Sri Lanka FAQS'

YES, a VISA is required to enter Sri Lanka. Please refer to the offical Sri Lanka Government Visa. The price is presently USD50 plus any fees charged by service provider.

Visitor Visa is valid for 30 days can be done on line and it should take approx 24 - 28 hours and returned to you. Ensure you put the correct Passport details.

Address: for the visa : You will be requested to advise the Address of where you will stay in Sri Lanka. This can be your Hotel address on your first night stay. you can look this up online or ask your Travel Consultant.

If you wish to extend your Visa, you can do this only once you are in Sri Lanka online for an additional fee.

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT VISA Link

Arrival Card: When you received your electronic Visa there will be a link to complete you pre arrival card electronically. If for some reason this is not working, you can also get a paper card on arrival and ensure you complete before Passport Control.

Please refer to the link above regarding Visa requirements for all country.

Sri Lanka Visa is the responsibility of the traveller and paid via the traveler direct when lodged.

Travelling with Sri Lanka Escapes : We will accept travellers up to the age of 75 years of age.

Sri Lanka is a Humid Country and it most days it will be 30oC. and a very humid country.

Level of Fitness: We do suggest a medium level of fitness, steady on your feet and legs.

Sri Lanka is a country that does not have flat surfaces or footpaths. If you are travelling in Sri lanka visiting villages and the towns you will be required to walk on the roads only as there is no paths for people. When Visiting sights and view points, you will also be required to walk on uneven walkway, surfaces, natural paths, dirt roads, natural rock steps and there are no railings to hold to assist you.

For travellers between 70 - 75 years we do ask you obtain a letter from your doctor to confirm your level of fitness, able to cope with the humidity and heat and steady on your feet.

Sri Lanka Escapes takes full care, but will not take responsibility for anything unforeseen. All travellers are required to have full medical and travel insurance when travelling with Sri Lanka Escapes. Please forward a copy of your insurance policy prior to travel and letter from your Doctor confirming your level of fitness and you are fit to travel.

• Cotton clothes, shorts, tshirts, polo shirt, singlet, sleeveless dress, short sleeve dress, dress shorts, short skirts and bring a scarf to wear over shoulders when visiting Temples and men must cover their knees when entering Temples

• All the above is useful at any time of the year. you will need light sweater/cardigan when in the North in the hills and waterproof clothing jacket and or a fold up umbrella.

• Modest dress for women is advisable especially off the beach and when visiting religious sites.

• Pack comfortable walking shoes, sandals. flip flops and runners/trainers and bring cotton socks (to protect your feet from the hot ground when you remove your shoes to visit temples)

• Pack mosquito repellent (for skin and clothes), hat/cap, sunglasses, swimwear, binoculars for wildlife safari, reusable water bottle (to limit the usage of plastic bottles),

• Suggest to bring an old phone to use with a local SIM card or use the one you have is also ok.

• Pack a small First aid kit, Electrolytes, Vitamins, Tea Tree oil, band aids, Panadol, Stop itch, Bushman repellant, Sun screen 50+ and any prescription medication (there are many pharmacies in Sri Lanka if you need something).

The local currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee. Currency notes are Rs.5,000, Rs2,000, Rs1,000, Rs500, Rs100, Rs50

Please ensure you have plenty of lower denomination notes ( Rs100, Rs500, Rs1000 ), especially when travelling as this is for Tipping as Sri Lanka is predominate country that Tipping is required for all services.

During your trip you stop and may buy small items, fruits, and Lunches, street food snacks and Sri Lanka is a Cash Country and Smaller change is often hard to come by apart from at hotels and big shops.

We suggest to help you budget base it on approximate AUD40 , USD40 - Euro40 per day per person which will cover tips, entrances, Unesco entrances, market shopping, lunch stops, drinks, wine, beer, souvenirs and lunches.

We suggest you bring Cash with you and exchange $500-800 to use during your trip at the Colombo Airport Currency exchange counter and request this in small denominations as its mainly used for tipping. Ask the teller to change 50% into 100s, 200s, 500s 1000s balance in 2000s, 5000s notes.

Bring a zip like pencil case or envelop/ plastic bag to hold this

Please do not depend on Banks are not a great option, lines will be over 1 hour long with locals. ATMS are available around island using international credit cards or debit cards also not as reliable.

Travel cards are also an issue at ATMS with minimum amount withdrawal.

We Suggest to bring Cash, so you are not restricted with having no funds while in Sri lanka as it has happened to past travellers and its disheartening and time consuming to find somewhere to secure money.

Most hotels, restaurants and shopping centres accept credit cards. Some establishments may try to add a surcharge, which is illegal.

We highly suggest to please remember to Sanitise hands after handling all the notes - pack this in your handbag as you handle notes regularly and we want to stay safe.

