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34 Gap Year Programs in Sri Lanka
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
4.68
827
At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. ...
See All 7 ProgramsGoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
4.76
41
GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and med
See All 9 ProgramsSemester at Sea
4.77
47
Unlike traditional study abroad or tourism experiences, Semester at Sea offers a unique opportunity for deep, authentic engagement with countries and cultures around the globe. It's more than just the adventure of a lifetime. It's a transformative experience that will give you a global perspective t
See All 2 ProgramsVolunteer World
4.29
17
Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller g
See All 2 ProgramsVolunteering Journeys
4.95
22
Empower, educate, and uplift — join our Women Empowerment Volunteer Program in India and be part of a powerful movement helping women gain confidence, skills, and independence. Through this meaningful volunteer experience with Volunteering Journeys, you’ll work closely with women and girls from unde
See All 9 ProgramsOyster Worldwide
4.5
4
Interested in taking a gap year? Do it with an organization well regarded for its responsible travel and gap year travel opportunities - Oyster Worldwide. Whether you are taking a break before pursuing higher education or taking time off from university, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Our
Impact Gap Year
5
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Join the 6-month Gap Year, an extraordinary six-month journey of learning, adventure, and making a difference. This gap year program is the perfect blend of excitement and enrichment, offering a language and culture study course in Spain, environmental initiatives, and addressing social and econom
See All 2 ProgramsCentre for Eco-Cultural studies
0
0
Are you ready to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world conservation? For more than two decades, Centre for Eco-Cultural Studies (CES) has been a trusted global leader in experiential education. We have proudly hosted international students, academic researchers, and university cohor
Asia Exchange
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Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) is recognized as Sri Lanka’s largest and one of the most prestigious non-state degree-awarding Institutes, offering world-class education in information technology, engineering, business, and other disciplines. Over the past two decades, SLIIT ha
A Guide to Gap Year in Sri Lanka
Popular Locations
Unlike the vast expanses of neighboring India, Sri Lanka is fairly compact. Don’t be fooled by its size though. Narrow, congested roads and rickety public transport make traveling laborious. Whether you’re teaching, traveling, or volunteering in Sri Lanka, a sensory overload awaits.
Colombo. Any gap year in Sri Lanka will start in the nation’s capital, packed with Hindu temples, ramshackle housing, and street sellers touting their wares. There’s a sweeping divide between rich and poor. Shiny skyscrapers dominate a landscape filled with an endless swathe of slums. Don’t be perturbed by the city’s chaos; travel is relatively safe. Just hold onto your hat as your spluttering trishaw speeds you about the city. And be sure to stop for some Kothu Rotti, Sri Lanka’s most mouthwatering melt.
Kandy. As the name suggests, this is one sweet destination for gappers of all stripes. Rising out of the rainforest and surrounded by tea plantations and lofty mountains, Kandy is easy on the eye. Chill out in the botanical gardens, where you can see towering palm trees filled with purple-faced monkeys and chattering parakeets. There’s also the Sri Dalada Maligawa Buddhist temple, if you can handle the stairmaster workout. Take in panoramic views of the city and gape in awe at one of Sri Lanka’s largest buddhas. If you want to volunteer in Sri Lanka, there are plenty of programs here.
Galle. Known as the Europe of Sri Lanka, the walled city of Galle was built by Dutch merchants. The main attraction here is the horseshoe-shaped Unawatuna beach. Try surfing when the waves are right, or simply relax, sipping on freshly cracked coconut juice. There’s a thriving expat community in Galle, and adventure seekers will love scuba diving to the 100-year old British shipwreck, The Rangoon.
Popular Activities
If you want to avoid being washed off the beach in monsoon season, plan your gap year in Sri Lanka carefully. Although small, the island has very distinct weather patterns. When it’s raining down south, you can be high and dry in Kandy (and vice versa). Sri Lanka is a developing country. Many people make their living on the tea plantations, so you’re unlikely to find well-paid work here. But Sri Lanka gap years are about the adventure anyway, right?!
Adventure Travel. From mighty mountain peaks to the deepest chasms, snaking rivers and pounding waterfalls, every inch of Sri Lanka is packed with activities for adrenaline junkies. There are also plenty of tour companies to help you plan your adventure travel in Sri Lanka. From whitewater rafting, trekking, and climbing, to surfing some of the best waves in Asia, this country has it all.
