Travel Advices for Tourists visiting Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan Airlines is the national carrier. There are many international carriers; the main ones are Emirates, Singapore Qatar, Cathay and Thai.

Citizens from 24 countries are granted a 30 day visa on arrival and are offered this visa without a prior visit and without any payment. A visa extension for not more than 90 days is allowed to these nationals. Others are advised to apply for a Sri Lanka visa.

Tourists need to show a return air ticket, sufficient foreign exchange (currency, travelers’ cheques, and credit card).

Banks are open from 0900hrs to 1500 hours Monday to Friday. There are ATM’s across the island that accept international credit or debit cards.

Sri Lanka’s time is five and a half hours ahead of GMT.

Sri Lanka typically has tropical climate, with no marked seasons. The average temperature in the plains and coastal areas is approximately 27º C, whereas in the hill regions, temperatures drop to roughly 20º C - 10º C.

Due to the south-west monsoon, the rainy season is usually from May to July in the western, southern and centre of the island. However the north-east monsoon brings rainfall in December and January to the northern and eastern regions.

Lightweight, cotton clothing would be ideal when travelling in Sri Lanka’s tropical weather. However, if you are planning to visit the hill region, it is advisable to pack a few warm clothes as the evenings can get slightly chilly.

Night clubs and some restaurants’ in Colombo city do not allow shorts or sandals. It is recommended to dress modestly when visiting religious sites such as Hindu and Buddhist temples. Legs and shoulders should be covered, whilst shoes and hats should be removed on entering these sites.

A 10% service charge is usually included for food and accommodation in most places, however tipping is allowed. A tip between 100 – 200 rupees for each service is considered sufficient.

Alcohol is served freely at hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs and café’s. During Full Moon Poya days and the ten days of Vesak in April, it is illegal to consume or serve alcohol in public places. However alcohol may be served and consumed in the privacy of your hotel room.

Photography around the old parliament area is forbidden for security purposes. Photography should not disrespect shrines or religious areas.

The best way to travel around the island is by a chauffer driven car. Self navigation tours are not recommended to those who are not familiar with Sri Lankan roads and traffic. Tuk tuks (trishaw’s) are available everywhere, however they can be dangerous to travel in at night, and tourists may find themselves being charged more money than what they should be paying. For a safe and comfortable guided tour contact us, and we’ll work on the best rate to suit your requirements.

Most hotels provide guests with plug in mosquito repellent. However it is advisable to carry mosquito repellant cream or oil when travelling.

When travelling to the hill country you may come across a leech or two. If you find a leech on your skin, do not pull it off, simply sprinkle some salt on it and wait for it to fall off, or use a small flame from a lighter or a match to burn the leech off.