FAQs

Before you Travel ,

Visas & Customs Formalities 

You need a visa to arrive in Sri Lanka. Apart from that, if you're planning a short visit to Sri Lanka, you're required to obtain Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before your arrival. 

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is an official authorization for a short visit to Sri Lanka and is issued electronically. The ETA is introduced with the intention of providing an efficient, reliable and simplified service to those who visit Sri Lanka. The ETA is issued through an on-line system where no passport copies, documents or photographs are required. There is no requirement to endorse the ETA on the passport. Upon arrival, produce your passport to the immigration officer at the port of entry to obtain the necessary clearance. It is advisable for you to bring a copy of the ETA approval notice along with you. 

It's necessary for citizens of all countries except for those of The Republic of Singapore and of The Republic of Maldives to get an ETA to visit Sri Lanka. 

The non-refundable ETA processing charge for a Tourist visa with Double Entry for 30 days for citizens of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries amounts to US $20. For those from all other countries, it will cost US $50. 

You may be required to open your baggage for inspection. Refrain from carrying prohibited or restricted goods. Certain types of animal products, antiques and gold are not allowed to be taken out of the country. 

Important! Retain your shopping receipts, especially for gems.  

Weather & Climate 

Sri Lanka climate is tropical and consists of distinct wet and dry seasons. The Yala monsoon brings abundant rainfall to the country’s western and southern regions from May to September; the area experiences its dry season during December through March. Altogether, the southwest receives around 4000mm of rainfall each year. The Maha monsoon affects northern and eastern Sri Lanka weather and often lasts from October to January, with the dry season usually lasting from May to September. This region receives approximately 1000mm of precipitation annually, significantly less than the other half of the country. There is also an inter-monsoonal period in October and November during which rain and thunderstorms occur frequently across the island. 

Generally speaking, upland areas of Sri Lanka are cooler and more temperate, with a yearly average around 16-20ºC (60-68ºF), and coastal areas are warmer with average temperatures around 27ºC (80ºF). The March-June season experiences slightly higher temperatures (up to 33ºC / 92ºF), while the temperatures in November-January are a few degrees lower (around 24ºC / 75ºF at the coast). Sri Lanka weather along the shores is made more comfortable by cooling sea breezes. The surrounding sea remains rather constant at roughly 27ºC (80ºF) year-round. Humidity is typically rather high in Sri Lanka, averaging out at around 80% year-round. 

Language & Communication 

Sinhalese and Tamil are two major languages of Sri Lanka. Sinhalese is widely used by the Sinhalese majority while Tamil is used by the Tamils. Both the languages are from different sources. English is a link language which is generally understood by most people. English is spoken at all hotels, major restaurants and shops. Road signs are mostly written both in Sinhalese & English throughout the country 

Telephone facilities are widely available all over the country. There're telephone booths which accept coins. Apart from them, there're communication centers found throughout the country that provide IDD facilities as well as Internet facilities. 

The International Dialing Code of Sri Lanka is “0094 or +94”. 

If you have an unlocked phone, you can buy a Pre Paid Sim (Top-up Cards) from several mobile operators, namely, Dialog, Mobitel, Etisalat, Hutch and Airtel from the counters of Bandaranayake International airport at the time you arrive. 

Many Hotels provide Internet, Free Wi-Fi facilities to their guests. Some hotels may charge for this facility. Or you may also be able to get internet facilities from many communication cafes available in most towns. 

Clothing  

Most of Sri Lanka has hot and humid climate. So light cotton clothes would be appropriate. However if you plan to go to the hills we would advise you to carry woolens as well as waterproof jacket. While visiting areas wear long sleeve shirts and trousers in evening. This would protect you against mosquitoes. Shoulders and knees must be covered when visiting religious sites and be careful to dress modestly. Leave your footwear outside before entering. Socks may also be a good idea for walking round places such as Anuradharura/ Polonnaruwa the ground can be extremely hot for bare feet. Sun hat and sunglasses on beaches and you should not behave indecently. 

Health & Safety 

The country is at peace. Tourists visit Sri Lanka in record numbers and feel the pervading sense of peace, safety and stability as they relish the pristine glory of the small island nation. Where we conduct our tours, we also ensure the safety and security of our tourists. 

According to accepted norms in travelling, you should put all your valuables like money, passport, tickets, jewels etc in the hotel safe deposit locker. As the international custom goes, hotels aren't responsible for objects lost in the room.  In general the threats to personal security for travelers in Sri Lanka are remarkably small. It is more pleasant to travel with a companion as it is advised not to travel alone especially after dark. The island including the North and East is safe to visit. If you have anything stolen, report it to the tourist Police, (a special tourist police set up to look after the needs of the tourists. Contact Number + 94 11 2382209) 

Main towns are good in health facilities. You can request your hotel to arrange a local doctor in an emergency. However in remote areas you should get information in advance about health facilities, if you are suffering from any particular problem.   

For Mosquitoes most hotels will provide you with a plug-in mosquito repellent or a coil will be provided in Camping sites. Also you can apply some repellent lotion when dining outdoors, camping etc. 