Teach Abroad. If you want to teach abroad in Sri Lanka, keep in mind that it won’t fund your travel. With monthly teaching salaries starting at $100, your biggest compensation will be helping to educate those who wouldn’t have access otherwise. There are several companies offering teach in Sri Lanka programs, and some provide room and board, so shop around.
Volunteering. Home to some of the most endangered species on earth, there are several wildlife conservation volunteering projects in Sri Lanka. Give your time to help preserve the Sri Lankan Asian elephants, purple-faced leaf monkeys, and long-tailed shrews. You can also volunteer in a hospital in Colombo, or in one of many orphanages around the country. There’s no shortage of help needed in a country that still bears the scars of its civil war.
Everything Else You Need to Know About Gap Years in Sri Lanka
Costs. Sri Lanka is not as cheap as other parts of Asia, but if you budget carefully, you can still get bang for your buck here. A meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs around $2. Avoid imported brands, as they push the price up. Transportation starts at just a few cents and promises a hair-raising experience for thrill seekers on hilly terrain. Sri Lanka is a shopper’s paradise, packed with colorful markets, selling everything from plantains and coconuts, to ceramics and sarees.
Volunteering is cheap, starting at around $180 a week, including board and even airport pickup. You won’t earn much working in Sri Lanka, so if you want help financing your trip, be sure to check out FundMyTravel.
Accommodations. With accommodations starting at around $8 a night, there’s something for everyone’s budget. Affordable beach huts pepper the shorelines and welcoming guest houses are a solid option. There are plenty of glamping sites in the national parks, and if you want to blow your budget, splash out on a 5-star, beachfront hotel. Many teaching and volunteering programs in Sri Lanka include your room and board.
Visas. You’ll need one to visit Sri Lanka, and a 30-day visitor visa will set you back anywhere from $30-100, depending on your nationality. Make sure you get one in advance. You won’t get deported on arrival if you don’t, but you will spend many uncomfortable hours waiting at the airport. You’ll also get charged a higher fee. Renewing your visa is easy the first time. After that, you’ll have some pretty high bureaucratic hoops to jump through. For more information check out GoAbroad embassy directory.
Safety. The good news for gappers is that Sri Lanka is a very safe country to travel around. After 25 years of civil war, violent crime here is very rare. The most annoying thing you’ll have to contend with is the abundance of scam artists and aggressive touting. You may be followed, have your clothes tugged at, or even a monkey placed on your shoulder. Use your common sense. You wouldn’t walk around alone at 3 am in a dimly-lit area in any part of the world, so don’t do it here either. Also, watch out for powerful currents in Sri Lanka's beaches and always look both ways before you cross the road. The traffic here is relentless.
GoAbroad’s Inside Scoop
Sri Lanka may not be the first destination to come to mind when you think of a gap year in Asia. But it’s less visited and overcrowded than India. It’s also teeming with wildlife and packed with temples and awe-inspiring monuments. Be respectful of Sri Lanka’s turbulent past; it’s probably best to lay off politics. And pass on the tap water too, unless you want to get diphtheria, or any other waterborne disease. Close your mouth in the shower and avoid salads, as well, as they’re often washed in contaminated water.
Top tip? Carry cash with you. Tourism is still developing here and not many places take plastic yet. If you’re going off the beaten path, don’t expect to find an abundance of ATMs, and make sure you have enough to cover your trip. Be mindful of the seasons too. If you want to climb to the summit of Adam’s Peak, it’s inaccessible from June to November. And sunbathing on the white sand beaches is a little anticlimactic in a downpour.
If you’re searching for a mixture of relaxation and adventure, civilization and wildlife, culture and hedonistic fun, take a gap year in Sri Lanka. And be sure to take plenty of photos for your envious friends back home!
Whet your appetite? Keep on reading! Check out our gap year blog!
Latest Program Reviews
DO NOT MISS OUT!!!!
