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Tipping in restaurants is not necessary as they charge a service charge that is usually shared by the staff, For hotels, for example, when handling luggage, you can give about 100 LKR, however, it is not a requirement but it is common, as a proof that you appreciate the service. However, be careful not to give too much as a daily wage is about 1500-2000 LKR. Drivers who drive tours usually give 100 SEK / day (10 USD) from the whole group at the end of the trip, provided that you are satisfied with the service and driving.
Electrical outlets in Sri Lanka are 220V. We strongly recommend bringing an adapter as the most common are British sockets (both flat and round). Often this can be borrowed from the hotels, but it cannot be guaranteed.
Sri Lanka has a tropical monsoon climate with the southwest monsoon blowing in the southern and western parts May - August and the northwest monsoon in the northern and eastern parts October - January. The average temperature is around 25 degrees, with daytime temperatures reaching 28-30 degrees. However, some central parts of the country, up in the mountains, are a little cooler - around 15-20 degrees. Sri Lanka can be visited all year round as there is always a good climate somewhere on the island, but the best time is during spring - winter (November - March) for the west coast and April - September for the east coast.
On your trip, comfortable shoes are a must as you will be doing a lot of walking. Don't forget swimwear (skinny dipping is not allowed in Sri Lanka) and a hat or cap to protect you from the sun. The sun also gets under the umbrella so use sun protection factor 30-50. However, most of our tours go up towards Nuwara Eliya where it is colder, so additional warm clothes including a thin rain jacket can be useful as many houses do not have good insulation.
Formal dress is rarely required, but when visiting temples they like you to wear white/light clothing. However, shoulders and knees must be covered so tank tops or shorts do not work.
The vast majority speak either Sinhala or Tamil, but many also speak good English. All our guides speak both Sinhala and English, and often Tamil as well, so they can interpret for you if necessary.
The crime that occurs today is mainly attempted fraud, theft, and especially pickpocketing. Therefore, get into the habit of storing valuables safely, preferably in hotel lockers. Pay attention in crowded places. Do not keep your wallet in your back pocket and avoid displaying too much money. Don't hang your handbag over the back of a chair in a restaurant or hotel canteen and don't leave it unattended. Remember to check that you have valid travel insurance (usually included in your home insurance). Passports should be brought as identification may need to be presented.When traveling with eg tuk tuk make the price before you start the trip as there is a risk that they will otherwise charge a different price.
When traveling with eg tuk tuk make the price before you start the trip as there is a risk that they will otherwise charge a different price.Pickme and uber etc. have transport services in apps that work well in the Negombo / Colombo area and provide the right price and safer travel.
Western women often receive a lot of attention from Sri Lankan men and we recommend not going out alone in the evening/night time but only in the company of others.For the good of your children,
we provide good quality Swedish car seats, so you can feel safe!
Sri Lanka is 4.5 hours ahead during Swedish winter time (when the majority of our tourists are here), and 3.5 hours ahead during summer time.
For entry, no vaccine or PCR test against COVID-19 is currently required, but make sure to double-check this before departure as it may change.The Havrix/Twinrix vaccination against Hepatitis A and B is always recommended. The cholera vaccine Dukoral which also protects against tourist diarrhea is recommended in some cases.
Basic protection may need to be renewed if it was taken a long time ago. You should contact your healthcare provider before you travel to get the latest recommendations.
Medical care is relatively expensive in Sri Lanka, so we recommend that you do not travel without medical insurance. This should also be carried during the trip in case of emergency medical care. In case of emergency, call 1990 and ask for an ambulance. In addition, our drivers will always do their utmost to help you if something happens. If your situation is not urgent, we recommend that you contact your insurance company before visiting a hospital.
Sri Lanka's currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) and cards are accepted in major shops and hotels, but in markets and other places cash is accepted. If you pay by card, it is best to pay in local currency. However, the easiest way to withdraw money is from an ATM, which is available almost everywhere. The maximum daily withdrawal limit is 200,000 LKR (HNB Bank).
It is safest to buy bottled water, as tap water is not recommended. Water is cheap; about 5 kr for a liter.
An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is required for entry into the country. You apply online and receive a 30-day dual entry tourist visa. You pay by credit card and you usually get a reply within 24 hours. For example, if you are going to visit the Maldives for a few days and then come back, this works well on a dual entry visa. It is important that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your return, otherwise you will not be able to check in. More info at www.eta.gov.lk