Destination Updates
Tourism has made a huge comeback in Sri Lanka since the early September. With the destination being poised perfectly for the post-pandemic travel, there has been a considerable increase and growth in the arrivals. There are no restrictions for travellers who are fully vaccinated apart from the 72hr PCR test which is required prior to embarkation.
Some of the most important aspects have been the impressive vaccination drive in the country with over 86% of adults aged 20+ years are now fully vaccinated.
Hotels, restaurants, cultural sites, national parks are now open for visitors. All guides, chauffeur guides and those directly involved in providing services are guided by the Safe & Secure certification which makes your travel within the country convenient and safe.
Health Guidelines
All travellers to the country are expected to follow the local Health guidelines. As a country which has braced the pandemic, we expect everyone to respect the guidelines for everyone’s safety
Traveling by Road/ Rail
Public transport for the moment is not encouraged due to the current situation but train journeys are opening up in the hill country which is good news for everyone.
Domestic Travel
This is now possible with several domestic service options being available linking several parts of the Island. Schedule operations are currently postponed for the moment but private charter flights are on the cards
Language & Religion
While Sinhala is widely spoken in Sri Lanka, Tamil is spoken mostly in the North-East and a few selected cities around the island. However, English is a common language that a majority of people understand and communicate with when necessary. Even though Sri Lanka is introduced as a Buddhist country, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity are practised all around the nation. Wherever you visit, you will find places of worship for each of these religions – some of which unfolds great history.
People
Sri Lanka is known for its hospitality and heartwarming smiles. Further delving into the island’s lifestyle and culture, you will note little quirks such as the headbobbing which is a way of agreeing to something, eating spicy food with their hands and drinking tea a few times a day.
Festivals
Sri Lanka has around 25 public holidays, with almost every holiday celebrating some kind of lively festival. The most famous of all is the grandest traditional festival in Kandy. The Buddhist festival "Kandy Esala Perahera" lasts for an entire week that usually takes place during the months-July/August. People love to celebrate festivals in Sri Lanka and all visitors are welcome to participate.
Art & Culturalspaces
Sri Lanka is also one of the liveliest cultural destinations in South East Asia. Armed with a distinctive art scene and bustling cultural life, here are a few of our top picks, in no particular order, for exploring the island’s growing traditional and contemporary art scene.
Barefoot Gallery existed under so many guises from 1967 until 1999 when it finally adopted its current name. Presently known to be one of the most dynamic galleries in Sri Lanka, Barefoot gallery is home to an array of local and international artists for art exhibitions, concerts, poetry readings, installations, performances and film nights.
Sapumal Foundation is an art gallery that resonates with remarkable heritage and home to a collection of over 200 works the country’s artistic development from the 1920s up until the present day. The gallery is situated at Cinnamon Gardens in Colombo.
Red Dot Gallery displays the most experimental and innovative art in the country. the gallery focuses on contemporary artists working in the post-1990s Trend arena. is run by the Theertha International Artists Collective, an independent non-profit organisation that facilitates the innovation, exchange and dialogue of the local arts community.
Hempel Galleries in Galle Fort hosts the work of the nation’s most prominent artists, as well as undiscovered talent. Supporting the development of local arts, Hempel plays an active role through its presence at international festivals.
Saskia Fernando gallery embellishes as the forefront of the new wave of contemporary art. Located in Colombo, the gallery hosts the work of emerging and established Sri Lankan artists to exhibit paintings, sculptures and installations.
The Best Cafés & Pubs
In Colombo Botanic Bistro & Rooftop Bar 1 Fair Way Hotel 7 Hospital Street Colombo Rooftop, Colombo "A lifestyle venue with Botanical elements presented in the space through real life, art, design, and its food and beverage." Great spot for sunset drinks!
Near the airport: Lordes Restaurant 80 B Poroutha Road Beach Road Etthukala, Negombo "Discover 5 different restaurants, bar and lounge restautant outlets under one roof all serving the same delicious menu."
Hill Country: Cafe Chill Wellawaya Road, Ella A great place to settle down for a meal with an expansive menu. Located in the heart of Ella, Cafe Chill has a lovely atmosphere surrounded by breath taking views of the hill country.
