I believe you can experience more on a motorcycle. It gives you a feeling or sense of the real life of Sri Lanka, whether you’re winding through mountains, remote villages, the coast, or even in the city. There are things you might not like — the dust, the extreme heat in some areas, or even the cold, the crazy drivers not behaving well on the roads, especially the so-called “killer buses.” But should you be worried? Nope. As an experienced rider, I’d say you should have focus, patience, and the ability to react quickly. Well, if you haven’t ridden in a country like this, of course it’ll take time to adapt to these things — but where’s the fun when everything is predictable?
“After all, everything is a part of the adventure.” (Darryl, 2025)
WHY I LOVE RIDING :
I love riding, especially in the mountains or on off-road trails. I love the smell of the dust and feeling the breeze on my face. I love to nod or smile at people I don’t know. I love how the feeling of motion releases my stress, and overall I love how riding gives me a feeling of fulfillment or freedom — a feeling that no other vehicle can give (no judgment there). I don’t know what vehicle would give me this much fun and adventure, to be honest. So I believe the best way to travel in Sri Lanka, or any other country, is by motorcycle.
BELOW ARE SOME BENEFITS OF USING A MOTORCYCLE AS YOUR TRAVEL COMPANION IN SRI LANKA :
- You have more freedom to explore places that a bus or car couldn’t reach.
- It saves fuel in heavy traffic, and fuel is more affordable compared to cars.
- You can stop wherever you want and take photos without losing the moment.
- Stop and have a conversation with a local, or even have a coconut to drink.
- Motorcycles save time in traffic. In cities like Colombo or Kandy, it’s very easy to sneak to the front through the tiny spaces between vehicles.
- Parking is easy. Fees are cheap, most of the time FREE, and in some areas, you can park in a corner of the road.
- Motorcycles are easy to turn around if you mess up navigation.
- You have control of your time. Unlike buses or trains, you don’t have to wait to start your journey or stick to a schedule. You can start whenever you want and change your route or destination according to the weather or your mood.
- Overall: Riding a motorcycle gives a sense of freedom, adventure, and a better connection with your surroundings.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN RIDING IN SRI LANKA :
License
You must have a valid international driving license to ride, or a national driving license to obtain a temporary license in Sri Lanka. Note that your international license should have “Sri Lanka.” If not, you MUST take a temporary tourist driver license from the AAC or at the airport itself. A few tour companies that provide motorcycle tours and rental services will also help you get your license.
Some rental places may claim you don’t need a license, as many foreigners ride without one. And yes, sometimes people bribe the police if caught. Of course, this happens in Sri Lanka, but if you’re a responsible rider, make sure to respect the laws. Not every policeman takes bribes, and especially with the new government appointed in 2024, the police are strict. If you get into trouble or have an accident, you’ll have serious issues without a valid driving permit.
Rules
- In Sri Lanka, we ride on the left side of the road.
- At a roundabout, you must let the people coming from your RIGHT side pass.
- You can’t ride on the expressway, so when using navigation make sure to switch off “tolls.” Locals often refer to the expressway as the “highway,” so don’t think you can ride in it.
- You must have your passport, license, and the motorcycle insurance provided by the rental. During a police stop, they will check these documents.
- When CAN & CANNOT you overtake? Refer to the images below.
- All the other laws are pretty much the same as any other country.
WHAT TO KEEP AN EYE ON :
Tuk tuks and buses
Of course, other vehicles drive recklessly too, but it happens most with buses and tuk tuks. Foreigners call buses “Sri Lankan rollercoasters.” But not every driver is bad. Buses will overtake you at high speed, and sometimes they’ll come straight at you from the front while overtaking. Make sure to slow down or even stop in a corner. They won’t hit you; they have experience moving out of your way quickly, but it’s better to be cautious.
Be very careful with tuk tuk indicators. In my experience, most of the time they turn the opposite way of indicating. This happens rarely with other vehicles too.
Animals
Dogs, monkeys, cows, goats, and peacocks. YES! There are plenty on the roads. Other than dogs, other animals are a little rare in main cities like Colombo. Just keep an eye on dogs; sometimes they cross unexpectedly.
In rural areas, cows, goats, and sometimes chicken are common. They’re used for eggs, milk, and harvesting, so it’s normal to see herds on the road. Usually, they move if you rev a little and make a noise like “jah.” They might not respond to your horn, so don’t rely on it.
Wildlife
Monkeys and peacocks are also common. You’ll see them crossing roads, walking on electric lines(only monkeys), or on the roadside in groups. They will literally move away from the road, but keep an eye — especially monkeys. When parking, cover your belongings and don’t leave food on your motorcycle. Monkeys steal often and may snatch your phone, money, jewelry, or… even your kid (just kid,ding).
There’s a chance you’ll encounter elephants on roads through national parks, and sometimes leopards or deer, especially in the southeast. When you see signs like “wildlife crossing” or “elephant crossing,” you’d know what to expect.
If an elephant is in the middle of the road, they are highly territorial and can get provoked if they feel threatened. Wait patiently for a bigger vehicle like a bus or truck, get covered by it, and ride along safely.
Never get too close to wildlife, and never feed them. You might often see on the Buttala–Kataragama road/elephant road (B35), people feeding elephants to get rid of them, and safari jeeps getting way too close to them, but these are not acceptable, and I am not sure what the authorities are doing about this.
Feeding wild animals can lead to significant problems, including health issues, behavioral changes, and increased human conflict with wildlife, especially elephants.
Focus and Riding Mindset
The KEY is to keep an eye on these things and ride — but don’t be so cautious or fearful that you don’t enjoy the ride. Motorcycling requires FOCUS, not only on riding but also on your body, mind, and surroundings. When you’re focused, you start noticing things, get a sense of what’s around you, and are fully engaged in the ride.
Navigation
Google Maps makes it easy to navigate, but sometimes it can go wild. For example, it may ask you to follow a 10 km stretch and suddenly reroute you to another road. In these cases, stick to the road you’re already on; it’s usually just a minor glitch caused by poor internet in the area.
There are areas you will lose internet completely (mountains, rural areas without coverage etc.). Don’t hesitate to ask locals or a policeman. Most Sri Lankans speak or understand English, and people are very friendly and supportive. You’ll rarely get lost if you ask for directions.
I can’t think of any other important things to mention. If something comes to my mind I will make sure to add it here. So hop on your motorcycle, keep your eyes open, your focus sharp, and your heart ready for adventure. Sri Lanka isn’t just a place to travel — it’s a place to feel alive, to discover, and to experience life on the move. Every twist, every turn, every moment is part of the journey. Ride safe, ride responsibly, ride free, and enjoy every second of it.
~ With LOVE : Kaku
If you’d love to see how I navigate and rode with a few of my Canadian friends, watch it HERE.
Afraid to ride alone in Sri Lanka or need some guidance & company ? RIDE WITH ME
SOME SUGGESTED SITES TO HELP YOUR VISIT MORE EASY
To book your accommodation : Booking.com | Airbnb
To book your flights : Trip.com
To get your Esim : Airalo
To get compensation from your Airline : Compensair
