Sri Lanka Travel Notes

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Access to your government’s embassy while travelling

Australia www.dfat.gov.au
New Zealand www.mfat.govt.nz
Canada www.travel.gc.ca
United Kingdom www.gov.uk
America www.usembassy.gov

Time Zones

Colombo, Sri Lanka is GMT +5.5 hours.
To obtain the current local time and date in the cities and countries you are travelling to, please visit: www.timeanddate.com

Electricity and Plugs

Sri Lanka uses 220 -230 volts. Sri Lanka has 2 associated plug types: type D (3 round pins) and type G (3 flat pins) – www.korjo.com/adaptor-guide

Currency

To obtain the most up-to-date exchange rate you may wish to visit: www.xe.com/currencyconverter

Sri Lanka is predominantly a cash-based economy.

The official currency of Sri Lanka is the Rupee (LKR). Bank notes come in denominations of ₨20, ₨50, ₨100, ₨500, ₨1000 and ₨5000. Coins come in denominations of Rs10, Rs5, Rs2 and Rs1.

Any bank, exchange bureau or hotel will exchange major currencies in cash, including US dollars (USD), Euros (EUR), British pounds (GBP) and Australian Dollars (AUD). However, most venues only accept payment in local currency. When changing money, please ensure foreign banknotes are in good condition. Smaller denominations are recommended.
Prior to departing Sri Lanka, please use your rupee or exchange it into a major currency, as once you leave the country it is hard to convert.

Credit cards are common in major cities, but they may not be accepted in smaller towns, restaurants and stores.

ATMs are available in major cities; however please note many banks are now lowering the limits for cash withdrawals from ATM machines. ATM machines will also charge a withdrawal fee, and some may only be accessible during banking hours.

Visa

An ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) is required by most travellers to enter Sri Lanka. This must be obtained prior to arrival via the official portal. Please allow enough time for the e-visa to be processed. Non-official portals also process visa’s however you may pay more. If you are unsure of how to obtain a visa or if one is required, please check with the Sri Lankan embassy in your country.
https://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

Telephone & Communication

Mobile Telephones

Most mobile telephones work in Sri Lanka and coverage is generally very good in most areas, it can be patchy in rural areas. Check with your local provider regarding ‘Global Roaming’ and coverage in the places you are visiting. If you are planning to purchase a local sim card, please check with your local provider prior to departure to make sure your phone is unlocked and will accept another sim card.

Travellers can purchase a tourist SIM card for the duration of their Sri Lanka tour if they wish to stay connected. Both Dialog and Mobitel offer tourist SIM packages that are valid for 30 days. The SIMs can be bought at the airport or in any major town.

WhatsApp Messenger is an economical way to stay in touch with friends and family. WhatsApp is free and offers simple, secure, reliable messaging and calling service.

ASA tour leaders use WhatsApp to communicate with tour participants while travelling, so the app should be downloaded to your mobile devise prior to joining the program.

Internet

Wi-fi is common in hotels, hostels, restaurants and cafes across the touristed areas of Sri Lanka.

Check with your local provider to see what they offer for international travel, some have a simple daily cost. Alternatively you may wish to purchase a pre paid sim card prior to your departure from your home country. For Australians you may wish to look at www.prepaidsims.com.au

Personal Safety

We recommend you drink only bottled water. Tap water is not recommended.
We strongly recommend the use of a money belt to keep your cash, cards and travel documents safe. This should be kept under your clothes at all times. This is a precaution that should be taken anywhere due to the difficulties that can be experienced when trying to replace stolen items.
Take photocopies or photos of all important documents (passport, credit cards, E-tickets, insurance).
It is generally helpful to take a business card from the hotel you are staying at. This can assist hugely if you get lost or if there is a language barrier. If you have a key card for your hotel, make sure you keep these two cards separate.
Take extra care in crowded places and avoid keeping your wallet or phone in your hip pocket.

Australians Studying Abroad takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and every measure is taken to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

Australia Smart Traveller
New Zealand Safe Travel
Canada Canada Travel Information
United Kingdon UK Foreign Travel Advice
USA US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Health

It is advisable to consult with your doctor or local travel clinic in the weeks leading up to your departure, allowing enough time to obtain any relevant vaccinations or travel medication that may be required.

Travelling with Medication

Not all medications available in your home country, over the counter or by prescription, are available in other countries. Some may be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by a doctor. If unsure, travellers should check the regulations on importing or transporting medicines to their chosen destination by contacting the relevant embassy or high commission for clarification.

