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Sri Lanka

Tailor-made Sri Lanka tours

Nicknamed “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, Sri Lanka offers many opportunities for unforgettable holidays.

The island is a fantastic destination for both beach and adventure lovers thanks to its white sand coasts, jungles, mountains and rivers. You cannot get bored!

Despite its small size, the island is blessed with places to visit and things to do. Visit the Cultural Triangle to explore Sri Lanka’s ancient history, go on an wildlife safari, enjoy culinary traditions, attend festivals, or relax on the beach. The island is blessed with a myriad of landscapes, from tropical forests and mountains, to beautiful beaches. It's always in-season somewhere in Sri Lanka- the southwest between December-April, and the northeast between May-September.

If you want to discover Sri Lanka in a different way, and immerse yourself in the local life, we offer homestay tours.

Your travel expert - Sri Lanka

Sujeevan

Sujeevan

I am proud to be from Sri Lanka, a country rich in diversity, a country with many incredible historical sites, lush forests, beautiful mountains, idyllic beaches and majestic flora and fauna. I come from a small mountain town where you can admire this lush nature and breathtaking scenery. My region offers many places off-the-beaten-path for unique experiences. After spending a few years in France, I decided to return to my home country and join the tourism industry in 2012. My passion is to create authentic tours for my clients to explore the island and leave with unforgettable memories of the pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Adventure Experiences in Asia

Sports & Adventures

Culture Experiences in Asia

Culture and traditions

Wildlife Experiences in Asia

Nature lovers

Beach Experiences in Asia

Amazing beaches

Honeymoon Experiences in Asia

Honeymoon

Family Experiences in Asia

Kid-friendly tours

Group tour packages

Travel with a small group

Wellness Experiences in Asia

Relax

Sustainable tourism in Asia

Sustainable Tourism

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Sri Lanka FAQs

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Sri Lanka can be visited all year long with an average of 27°C, but there are favorable seasons for certain parts of the island. December to April is the best time to visit the West and South Coasts and May to September for the East Coast.

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You need to apply for E.T.A visa (Electronic Travel Authorization) to visit Sri Lanka. Go on: www.eta.gov.lk and pay for your ETA visa online: 50 USD/ person (20 USD /person for SAARC countries citizens). Currently, the visas being issued are valid for 3 months.
Sri Lankan visa authorities will process your visa request and get back to you shortly with approval, sent by email. Make sure to print out your receipt and take it with you on your trip! Once your visa approval is received, you can proceed to book your return flight. The airline might request your proof of visa on booking.
On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will have to fill out an arrival card for Immigration counter. The document is usually provided on board your plane prior to arrival, but, in case you did not get it, you can find them in the arrival hall. You can also fill it up online https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/emb/eEmbarkation/'#/home-page

Remarks: Please bear in mind that the ETA processing fee is not refundable or transferable. Visas on arrival are no longer available until further notice. Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your date of arrival in Sri Lanka.

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Despite the high temperatures, you'll want to pack something warm for mountain excursions and something modest that covers your shoulders and legs for religious sites. Here are some other things to consider bringing:

- A raincoat
- Cool weather clothes for cool evenings and for touring the Hill Country
- Appropriate footwear for climbing Sigiriya and Dambulla
- A pair of socks to protect your feet from the hot ground when you remove your shoes to visit temples
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Mosquito repellent (for skin and clothes)
- Hat or cap
- Swimwear
- Binoculars for jeep safaris
- A reusable water bottle (to limit the usage of plastic bottles)
- A flashlight is always useful
- An old phone to use with a local SIM card
- A small first aid kit and prescription medication (there are many pharmacies in Sri Lanka if you need something)

If you’re hiking:
- Good walking shoes
- Long thick pants and high socks to cover the pant bottoms and protect you from leeches (necessary in Sinharaja and Knuckles Range regions)

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While there are no mandatory vaccines, we recommend you be up to date on universal DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-polio) vaccines. Consult with your doctor regarding vaccination against tropical diseases at least 3 months before your arrival. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for those travelling from countries at risk for this disease.

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Sri Lanka is a relatively safe country. However, as in any country, you have to be careful and trust your intuition. Pickpockets are often present in crowded tourist sites. Keep an eye on your belongings and keep your valuables close to your body.

Sri Lanka is not a dangerous country for women traveling alone, but some precautions are probably worth mentioning here. Be careful who you befriend as single women are sometimes targeted. Don't walk alone at night and dress modestly to match the culture of the country when you are out and about. But feel free to wear your swimsuit at your hotel and on the beaches in the East and the South where locals are accustomed to foreign tourists.

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The Sri Lankan Rupee is the only official currency of the country. However, Euros and US Dollars will be accepted on main cultural sites or in large hotels. You can exchange currency at exchange offices, banks and hotels (euros and dollars). On the other hand, in order to avoid the risks of fraud and limit bank fees, we advise you to use cash and make withdrawals via ATMs (local distributors) as this is the most common and, simple means of payment.