April 19, 2026by: Esther Amani - KenyaProgram: Semester at Sea: Global Study Abroad on a Floating Campus
SAS as a recent high school graduate was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity to sail on the Fall 25 voyage as an international gap year student. The experience as a whole was so unique and I truly do not believe that you can find such a program anywhere else. The accommodation was so surreal because I got to wake up and see the waves as we sailed across the world. The community SAS builds is welcoming and kind because whenever I had a problem on the ship or in port, I never once felt alone or stranded. There will always be someone in your corner, which I appreciated. A massive thank you especially to the crew members on the ship who always make an effort to get to know your name, check in and give you a smile or laugh whenever you're stressed by travel planning, relationships and/or academics. The food does get quite repetitive if I'm being honest but it's truly a blessing to have such skilled crew members who can create delicious and nutritious meals in the middle of nowhere on the ocean. Pro tip: always get your cake first cause everyone loves the cake and it's always the first to go. In terms of academics. there are a variety of courses and I loved how everything always tied back to our in-port experiences, which allowed us to reflect on our SAS journey deeply, which I think was a crucial aid in how I developed and matured as a person. This was a great bridge between high school and university because I feel that I came out more mature, socially aware and ready for adult life. I also never felt that I couldn't make new friends because everyone is so open and you get to interact with a lot of diversity due to the various represented cultures, backgrounds, religions, nationalities etc. Til now, I am so grateful for the friends I made on SAS and we keep in touch almost daily as we plan our reunion trips. If I had one piece of advice for whoever's reading this, is that you will never truly see and understand the world around you until you're interacting with various people on the ship and in port. So do it!!! You will never regret SAS, I can promise you that :p
My project in Namibia
August 12, 2024by: Emily Ormond - United KingdomI have recently come back from my gap year and while I was there I spent a month working on the relationships between humans and elephants. So why would I recommend Oyster? I am so glad I picked to do this project with Oyster because they made me feel very well taken care of and looked after me before and during the project. They talk you though everything you need to know before the project takes place and what clothes and necessities you may need to pack. So what does the project consist of? I would do this project a million times if I could, and if you don’t believe me lots of people who were doing the project had already done it before and had come back because of how much they enjoyed it. So the project is on a two week program and you have the option to stay from two weeks to 3 months. The first week is amazing because you build walls for the local community. Some days some of the locals will come and help, or a few kids will come and keep you company, that is amazing because you feel so immersed, it’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience. The second week is spent tracking elephants. This was my favourite out of the two because you learn all about the elephants foot prints. We also managed to see a two day old elephant which we were lucky enough to name !!! So why pick this project? I think this project and Oyster have a lot of selling points. For starters Oyster takes very good care of you and help you organise yourself before the project starts so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Secondly you are in the middle of the desert, I don’t think you could get anymore rural than that. You don’t really have much service so it’s lovely to disconnect for two weeks. You get to spend some time with lovely people who you may not meet on a day to day basis, people from different countries, locals, and different ages. You camp under the stars which is also amazing. Overall I would always recommend this amazing project, such a special experience!!
Wonderful to read about your experience, thank you Emily! The Oyster Team
Unexpected Bonds
January 18, 2024by: Julie T - United KingdomProgram: 6-Month Gap Year Adventure
I was not expecting to meet and find friendship with such a diverse set of people. Ages, backgrounds and cultures. The expedition was an incredibly positive experience and that atmosphere was set right from the start.
We are good!
January 18, 2024by: Daphne X - United StatesProgram: 6-Month Gap Year Adventure
We are having time of our lives here! The young offenders are really polite and we like working with them. Things went well at our placement in the Philippines and the organization I worked with was really amazing!
My semester went very well overall.
January 18, 2024by: Annete M - CroatiaProgram: 6-Month Gap Year Adventure
Through my reflections I noticed extreme progress in my spanish language skills as well as my interaction with the people as I strive to understand and appreciate their culture more and more. All the while I experienced a lot of personal growth, which I absolutely love!
Amazing experience. Professional and helpful company.
June 30, 2023by: Bailey Crossland - EnglandThe last few weeks I have been travelling around South East Asia with Oyster Worldwide, completing my Gold The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. This has been a truly once in a lifetime experience, meeting many new people from all around the world and learning about the Asian culture and lifestyle. From volunteering at an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chaing Mai, Thailand to partying on a yacht in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, I enjoyed every second of it. Oyster Worldwide have been super professional and helpful throughout the whole experience and made a complex and daunting trip, a breeze in the park!
Sounds like you made the most of your time Bailey and had a wonderful tour - thanks for sharing!