All medication should be carried in their original packaging and in your hand luggage. If you are taking medication whilst travelling, please make sure you have enough for the duration of your trip.

Carry a letter from your doctor stating:

what the medication is and what it is for
your required dosage
that it is for personal use

For more information, contact the Sri Lankan Embassy in your country.

Australia www.dfat.gov.au
New Zealand www.mfat.govt.nz
Canada www.travel.gc.ca
United Kingdom www.gov.uk
USA US Department of State

What to Pack

Clothing (general)

The time of the year you visit this destination will dictate the type of clothing it is appropriate to bring. It is always advisable to take a raincoat or a waterproof windbreaker. For daytime activities, we suggest a wardrobe that is versatile, casual and comfortable. It is recommended that “layered” clothing might offer the best comfort in a variety of conditions. Always expect the weather to be changeable.

Beyond the normal wardrobe, we suggest the following:

Day pack (with a lock) or a cross-body handbag. Site visits often involve walking on dirt streets and uneven ground, up numerous steps and may be of a reasonable duration. You will want to have your hands free to hold rails or steady yourself as applicable. A day pack will allow you to easily carry your ancillary items: camera, torch, waterproof, sunhat, sunscreen, bottled water, sunglasses etc.
A hiking pole (fold-up) should be considered as many sites have steps and uneven ground, often without handrails.
Comfortable walking shoes are very important (hiking boots are not required); sandals or open shoes are only suitable for the evening.
Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
Travel torch
Folding umbrella and/or waterproof, windproof jacket.
In the higher elevations, a pullover is recommended for the cooler mornings and evenings.
Toilet paper, wet wipes and hand sanitiser. (See note below – Toilets)
Camera: Please take all necessary equipment/spares as it will be difficult to purchase additional supplies while on tour.
Foreign women should dress modestly.
Sleeveless tops are not appropriate. Shorts and Skirts must go below the knees, long light weight pants are the most appropriate.
This is only appropriate at pools and beaches, once leaving these areas you need to cover up.
Extra prescription eyeglasses (if required).
Fresh milk, western tea bags and instant coffee are not easy to obtain in Sri Lanka. It is a good idea to take powered milk, tea and coffee with you.

Toilets: Public toilets are generally difficult to find however in tourist areas, restaurants offer bathroom facilities. Carry your own supply of soap/sanitiser and toilet paper, as these aren’t always provided.

Etiquette

No attempt should be made to photograph anything remotely connected with the armed forces or in the vicinity of defence installations. Many people do not like being photographed, while others may try to obtain money from you. Always ask permission before photographing someone.
Do not photograph Buddhist monks without their permission. It’s OK to take pictures of statues and images of Buddha, but it’s not acceptable to pose in front of Buddha.
The traditional and common greeting is to press the palms of one’s hands together under the chin and in front of the chest while slightly bowing the head.
Tipping is a way of life in Sri Lanka and many restaurant workers rely on the extra income this practice brings. Most larger hotels and restaurants add a 10% tip as standard; use this as a guide for how much to tip in places that don’t.
Department stores and a number of shops in Colombo have fixed prices, but in most other areas bargaining is acceptable and expected. As a general rule, respond with an offer of 40% and negotiate from there. Please remember that this process is a bit of fun and should be undertaken with a generous dose of humour and patience, resulting in both parties reaching a mutually beneficial outcome. The local people admire good manners and a sense of humour and tend to be put off by a loss of temper.
VAT (Value Added Tax): – There is a VAT of 10% which applies in high end stores.
The predominant religion of Sri Lanka is Buddhism. As in many Buddhist countries, there are many significant temples open to foreign visitors. These temples are places of worship and devotion in addition to being an attraction. As such please be mindful and respectful at all times.
Women should not touch a Buddhist monk under any circumstance and should also never try to give anything directly to a monk.
Try to respect the locals to the same degree you would want to be respected at home.
Visitors should dress neatly and conservatively in all religious shrines. It is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around the compound, but not inside.

Climate

The climate in Sri Lanka differs according to region. The weather in January is generally warm with temperatures hovering around a balmy 77°F to 86°F (25°C to 30°C) and lower humidity levels compared to other times of the year. We suggest checking the weather forecast for the most up-to-date information, prior to your departure.
www.worldweatheronline.com or www.weather-finder.com

Average minimum/maximum Temperatures (˚C)

City

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Colombo

23/31

24/31

25/32

26/32

26/30

26/29

25/29

25/30

24/30

Kandy

19/27

19/28

20/30

21/30

22/29

21/28

20/27

20/26

The information above has been compiled with care and provided in good faith however it is subject to change.