Things to remember in when visiting Weligama


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These are some things to know before your first visit to Weligama - Sri Lanka. If this is your first time visiting the Sri Lanka, then there are a few things you’re going to need to know. Below tips will make your visit to Weligama easier and help you not stick out as a tourist. Above all else, you have to know that this country is one of great beauty, from its incredible beaches right through to its lovely locals.
Things to remember in when visiting Weligama

Rule of thump

Most of the people are hospitable and friendly. They always helpful. You need to ask them for any clarification or help. Sometimes it may goes on purposely. That's where traveler need to do some back ground works and tactics. For example like bus fares, tuk tuk fares, taxi fares where people may quote for higher rates. In such a scenario you need to know the average prices for it. And never pay full amount without you getting / renting that goods. It means you pay when you receive it or when you complete things. If they ask please pay advance payment.


Driving in roads

When driving your own vehicle please ensure that you have valid license for driving example like international driving license or own country license. If you rent a car, tuk tuk (three-wheeler), motor bike please ensure that it is in good condition and it has valid revenue license + insurance. Drive safely (Right hand driving method), even though you drive safely through, you may encounter nasty incoming vehicles. Abide the road safety rules and signals, Police may spot along side the road. Optimum speed would be 40 Km/h - 70 Km/h for every type of vehicle. This is because vehicle accidents are inevitable and more common in this area specially Matara - Galle road. Do not put your valuable things (wallet money mobile phones etc...) in the tuk tuk (Three wheeler) and scooter motor bike cabin. Because it can be easily broken. Avoid driving near buses and do not follow buses when driving behind them, buses may apply sudden brake. In an emergency if you need to contact  Police you call call 119 by using prepaid mobile number. And if you met an accident and you need to rush into the hospital you can call 1990 troll free emergency ambulance service using prepaid mobile number.


Traveling in Bus

If you use bus as your main method of traveling be aware of your belonging. Keep your valuable items in a safe location. Always use maps for check your location. Otherwise ask help from conductor. Stay safe in the bus when traveling, because some of the buses drive speed manner and recklessly. Maximum bus fares for Matara to Colombo would be around 4 - 5 USD (semi luxury bus fares are bit higher than normal buses). Sometimes bus drivers may discourage to enter into their bus due to the size of the back packers travelers carry on, in such scenario you can ask whether to pay extra money to carry them on luggage not in the bus. You can get more details from reading this article about traveling by bus in Sri Lanka.


Traveling in Train

No prior booking and online booking available for train tickets, therefore you need too go to the railway station to buy tickets. Tickets issuing start 10 mints before train arrival to the station. Keep your valuable items in a safe location. Sri Lankan people always welcome foreigners and they may try to interact with travelers. please cope with them if possible. Do not block the passage way or the entrance to the train compartment with your back packs. Please read this article for more information on train rides.


Traveling/Driving in Tuk Tuk

Driving a tuk tuk
Tuk tuk is the famous rickshaw type small vehicle that you can drive yourself. You can find more details about how to get tuk tuk license using your international licenses. And refer this article to to rent a tuk tuk from Weligama. When driving a tuk tuk ensure that you has valid driving license, traveler insurance, valid government revenue license, valid insurance for the tuk tuk. Sometimes some areas police will stop and ask about the license therefore it is advisable to have them in with you. Sometimes police does not allow to you to strap your surf board on top of the tuk tuk hood. So be vigilant. Do not put your valuable things in the tuk tuk locker when you leave your tuk tuk. Do not leave your surf board along with tuk tuk and leave, there were some incidents where stolen surf boards. Please adhere to the speed limit and road signs. And keep the speed of the tuk tuk between 40 Km/h - 60 Km/h. Do not overload passengers in passenger side (maximum 3 people).