South Coast: Dots Bay House Hiriketiya Road Hiriketiya Beach, Horse Shoe Bay, Blue Beach, Dikwella. A lovely cul-de-sac restaurant facing the ocean with an innovative menu. The food in particular is prepped with flavourful local ingredients and decorated with a creative flair.
Responsible Giving
Travelling can sometimes come with ethical dilemmas. When you see low-income communities, in the places you visit, you might feel compelled to offer money/gifts to the people you meet out of generosity and an act of philanthropy. This well-intended act of giving, however, might not always the best thing to encourage sustainable and ethical travel.
Our recommendation for promoting ethical, sustainable and positive tourism:
Please do not make cash handouts to individuals. Instead, consider donating to local NGOs, schools or community organizations for a more positive social impact.
Buy locally. By encouraging local entrepreneurship, you are putting money into the local economy, reducing your carbon footprint and lifting up the whole community through the jobs the entrepreneurship creates.
We attempt to only use donations in a way that does not foster dependence on us, but rather helps long-term sustainable projects from which the whole community can benefit from.
Local Currencies
The local currency is Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR). Currency notes are Rs.5,000, Rs2,000, Rs1,000, Rs500, Rs100, Rs50, Rs20 and Rs10. Currency can be exchanged only in Sri Lanka so, it is best to bring currency in USD, AUD, Pounds or Euros and use the foreign exchange bureaus at the airport or a bank. There isn’t a commission and, they offer fair exchange rates. Changing your money at a hotel is also possible, but you probably will not be offered the best rate. Traveller's cheques are received but, the commission can be higher. The ROC of all banks is similar as they are updated according to the currency exchange rate in line with the central bank of Sri Lanka.
When you exchange money into LKR, please keep safe the encashment certificate provided for each transaction as it might be required to convert any unused LKR to foreign exchange at the end of your holiday - this can be done at the departure terminal at the airport.
Using Your Credit/Debit Card
Credit/Debit cards are an excellent way of accessing your bank account overseas and, all VISA, Mastercard and American Express are widely accepted in shopping outlets, restaurants and hotels.
Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are available in all the major cities and accept commonly used money transfer services like VISA, Mastercard and American Express. You'll find that most banks in Sri Lanka charge a withdrawal fee, therefore, unless your card is designed for overseas use, you’ll be charged with a currency conversion fee if you use your card to make purchases.
Before inserting your ATM card, carefully read the list of cards that are accepted mentioned by the side of the machine. If you need assistance, your chauffeur/tour guide will guide you through.
Keeping Your Valuables Safe
Protecting your valuables while travelling will make for a much more pleasant experience by keeping your belongings safe. To do so, we recommend that you always use the hotel safes provided free of charge in your room or at the safety vaults at the hotels for a nominal fee.
Gratuities
It is not mandatory to tip the staff at hotels or restaurants. However, Tipping for good service is considered a gesture of appreciation if you find the service levels meeting your expectation. Please note A 10% service charge is sometimes added to restaurant bills but otherwise a similar tip is appreciated.
General Information
Hotels
Whether you're looking to unwind at a quiet beach resort or spend a couple of nights relaxing at a hill country resort, rest assured that we have curated a fine selection of properties we know and love. When you book a property through us, we are confident that you will be offered the best available accommodation that comes with our full and honest endorsement. The chosen properties have been picked for their services, comfort, convenience and ambience. However, these standards may vary from city to city.
Water
It is advised that you drink (and clean your teeth in) bottled or treated water to avoid any potential gastro bugs. The properties you're staying at will provide two bottles of mineral water per day free of charge. Due to the hot tropical climate, we strongly advise all travellers to keep their bodies cool, hydrated and avoid heat-related illnesses by consuming a sufficient amount of water daily.
Meals
Being a Sri Lankan means rice and curry is the staple of anyone’s diet and, it’s something you get served everywhere. At many of the hotels and restaurants, you will be given a choice of cuisine to select from as there's a wide range of international dishes are available throughout the island.
Internet Connectivity
While most hotels offer free Wi-Fi connectivity, you also have the option of purchasing a suitable SIM card / data package at Colombo International Airport or by heading straight to a leading mobile service provider like Mobitel or Dialog upon arrival. If you need to use a computer, most hotels accommodate business centres you can use freely or at a small cost.
