FAQ

Visa Requirements

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.

For more information please visit http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

British citizens must have a valid passport for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry in Sri Lanka, and are also required to have a visa. You can apply for a tourist visa online at http://www.eta.gov.lk. If you need assistance applying for your visa, we recommend the Travel Visa Company.

Health & Safety (Most information up to date as per Sri Lanka Health Promotion Bureau and United States Center for dieses control)

  1. What are the vaccines needed to travel to Sri Lanka
    1. The only vaccine required by international regulations is yellow fever. Proof of vaccination will only be required if, in the six days before entering Sri Lanka, you have visited a country in the yellow-fever zone.
    2. The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that travellers to Sri Lanka consider the following vaccinations (as well as being up to date with measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations):
    3. Adult diphtheria and tetanus Single booster recommended if none in the previous 10 years.
    4. Hepatitis A Provides almost 100% protection for up to a year.
    5. Hepatitis B Now considered routine for most travellers.
    6. Japanese encephalitis Recommended for rural travel, people who will be doing outdoor activities or for anyone staying longer than 30 days.
    7. Polio Incidence has been unreported in Sri Lanka for several years but must be assumed to be present.
    8. Rabies Three injections in all. A booster after one year will then provide 10 years’ protection.
    9. Typhoid Recommended for all travellers to Sri Lanka, even if you only visit urban areas.
    10. Varicella If you haven’t had chickenpox, discuss this vaccination with your doctor.
  2. Health Insurance
    1. Even if you’re fit and healthy, don’t travel without health insurance: accidents do happen. A travel or health insurance policy is essential. You may require extra cover for adventure activities, such as scuba diving. If your normal health insurance doesn’t cover you for medical expenses abroad, get extra insurance. If you’re uninsured, emergency evacuation is expensive, and bills of more than US$100,000 are not uncommon.

Getting Around

If travelling by train is your fancy then you’ll be happy to know Most of Sri lanka is connected by a very comprehensive rail system and the trains are the relatively cheaper method of getting around. You can reserve seats for upto 30 days in advance and these coaches are less crowded than the others and you are guaranteed a seat.

There are taxi booking apps such as UBER and PickMe which are available in most urban towns but you might want to check availability in the eastern province before you plan a whole trip around a taxi booking app.

Three wheelers or TukTuk’s available in most part of the country and by law they have to have meters fixed. But if they don’t make sure you agree on a price before you make the trip. Always carry change and make sure you don’t carry large sums of money with you when travelling (as you would in any other country)

In the eastern province renting a scooter or three wheelers are the best option. There are many scooty renting places and you can check them out online before you come. If you want to drive as a tourist in Sri Lanka, you will need a local temporary driving permit. You can get it easily in 1-2 hours. There is a lot of information available on the internet and companies willing to assist you with this, in exchange for a fee