Travel Tips

Accommodation

Sri Lanka has a variety of guest houses, apartments and star class hotels and resorts that cater to most needs. The high end hotels and resorts generally quote room rates in US dollars, Colombo has a number of five star hotels located in the heart of the city, and in close proximity to the business district and shopping malls.

Airports

The Bandaranaike international Airport (BIA) is located 30 Kilometers north of the commercial capital Colombo. BIA has all the facilities a traveler would expect to find at an international airport including duty-free shops, cafes, money changing facilities, and hotel and car-hire desks,

Sri Lanka’s Second international airport (the MattalaRajapaksa International Airport)is located in the south of the islandin close proximity to the port city of Hambantota.

ATMs and credit cards

Most banks have ATMs located in and around Colombo, and also in the outstations, Major international credit cards such as Visa, American express and MasterCard widely accepted in Sri Lanka.

Banking

Banks are generally open from 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM on weekdays, and some for longer.

Business Hours

The working week in Sri Lanka is generally Monday to Friday with offices operating in the main between 9.00 AM and 5.00 PM.

Healthcare

Colombo is home to many hospitals with modern facilitated and expert care. Likewise, there are many pharmacies dotted around the city with some open round the clock.

Languages

English is widely spoken in Colombo with Sinhala and Tamil being the other common languages.

Taxies

Sri Lanka Tourism Hub is running air conditioned vehicles 24/7 whereasthe cheaper means of transport is to travel in a mini cab although the ridecomfortable as an exclusive travelling cab.

Visas

Tourists’ visas are granted on arrival for citizens of some countries, whilst others must apply for one in advance. Check with the Sri Lankan Embassy or high commission in your country or go to www.immigration.gov.lk for more information. For information regarding extensions of visas, call the department of immigration and emigration on +94 11 5329000 between 9.00 AM and 4.30 PM on weekdays.

Weather

Sri Lanka is a tropical island with dry and wet seasons – the latter with monsoon conditions between May – August in the south and west, and between October and January in the north and east. The average monthly rainfall for the island as a whole is 210 MM, whilst temperatures range from a mean low of 26c and high of 30C.