Teaching in Chile
August 06, 2019by: Amy Green - United KingdomI had a really great time as a volunteer teaching assistant at a school in Coyhaique, Chile. I was teaching a huge range of ages (4-17) and it was great to be able to interact with classes at various stages of their English development. The teachers I was supporting were amazing and very eager for the help, particularly with the younger years and keeping their interest. I absolutely loved my time living with my host family as they were so welcoming. Being able to speak a little Spanish already definitely helped my integration but they were also incredibly helpful in helping me improve and understanding of my many mistakes! Coyhaique in itself is a smallish town with not too much to offer however there are two national parks surrounding it with some good hikes. It is easy to travel out of Coyhaique by bus (just book in advance) either going north or south and getting to Balmaceda airport is also simple should you wish to go further afield. Having people on the ground in Coyhaique was encouraging as you knew you had support should you need it but we didn't interact much. The Spanish lessons were fine but I feel they would be more helpful to someone of a lower level, as for me, I just needed to practice speaking so the best thing was just being with my host family! Overall a good experience and I'm so glad I did it.
Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Best decision I ever made!
February 01, 2019by: Lauren Underhill - United KingdomI had just finished my A Levels and wasn’t sure whether uni was an option for me - so a gap year was on the cards. My friend and I had a passion for animals so decided to go on a trip to see some of the worlds most magnificent. After lots of research, Oysters promise of responsible travel and support was what made us sure they were the best company to go with. I went to South Africa for 4 weeks to volunteer as a wildlife conservationist with the Big 5. I cannot even begin to describe how much I loved the programme. I got to see and experience a culture and lifestyle I never thought possible, made life long friends all over the world and have memories to last a life time. Oyster provided non-stop support as soon as I applied until the very moment I returned home. It would take me a whole book to write all the amazing things I saw and experienced and why Oyster Worldwide was the best choice - cliché as it sounds, taking a gap year with Oyster was the best decision I have ever made and I cannot wait to get on a plane to another one of their awesome projects.
Many thanks for taking the time to review us! <br/><br/>Oyster Team
Turtle conservation project in Costa Rica
April 30, 2018by: Drew Copping - CanadaProgram: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!
Costa Rica's Turtle Conservation Project was one thing I will never forget! Such an eye opening and amazing experience. The IHQV program is an amazing way to explore the world in a feasible way. Not only is it affordable but I would have never experienced anything like it! IHQV Brings so much more, more ham any guided tour, more than a resort, and more than anything you could experience on your own. They have demonstrated such strong dedication to make sure every part of the trip is a great learning exprenice while keeping it fun. One of my most memeroble moments would be seeing the indangered leather back turtle lay her eggs. Because the leather back is in such danger it is critical that her eggs are gathered and re-nested in the hatchery where they can be taken care of and monitered to keep them safe from predators. I was lucky enough to be able to personally collect her eggs and dig a new nest to place each egg carfully. It was truley an amazing experience. I wish I could go back to see them hatch! Not only was this such an amazing experience, but every single person I met on this trip through the program m, I will dearly miss. IHQV brings everyone with similar ambitions together and from all over the world. I loved to meet people from the UK, Australia and Italy. Never could I go anywhere and meet such amazing people in one single place. I would recommend this program a million times. Leaving was hard, I'll miss my friends I have made and most importantly all the work that was done everyday to help such a wonderful project!
![International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] logo](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.goabroad.com%2Fimage%2Fupload%2Fc_pad%2Cw_67%2Ch_67%2Fv1%2Fimages2%2Fclients%2Flogos%2FMAIN%2Fb7aQwxqKkTQs1TCbQKDnmQAVGPjGCilE6Nj4ktx5.jpg&w=96&q=75){kind=small}
Hi Drew, thank you for sharing your incredible experience on the Turtle Conservation project in Costa Rica! It's amazing that you were able to help in the protection of the leatherback turtles eggs as this is such an important task in the conservation of the turtles. We would love to have you join us again in the future! ^Rachel - IVHQ Costa Rica Program Manager
Amazing!!
April 04, 2018by: Caroline - CanadaProgram: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!
My time volunteering in Portugal was the most amazing experience. It gave me the comfort and growth to travel and experience new adventures on my own. The staff, locals and coordinators ensured my stay was the best possible experience.
Hi Andy - It's awesome to hear about your time on the program, and I'm so glad you enjoyed your experience in Ghana. Our local team is awesome and I'm thrilled to hear you felt supported by them in every capacity during your time on the program. I wish you all the best! ^Caroline - IVHQ Portugal Program Manager
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