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Sri Lanka Travel Guide

The tear-drop island of Sri Lanka in the Indian Subcontinent is a charming travel destination. Sri Lanka tours is a wonderful addition to travel in India.Our travel guide to Sri Lanka (below) assists you with the required information to make your travel plans.

Climate

Weather in Sri Lanka is tropical bliss. The island country’s climate is affected by two separate monsoons, while the rest of the year is dry and sunny. In the island of Sri Lanka the east is a mirror image of the west; this means when the southwest monsoon “Yala" hits the west and southwest, from April or May to September, the sun is shining in the east and northeast and vice versa. However, the northeast monsoon “Maha”in October and November is generally lighter.

The island has an average temperature of 26–30˚C (often higher) on the coast and the hills temperatures are cooler the higher up you go. So if you’re heading to Kandy, expect temperatures of 18˚–22˚, but only 14-16˚ in the hill country, such as NuwaraEliya. And temperatures in the hills can drop to almost freezing at night, so make sure you pack extra layers.

Broadly speaking, in terms of the weather, the best time to visit the west and southwest of Sri Lanka, including the hill country, is December to March. If your itinerary is geared more towards the eastern side of the island, you’ll get the best conditions from around April or May to September.

Baggage& Clothing

Comfortable casual clothes made of cotton are best in tropical and semi tropical climates. Laundry services are available throughout the country, although hotel laundry costs can be expensive.

Visa

Visitors to Sri Lanka visiting for tourism purposes must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), unless they are exempt, prior to arrival or on arrival to Sri Lanka or they must obtain a visa in advance. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.

Airports

Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo is the popular entry to the island country. Furthermore, it is well-connected by domestic flights from all over Sri Lanka.

How to travel within Sri Lanka:

Inter-city flights

Domestic flights in Sri Lanka connect the major cities and tourist sites. They are by far the best for travelling within the country to save time but that means missing out of the picturesque scenery.

Railways

Sri Lanka has an extensive network of railways dating back to the British Raj in the 19th century and working like a well-oiled machinery to date. The railways make travelling in Sri Lanka a scenic delight and saves a lot of time and allows the experience of the olden times.

Cabs, Taxis and hired vehicles

Cabs, taxis and hired vehicles is the go-to option when travelling in Sri Lanka. It is the comfortable way to explore the island country at your own convenience while enjoying the scenery.

Insurance

A comprehensive Travel Insurance policy is essential for your Sri Lanka trip. Insurance must include coverage for personal accident, medical expenses, baggage loss, and cancellation or postponing of your holiday. You must have adequate insurance, to cover you in the event you suffer a medical problem while travelling.

Money/Currency

Sri Lanka’s currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Denominations include 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000.This is a country that runs on cash, so you are advised to carry a mix of cash and cars. Credit cards can be used at almost all the hotels and in most shops and restaurants in major cities; however they are not widely accepted in more rural areas.

Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted amongst Credit / Charge cards. Cash advances can be obtained using these cards at most Bank branches, using your passport. ATM access is available in almost all cities.

Food & Water

Food in Sri Lanka is one of the things to definitely indulge on your holiday in India. Each region specialises in its own cuisine. Our representatives will be happy to give you a list of recommended restaurants in each city. Breakfast is included each day on most of our tours and is usually a buffet with both Western and local dishes.

Drinking local tap water is NOT recommended. Bottled water is cheap and readily available throughout the country and in fact we recommend you use that for brushing as well. If not bottled water go for water purification tablets and purify the water before consumption.

Tipping

Tipping is an accepted norm in the Tourism Industry of the Indian Subcontinent. If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides and drivers, a tip is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, tipping inspires great service. In general you are happy with the services provided, you should tip between USD 4-5 daily to your driver and a similar amount to your local guides daily. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip.

Safety & Security

Sri Lanka is generally a safe country, however safety and security must always be kept in mind. It is suggestedto wear as little jewellery as possible and make sure your spending money is kept in a secure place close to your body. We also recommended you take taxis, rather than walk at night. Only take essentials out with you on the streets. Leave valuables (passport, credit cards, excess cash, and jewellery) in hotel safety deposit boxes where available.
It would also be advisable to make photocopies of your passport, credit card numbers, and airline tickets, and keep a record of your expenses. These documents should be kept in a safe place separate from the originals.

We recommend you exercise some extra caution, and only use transport organized either via a Trans India Holidays office, or, a reputable hotel.

Mail & Communication

International direct dial is available from most hotels but it is rather expensive. It can cost upwards of INR 200 per minute to make an international call from a Hotel. Cheap international calls can be made from local shops with an STD/PCO/ISD sign outside. Most hotels also offer internet and email services which are convenient. Internet cafes are also present in most important tourist places.

Mobile / GSM phone coverage in Sri Lanka is excellent, and your GSM phone with International roaming, will function almost throughout the country. These can be purchased at most major Airports, as well as at several city locations. For security reasons, the travellers ID is required, and hence a SIM Card cannot be arranged by us prior to your arrival.

Other Information

Should you require any other information regarding travel to Sri Lanka, feel free to email us at info@transindiaholidays.com