22 essential tips for traveling to Sri Lanka

Nestled in the tropical waters off India’s southern coast, Sri Lanka is characterized by its serene Buddhist culture, welcoming locals, and a relaxed lifestyle, all despite its tumultuous past.

Understanding a bit about this Indian Ocean gem can significantly enhance your experience. Although small, Sri Lanka boasts remarkable diversity, with surf-lashed beaches leading to lush national parks, sacred temples, and jungle-clad highlands, ensuring that you’re never too far from a beach.

While most travelers begin their journey along the coast before venturing into tea plantations, ancient sites, and wildlife parks, navigating Sri Lanka's lively public transport and cultural nuances can be a challenge for newcomers. Here are key insights to make your trip smoother.

1. Secure your visa ahead of time

First, verify the current visa regulations for Sri Lanka. Most travelers will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arriving, but fortunately, acquiring one is a straightforward process.

2. Review your travel vaccinations

Given Sri Lanka's tropical climate, consult your physician to ensure your vaccinations are current. Suggested immunizations for Sri Lanka include diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and polio. Those staying longer might also want to consider vaccinations for typhoid and rabies (though rare, rabies can be deadly and is transmitted by dogs, cats, and monkeys in Sri Lanka).

3. Time your visit according to the monsoon seasons

From May to September, the southwest monsoon brings heavy rains and rough seas to the southern and western coasts, while the northern and eastern regions enjoy dry weather. Conversely, from November to March, the northeast monsoon affects the northern and eastern areas, leaving the south and west in prime condition for visitors.

Monsoon rains in Sri Lanka tend to be unpredictable – anticipate brief, intense downpours followed by extended periods of warm sunshine. Visiting various regions during their off-peak rainy seasons can be beneficial, as tourist numbers decrease and hotel prices are considerably lower.

4. Alcohol is unavailable on full moon days and during religious celebrations

Sri Lanka observes many public holidays, with nearly half being poya days that coincide with the full moon, a significant occasion in Sri Lankan Buddhism. On these poya days, the sale of alcohol is prohibited in stores, restaurants, and bars (though hotel minibars remain accessible). This restriction also applies during other religious festivities, such as the Vesak festival in May.

5. Bring cash: the currency used is the Sri Lankan rupee

Obtain rupees upon your arrival in Sri Lanka (not beforehand), and only exchange what you truly need. Sri Lankan rupees are difficult to exchange outside the country. ATMs are widely available; it's best to use Bank of Ceylon ATMs as they don't impose withdrawal fees. Most larger hotels, restaurants, and tourist shops accept card payments.

Whenever possible, try to accumulate smaller denomination notes (for instance, withdraw LKR5900 instead of LKR6000). You'll find small bills necessary for tuk-tuk rides, purchases at local shops and markets, and for tipping. Having some cash in dollars, euros, or pounds can also be helpful, as these are generally accepted in tourist areas.

6. Set realistic expectations for travel distances

Traveling around Sri Lanka can be surprisingly time-consuming due to winding roads and the limited number of routes through the island's interior. Traffic must contend with various hazards, including poorly maintained roads and wandering wildlife such as buffaloes, cows, feral dogs, and even elephants. To truly appreciate Sri Lanka, take your time; a month is a good estimate for a complete circuit of the island with visits to national parks, ancient cities, and tea plantations.

Thanks to the expanding expressway system in Sri Lanka, travel by road from Colombo to southern destinations like Galle, Matara, and Tangalla is relatively quick. However, navigating the winding and congested roads of the Hill Country can be quite time-consuming, so consider using trains for exploration instead.

7. Choose the right clothing for Sri Lanka’s hills and sacred sites

Sri Lanka’s mountains soar over 2,000m (6,560ft), leading to cooler temperatures in the highlands compared to the coast. Bring a light sweater for chilly nights and early mornings, especially from December to March. A sarong is also essential; it can serve as a beach blanket or towel, a wrap for your shoulders or knees when visiting temples, and an extra layer for air-conditioned buses or pre-dawn safari jeep rides.

When visiting religious sites, dress in clothing that covers your legs, arms, and shoulders. Be sure to remove shoes and headwear before entering any Buddhist, Hindu, or mosque, even at historic ruins. Socks are permitted and can be helpful on hot sunny days.

Tourists are less frequent in Jaffna and the northern regions, where a unique Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu culture thrives. When visiting Hindu temples, be mindful of local customs—ask for permission before entering, as some shrines restrict access to non-Hindus. Additionally, certain temples, like Jaffna’s expansive Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, require men to enter bare-chested.

8. Prepare in advance for hill country train journeys

Sri Lanka Railways operates the country’s trains, including those on the breathtaking Main Line that travels east from Colombo through the highest mountains, cloud forests, and tea plantations. This journey is renowned among both tourists and locals, especially the segment between Kandy and Ella.

Secure air-conditioned first-class or fan-cooled second-class tickets well in advance to ensure a seat, available either at stations or online through platforms like 12GoAsia. Tickets are released 10 days prior and tend to sell out quickly.

9. Swimwear is meant for the beach only

Generally, Sri Lankans are quite socially conservative and deeply religious. While swimwear is acceptable at the beach, it is not appropriate for walking around town. Nude or topless sunbathing is prohibited on all Sri Lankan beaches.

10. Refrain from public displays of affection and disruptive behavior

Public displays of affection are generally disapproved of, along with loud or disruptive behavior and losing your temper in public settings. Keep this in mind during negotiations; haggling should always remain a calm process.

