Travel tips help make your tour safer, more hassle-free, comfortable and happier. Here you will find the most important that will make your holiday in Sri Lanka a wonderful one indeed.

Greeting

Sinhalese traditional greeting is by saying ‘ AYUBOWAN’ Which means ‘MAY YOU LIVE LONG’ with hands clasped at chest height and bowed slightly. Some gesture accompanies the word ‘WANAKKAM’ among Tamil society.

Currency

Sri Lankan Rupee  (LKR) Rs.1/=

Currency notes in circulation are in denomination of Rs. 5000, 1000, 500,100,50,20,10

Coins Rs. 10,5,2,1 and cents 50

Banking Hours in Sri Lanka

Usually all banks are open from 0900 to 1500 hrs. Monday to Friday. But Some banks in main cities are open 365 days 1000 – 1700 hrs. In super markets , mini banking points and ATM are in most of the tourist destinations 24 hrs.

Business Hours

Post Office – 0800 – 1700 hours (Monday to Friday & Saturday Mornings)

Government office – 0900 – 1600 hours ( Monday to Friday, 0930 to 1300 hours on Saturday)                        Restaurants & Bars                          Permitted hours are 1100 – 1400 hrs and 1700 – 2300 hrs.

No alcohol is served on POYA DAY (Full Moon Day)                                                                                                    Restrictions are not apply to private clubs.

Custom Duty- Free allowances

Import on arrival- the visitor to Sri Lanka are officially request to éclair all currencies. Valuable equipment, jewelry, and gems, etc. All personal effects should be taken back on departure. Visitors are not allowed to bring in good in commercial quantities or prohibited goods such as dangerous drugs, weapons, explosive devices or gold. Drug trafficking or possession leads to severe punishments up to the death penalty. In addition to completing part II of the immigration landing card. All tourists will be required to fill in a baggage declaration form too. You are allowed to bring 1.5 lits of spirits, 2 bottles of wine, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g rolling tobacco, a small quantity of perfume and 250 ml of toilet water.

Packing essentials

Sri Lanka is tropical and climatically the island divided into 2 zones and the Sri Lanka packing list focuses on the essentials you will need for your trip without over-packing. Too many things equal too many worries, so try not to be too concerned about what the weather is like in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Packing List Essential

Waterproof phone cover

Whether you’re out in the rain or tip-toeing behind the enormous waterfalls of Sri Lanka, it’s a wise investment to get yourself a waterproof phone cover.  use a Lifeproof Waterproof Case, so never have to worry about dust, water, sand and scratching your phone. It also handles being dropped all the time. Not only do they keep your phone safe from water damage, but you’ll also be able to take photos on the move too. If you want to use your phone near water, a cheap phone pouch or case will do the job, but one of them is a definite must and this item is so high up on the Sri Lanka packing list.

A Reliable power bank

Sri Lanka can be a crazy place to get around and as a result, you’ll spend a lot of time looking at maps trying to work out the best route to your next destination. A few hours on Google Maps is a sure way to drain your phone battery, alas, a power bank is a necessity.

Lightweight Rain Jacket

A lightweight rain jacket is a very handy addition to your adventure backpack. For the late-night moped rides, through to rain protection in torrential downpours or waterfall spray, you’ll be happy to have one of these in your bag. Sri Lanka is known for its great weather but it’s pretty common for there to be a short burst of rain each day. The rain jacket is on the Sri Lanka Packing list because you will regret not having one as you are dripping from head to toe during a downpour.

Bug Spray

Prevention is far better than finding a cure, especially in a place like Sri Lanka. The pesky tropical mosquitos love to hang around the same places you do, around palm trees, lagoons, villa pools and pretty much anywhere else you’ll find water. When you are packing for Sri Lanka you need to get yourself some mosquito repellent that has a high DEET percentage, it’ll stop you from getting bitten, scratching and potentially ending up with something nasty like dengue fever. Just remember to pack it in your checked luggage so it doesn’t get taken away at the airport.

Mini shampoo/conditioner, Toiletry Bottles (leak proof)

No one wants to be that unfortunate soul who arrives in Sri Lanka and opens their suitcase to find a shampoo explosion. It’s not the ideal way to start your trip. The best thing to do is pour your shampoo into a small leak-proof bottle so that you don’t carry more weight than you need on your trip and you are secure against the much-feared luggage explosion

Worldwide power adapter

Charging all your gear can be difficult enough in Sri Lanka, it pays to get yourself a good quality adapter that will plug into any wall without fail. If you get yourself a worldwide adapter, it will come in handy for the rest of your travels too. There’s nothing worse than traveling around Asia and having to buy a new adapter for every single country. Get a universal adapter and simplify your travels

Hiking/Water Shoes

You’re probably starting to realize there is a bit of a reoccurring theme here. Water-related adventures can be found all around Sri Lanka and so can a lot of sharp, slippery surfaces too. A great pair of water shoes will keep your feet from getting cut up on coral or any other unforgiving surface you might stumble upon.