Traveling in a tuk tuk
Even though tuk yuk is a easy way of traveling here and there, it has zero safety. Therefore be vigilant when traveling in a tuk tuk. Do not put your valuable things in the tuk tuk trunk. Tuk tuk fare per one kilo meter 1/3 of USD [2019/02]. So be advisable when hiring a tuk tuk. First ask them about the total cost. Use your bargain skills. Ensure the true kilo meters for the destination is a prior requirement though.And you can do the rough calculations. Do not overload passengers in passenger side (maximum 3 people).


Health

When you use public washrooms, toilets please use your own sanitary methods. Try to use bottled water for drinking purposes (You can buy them from pharmacies / food city / super markets). If public toilets not available specially the beach area and town area ask restaurant and coffee shops whether you can use their toilets. Otherwise just a buy small something in the shop and fulfill your sanitary requirement. Use mosquito repellents for mosquito bites. Mosquito are very common in all the parts in Sri Lanka, so it is advisable to use mosquito repellents mainly in afternoon and night (you can buy them from pharmacies / food city / super markets). It is advisable avoid stay public places like bus stations after 20:00.


Safety

Always be vigilant. If you stay in a lodge, privately own villa it is advisable to close doors, windows in the night because recently some cases reports on missing bags (stolen luggage's | burglary). Always stay with the people if you stay along side the places like beaches, be vigilant and stay alert. Some people recently report incidents like some morons lurking / wanking in front of the girls. Those incidents are less but always keep your head down and enjoy. In any scenario ask help from the locals they will probably help you. In an emergency if you need to contact Police you call call 119 by using prepaid mobile number. And if you met an accident and you need to rush into the hospital you can call 1990 troll free emergency ambulance service using prepaid mobile number.


Accommodations

You can find easy and cheap locations for accommodations. You can use Airbnb app and booking.com for prior booking arrangements. Look after your valuable goods when you leaving your lodge or accommodation place. It is advisable to close doors, windows in the night because recently some cases reports on missing bags. Lots of hang-out places, lodges, villas are near-by beach area and travelers can easily find them using simply browse through the internet. You can find more details about hotels in Weligama using this article. You can find more hostels, villas and rent houses using social media groups.


Shopping

Weligama city has three main super market and food city example like Cargills Food city, P-mart, Global shopping complex. Travelers can easily buy their goods using those shops. Those super markets are not biggest when it compares to 7-11 or other kinds of supermarket chains but they will fulfill your requirement. There are some souvenir shops near by town area to buy Sri Lankan souvenirs, Ceylon tea, authentic clothes (BATIK), you can buy easily do the souvenir shopping from there. If you looking for a repair shops regarding broken phones, there is a small repair shop near Weligma main bus stand. And it is advisable to repair your all Apple / iPhone related repairs from Colombo.


Dining

Travelers can enjoy variety of restaurants which located near main surf camp location in the Weligama beach near W15 and Marriott Weligama Hotel. They have Vegan cafe, Sea food cafe, Coffee shops, Sushi restaurants, Chinese restaurants. Many of them are small scale cafe's and restaurants but they will provide you variety of shops. Even though main meal of Sri Lanka is rice, in those shops you can find foods like KOTTU, ROTI, Fish patties. Famous local fast food items are called as Roti. You can buy curd, yogurt, fruits from above three super markets. There are two main liquor shops in the town area where travelers can purchase foreign liquor at your choice. You can find more details about dining around Weligama from this article.


Surfing

All most all the surf camps situated in the main Weligama beach coastal belt near W15 and Marriott hotels. Minimum package for surf beginner would be around 1000 USD (2 weeks time). It is incredibly marvelous place to practice your surf lessons as a beginner. Average wave heights up to 4 feet. You can choose any of the surf instructor from any surf camps in the coastal belt. It is not mandatory to prior booking for the surf packages. Traveler can come here and choose his/her surf package directly from those surf camps. Most of them have their ISA certifications for surfing. And traveler do not need to bring surf board with him/her because he/she can easily rent a surf board from those surf camps. And it would be a hassle free because you do not need to pay extra cost for travel surf board. you can have more information from this article.

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