Navigating the isles in colorful Tuk Tuk.
Tuk-tuks are an iconic three-wheeled vehicle that are an integral part of Sri Lanka’s transportation system. As a tourist, hopping onto a Tuk Tuk in Sri Lanka is like embarking on a brand-new adventure!
The vibrant colors, nimble navigation through bustling streets and the charming uniqueness of the culture makes it a delightful experience.
History
The history of Tuk Tuk goes back to 1960’s. It was introduced as a cheap transport mode to urban people. Its practicality and affordability made Tuk Tuk a prominent and economical mode of transportation in Sri Lanka. Very soon it did spread all over Sri Lanka. These little 3 wheeled mini vehicles were nick named as “Duppathage Wahane” – the poor man’s vehicle.
Vibrant Designs
Tuk Tuks add many colors to Sri Lankan roads. They are decorated very creatively including written sentences from a popular song or saying. Some sentences will bring a smile to your face but most of them are written in the local language so you need someone to translate.
Safety tips
As a foreigner, it is not the best mode of transport although most of them are good drivers.
- Negotiate the price before you get into the Tuk Tuk.
- Best is to select a Tuk Tuk with a meter. Check the meter before you start your journey.
- A Tuk Tuk can be booked on commonly used apps such as “Pick me” or “Uber” with a pre calculated price.
- There is another online platform called “TukTukRide”.
Enjoy a joyful ride in a Tuk Tuk when you go to Sri Lanka.
