Sri Lanka Travel Guide and Useful InfoStart your Sri Lankan tour off on the right foot by reading through our helpful travel guide.

Dambulla Cave Temple

What vaccines do I need before visiting Sri Lanka?

You should seek medical advice from your local health practitioner before travelling to Sri Lanka and ensure that you receive all the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Typhoid are strongly recommended.

Can I drink the tap water?

Tap water is not safe to drink in Sri Lanka, so only drink bottled mineral water, which is readily available in hotels, shops and restaurants. You should also avoid salads, which may be washed in unhygienic water, and ice, which may have been made with it.

What is food like in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka offers a diverse cuisine full of spice, flavour and colour. The national dish in Sri Lanka is rice and curry, which is so popular that it's not unusual to have it for breakfast! A typical Sri Lankan meal consists of a meat, fish or vegetable curry served alongside side dishes including vegetables, chutneys and sambol. Made of ground coconut, onion, chilli, dried fish and lime, sambol is fiendishly hot. Along the coast you can find delicious seafood, including local crab, prawns and tuna. Local specialities include appa or hoppers which are small rice-batter pancakes eaten with palm treacle and yogurt. Roti stuffed with fresh chilli, onions and cooked eggs, griddled meats or fish are also popular. Kotu roti is chopped roti with onions, vegetables and meat.

Sri Lanka grows some of the finest tea in the world for export. Your best chance for a good cuppa is in the hill country, where tea plantations and hotels serve the pick of the locally harvested crop.

Food safety

The food hygiene standards in Sri Lanka might be different to what you are used to back home so be sure to take care when eating out, especially when it comes to meat and fish, which should be thoroughly cooked through. Avoid anything that might have come into contact with water and anything that looks old or left outside for a long time.

What should I buy in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka is excellent for gemstones especially sapphires, moon-stones and cats-eye. Other items to look out for include spices, wood carvings and other handicrafts like batik and hand-woven textiles, brassware, handmade lace from Galle and of course tea. Tea varies in quality, so if you’re buying in bulk, ask for a tasting. If seeking modern local chic, Colombo offers a selection of department stores and stylish boutiques. Refrain from buying souvenirs made of coral - which contributes to the destruction of Sri Lanka’s reefs, ivory or the hides of animals which may have been obtained illegally and are also illegal to export.

Is haggling customary?

Haggling is very much part of everyday life in Sri Lanka and there are very few shops that will have “fixed” prices. Markets, taxis and tuk tuks, hotels and food stalls can all be haggled but it is important to understand when no means no and not to be pushy about prices. If you feel you are being ripped off and a seller refuses to budge on the price then simply walk away. At the same time remember that an extra dollar or two means much more to a Sri Lankan street seller than to a Western holiday-maker.

Auto rickshaw

Motorised three-wheel rickshaws are available for hire throughout the country. Whilst fun to ride as the rickshaw drivers weave their way through oncoming traffic, the fare for an auto rickshaw ride when compared to that of a cab ride will usually always be more expensive; however, the ride will be fast, efficient and usually a lot of fun! Always negotiate the price you want to pay before setting off. Offering around 50% of the asking price is the general rule of thumb, though you’ll always pay more than the going rate for a local! On our Signature group tours, you'll experience a tuk-tuk ride around Kandy, which is quite the amazing experience.

Is Sri Lanka safe for female travellers

Most women will find that the people of Sri Lanka are warm, welcoming, friendly and helpful and will have very few problems. However, there have been cases of women being harassed, or worse, when walking around alone late at night. If you find yourself alone at night, take a taxi back to somewhere with a crowd rather than walking. Women should also dress conservatively if they want to avoid being stared at or receiving any unwanted attention. This is essential if you want to visit temples as women who are not covered up will not be permitted to enter.

Is Sri Lanka family friendly?

Sri Lanka is definitely a family-friendly destination offering a mix of cultural, natural, and recreational experiences suitable for all ages. The country boasts beautiful beaches with calm waters, ideal for children to play safely. Families can also explore national parks like Yala or Udawalawe, where kids can marvel at elephants, leopards, and other wildlife on safari tours. The vibrant cities of Colombo and Kandy provide educational opportunities with museums, temples, and traditional performances that families can enjoy. Sri Lanka’s rich culture and history, including ancient sites like Sigiriya and the Dambulla Cave Temples, captivate young and adult minds alike. The island's cuisine is also family-friendly, with mild and flavourful dishes that cater to younger palates. Moreover, Sri Lankans are known for their warmth and hospitality, often showing a genuine affection for children.

Is tipping customary?

Tipping is generally expected in Sri Lanka but how much you leave depends very much on the context. Restaurants will usually expect around 10% on top of the bill, regardless of what taxes and charges have been added on. If you have hired a private driver or tour guide for the day then a tip of around USD $5-10 per day is a good way of showing your appreciation if their service has been up to scratch. Taxi and tuk tuk drivers won’t be expecting a tip but rounding up the fare of leaving some small change certainly won’t do any harm.

How much do things cost in Sri Lanka?

While not as cheap as neighbouring India, Sri Lanka is still inexpensive when it comes to travelling. Lunch can be as little as USD $3-5 and dinner won’t be more than USD $10 for a decent meal. Beer is usually around USD $2 for a large bottle. Hiring a private driver for the day will come to about USD $50 whereas public transport is a matter of a few dollars for rides that can take as long as 8 hours.

What is the currency used in Sri Lanka?

The currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR).

LKR can be purchased in advance of your arrival and major currencies can be exchanged locally. There are ATMs in Colombo and Kandy and some accept foreign-issued cards. Credit cards are widely accepted for purchases. Visa and Mastercard withdrawals can be performed at banks.

What is the duty free allowance in Sri Lanka?

Travellers are permitted to bring the following into Sri Lanka:

• Two bottles of wine and 1.5 litres of spirits

What plugs are used in Sri Lanka?

Standard voltage is 230-240 volts; 50Hz AC. Sri Lanka uses plug types D and G. Primary sockets are similar but not identical to European plugs. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. You will need a voltage converter and plug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances.

Is WiFi readily available?

WiFi can usually be found in most hotels, restaurants and cafes in Sri Lanka although the speed and security of the connections can vary dramatically. Internet cafes can also be found throughout the country.

What time zone is Sri Lanka in?

Sri Lanka runs on Indian Standard Time (IST). They also do not observe Daylight Saving.