Travel Advice: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the safest countries in the region, but learning a little about the local culture and travel requirements before you arrive will help to ensure you enjoy a trouble-free holiday.

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Before entering Sri Lanka, British citizens must apply for an online visa, which is normally valid for 30 days. Your Travel Butler or the Sri Lankan Embassy can help if you have any questions about visas.

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No special vaccinations are required when visiting Sri Lanka, but it's recommended that travellers are up-to-date with vaccinations for hepatitis A and B and tetanus, as well as typhus if you will be travelling outside of tourist areas.

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Sri Lanka's tropical climate means temperatures are mainly warm with a chance of rain at any time of year. You can avoid the worst of the wet weather by planning your trip around the two annual monsoon seasons, which are May to August in the south-west of the country and October to January in the north and on the east coast. The island's west and south coasts experience the least rainfall between December and March. If you're hoping to see some local culture during your visit, the calendar offers plenty of festivals to choose from. One of the most significant is the 10-day Esala Perahera festival in July and August that sees the city of Kandy explode with colourful costumes and dance performances.

For more advice and itinerary ideas, see our Sri Lanka holidays. 

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The official currency is the Sri Lankan rupee.

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Most modern hotels and buildings use type G plugs similar to the UK, but many older buildings use type D plugs, with 230 volts. We recommending bringing a power adaptor to be sure that your British electronics will work in Sri Lanka.

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Travel insurance is always recommended as a security measure if anything unexpected happens during your trip. Your expert can arrange the right travel insurance coverage for you.  

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Most of Sri Lanka is hot and humid, making light summer clothing ideal for your trip. When visiting highland areas though, we recommend bringing warmer layers just in case. Swimsuits are fine on major tourist beaches, but shoulders should be covered to show respect in more local areas. The following are some other essentials to pack:

• Passport
• Power adaptor
• Hat, sunglasses and sun cream
• Swimsuit
• Flip flops
• Hiking boots or good walking shoes
• Sarong

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