February 2021, 1 USD = 193 LKR and the largest ticket in Sri Lanka is 5,000 LKR = 25 USD.

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It is very easy to travel in Sri Lanka thanks to the multiple types of transport, whether with a city itself or from one city to another. Tuk-tuk, trains and bus transport, cost just a few hundred rupees.

If you take a tuk-tuk in Colombo, make sure it has a meter! Count 40 LKR per kilometer (60 LKR the first). You can download Pick Me and/or Uber to order a tuk-tuk.

In other cities, it will be necessary to appeal to your negotiation skills. Make sure you have settled the fare amount with your driver before leaving.

If you want to take the local bus, good luck! Local buses are often crowded and noisy with music at the highest possible volume, however, it's fun to experience.

Train journeys in Sri Lanka are a unique experience, and they cross breathtaking landscapes. If your tickets are purchased by your travel agent, you will have a guaranteed seat. It is also possible to buy tickets on the spot, without a guaranteed seat. There are special, new train cars just for women if you like. Be prepared to be flexible as delays are common. Excuse any train delay!

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Sinhalese and Tamil are the official languages of Sri Lanka. Sinhalese is predominant in most of the country, about 73.8% of speakers are Sinhalese and 20% are Tamils.

English is recognized as a “link” language in the constitution. Today, the three languages are taught at the primary level.

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With an area of about 65,000 km2, the island has more than 22,576,000 inhabitants, made up of several ethnic groups. Seventy five percent of the total population is Sinhalese, mainly Buddhist, sixteen percent is Tamil and mainly Hindu, and the rest of the population is made up of Muslims and Christians. Also, in terms of community, there are Burghers who are the descendants of the first Dutch and Portuguese settlers, and ethnic minorities such as Sri Lanka's indigenous people, the Veddas. Despite a civil war from 1983 to 2009, which pitted the Sinhalese and Tamils against each other in a conflict for independence, they live together in peace today. Sinhalese and Tamil are both taught at school and everyone is accepted.

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Religion is an integral part of life for the people of Sri Lanka and it is important to know a few things so as not to accidentally disrespect them when visiting religious sites. Choose outfits that cover your shoulders and knees; take your shoes off at the entrance (hint- wear flip-flops to make it easy) don't turn your back on Buddha; don't take selfies in the temple.

If you want to eat with your hands as the locals do, use only your right hand because the left hand is considered impure (especially for Muslims and Hindus).

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Mai Globe Travels has officially been certified as a “Safe & Secure” travel agent by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. This means we are allowed to operate and organize trips for guests, following mandated tourist board regulations. Some of these requirements include staying in Level 1 hotels for the first 14 days, using certified driver guides, and visiting only authorized sites for the first 14 days.

The Sri Lankan authorities have a plan for how to allow travelers to visit the country safely. As of now, travel guidelines are the same for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

Visitors are required to stay in level 1 certified hotels, and travel in a covid-safe bubble for the first 13 nights/ 14 days. Travelers can travel and can change hotels during their stay as long as they stay in the bubble, and there is no minimum stay required. Guests who wish to stay longer than 14 days and test negative for covid will be allowed to travel freely after their 14th day.

You will do a PCR test on the day of your arrival at the hotel, you are kindly requested to stay in your room until your negative results are obtained (allow 24 hours on average). A second test must be carried out before your departure, if it is negative you are allowed to travel freely.

Children between 2-12 years will have to do one PCR test before the end of the 14 days.

Travelers are expected to follow the country’s covid-19 health guidelines and protocols for safe travel.

- Please respect social distancing at the airport during the check-in, security check, and boarding process.
-You will be required to pay for and take the PCR tests during the first 14 days.
- Please follow the required health procedures at your accommodations.
- Wear a mask in public places, common areas, and during tours and excursions.
- During the first 14 days, you will have the opportunity to visit 15 licensed tourist sites. During visits, wearing a mask and social distancing are required.

Read our article on travel conditions right now in Sri Lanka.

Why travel with Mai Globe Travels?

  • Reliable service with 99% satisfied travelers
  • Certified agency Safe & Secure
  • Average 4/5 to 5/5 star satisfied customers on Ekomi
  • Responsible and sustainable tourism
  • Payment protection and *guaranteed refund
  • English speaking local guides
  • Professional service and experienced
  • Honesty and no hidden costs
  • Effective and efficient customer service
  • Flexibility
  • Prompt response
  • Good value for money
  • Dedicated local expert teams
  • 6000+ satisfied travelers
  • Safe and comfortable transport

They Travelled with us

Memorable, authentic and inspirationnal trips

In February 2020, we spent our honeymoon trip in Sri Lanka and Maldives. Mai Globe Travels arranged an amazing trip for us. Let me share with you one of them.

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