How to Visit Sri Lanka Responsibly
Visiting Sri Lanka responsibly means minimizing your environmental impact while supporting sustainable practices. Here are some tips to help you make your trip as eco-friendly as possible:
- Demand Green Practices
Sri Lanka’s hotel and guesthouse owners are increasingly accommodating, especially as tourism grows. Share your environmental concerns and encourage your hosts to adopt green practices. Let them know you value eco-friendly efforts in their operations. - Be Water-Wise
While the Hill Country may appear abundant in water, the reality is that demand often outstrips supply. Support your hotel’s initiatives to conserve water and opt for accommodations without pools. If you want a swim, stay at the beach, and let your hosts know you appreciate their conservation efforts. - Skip Single-Use Bottles
Disposable water bottles may be convenient but contribute significantly to plastic waste. While tap water isn’t always safe to drink, ask your hotel if you can refill from their large containers of filtered drinking water. - Conserve Electricity
Sri Lanka’s electricity demand is rapidly increasing, and air conditioning puts a strain on the system. Use air-con sparingly, and turn off lights and devices when not needed. Treat energy consumption as if you’re paying the bill yourself. - Choose Public Transport
Instead of hiring a car, explore Sri Lanka using buses or, better yet, its charming trains. Even Colombo is surprisingly walkable—consider taking a stroll from Cinnamon Gardens to Fort to discover the city’s character while reducing your carbon footprint. Additionally, many hotels now offer bikes for guests, making large parts of the country ideal for eco-friendly two-wheel exploration. - Say No to Plastic Bags
Refuse plastic bags wherever possible. While shopkeepers may find it unusual, bringing your own reusable bag goes a long way in reducing waste and protecting Sri Lanka’s natural beauty.
