Located in the south-east of India, Sri Lanka is a fascinating destination which is home to a population of different origins, customs, languages and religions. Leaving behind thirty years of war, this Indian subcontinent is now open to travel to welcome tourists looking for discovery and relaxation.
So, for your next solo or family trip, let yourself be tempted by the exotic and charming environment of this dream country. To do this, here are some tips that could be useful for you to make your stay in Sri Lankan territory a real success.
When to leave?
The climate is an important factor which influences the success or not of your stay in Sri Lanka. The country has two main seasons, namely the monsoon and the dry season. Before planning your trip, be aware that the weather may change from region to region.
Generally, from May to August, the centre and west of the territory suffer the monsoon and its heavy rains. From October to January, the north and east are watered by the monsoon. The best time to go to Sri Lanka is by far the good weather, i.e. from December to March to explore the South and from May to September to visit the East.
Visa
Since 2012, entry into Sri Lankan territory requires an electronic travel authorization or ETA. The latter’s request must be made at least one month in advance. If you plan to stay less than 30 days, you can subscribe online, via the official Sri Lankan government website.
Insofar as you plan a journey of more than 30 days, you must go to a Sri Lankan diplomatic mission to apply for your visa. For your information, please note that you can extend your ETA on the spot by less than 30 days by making an appointment at the immigration office in Colombo.
Transportation
Sri Lanka is served by many air transport, notably, coming from Europe, Asia, Canada as well as the Maldives. The price of your plane ticket will represent a large part of your budget, also, to benefit from the best promotions, make your reservation very early in advance and as far as possible, opt for the low season to travel.
As far as traffic inside the country is concerned, you will find a lot of public transport there, including trains, public buses and private buses. Taxis and bajaj (Túk-túk) are also available in the localities. Public transport is particularly crowded during the days of full moons and the weekends preceding or following them, for this purpose, it is not recommended to take them during these times.
Good to know
During your stay in Sri Lanka, know that you can wear clothes that will allow you to be comfortable, such as shorts, t-shirts, jeans, sandals, etc. However, women must wear outfits covering the legs and shoulders to enter the temples. In the same measure, it is imperative to take off your shoes before entering the temples. Modesty is required throughout the territory. Nudism and wearing a monokini are prohibited on the beaches.
It is forbidden to exhibit a body marking or tattoo with the image of the Buddha. This also applies to bags, clothing, etc. Considered an offence, this act will be penalized by arrest and expulsion from the country. In temples, the fact of posing in front of or next to a statue of the Buddha with his back to it is interpreted as sacrilege.