Travel wallet/ Passport Holder

take a travel wallet with you everywhere! Inside it, keep your cash, passport, credit cards, and any other important travel documents with you. These are items you can’t afford to lose so it’s nice to have them all in one place instead of sprawled around your luggage. Worst case scenario, if your bag gets lost or stolen, by keeping this separate you’ll have the essentials to sort through any problems that arise. Often it is the only thing I put in the safe or locker at a hotel

Waterproof dry bag

You got it, another tropical essential. When you’ve seen as many people lose their phones or camera gear to water damage as have, you’ll understand why you place so much importance on a waterproof dry bag. A quality dry bag will do as it suggests by keeping your belongings air-tight even if the bag happens to become fully immersed in water during snorkeling, a boat trip or waterfall adventures.

Clothing

Keep it light: Pack athletic and casual is the answer when you are wondering what clothes to pack for Sri Lanka. It is important to respect local customs. Long sleeve and pants or shorts past the knees should be respected when heading out to temples or other sacred sites. This means you need to have something to cover your shoulders and legs above the knees.

Bathing suit and Quick-dry towel

Between the beaches and swimming holes, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to go swimming, so definitely bring your bathing suit. I’d also suggest bringing a quick-dry towel.  In addition to being your

Safety

Theft is not uncommon when you travel by train or on a crowded bus. It is essential to take much care of personal valuables when you are carrying them, and when you have to leave them anywhere. You can not regard hotel rooms are always safe. It is wise to use hotel safes for valuable items. It would be better to keep credit cards and passports with you at all times. Even after taking all the reasonable precautions, people do have valuables stolen. You can minimize this by keeping a record of valuable documents, including your passport number, credit card numbers, etc., in a separate place. If you have items stolen, it should be reported to the police without delay. Large hotels will be able to help in connecting and dealing with the police which can be difficult. The paperwork involved in reporting losses can be time consuming and irritating. Tourists should not assume that if procedures move slowly they are expected to offer a bribe. If you face a really serious problem, e.g. in case of a driving accident, you should contact your consular office as soon as possible.

In Conversation

In conversation Sri Lankans can be quite personal. This simply reflects the emphasis Sri Lankans   place on family life.

Photography

Photography at most tourist sites is prohibited except without permission. A photography fee will be charged.

Women

With compared with many other countries, it is relatively easy and safe for women to travel arround Sri Lanka, even on their own. There are some problems to watch out for and some simple precautions to take so that possible personal harassments and giving offence can be avoided. Moderst for women is always advisable. Loose-fitting, non-see- through cloths, covering the shoulders, and skirts, dress or shorts.( at least knee length)

Homosexuality

Homosexuality is prohibited and illegal in Sri Lanka. Any sexual activity against the order of nature and any act of gross indecency shall be guilty of an offence and subject to imprisonment up to 15 years according to Sri Lanka’s penal code. Therefore, it would be prudent not to commit such sexual acts.

Hands & Eating

Use your right hand for giving, taking, eating or shaking hands as the left hand is considered to be unclean. Do not shake hands with a Buddhist Monk or Hindu swami. Greet them with your hands clasped together as if prayer and raising them to your forehead bending slightly forward. when handing objects to another person, using hand or both hands would be appreciated by the receiver.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in public places to observe non-smoking rules.

Visiting the place of worship

Visitors to Buddhist and Hindu temples are welcomed through the shrines of Hindu temples are sometimes closed for non-Hindus. However, visitors to any place of worship in Sri Lanka are expected to be decently. It is best to visit places of worship early in the day and to take thick shocks for protection against the hot stone floor. Do not attempt to shake hands or be photographed with Buddhist monks or to pose for photos with statues of the Buddha or other dating and painting. Visitors may offer flowers at the feet of the Buddha statues. Mosques may be closed to non- Muslims shortly before prayers.

Time Difference

Sri Lanka standard time is five and a half hours ahead of GMT. (Allowance should be made for summertime changes in Europe.)

Electricity

230. 240 volts, 50 cycles AC. If you travel with a laptop computer bring a stabilizer.

Language

Sri Lanka has two official languages. Sinhala and Tamil- with English as a link language. Most people have some knowledge of English, and the signboard is often in English.

Driving Permit

Foreigners intending to drive in Sri Lanka are required to obtain a recognition permit which is valid only for one year. This is a simple process. Just call the automobile Association of Sri Lanka at 40, Sir M.M.Markar Mawatha, Galle Face, Colombo – 03.

Tel. 0112421538. open 0800 – 1600 hrs. Monday to Friday. If you do not have an International Driving permit but do have your country license, you must apply for a temporary Sri Lankan Driving license from the Registrar of motor vehicles, Department of motor traffic at Werahara. Fee will be Rs. 2500/- VAT per month. Rates may change.

What to wear

In Sri Lanka’s heat, the most practical and comfortable clothing is loose-fitting, light cotton wear. This is applicable to most parts of the country as the weather is hot and humid. However, the Hill Country is similar to spring with the temperature becoming colder in the night. In general, travelers should stick to casual wear which gives you more freedom while you explore the country. Topless sunbathing is officially illegal for women in public places. The use of bikinis is generally considered acceptable while on the beach, rivers or lakes.