Sri Lanka Escapes as a quick guide for Tipping - this will be sent with your final itinerary prior to your trip.

Sri Lanka Standard Time is five and a half hours ahead of GMT. (Allowance should be made for summer-time changes in Australia and Europe.)

Tipping is predominant in Sri Lanka and important and it is expected to please tip everyone for services they assist you with through the tour. At the end of the tour, you will realise the amount is minimal, its only because the currency is so low it seems high to the average tourist.

With wages being low in comparison to Western standards, a tip can go a long way and this is reflected in the high level of service that is usually carried out.

As a general rule we recommend tipping the following per person: Private Chauffeur driver for your trip $20 per day for 1 or 2 travellers, if a private group of more then 2 travellers then base tip at $10 per person per day, this is best given at the end of the trip x days in your own Local Currency - AUD/USD/EURO.

We will also send you a quick and each tipping reference guide in local Rupee currency with your final itinerary and paperwork prior to your departure. We have also converted this for you into the local currency conversion to keep it simple and easy for you while on tour.

Hotel Porter $5, Village Tour $5, Bullock/Tractor Driver $2, Boat Guide $5, Safari 4 x 4 jeep driver/tracker $15 couple/single

Cooking Demonstration ladies $5, Massage $5, Spice Garden Guide $5, Tea Plantation Guide $5, Turtle Hatchery Guide $5, Airport Porter $5, Restaurants 5% of total bill. Tuk Tuk Drivers - always negotiate prior to accepting ride.

For Sri Lanka there are two associated plug types, types D and G. Plug type D is the plug which has three round pins in a triangular pattern European and plug type G British Convertor is the plug which has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Sri Lanka operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

We recommend you check your appliances before embarking on your journey, to understand the requirements in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has two official languages . Sinhala and Tamil - with English as a link language. Most people have some knowledge of English, and signboards are often in English. English is recognised as a “link” language in the constitution. Today, the three languages are taught at the primary level.

While there are no mandatory vaccines, we recommend you be up to date on universal DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-polio) vaccines.

Consult with your doctor regarding vaccination against tropical diseases at least 3 months before your arrival. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for those travelling from countries at risk for this disease.

Seventy five percent of the total population is Sinhalese, mainly Buddhist, sixteen percent is Tamil and mainly Hindu, and the rest of the population is made up of Muslims and Christians. There are communities of Burghers who are the descendants of the first Dutch and Portuguese settlers, and ethnic minorities such as Sri Lanka's indigenous people, the Veddas.

Religion is an integral part of life for the people of Sri Lanka and it is important to know a few things so as not to accidentally disrespect them when visiting religious sites. Choose outfits that cover your shoulders and knees; take your shoes off at the entrance (hint- wear flip-flops to make it easy) don't turn your back on Buddha; don't take selfies in the temple.

If you want to eat with your hands as the locals do, use only your right hand because the left hand is considered impure (especially for Muslims and Hindus).

Local TIPS

• Suggest to bring a reusable insulated Drink bottle to refill with cold water daily and pack it with you.

• Wine/Spirits: suggest to purchase this duty free screw top on arrival, optional of course. There are bottle shops available in Sri Lanka with most wine is imported from Chile, France, Italy, and Spirits available. These Wine shops are very limited with a very limited range of wine - price approx 20-25 per bottle.

• Suggest to bring your own bottle cork screw opener as they are not readily available, suggest to purchase screw top wine.

• Public Holidays: all bottle shops and bars are closed on a Public holidays including some of the large 4/5 star hotels in Sri Lanka if a public holiday occurs while you are there.

• You are not permitted to BYO wine if you are dining in the hotels or in a local restaurant

Sri Lanka is a humid country, weather is around 30oC daily.

We can only accept travellers who are under 75 years of age on all Sri Lanka Escapes itineraries and able to also cope with humidity and heat.

We do request for all travellers who are between the ages of 70 - 75 years to obtain a signed letter from your doctor to confirm you are fit to travel and you as the traveller is also prepared to take all responsibility.

Travel Insurance in compulsory for anything unforeseen while travelling. We will also need to sight a copy or travel Insurance.

Sri Lanka is third world country. The main concern is when travellers are sightseeing and walking to visit all sights, there is no flat surfaces or footpaths in Sri lanka. It is only by way of walking on busy roads, hiking uneven surfaces up and down many natural steps with no railings to viewpoints, waterfalls and tourist attractions. If you are unsteady on your feet, knees, legs, hips we do not recommend travelling to Sri Lanka as Sri Lanka Escapes is unable to take responsibility for your safety and wellbeing during the trip.

Fitness Level to Travel - we do suggest Medium Fitness, Confident and able to walk confidently on uneven dusty tracks/pathways and be very sturdy on your legs and feet. Keep in mind the humidity is very warm, travellers may also find this difficult to deal with at any age group.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept travellers who are over 75 years of age.