Sri Lanka does not carry the term the Pearl of the Indian Ocean without good reason. Fancy some sun and sand? Take your pick from the endless golden beaches that await you. How about some culture? Sri Lanka has some of the highest numbers of UNESCO protected heritage sights from a magnificent culture spanning over 2000 years. The small country also boasts a myriad of wildlife attractions; from the spotted leopards to elephants larger than life. The country famed for its tea and spices has long been in the grip of a civil war that ended in 2009 and is now rushing to catch up as a tourist destination akin to its neighbors India and Maldives. The majority of the local population speaks English and will go out of their way to make you feel at home. And once you’ve had Sri Lankan cuisine, peppered with the local herbs and spices, you will discover that an extension of your trip is in order.

Traveling info

Sri Lanka is a relatively accommodating country and grants visa on arrival or allows travelers to obtain short term visa via the internet prior to arrival. This policy, however, excludes certain nationals from the African continent as well as the Middle East. Travelers are therefore advised to visit the Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) website produced below and check for themselves. Tourist visas are usually granted for a period of 30 days but could be extended at the Sri Lankan Department of Immigration & Emigration. Overstaying, engaging in illegal or any other activity that does not match the parameters of a tourist is considered an offense and will result in fines or deportation. An important point to note is to carry your passport with you at all times.

Traveling hazards

Sri Lanka has an extensive road system covering all parts of the island. The major cities are usually connected by highways and the roads within them are maintained in excellent condition. The cities, however, are usually congested so prior planning and leaving well in advance is advised. The major modes of transport are via public buses and private vehicles such as cars and Trishaws (Tuk Tuk) which function as taxis. Uber is also available should they be required. Another mode of transport that is famous within the island is the train. The costs of traveling in trains are minuscule and quite an experience as the trains are rather old. Travelers are however warned to travel smart and not engage in any risky behavior such as leaning or hanging off train rails. Travel by air is also possible, but be advised that these would be private charter flights and would have you incurring a hefty cost.

Environmental hazards

Sri Lanka is a tropical country and is affected by monsoonal weather changes. The monsoon rains from May to September affect the west and southwestern coasts whilst the east coast and northern region receive rain between October and February. With the heavy monsoons, rains, floods, and landslides are expected. The weather in the rest of the year in Sri Lanka is fairly sunny with average temperatures hovering around 25-30 C. Sri Lanka boasts a thriving wildlife and animal attacks are very rare. Precautions, however, must be taken when visiting elephants or other animals capable of harm. Travelers are also warned to stay off the sea when there are high tides and to always inquire on localized dangers such as crocodiles when swimming in seas and rivers.

Health hazards

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all visitors to Sri Lanka are required to have the routine vaccinations: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and the yearly flu shot. Travelers are also advised to receive travel vaccinations such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid prior to visiting Sri Lanka in order to protect themselves from contaminated food or drinks. Those that arrive from countries with risk of yellow fever are required to provide proof of vaccination prior to entry to the country. Sri Lanka has a range of private and public hospitals with extensive medical facilities capable of handling most health issues. Travelers are however highly advised to receive comprehensive travel insurance in order to avoid costly medical bills should an emergency arise.

Crime

Reports of serious crimes against foreign nationals are rare but not absent. The most notable and frequent crimes that are committed are pickpocketing, ATM fraud, theft of personal belongings and sexual assault. Travelers are advised to avoid displays of wealth such as expensive jewelry when out in public and to keep personal belongings close to them at all times. Ensure that all tours are booked with reputed travel agencies and trusted person if traveling alone. ATM fraud is reported in the outskirts of major cities, and travelers are encouraged to use those that belong to major banks and in locations with high foot traffic such as malls. Sexual assault particularly against women are seeing an increasing rise and should be prepared for when traveling within the island. This is all the more important if the traveler is a female traveling alone or in all female groups. Such travelers are advised to keep a safe distance from drunk men in groups, particularly in the south of the island. Do not leave drinks unattended or accept drinks from individuals that you do not know or trust.

Summary

Whether you are visiting for culture, cuisine, nature or wildlife, Sri Lanka truly has it all. It is fast garnering a reputation for being one of the top holiday destinations but remains relatively untouched. Let us at Travset.com help make your trip one that is without incident with our carefully curated information on Sri Lanka, its emergency services and easy access to services such as the purchasing of a comprehensive travel medical insurance.

Sources

(Visa)
http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/sri-lanka
(Safety and crimes)
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka/safety-and-security