The beauty of this tiny island is simply breath-taking. Known for its endless soft-sand beaches, enchanting ancient ruins, imposing mountains, colourful festivals, tempting water sports, dense wild-life, diverse ethnical groups and the warm smiles of locals, Sri Lanka is bound to make one want to come back.
Make it a priority to plan your own journey here before this relatively undiscovered gem takes its rightful place at the top of travellers’ lists. Here are few things you need to know before you travel to Sri Lanka!
Sri Lanka is a round-the-year destination for visitors who seek the sun and sea. Climatically, the most promising time to visit the West coast, the South coast and the Hill country is from December to March as it is the driest and often thought of as the best season. April to September is the ideal period to visit the East coast and the Cultural Triangle which consists of the ancient cities. The weather doesn’t run like clockwork here, and you can always be surprised in Sri Lanka!
During day time, conservative clothing such as lightweight pants, loose shorts, trousers, and short-sleeved shirts are recommended. During evenings, smarter clothing is appropriate for evening dining in city restaurants. Visits to temples and other religious sites require conservative dress. Arms, legs and shoulders should be covered – no shorts for both men and women. Carry a pair of socks, since shoes must be removed when entering certain religious buildings. A lightweight raincoat or an umbrella to avoid unexpected rain showers, a swimming suit, sunglasses and a sunhat when you go on your beach vacation would come in handy too.
We believe that you will find Sri Lankans to be among the most courteous and friendly people in the world. They will make you feel safe and cared for. Sri Lanka is a remarkably safe place to travel in, and violent crime against foreigners is virtually unheard of. As we have an array of accommodation options from star class hotels to boutique hotels, you can expect friendly service and the best standards in whichever range you choose.
The Bandaranaike International Airport (Airport code CMB) at Katunayake is the main International Airport in Sri Lanka and is located 30 kilometers north of the island’s capital of Colombo. The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is the second International Airport and is situated in the deep south of the country, close to the fast-developing coastal town of Hambantota.
The local currency is Sri Lankan Rupees and can only be exchanged in Sri Lanka. Credit cards are accepted in most shopping outlets, and ATM machines are widely available in major cities. We do not recommend Traveler’s checks, as they are not as widely accepted as in previous years.
Most Sri Lankans speak Sinhala while some speak Tamil. English is widely spoken and understood in the urban regions.
The government of Sri Lanka has implemented an electronic travel authorization system, commonly known as an ETA. To obtain an ETA you must apply online. More information regarding the ETA system can be found here www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa . Please read and follow all instructions carefully to avoid any possible complications on arrival in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka boasts of diverse culinary delights, no matter which part of the country you’re in. Simple street food to fine dining options and everything in between can be found here.
Shopping in Sri Lanka can be great fun as the cities are filled with markets and malls bursting with colourful goods. Popular purchases include clothes, handicrafts, tea and souvenirs. Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo is an ideal place for shopping where one can buy many different items at reasonable prices. Most malls are more than just shopping destinations.