What is Travel @VisitSriLanka.com
Travel @VisitSriLanka.com is a section of VisitSriLanka.com, dedicated to finding accommodations, tours and transport services for your holiday in Sri Lanka.
Is Sri Lanka a safe country?
Yes, Sri Lanka is generally a safe country to travel within. Decades long war and civil unrest has ended.
As with any international travel, be aware of your surroundings. Do not leave your valuables unattended on the beach, the balconies or terraces. Be cautious in markets and in open areas with crowds to avoid pickpockets.
Do Sri Lankans speak English?
English is widely used for official and commercial purposes. In Colombo, the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka, you will easily find people who can speak english.
Sri Lanka accords official language status to Sinhala and Tamil.
What about Visa requirements?
Guests visiting Sri Lanka must be in possession of a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of travel and should have two blank pages available in their passport.
Through ETA (Electronic Travel Authentication) you could apply and get prior approval for your visa instead of on arrival. For further details please log on to www.eta.gov.lk. We highly recommend that guests apply for online visas (USD35 for Tourist Visa) to avoid unnecessary delays in trying to obtain a visa on arrival,
If obtaining a visa on arrival, please pay by cash (USD40 for Tourist Visa) since payment by credit cards can take longer to process. Guests must carry a passport-sized photograph if obtaining a visa on arrival.
Is tap water safe to drink?
Tap water is not safe to drink, and boiling and filtering is sometimes done too hastily in some hotels and restaurants, so the best solution is to drink bottled water. There are now many brands available, mostly using spring water from the highlands of the island. Make sure that the bottle carries an SLS certification and that the seal is broken only in your presence.
Beware of ice unless you are satisfied it has not been made from tap water, and remember the tap water you may be tempted to use to rinse out your mouth after brushing your teeth is unsafe. Keep a bottle of water in your bathroom for this purpose.
What about medical treatments or health issues?
Minor health problems can always be treated by doctors with practices in the resorts and elsewhere in the country. If you have a more serious problem, Colombo now boasts a selection of modern, well-equipped private hospitals offering the latest in conventional medical and surgical therapies. A growing number of foreigners are taking advantage of affordable, high quality private healthcare in Sri Lanka, and combining it with the chance to take a holiday. Though the medical tourism industry in Sri Lanka is still in its early days, a number of private hospitals in Colombo are geared to provide advanced surgery and other treatment to international clients.
What's the local currency?
The local currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee, divided into 100 cents (you rarely come across scents today). Currency notes are Rs.5,000, Rs2,000, Rs1,000, Rs500, Rs100, Rs50, Rs20 and Rs10. Beware of mistaking the Rs500 note for the somewhat similar Rs100 one. To check whether notes are genuine when not given at a bank, look for a lion watermark. Coins, should you have receive them, will be in denominations up to Rs10.
Make sure you have plenty of lower denomination notes (Rs50, Rs100, Rs500), especially when travelling and you need to buy small items, fruit, and eat cheap meals, because change is often hard to come by apart from at hotels and big shops.
When is a good time to visit Sri lanka?
Sri Lanka is a round-the-year destination for the visitors who seek for sun and sea the best time to visit the island is from November to April. The Southwestern coastal area, where the most of the beach resorts are located.Kalpitiya, located in the western ( North Western)coast has been declared a new tourist attraction. Many development projects have also been planned such as hotels and other infrastructure to make the East a new tourist destination 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 March-April during Easter with a mini peak season in July and August when festivals and pageants are held through the country.
What about clothing?
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. 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.