HIRE A DRIVER

If you’re looking for convenience, hiring a driver is your best bet. Sure, it’s a bit pricey, but having your own personal guide and transport is unbeatable. You can book one online or through your accommodation. Ready to explore at your own pace? Go for it!

TRAIN

There are three classes of train travel where the third class is the cheapest. There’s reserved and unreserved. Unreserved? Risky – you might end up standing for hours but the ticket can be bought at the train station on the day of travel. Reserved? You get a seat! Trust me, it’s worth it for those long journeys. Book ahead, we used 12Go.Asia and it was a breeze.

BUS

Buses are the cheapest way to travel across the country, and are heavily used by the locals. Watching them swiftly pass by on the streets can be intimidating, especially when accompanied by children, so we never chose that option. Tickets are purchased directly from the conductor once onboard.

TUK TUK

Tuk-tuk – you can use them as taxis for short distances, or you can rent your own and drive it across the entire island! Renting a tuk-tuk gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace but you should consider the limitations of space – if you have large suitcases or plenty of luggage, it might not be the most suitable choice. Additionally, tuk-tuks tend to be slower, and you won’t have access to highways or toll roads, which could save you time during your travels.

RENT A CAR

After considering our options (and our 3 year old), we opted for a car rental and I believe it was the best option! We rented Toyota Hybrid from Malkey Rent a Car. Booking online was a breeze, and communication via email sorted out everything from car seats (we hardy used it) to driving permits (turned out our international license was enough). With airport pick-up and drop-off, our arrival and departure were hassle-free. Driving was a mix of excitement and manageability, with an average speed of 40-50 km/hour. We navigated tuk-tuks, pedestrians (no sidewalks there), dogs, and the occasional cow, embracing the local vibe but renting a car gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace, with the flexibility to switch to tuk-tuks as needed.

1. Rice and Curry: A staple meal consisting of rice served with several vegetable curries. Common vegan curries include:

• • Dhal Curry (Parippu): Lentils cooked with coconut milk and spices.
  • Pumpkin Curry: Made with pumpkin, coconut milk, and spices.
  • Jackfruit Curry: Young jackfruit cooked in a spicy coconut milk base.
  • Beetroot Curry: Beetroot cooked with coconut milk and spices.
  • Gotu Kola Sambol: A salad made from finely chopped gotu kola leaves, grated coconut, and lime juice.

2. Hoppers (Appa): Bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. They can be served plain (which is vegan) or with a variety of toppings.

3. String Hoppers (Idiyappam): Steamed rice noodle cakes often served with coconut sambol and dhal curry.

4. Coconut Sambol: A spicy condiment made from freshly grated coconut, chili peppers, lime juice, and sometimes tomatoes and onions.

5. Pol Roti: Flatbreads made from flour and grated coconut, typically eaten with coconut sambol or other vegan curries.

6. Kottu Roti: A stir-fry of chopped roti bread with vegetables and spices. Be sure to request a vegan version without eggs or meat.