Food & Drinks 

The cultivation of many types of rice, spices, vegetables and fruit, coupled with past foreign influences, ensures that Sri Lanka enjoys a varied and select cuisine. As a staple, rice is consumed with an assortment of colourful curries (eggplant, potato, green banana, chicken, fish) that range in potency from delicately-spiced to near-dynamite. 

 Other Sri Lankan staples include hoppers (a pancake-like snack), string hoppers (steamed rice noodles) and pittu (a mixture of flour and coconut). Lamprais - rice and accompaniments baked in plantain leaves - is a legacy of the Dutch. Seafood lovers will rejoice at the fresh fish, prawns, crab, squid and crayfish available. Desserts include buffalo curd eaten with palm-honey, and the Malay-derived caramel-like wattalapam. 

Sri Lanka has a wonderful array of snacks, known as short eats, named cutlets, patties, malu pang (fish bun), and kimbula bunis (crocodile-shaped bun!) that are excellent for trips. 

Delectable fruit includes the popular mango, pineapple, banana and papaya, but also many lesser-known but distinctive examples such as sapodilla, mangosteen, rambuttan, woodapple, custard apple and beli. 

Vegetarian food is less common in Sri Lanka. It might be difficult to find it in some places. But star hotels and major restaurants sport a 'vegetarian section' in the menu. However, the 'South Indian' vegetarian restaurants are purely vegetarian. 

Sri Lankan ‘Ceylon’ tea is prepared as in the West and coffee too. There are a huge variety of bottled soft drinks, including well-known international brands. Thambili (king coconut water) is a safe and refreshing option. Local beer and spirits are widely available. Bottled mineral water is available in hotels.  We advised to drink purified water all the time.   

Pls note that Alcohol is not sold on Poya (full-moon day of the month) days. Smoking and drinking in public are forbidden. 

Photography 

There are so many opportunities for photography whether it is of scenes of everyday life by the roadside, spectacular vistas or of the amazing wildlife. Do please take a memory card of sufficient size as you will find you will take so many photographs. It would also be a good idea to bring some small binoculars to view the wildlife in the National Parks as with all wild animals, you will only be able to view them from a distance.
 

Ask permission before taking pictures either of people or inside temples or other sacred places where some sacred places are restrict of taking photographs. Never use flash on murals inside temples and other places. It can cause damage them. 

Tourists who wish to visit and photograph the principle ancient monuments in Sri Lanka are required to purchase a ticket which entitles them to visit and photograph historic monuments. 

Currency, Banks, Credit Cards & Money Exchange 

Foreign currency and Traveler’s Cheques may be changed at any hotel, although commercial banks offer better rates. Converting Sri Lankan rupees back to a selected foreign denomination could be done at the airport banks which are open 24 hours of the day. Please retain your money changing receipts.  

Currency notes are in 10s, 20s, 50s, 100s, 200s, 500s, 1000s, 2000s, and 5000s.  

Visitors to Sri Lanka bringing in more than US$10,000 should declare the amount to the Customs on arrival. All unspent rupees converted from foreign currencies can be re-converted to the original currency on departure as long as encashment receipts can be produced. 

Hotels and shops accept most international credit cards. No surcharge is required for their use. Cash advances may be acquired against credit cards at certain bank ATMs. Most widely accepted cards are American Express, Visa and MasterCard.  

It is advisable to enquire if your card type is accepted by the establishment before the use of any services.  

Banks are generally open from 9.00am to 3.00pm from Monday to Friday. Most city banks close at 3.00pm, while others offer night banking facilities. Banks are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, all public holidays and special bank holidays. ATMs are most found adjoining bank branches island-wide.  

Electricity 

230/240 Volts AC, 50 Ac. Round Two and three pin plugs are used mostly. 

Shopping & Entertainment 

Sri Lanka has a wide variety of splendid handicraft on sale. Sri Lankan masks are a very popular collector's item. Other recommendations are batiks, wood carvings, gemstones, semi- precious stones, lacquer-ware, handmade Silver- and Brass objects and don't forget the famous 'Ceylon Tea'. 

The places with some active night life are Colombo, Negombo and Hikkaduwa. Colombo has some decent pubs, night clubs, karaoke lounges and bars. There is a growing pub-culture among the young crowd in Colombo. Friday and Saturday nights are the days for all night party. 

It is customary to tip drivers, guides and hotel housekeeping/restaurant staff if the service is satisfactory. This is solely at your discretion. The average tip is 100-200 rupees for Housekeeping and 10% of your meal bill for restaurant staff. 

Accommodation 

Sri Lanka has different types of accommodation such as private boutique hotels, villas, eco lodge and tents. Normal Check-in time will be 2.00pm & check-out time will be 12.00noon. These times can be adjusted with the hotel management depending on the availability.  

If you have any questions with regard to travelling in Sri Lanka kindly e-mail us to lankalionsgatetravels@gmail.com . We will always be there to help you and make a memorable and breathtaking holiday that will live in your hearts for years to come.