A true traveler's paradise that will take you from sun-kissed beaches to mist-covered green hills to the wilderness of jungles to rain forests adorned with endemic flora and fauna, all within a few hours of travel. Home to some of the most welcoming and friendliest people out there, with hearts warm as their specialty, a cup of Ceylon tea, Sri Lanka is a tourist destination with so much to explore.

A little knowledge to navigate your travel within this vividly diverse island nation can go a long way, especially if you are a first-time traveler. So we have put together a few must-knows before visiting Sri Lanka by answering a few FAQs.

1. What is the best time to visit?

When fixing travel dates, you should consider the monsoon seasons of the country. While from May to September southwest monsoon season brings heavy downpours to the southern and western parts of the island, northern and eastern parts will be blessed with warm and sunny weather. When the northeast monsoon season hits from November to March, the weather in the southern and western parts of Sri Lanka will be at its best. However, no matter what time of the year you visit Sri Lanka, you will find the weather in one part of the country to be at its best behavior. So it is never a bad time to visit Sri Lanka.

2. Do I need a visa?

Depending on the passport you are carrying, most travelers will require to have a tourist visa. However, getting a tourist visa to Sri Lanka is not a complicated process. An online visa application that takes a few minutes to fill up and a day or two of wait time for your visa to process is all it takes. However, we recommend you apply for your visa at least two weeks before your travel plan to avoid disappointments.

3. Where can I exchange currency?

Sri Lanka is not an expensive country to travel to. The currency used in Sri Lankan is rupees (LKR.), and you must ideally carry local currency with you when you travel within the country. You can easily exchange dollars or euros from a bank or at the airport upon arrival. And, you can also withdraw cash through your credit card using ATMs available all around the island.

4. What should I pack?

With most parts of the island being warm and humid, you may pack sunny-weather friendly light clothes. But remember to add in some warm clothes to stay cozy in the cool climates of the hill country. A shawl or a few modest and long clothes would come in handy when visiting religious and cultural sites. Most importantly, do not forget your shades, sunblock, and beachwear. One more thing. With different hotel rooms having different types of electrical sockets, carrying a universal adopter will be a savior.

5. What is local culture like?

Even though Sri Lanka is a tourism hub with a forward-thinking population, the society of Sri Lanka is deeply rooted in its cultural and religious traditions and customs. Therefore, respecting their culture is essential. You may keep in mind that while taking pictures with religious statues and display of public affection are frowned upon, going nude or topless in public is completely prohibited.

6. Is it a safe country?

With theft and robberies occurring very rarely and violence against tourists being extremely low, Sri Lanka is one of the safest countries to travel to. However, it is advised to check for any political unrest, terrorism, or natural disasters at the time of your travel planning. Besides that, to avoid unfortunate accidents, remember to seek local advice before swimming in unfamiliar waters and to get a local guide before taking lesser-known trails.


If you have any other doubts you may want to clarify before planning your trip to Sri Lanka, post your question in the comment section below.
We look forward to seeing you in Sri Lanka soon!