Sri Lanka Travel Tips
There are two main international airports in Sri Lanka known as Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake (Colombo) and the second one is Mattala International Airport located in the Southern Hambantota District.
Of the two international airports, Bandaranaike International Airport is the most popular destination located 35 km north of Colombo, and 6 km off Negombo. We also recommend flying to this airport as it is a good starting point for the tours.
All visitors to Sri Lanka are officially required to declare all currencies (money in hand), jewelry and gems, and any valuable items. If a Customs officer holds any of your belongings without letting you take it inside the country, you should be given a receipt to claim your belongings once you are back at the airport for departure. All visitors are allowed to bring 2L of alcoholic spirits (e.g. whisky, brandy, gin, vodka, etc), 4 cans of beer and 1 bottle of wine per passport.
It is advisable for you to purchase a local SIM card from the airport as there are specific packages available for tourists. Almost every accommodation listed in our portfolio provides free Wi-Fi. However, a SIM card would allow you to access internet while you travel. Also, Wi-Fi offered at public places may not be secure and too weak to allow you to explore the Internet.
Make sure to try out our local and authentic cuisine. Sri Lankan cuisine is influenced by different cultures. Rice served with curry (or several curries) makes up the basic meal for most Sri Lankans. Dishes are known for their richness of spices, both tangy and hot, so make sure to check the level of spice before you consume anything. There are several must-try culinary items: seasonal fruits, curd and treacle, kottu roti, pittu, string hoppers, hoppers, halapa, coconut-and-honey pancakes, and many more. So, bring an open mind and a hungry stomach!
These are some of the commonly recommended vaccinations for a short-term visit:
It is advisable to speak with a medical doctor to make sure all your vaccinations are up to date prior to flying. Dengue fever and malaria can spread through mosquitoes in areas of Sri Lanka that get heavy rainfall. So, it is advisable to carry mosquito repellent with you at all times.
In Sri Lanka, there are two types of plug sockets, one with round holes (type D/M) and the other with rectangular which will easily fit UK plugs (type G socket). So much the better if you can carry a Universal Travel Adapter which will fit any type of plug socket.
A liquor store that sells alcohol in Sri Lanka is called a “Wine store”. Despite the name, these sell international spirits as well as local alcoholic beverages like Lion Beer. Certain supermarkets also sell liquor, as long as they are licensed. Sri Lankan bars and wine stores are closed on Poya (full moon) days as a religious observation.
Enjoy tropical temperatures throughout the year. The city of Colombo averages temperatures of 28ºC – 32ºC (or 82ºF – 90ºF) and the hill country averages temperatures of 10ºC – 15ºC (or 50ºF – 60ºF). Monsoon seasons occur twice in a year: May – June and December – February. However, scattered rain may be experienced throughout the year.
The common greeting of the Sinhalese population of Sri Lankans is “Ayubowan” which means “welcome”. Here are some Sinhala words used commonly in discussion:
Sri Lanka falls under the Indian Standard Time which is GMT+5:30 all year round with no daylight savings time clock changes.
Smoking in public areas in Sri Lanka is prohibited, but there are designated smoking areas for restaurants/pubs/cafes, etc. Some establishments have a designated smoking area inside.