Nothing brings a family together like a family vacation, sharing fun times at exotic destinations, and making lasting memories to look back in times to come. Doing all this while travelling to Sri Lanka on a budget, however, could be a challenge. Here are some of the top tips to make your dream vacation come true without burning a hole in your pocket –
Plan Ahead:
The greatest expense you are likely to incur in your vacation is the airfare. Planning ahead and waiting for discount sales on SriLankan Airlines and other airlines is likely to get you a great deal. Start and end your vacation on a weekday rather than the weekend when airfares are considerably higher. Consider train travel – not only is it a great way to travel across the country, it is also inexpensive and allows you and your family to soak in the beautiful sights and sounds of the Sri Lankan countryside.
Pick The Right Accommodation:
Finding the right accommodation may make all the difference to your vacation budget. A family vacation in a large city like Colombo could sap you of your finances unless you carefully pick out your accommodation option. The Yoho Bed site offers a variety of home stays and guesthouses which offer excellent service and comfort, but costs a lot less that many luxury hotels in Bambalapitiya.
Hotels in Borella, one of the largest neighborhood in Colombo, are often considered to be expensive but there are a number of guesthouses that are rather inexpensive.
More Than Just A Family:
A family vacation can be much more than just a family vacation. Planning a vacation with some friends and their families can help you form a big group and with this comes group booking discounts and deals. Large groups earn you bargaining power for added meals, airport transfers, and even extra days at your favourite resort.
Road Less Travelled:
Taking the road less travelled is not just a metaphor. Picking out beautiful but offbeat destinations away from the tourist crowd can ease your budget quite a bit. Another important way to get your dream family vacation without having to spend a great deal is picking the right time to travel. Offseason discounts are regularly offered by hotels; tariffs are also likely to be a less towards the end of the tourist season.
Shop For Memories
Another great strain on the travel budget is the shopping that we indulge in during family holidays. We often end up buying things that later seem quite worthless. Travelling light and not shopping for bric-a-brac will certainly free up some money, but will also give you a lot of time to enjoy quality time with the family to go sightseeing, have a picnic, and go biking, or simply relax at the beach.
Go Local
When in Rome do as Romans do, they say. When in Sri Lanka live like the Sri Lankans do. Eat at local joints instead of fine dining restaurants. Use local transport to get around the city and check for special discounts with the locals. Homestays are perfect for making friends with the locals and gaining insights into lesser known attractions. Cook your own meals from local produce if your hotel room has a kitchenette.
