Yes, you will need to apply for a visa to enter Sri Lanka. You may apply for your Visa on arrival or obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to arrival. ETA applications would be the quickest form of application. However, the travel period is limited to 01 month. Exceptions to the Visa requirement are applicable for Singaporean, Maldivian and Seychelles nationals.
Ref: http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
Sri Lanka is a beautiful tropical island with a sunny climate all year long, except for monsoon seasons that results in continuous showers.
MONSOON SEASON
May to July (South West Monsoon)
October to January (North East Monsoon)
Sri Lanka’s compact size and the accessibility of most major attractions means that even a week will allow you to see several different areas. But to experience the island properly, a two-week stay is advisable.
It is GMT + 4.5hrs in summer and + 5.5hrs in winter.
The local currency is Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR).
Sri Lankan currency denominations are; 10,20,50,100,500,1000,2000,5000 notes.
Exchanging currency should take place at valid currency exchange centers or banks which are available at the airport and most hotels. Currency rates are determined by the central bank of Sri Lanka.
Any amount above $10,000 should be declared to the customs on arrival.
Credit/Debit card payments are accepted at most leading stores. However, most road-side shops would not have credit card facilities available.
Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages in Sri Lanka. English is a ‘link’ language and generally understood by most people and is easy to get by. English is spoken at all hotels, major restaurants, shops and road signs are written both in Sinhalese & English throughout the country, with few exceptions.
Lightweight, light coloured cotton clothes are best suited for the warm temperatures of a tropical country like Sri Lanka. Some warm clothes are recommended if you are heading for the hilly regions, where the evenings tend to get chilly. Modest dress for women is advisable especially off the beach and when visiting religious sites. Don’t forget comfortable shoes, sandals 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.
230, 240 volts, 50 cycles AC. It is best if you can bring a stabilizer.
It’s a good option to purchase a local SIM card and top up cards while you are on holiday. The mobile call rates are relatively cheap for both local and IDD calls. There are many mobile operators in the country (E.g. Dialog, Mobitel, Etisalat, Hutch etc.,). Dialog has a counter at the Colombo Airport, and you can obtain a connection on arrival.
Hotels increasingly offer Internet Wi-Fi, and Internet cafes exist in Colombo and many towns, although connection speeds can be slow outside Colombo.
The Tuk Tuk (Trishaw) is a common method of transportation within the island. It is recommended to use a Tuk Tuk with a fare meter although there are many apps available such as ‘Pickme’ and ‘Uber’ on Android and Apple devices.
At NAAG Holidays we provide you with a wide selection of vehicles to choose from. However, as a standard practice an A/C hybrid car is provided for 02 people, while an A/C van is provided for a group of travelers of up to 7 people. Our transportation options range from Luxury high-end vehicles, SUV’s, Sea plane, Yacht, Train, Helicopter and Motorbikes which are available upon request.
Full moon days are days of religious observance where the sale of alcohol and meat are prohibited. Places of entertainment such as Discos, Cinemas and Casinos are closed as well. However, alcohol would be served directly to a hotel room on request.
Sri Lankan cuisines are mainly based on rice dishes with a variety of meats and vegetables, commonly of a spicy variant. However, due to colonial and trading influences there are Dutch, Arabic, British and Indian cuisines available throughout the country with most coastal towns being famous for seafood dishes.
Sri Lanka is one of the most picturesque and beautiful travel destinations in the world with its reputation for un-touched locations, receiving a continuous growth of travelers to the island annually – The Island is safer for travelers with no cause for danger.
According to accepted norms of travel you should deposit your valuables like money, passport, tickets, jewels etc. in the hotel safety deposit locker. In accordance with international custom the hotels in Sri Lanka are not responsible for objects lost in the room. You should also not leave your valuables unattended on the beach, the balconies or terraces.
Never leave your money or passport in your backpack or suitcase. It is wise to keep an amount of money (about US$ 200) stashed away separately from your money-belt or pouch.
The Sri Lankan healthcare system is effective within developing countries across the world. However, updated emergency medical facilities might not be available outside the main cities of Sri Lanka. It is mandatory for those travelling from Africa or Latin America to have vaccinations for Yellow Fever and Meningitis prior to travelling and up-to-date Hepatitis A, Polio and tetanus shots.