Travel Tips Sri Lanka
What you need to know before visiting Sri Lanka
Do you finally plan your trip to Sri Lanka or are you still considering if or when or where? To anticipate: Sri Lanka is definitely worth a trip! The question of "if" would thus be answered. Nevertheless, there are some things you should know and consider when travelling to Sri Lanka.
1. When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka's seasons aren't like every other. The 2 existing seasons, Maha and Yala, affect the weather differently depending on what side of the Island you are and when you're there, but even then, temperatures are relaxing all year round! The Maha season, from December to April is considered as summer and high season, especially on Sri Lanka’s south coast. The sun is constantly out and shining and northeast monsoon winds create ideal surf conditions along the south coast, while the west coast may not be ideal for surfing due to onshore winds and messy waves. From March to September, during Yala season, the swell is getting smaller on the south coast making it an excellent time for our Learn-to-Surf guests and beginners to practice. The monsoon winds shift, leading to pumping surf along the east coasts but also partly bring heavy rainfall to the southwest regions of Sri Lanka. If you are not looking for surf holidays and want to explore Sri Lanka’s beautiful wildlife, national parks like the Yala National Park, Udawalawa National Park or the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage are lush and green, and it’s the best time to spot a variety of animals. When travelling to Sri Lanka, always make sure to work your plans around the weather and the region you wanna go.
2. Passport & Visa: Do I need a Visa for Sri Lanka?
One of the most important things when travelling is the question regarding the visa requirements for the specific country. Sri Lanka requires a visa for all foreign visitors and offers two different tourist visas depending on your duration of stay. If you are planning to stay for less than 30 days you’ll need to apply for the short-term tourist visa. It allows you to stay for 30 days in Sri Lanka for tourist purposes. To extend your stay you need to contact the Department of Immigration to make an appointment or apply for the extension online. If you are planning to stay longer than 30 days from the beginning, you have the possibility to apply for the long-term tourist visa that allows you to stay for a maximum of 90 days with a double entry.
You can easily submit the application online via the Official ETA website or the Consular Division of this Mission.
Either way, you need to prepare the following documents:
Duly filled ETA application
International Passport, valid for a minimum 6 more months beyond the date of entry into Sri Lanka
Two recent photographs.
Return ticket
Proof of hotel accommodation or an invitation from hosts in Sri Lanka
Copy of the bank statement showing adequate funds for your stay in Sri Lanka and for the payment of your return passage out of Sri Lanka
Duly filled ETA application
The costs for the visa application are between 20-60€.
Attention: Visa regulations are always subject to change. Always check your country’s foreign office website to double-check the regulations that apply to your country.
During your stay in one of our Kima surf camps, you can always ask our Front Office team to help you with all visa-related questions.
3. Health: What vaccinations do I need for Sri Lanka?
As if there are vaccinations required to enter some tropical destinations, for Sri Lanka it is not. Nevertheless, there are some vaccinations that are recommended. Visit your doctor a minimum of 6-8 weeks before you travel to Sri Lanka, so he or she can check your vaccination certificate and advise on necessary vaccinations.
For most tourists Sri Lanka advises to be vaccinated against children's diseases as well diseases contactable through food or water, like:
Typhoid
Hepatitis A & B
Rabies
Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis
Measles-Mumps-Rubella
As for the COVID-19 virus, there is no quarantine required upon arrival, all COVID restrictions have been lifted and no proof of vaccination or testing is required anymore.
Don’t forget to take out Travel Health Insurance! At first glance, it may seem to be an unnecessary cost, but it allows you to travel light-heartedly and, in the worst case, can save you a lot of additional costs.
Since requirements can change quickly we recommend you to check the latest update on Sri Lanka as soon as you start to plan your trip.
4. The Etiquette in Sri Lanka
Travelling to other countries also means facing different cultures and traditions and above all respecting them. It’s always recommended to learn about the local etiquette before travelling to a new country.
Dress appropriately:
Sri Lanka has a well-developed tourist industry but besides that many Sri Lankans are socially conservative and deeply religious. Avoid walking around the streets just in swimwear. Swimwear at the beach is fine but for all the girls: don’t tan topless! Especially if you are making trips to religious sites or when visiting a temple, make sure to cover your upper arms and shoulders and don’t wear clothing that shows the legs. When entering any Buddhist or Hindu temple or mosque, remove your shoes and headgear.
Use your right hand:
Avoid shaking or eating with your left hand. Traditionally, Sri Lankans use their left hand for less sanitary tasks such as personal ablutions. Therefore it is considered rude to use the left hand.
Respect the Buddha images:
The Buddhists in Sri Lanka take the depictions of the Buddha very seriously and tourists have already been deported from the island for “disrespecting” Buddha images or statues. Posing for selfies with a Buddha status is a no-go, as you turn your back towards a Buddha image. Try to avoid clothing with Buddha images or cover tattoos of Buddhist iconography.
5. Tap water is no drinking water
Compared to a couple of years ago Sri Lanka has developed more and more but it is still far away from Western standards. Unlike most Western countries, you can not drink tap water in Sri Lanka. Consuming tap water can cause the Travellers' diarrhoea with symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting and cramps. Nothing you’d like to deal with during your holidays. Brushing your teeth with tap water is theoretically possible but to be on the safe side not recommended. Bottled water is available in every supermarket but make sure to check that the seal is intact and look for the Sri Lanka standards certification mark.
6. The magical train rides of Sri Lanka
When you think of Sri Lanka, you probably also think of the typical blue trains. The trains that once transported spices and tea are now popular with tourists to travel around the country and experience a unique adventure. Sri Lanka packs in some of the world’s most thrilling rail journeys.
One of the most popular rail trips is the train from Kandy to Badulla over Ella. It is an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Sri Lanka and shouldn’t be missed on your trip. The iconic rail trip takes you 7-8 hours through tea plantations, misty mountains and quaint villages. It is a historic journey, established during the British colonial era, that blends the country‘s rich heritage with its stunning natural beauty. To make the most of the views, take your turn sitting in one of the open train doorways, with your feet dangling above the track. The final stage from Ella to Badulla is probably the highlight of the rail trip. Just north of Ella, the tracks curve over the brick-and-stone Nine Arch Bridge before tackling the Demodara Loop, where the line circles a hilltop and passes back under itself. Many travelers end the journey at Ella and hike to viewpoints around the bridge for one of Sri Lanka’s most popular photo opportunities.
If you’re planning to take the train, don’t hesitate to ask our front office team that is always happy to answer your questions.
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