11. Show reverence for Buddha images

Sri Lankan Buddhists hold images of the Buddha in high regard, so they must always be treated with the utmost respect. Visitors have faced deportation for showing 'disrespectful' representations of the Buddha, so it's best to avoid wearing clothing featuring Buddha images, and if you have tattoos of Buddhist symbols, ensure they remain covered. The same guidelines apply to statues – taking selfies with a Buddha statue is strictly forbidden, as is turning your back on any Buddha image.

12. Be mindful when taking photographs

Always ask for permission before photographing individuals. If you wish to capture the iconic stilt fishers at Koggala, be prepared to pay them, as genuine stilt fishers are becoming increasingly rare. Flash photography is prohibited in temples (as well as near military installations), and some Hindu sites may completely forbid photography. When photographing temples, ensure that you do not position yourself with your back toward a Buddha statue while taking pictures.

13. Use your right hand when eating

In Sri Lankan culture, meals are traditionally enjoyed using the right hand, where the tips of the fingers are used to mix rice and curry into small balls, while the thumb helps guide the food to the mouth. If you're invited to a local home for a meal, you might be encouraged to join in, but be sure to wash your hands first. It's considered impolite to eat or shake hands with the left hand, as it is associated with less sanitary practices such as personal hygiene.

14. Tipping is a common practice

In Sri Lanka, tipping is deeply ingrained in the culture, with many restaurant staff relying on these additional earnings. Most larger hotels and restaurants include a standard 10% tip; you can use this as a guideline for tipping in establishments that don’t have a set service charge.

15. Respect wildlife's space

In 2017, a British journalist tragically lost his life after being attacked by a crocodile in a lagoon near Arugam Bay. While such incidents are uncommon, they can occur, so always remain cautious around rivers and lagoons. Although dangerous sharks are not an issue in Sri Lanka, poisonous snakes can be found in marshy areas like paddy fields.

Stay alert for elephants while traveling on roads leading to national parks in the hills. If you encounter one, maintain a safe distance and be prepared to retreat. Never feed wild elephants, as this can lead them to associate humans with food, potentially resulting in aggressive behavior.

16. Adhere to basic safety precautions

Sri Lanka ranks among the safest countries in Asia regarding petty crime. Violence against tourists is extremely rare, and while thefts can occur, they are infrequent. To stay secure, consider using a money belt and keep valuables in your hotel safe.

Female travelers should refrain from solo night journeys, especially on public transport, and exercise caution when walking alone on secluded beaches. Dressing in long sleeves and dresses aligns with Sri Lanka’s conservative culture and can help minimize unwanted attention.

17. Avoid drinking tap water

While theoretically safe for brushing teeth, Sri Lanka's tap water is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is widely available, and better hotels offer clean drinking options for guests. When purchasing bottled water, ensure the seal is intact and look for the Sri Lankan standards certification mark. Always dispose of empty bottles properly—refilling your own water bottle from larger containers is preferable to buying numerous small plastic bottles.

18. Be cautious of scams and pickpockets

Scammers are prevalent in Galle Fort, Kandy, and Colombo’s Galle Face Green. Avoid purchasing gems from street vendors, as they are likely to be convincing imitations made of colored glass. Be skeptical of shops selling gems with claims of making a profit back home. For reliable information, consult official tourist offices or operators directly instead of trusting unsolicited agents.

Keep your cash and valuables hidden when traveling on crowded trains and buses, or in bustling areas like Colombo’s Pettah market district. Tuk-tuk drivers often overcharge tourists—always ask them to use the meter (and opt for another tuk-tuk if they refuse), or use Uber or the local app, PickMe, for a fairer rate.

19. Shield yourself from mosquitoes

Mosquito bites pose a significant health risk in Sri Lanka. While malaria is no longer a concern, mosquitoes can transmit dengue fever, a painful illness with potentially severe consequences. There are no vaccines for dengue, and treatment only alleviates symptoms. To protect yourself, wear long sleeves during dawn and dusk, sleep under a mosquito net, and use a strong repellent with high levels of DEET (diethyltoluamide).

20. Stay safe on the roads in Sri Lanka

Traffic poses one of the greatest hazards for visitors in Sri Lanka. Accidents involving motorcycles and trucks are frequent, and bus collisions—often involving pedestrians—are a serious issue. Key factors contributing to these accidents include reckless overtaking, overloading, and sudden stops to pick up passengers along the roadside.

Drivers of private bus companies tend to exhibit more reckless behavior compared to those operating government-run SLTB buses. Don’t rely on vehicles stopping at pedestrian crossings, and always be cautious when walking near any roads, as sidewalks are quite rare in Sri Lanka.

21. Always respect the ocean's power

Sri Lanka's beaches may seem perfect, but they often lack lifeguards, and strong currents can pose a serious threat, especially during monsoon seasons. Many beaches have steep drop-offs, and drowning is the second leading cause of death for tourists, following road accidents. Always seek local guidance before swimming in unfamiliar waters.

22. Be aware of natural disaster risks

Sri Lanka was severely impacted by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which resulted in over 35,000 fatalities and caused widespread destruction in coastal regions. Although early warning systems have been established in major towns and tourist areas since then, rural and isolated regions may not have such alerts, so remain vigilant for signs of earthquakes and tsunamis.

Localized flooding during the southwest and northeast monsoons is the most frequent natural disaster in Sri Lanka, often leading to landslides in the highlands. The country is also susceptible to tropical cyclones and droughts. For the latest weather alerts and updates, be sure to bookmark the website of the country’s Disaster Management Center.