashmina Shawls are very popular items for sale in the Valley, but make sure to test the quality before purchasing. The test for a 100% pashmina has been warmth, feel and the passing of the shawl through a wedding ring. Costs on a true pashmina can vary wildly, but usually start around ₹8,000. Secondly, the weave pattern on a good Pashmina is fainter than on a "silk Pashmina" or other wool Pashmina. There is also lower grades of pashmina known as Semi-Pashmina (10-50% pashmina wool) and Half-Pashmina (50% pashmina wool) which are still of an exceptional quality but much lower price (₹1,000-3,000). Also check if they are machine woven or hand woven (look for irregularities in the wool to spot a hand woven), hand woven are stronger due to the density of the weave and cost more.
 * Government Emporia You can also buy embroidered felt mats called Namdahs but the colours of the wool may be a bit too bright in most shops. The Government Emporia supplies might be better than some the private shops.
 * Paper Machie products: Unique to Kashmir with colourful motifs and design on them. They are seen everywhere and resemble pottery in shape and design.
 * You can also buy leather products or special jewellery of Srinagar.
 * Cricket Bats: Kashmir is famous for willow trees and cricket bats made out of these willow wood are in great demand.
 * Cricket Bats: Kashmir is famous for willow trees and cricket bats made out of these willow wood are in great demand.

Eat
There are numerous bakeries in the city. Kashmiris are very fond of bakery products, especially pastries and cakes, and you can find these bakeries very crowded, especially around the times of major festivals. The more famous bakeries include:
 * Jee Enn Sons, Nallahmar Rd. Famous for its pastries, bread, bakery products, patties and themed cakes.
 * Mughal Darbar. Notable for sweets, cakes and pastries.
 * Shawl Bakery. Famous for its wedding cakes and boasts about its sweets and chocolates.

There are a number of restaurants and cafes in Srinagar. Most of the good ones are located in Lal chowk or on Boulevard along the banks of the Dal Lake. Most of the restaurants will serve Kashmiri, Indian, Mughlai and 'Indianized' Chinese dishes. Some pure veg restaurants are also located along Boulevard. Among the veg restaurants 'Krishna Dhaba' is the most popular for its Rajma-and-kheer.

Make sure you try dishes like Rogan-gosht (meat cooked in red sauce), Gushtaba (soft meat balls cooked in natural yoghurt),Rishta (soft meat balls in delicious sauce), Tabakmaaz (deep fried ribs of a lamb) and Kanti (small chunks of meat cooked with a lot of onions). All these meat items are usually eaten with rice.

Another popular local delicacy called Seekh-tuji consists of marinated meat pieces which are freshly barbecued and eaten with chutney. Most of these vendors are located in the Khayaam region of the city. This place is usually teeming with teenagers, especially in the evenings.

Enjoy the grilled mutton available in Srinagar. This is referred to as a "tilli" or "tekh" and mostly eaten by locals.

Drink
Kahwah is a traditional green tea recipe from Kashmir. The tea is made from green tea leaves with saffron strands, cinnamon bark and cardamom pods. Some varieties are made as a herbal infusion only, without the green tea leaves. Generally, it is served with sugar or honey, and crushed nuts, usually almonds or walnuts. There is another form of tea that is quite famous amongst the locals, its called 'namkeen chai' or 'nun chai'. It is pink in colour and is also called pink tea. It is made from black tea, cardamom, various spices, salt and bicarbonate of soda. Also people like nune toath and dum toath which are very famous among Sufis. Nunetoath is nunechai without milk and dumtoath is strong form of kahwa.

If searching for a beer or other drink there is a small bottle shop on the Boulevard. It's at the base of a hotel about halfway up the street and looks like a mini-Fort Knox. Ask people on the street and they'll point you in the right direction.

Sleep
Since the conflict in Kashmir hundreds of hotels and houseboats lie empty, check in person if the hotel/houseboat still looks as nice as when they put pictures online- and that advertised services are still available as many have stopped paying for example for wifi. The upside is that the prices of accommodation have plummeted, owners will optimistically demand full rates but can be talked right down; the phrase "how many guests do you have now" saves a lot of time here. Srinagar is popular for its houseboats, which do not float free around the lake, but are anchored off-shore. It is a great and unique way to enjoy your stay in the city. Houseboats are accessible either by road, or by a short "Shikara" boat ride. Each houseboat usually has 2-5 bedrooms plus bath, dining room, living room, upper deck (good for sunbathing). Land access have the advantage of allowing you to leave if you feel uncomfortable, or just like going for a walk, although they tend to be noisier.

