Is GPS navigation reliable in Sri Lanka? Are offline maps necessary?

嘿，关于在斯里兰卡用GPS导航，这绝对是个好问题，我用我的经验给你说说。

总的来说：GPS在斯里兰卡是可靠的，但准备离线地图是绝对、绝对有必要的！

你可以把这事儿这么理解：

在科伦坡、康提、加勒这些大城市，或者在连接这些城市的主要公路上，你的手机信号通常都很好。这时候用谷歌地图（Google Maps）或者Waze之类的在线导航，跟在国内用没什么两样，非常方便，还能看实时路况。

但是！斯里兰卡的美景很多都藏在山里或者比较偏远的地方，比如：

中部山区： 像努沃勒埃利耶（Nuwara Eliya）到埃拉（Ella）的山路，风景超美，但信号经常时有时无。你要是坐高山火车还好，要是自驾或者包车，没离线地图就抓瞎了。
国家公园附近： 比如雅拉（Yala）或者乌达瓦拉维（Udawalawe），这些地方信号覆盖很差。
一些小路和捷径： 有时候导航会给你指一条看起来近的小路，这些路往往信号不好，而且路况可能很差。

所以，为什么离线地图是“救命稻草”？

没信号也能用： 这是最核心的一点。当你开在盘山公路上，手机上显示“无服务”时，只要你提前下好了离线地图，你的GPS定位（那个蓝色小点）依然能正常显示在地图上，你还能看到路线。导航功能可能会减弱，但你绝不会迷路。
节省流量和电量： 国外流量再便宜也是钱，而且一直开着数据导航，手机掉电非常快。用离线地图能省下不少流量和电。
心里有底： 出门在外，手机里有一份完整的离线地图，那种安全感是什么都替代不了的。

给你的具体建议：

首选App：谷歌地图 (Google Maps)
- 操作： 出发前，在有Wi-Fi的地方，打开谷歌地图App，搜索“斯里兰卡”，然后把它整个国家的离线地图都下载下来。操作很简单，几分钟搞定。
- 优点： 信息最全，酒店、餐厅、景点标注得多，用起来也最习惯。
备用App：Maps.me
- 操作： 同样是提前下载好斯里兰卡的地图数据包。
- 优点： Maps.me在一些徒步小径、山间小路的细节上，有时候比谷歌地图做得还好。如果你计划徒步，这个App是很好的补充。
一定要办张当地SIM卡！
- 一下飞机就在科伦坡机场办一张，比如Dialog或者Mobitel的。花几十块人民币就能买到包含很多G流量的游客套餐。
- 有了本地卡，你在大部分地区就能享受在线导航的便利了，离线地图就成了你最可靠的后备方案。
带个充电宝和车载充电器。
- 开着导航非常耗电，尤其是在你需要边导航边拍照的时候。确保你的手机随时有电。

最后总结一下：

你就把在斯里兰卡用导航想象成“在线导航为主，离线地图为辅”的策略。在城市和主路，大胆用在线的，方便。一旦要去山区或者感觉信号不太好的地方，就自信地切换到你早已准备好的离线地图。

这么准备，你在斯里兰卡开车或者坐车，导航方面就万无一失了。祝你玩得开心！

Hey, regarding using GPS navigation in Sri Lanka, that's an excellent question, and I'll share my experience with you.

In summary: GPS is reliable in Sri Lanka, but preparing offline maps is absolutely, unequivocally essential!

You can think of it this way:

In major cities like Colombo, Kandy, and Galle, or on the main roads connecting them, your mobile signal is usually good. Using online navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze then is just like using them back home – very convenient, and you can even see real-time traffic.

However! Many of Sri Lanka's beautiful sights are hidden in the mountains or more remote areas, for example:

Central Highlands: Like the mountain roads from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, the scenery is stunning, but the signal is often intermittent. If you're taking the scenic train, that's fine, but if you're self-driving or hiring a car, you'll be lost without offline maps.
Near National Parks: Such as Yala or Udawalawe, these areas have very poor signal coverage.
Some small roads and shortcuts: Sometimes navigation will suggest a seemingly shorter route, but these roads often have poor signal and can be in very bad condition.

So, why are offline maps a "lifesaver"?

Works without signal: This is the most crucial point. When you're driving on winding mountain roads and your phone shows "no service," as long as you've downloaded offline maps in advance, your GPS location (that little blue dot) will still display correctly on the map, and you can still see your route. Navigation functions might be reduced, but you definitely won't get lost.
Saves data and battery: International data, no matter how cheap, still costs money, and constantly running online navigation drains your phone battery very quickly. Using offline maps can save a lot of data and power.
Peace of mind: When traveling abroad, having a complete offline map on your phone provides a sense of security that nothing else can replace.

My specific recommendations for you:

Primary App: Google Maps
- How to: Before you leave, in a place with Wi-Fi, open the Google Maps app, search for "Sri Lanka," and then download the entire country's offline map. It's simple to do and takes just a few minutes.
- Pros: Most comprehensive information, with many hotels, restaurants, and attractions marked, and it's the app you're most used to.
Backup App: Maps.me
- How to: Similarly, download the Sri Lanka map data package in advance.
- Pros: Maps.me sometimes offers better detail for hiking trails and mountain paths than Google Maps. If you plan to hike, this app is an excellent supplement.
Definitely get a local SIM card!
- Get one as soon as you land at Colombo airport, for example, from Dialog or Mobitel. You can buy a tourist package with plenty of data for just a few tens of RMB.
- With a local SIM, you'll enjoy the convenience of online navigation in most areas, and offline maps will serve as your most reliable backup.
Bring a power bank and a car charger.
- Running navigation consumes a lot of battery, especially when you need to navigate and take photos simultaneously. Make sure your phone is always charged.

To summarize:

Think of navigation in Sri Lanka as a strategy of "online navigation as primary, offline maps as supplementary." In cities and on main roads, feel free to use online navigation for convenience. But once you head into the mountains or feel the signal might be weak, confidently switch to your pre-prepared offline maps.

With this preparation, your navigation in Sri Lanka, whether driving or being driven, will be foolproof. Have a wonderful trip!