Things to keep in mind while traveling to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a beautiful and exotic destination brimming with natural beauty, wildlife and welcoming friendly culture. Located just south of India, Sri Lanka is neither quite like India nor like the rest of Asia, leaving it in somewhat of a curiously mysterious middle ground. From the Buddhist temples and palaces of Kandy to the delectable local food and right to the world’s largest gathering of Asian elephants, Sri Lanka has enough reason to take your breath away. The surreal beauty of “The pearl of Indian Ocean” will stick in your memory and be an international affordably close vacation to remember. Now, Sri Lanka, after 10 months of lockdown has officially reopened for tourism. However, there are things to keep in mind while traveling to Sri Lanka as below mentioned:

In the current scenario, you need to download the ‘Visit Sri Lanka’ mobile app for your visa application. It will help you to coordinate and facilitate your trip within the country.

You also need to produce a negative PCR test taken no more than 96 hours prior to the flight. You also have to pre-pay for 2 PCR tests during your stay (under 7 days & if your stay is more than 7 days). You also have to purchase mandatory travel insurance cover (Rs. 875 for Rs. 36 lakh insurance coverage).

You need a pre-confirmed booking at a level 1 safe and secure hotel, a selected list of hotels as mandated by the government following health protocols and tourist guidelines are available online. You are allowed to switch between Level 1 hotels and use the hotel facilities. You however can only travel to the 14 pre-approved tourism sites at approved times. This is being called a ‘bio-bubble’ by the Sri Lanka tourism board. If you plan on staying in Sri Lanka for under 14 days you can’t travel outside of the bubble. Even after 14 days, you have to still wear masks and maintain social distance.

For the best exchange rates, you should get the local currency in Sri Lanka itself and always ask for notes in smaller denominations i.e. below Rp 500. You are not allowed to bring in Indian or Pakistani rupees, it would be best to convert it into USD and then in Sri Lankan rupee once you arrive in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan tap water is not safe to drink. Travelers should have bottled water or a reusable bottle with a water filter. Try using bottled water for activities like brushing teeth etc to be on the safer side and be wary of food from questionable food stalls.

If you are stepping inside a local market or shopping area, it is normal for vendors to seriously inflate the prices for tourists. Haggling is common when buying something from a market and you have to get the prices down to comfortable levels. You can pick-up incredible bargains on antiques, gems and garments but you’ll need to have an eye for a genuine piece.

Whether you’re headed for beaches or mountains, you can get anywhere in Sri Lanka pretty easily. The network of buses will take you anywhere, while the trains service all the major hubs and points of interest to travelers.

For everything else in between, there are tuk-tuks (rickshaws) and taxis. Hiring a private driver is also possible, however, they often overcharge and you just as easily make do with public transport.

Sri Lankan food is delicious, so make sure to experiment with as much of it as you find comfy. Knowing where and when to find the right food is however a task. Certain food like Bowl-shaped hoppers (savoury rice flour crêpes) are typically only served in the morning/late afternoon, rice and curry is for lunch, while kottu rotty (chopped flatbread stir-fried with vegetables and/or meat) is only available in the evening. Some must-try dishes are Polos, Kool, Ambul Thiyal and Pol Sambol among many many others. Each region you visit has its own dishes and manner of cooking for your food experience to be unforgettable.

At its closest point, only 18 miles of water separate Sri Lanka and India – but there’s a world of differences between the two. It is about time you discover this beautiful tropical country where the sun always seems to shine!

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Happy Travelling!