There are houseboats on Dal Lake and Nagin Lake. These can cost anything from ₹300 - ₹5,000 (October 2018) depending upon the time of the year. Houseboats on Nagin lake are upscale and more expensive but are much more beautiful, and the Nagin lake location is serene. Expect to pay up to ₹3,000 for a couple on the deluxe boats. Boats on the Jhelum river are cheaper yet, but still comfortable, and close to the bus station, good if you are just transiting Srinagar to or from Ladakh.

Be sure to take a 1-hour boat tour of the lake inlets to get a nice glimpse of life and wildlife along the lake. Prices are about ₹300-500 per trip. A few areas are geared up for attracting tourists, but most much of the area is still reasonably untouched.

There are a wide range of hotels around Dal Lake. Prices vary from ₹500-5,000.

Budget

 * The Shelter Group Houseboats Srinagar ph.no 0194 231093, starting prices ₹600-3000, is actually a 3-star deluxe property, but the rates are quite reasonable and can be an interesting choice for those planning to visit Kashmir, located near to main town away from the boulevard noise, and close to the Lal Chowk area. This property has good security and safety as compare to the other houseboats.
 * The Prince Group of Houseboats Srinagar Mobile no.09796336405 email:mtabardar@yahoo.co.in Starting price ₹800 to 2800. The boat is neat and clean, and food is prepared by family members. And free information about Kashmir by the owner.
 * Noor Guesthouse is a good budget option at the Old Market on Dal Gate, on the bottom of Dal Lake. Centrally located, rooms are either ₹250 a night (shared bath) or ₹600 a night (private bath), all with 24/7 hot water. There is a small garden, and the rooms are clean and neat. Look up "Noor Guest House" on Facebook, or email Mr Gulab at noorguesthouse@ymail.com
 * Lonely Guesthouse is another option, with rooms that range from budget to mid range. It's a family-run guesthouse, the owner is helpful and accommodating. It's a little bit far from most main attractions in the city, near Mehjoor Bridge, Padshahi Bagh, K P Bagh. Abdul is the owner +91 97967 24217

Houseboats

There are also some houseboats on quieter Nagin Lake.

Other houseboats can be found on Jahlul river near Information center and Bus station.

Stay safe
The situation in Srinagar is extremely tense because of the ongoing dispute between India and Pakistan. You will see army trucks, soldiers along the street and Dal Lake Military presence, also seen at the Srinagar Airport. If you plan to travel to Srinagar, it is advisable to read your country's embassy or consular pages for emergency travel warnings or tips on staying alert.

It is recommended to travel in groups, and you have to be extra careful while in Srinagar. However, that doesn't mean you have to be under constant fear, or else you will not able to enjoy your tour and your visit will be almost futile.

At the Dal lake, the Shikara and houseboat touts are aggressive. If you do not take their offered service, some of them are likely to scold you. It is difficult to walk around the Dal Lake because of the constant harassment from the touts.

Do not be seen around the old city mosque after prayer call – it is well known as a hotbed of unrest, stone throwing is daily and it would be easy to be caught in the afray – photo taking is especially unwise.

The villages surrounding Srinagar are dangerous. Without the constant army presence, security here cannot be guaranteed and anti-army protests and road blockages are still common in 2018. It is better not to go here at all as there is little that cannot be seen elsewhere.

Terrorism has touched the whole population of Srinagar, and that includes those involved in the tourism industry – you may find your driver or hotel owner voicing support for terrorist organizations, if this happens just nod and smile; say you are only visiting and don't care much for politics. Similarly many involved in the tourism industry see it as their duty to try and convert tourists to Islam; this can involve uncomfortably pointed discussions in family homes, invitations to mosques, even visits to your guesthouse, but while they can be intrusive, no force is used to make you do anything.

Go next

 * Gulmarg is a spectacular hill station at an altitude of 2,730 m, which used to be known as Gaurimarg. Gulmarg boasts about beautiful landscapes, green backdrop and flowering gardens.
 * Jammu Jeeps leave daily as well as buses, be aware that J&K bus company quite often go on strike. Jeep costs ₹350-450 and takes approx 8 hr. One can take package tours advertised in the Tourist Information Centre.
 * Leh More than 400 km away from Srinagar, Leh is one of the emerging tourist destinations in India. Jeeps leave daily except Sunday, taking two days with an overnight stop in Kargil.
 * Pahalgam Pahalgam valley is situated at confluence of Seshnag Lake's streams and Lidder River. The lush green valley is popular for those seeking relaxation.
 * Sonamarg The authentic beauty of the region helped it to earn the name Sonamarg. Situated around 87 km from Srinagar, it is famous for hiking trails and trekking.

title: Srinagar