Travel Tips
When to Visit
Sri Lanka is a round-the-year destination for the visitors who seek for sun and sea. Yet , unquestionably, the starting point when planning your trip in Sri Lanka is understanding the two monsoon seasons. The south-western monsoon brings rain to the south-west of Sri Lanka between May and September, while the dry season in this region runs from December to March.
Generally Speaking, March & April is the Hottest month in Sri Lanka. The central highlands are pleasantly cool and relatively dry from January to April.
The peak season is mid December to mid January and during Easter, with a mini peak season in July and August when festivals and pageants are held through the country.
Sri Lanka Visa
With effect from 1st January 2012, all Holiday or Business travelers to Sri Lanka must have Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for entering in to Sri Lanka. Please visit www.eta.gov.lk for more information.
Nationals of the following countries who visit Sri Lanka for a Short Visit up to 30 days are exempt from ETA,
The Republic of Singapore.
The Republic of Maldives.
The Republic of Seychelles
A Visit Visa is an entry permit signifying the consent of the Sri Lankan Government for the admission of a foreign national to the country. The Visa contains details of the period of time and the condition/s of the stay.
There are two sub-categories which come under visit visas :-
A Tourist Visa is issued to bona-fide tourists who want to enter Sri Lanka for sightseeing, excursions, relaxation, visit relatives or yoga training for a short period of time.
A Business Purpose Visa is issued to foreign nationals who visit Sri Lanka for business purposes for short period of time. This visa may be issued for single or double journeys.
***Please be very careful in filling up the eVisa application because even a single wrong digit will impact your entry and you will be forced to apply again at the airport.
***Generally it will only take 1-2 working days to get the Visit Visa done , ETA Approval Notice will be sent thru email of which you stated during the application.
Immigration
Embarkation forms are available at the airport check-in counter (or may be distributed by the cabin crew on the plane) and need to be filled and handed over to the immigration desk prior to departure.
Duty Free Allowance
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Two bottles of wine as well as one and half a litre of spirits.
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Two ounces of perfume and a quarter litre of eau de toilette.
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Travel souvenirs not intended for commercial use, of the maximum value of USD 250.
In the case of members of a family travelling together, free import is in general only allowed for two members.
Time Zone
GMT +5.5 hours.
Safety
In general the threats to personal security for travellers in Sri Lanka are remarkably small. It is more pleasant to travel with a companion as it is advised not to travel alone especially after dark. The island including the North and East is safe to visit. If you have anything stolen, report it to the tourist Police, ( a special tourist police set up to look after the needs of the tourists. Contact tel Number + 94 11 2382209
What to Wear
Cotton clothes are useful at any time of the year but you will need light woollens for the hills and waterproof clothing or an umbrella. Modest dress for women is advisable especially off the beach and when visiting religious sites.
Travellers need to be properly attired when visiting sacred sites and shrines as revealing items of clothing are frowned upon and entry into such sites may be denied. Women travelers will need to cover their shoulder and legs so it is good to have a light scarf and sarong at hand to wear when necessary. Men should also note that long shorts or trousers paired with t-shirts or shirts would be the preferred option at religious sites.
Don't forget comfortable shoes, sandals or flip flops (when visiting temples or shrines they are easier to remove) or trainers and cotton socks. If you are planning to trek and climb go prepared with suitable gear. Water sports enthusiasts would do well to take their snorkels and diving equipment along.
Language & Religious
Sinhala (spoken by more than 80% of the public) and Tamil are the national languages.
English is widely spoken and understood in all but the most remote areas. However, English in Sri Lanka is known as Sri Lankan English (SLE) and has quite a few differences from British English and that which is spoken in America. For example, the use of particular tenses and the posing of questions with a different intonation. Certain nouns are added in SLE vocabulary which don’t exist or have no significant meaning outside of Sri Lanka. Pronunciation also differs, as there are certain sounds that many speakers of SLE are incapable of producing.
Buddhism is the predominant religion, although Hindus, Muslims and Christians are also present.
Socket & Adaptor
In Sri Lanka the power plugs and sockets are of type D, M and G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Phone & Internet
Consider buying a Sri Lankan SIM card for your mobile phone - Sri Lankan mobile phone call rates are relatively cheap, both for local and international calls. There is a Dialog GSM shop outside airport arrivals, or we can pre-purchase a SIM card for you if you let us know in advance.
Dialog pre-paid Tourist Mobile Plan:
Cigarettes & Smoking
It is prohibited to bring cigarettes into Sri Lanka, and in the event you are caught “smuggling”, your cartons will be confiscated with a large fine.
Smoking in public areas in Sri Lanka is not allowed, but there are designated smoking areas for restaurants/pubs/cafes etc. Some establishments have a designated smoking area inside.
Carry Mosquito Repellent
Do not forget to always have mosquito repellent in your pack at all times. Mosquitos are everywhere and there have been quite a few Dengue outbreaks on the island. Best be safe and stay protected. If you run out, there’s plenty of natural and chemical repellents available.
Tap Water in Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, the locals were mostly drinking tap water but as a tourist you are recommended stick to bottled water. Although it is safe for them, but it may not be for you because it may contain micro-organisms that your body is not used to. Don’t take a health risk while traveling and please stick to bottled water. In my experience, the cost of bottled water was a little higher if you compare it to most of the Asian countries.
Relax & Take It Easy
Life in Sri Lanka is slow and laidback. The people are never in a hurry for anything and if you are coming from the city or anywhere fast-paced it might be hard to wind down. Take it easy and try not to fill the day with too many activities, you might not get to do all of them with all the eating you will be undertaking.
Tipping Etiquette
There is a strong tipping culture in Sri Lanka; wages are low so it’s an important additional way of making money. Of course, tips should be earned for good service rather than simply expected.
So, whom to tip? For example , driver or chauffeur guide, hotel housekeeping staff, site guide , or even the tea plucking lady whom you took photo with ( for the latter two categories, if you don't want the service or give tipping, please politely yet clearly told them you don't need anything or any help from them)
Remember that a 10% service surcharge is usually added to food bills and accommodation bills in the larger establishments, so any further investment should represent reward for good service.
Get Cultured
Sri Lanka carries so much history that it’s a waste to visit and not learn a bitabout it first. Take some time to learn about the Civil War and the Colonial era before that. It’s only been a few years since the war ended and the people of Sri Lanka have had to re-adjust to a non-colonial, post-war life. By knowing a little of what they went through, you will appreciate your time there more.
Get Ready to Eat with Your Hand
Rice and curry is eaten by hand in Sri Lanka, like in most other southeast and south Asian countries. Of course you can use utensils but why not do like the locals! All rice and curry places have a sink to wash your hands, because no one wants to eat with a dirty hand.
Do you have a Buddha Tattoo? Hide it!
Sri Lanka has a zero tolerance for tourists with Buddha tattoos. In fact, there have been cases in the past wherein tourists with Buddha tattoos have been arrested and deported. Also,one of the pop musicians Akon was also barred an entry to Sri Lanka because one of his music videos featured a Buddha statue next to skimpily clad women. Back in 2012, three French tourists were sentenced to 6 months in jail for clicking pictures of them kissing a Buddha statue.
Accoommodation
To be updated
Meal
To be updated