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last minute – zomer in Sri Lanka

Leuk we hebben deze rondreis toegevoegd aan je reisplan.

Ben je al klaar om je wensen aan ons door te geven zodat wij je een vrijblijvend reisvoorstel kunnen sturen?

• Reisschema: Negombo - Koningsstad Polonnaruwa - stranden van Trincomale - Kandy - theeheuvels bij Nuwara Eliya - wandelen bij Ella - Yala NP - baai van Unawatuna
• Reisduur: 17 dagen / 16 nachten
• Reissom: vanaf € 1.930,- p.p. bij 2 pers.
• Inclusief: o.a. jeepsafari in Yala nationaal park
• Vluchten: optioneel bij te boeken vanaf € 639,-
• Reisperiode: april - september
• Overnachten: 16 nachten in sfeervolle en authentieke hotels
• Excursies: bootexcursie in Negombo, stadstour in Plonnaruwa, bezoek aan Temple of the Tooth, ochtendwandeling in nationaal park Horton Plains, jeepsafari in Yala National Park, bezoek olifanten weeshuis
• Transport: per privé-auto of trein, transfer van luchthaven naar accommodatie in Negombo, transfers tussen de bouwstenen
• Maaltijden: 16x ontbijt, 1x lunch, high tea
• internationale vluchten
• entreegelden (ca. € 115,- p.p.)
• maaltijden naast het ontbijt en genoemde lunch
• reserveringskosten € 25,- p.p., maximaal € 75,- per boeking
• calamiteitenfonds € 2,50 per boeking

Vraag deze rondreis aan

Dag 1 en 2 – Aankomst in Negombo

Bij aankomst in Colombo is het, na de lange vlucht, gemakkelijk om gelijk in een auto te kunnen stappen en naar je hotel gebracht te worden. Je overnacht niet in Colombo, maar in Negombo . Deze kleine vissersplaats ligt aan het strand en is een fijne plek om bij te komen van de vlucht en de jetlag en te wennen aan het nieuwe klimaat en de nieuwe cultuur. Onze chauffeur verwelkomt je en zet je na ongeveer een half uur rijden voor de deur van je hotel af. Het hotel is prima gelegen, op loopafstand van het strand en dichtbij de lokale restaurants. Om vanaf je verblijf in Negombo naar het centrum van de stad te gaan, pakten wij de tuk-tuk.

Overdag kun je het rustig aan doen om even bij te komen van de reis. Wandel op je gemak naar het strand of geniet van de eerste zonnestralen op je ligbed aan het zwembad van je hotel. In de avond zaten wij bij ondergaande zon aan de kust en proefden we ons eerste curry-gerecht.

Dag 3 – Ontdek Negombo

Na het ontbijt word je opgehaald door de lokale gids. Hij zal je het koloniale verleden van Negombo Sri Lanka laten zien en je zult ook een stukje Holland ontdekken. De vaderlandse kanalen vonden wij er wel een stuk zonniger uitzien met de tropische palmen en varens eromheen. ’s Middags bezoek je de lokale vismarkt. Daarna bezoek je de bazaar waar onder meer lokale groentes en fruit verkocht worden.

Inmiddels is het dan al wat warmer en ben je wellicht toe aan een verfrissing. Onze chauffeur hielp ons met onderhandelen en voor we het wisten stonden we voor een paar centen met een verse kokosnoot in ons handen! In de middag heb je nog voldoende tijd om Negombo op eigen gelegenheid te ontdekken. Wandel langs het strand of struin door de gezellige straatjes in het centrum.

Dag 4 – Reis naar Sigiriya en Polonnaruwa

Reistijd: circa 5,5 uur.

Vandaag verlaat je het gezellige Negombo en reis je noordwaarts richting Sigiriya . Onderweg hiernaartoe verbaasden wij ons over al het groen wat ons tegemoet kwam. Het wordt al een stukje tropischer.

Na een paar uur rijden doemt er een in de verte een berg op; de Leeuwenrots. In vroegere tijden was deze rots bedekt met honderden afbeeldingen van allerlei vrouwen. Aan de voet van Lions Rock zijn twee grote leeuwenpoten uitgehouwen en na een pittige klim (zeker in de zomermaanden) via de wandtrap zie je de ruïnes van eens een machtig paleis op een ongenaakbare plek met spectaculaire uitzicht. Na deze inspanning brengt de chauffeur je naar je hotel in Polonnaruwa waar je incheckt en een duik kunt nemen in het zwembad voor wat verkoeling.

Dag 5 – Citytour Polonnaruwa

Na het ontbijt is het tijd om de stad Polonnaruwa te ontdekken. Je chauffeur en gids zal je de hoogtepunten van de stad gaan laten zien. Polonnaruwa was lange tijd de hoofdstad van Sri Lanka en er zijn dan ook veel overblijfselen uit deze periode. Tijdens deze city tour bezoek je de belangrijkste paleizen, badhuizen en tempels. Vind je het leuk om dit complex met de fiets te verkennen? Dan regelen we dat voor je. Het is een groot complex; je kunt hier prima de hele dag doorbrengen. Houd er rekening mee dat het warm kan zijn. Er is weinig schaduw en omdat je je schoenen of slippers uit moet dan wanneer je een tempel betreedt is het handig om sokken mee te nemen. Je vindt overal kraampjes (in de schaduw) om water te kopen, óf een verse kokosnoot.

Jeepsafari naar wilde olifanten

Vind je het leuk om tijdens het bezoek aan de culturele driehoek ook iets van de natuur te zien? Vraag ons dan om de jeepsafari in te plannen. Na de beklimming van de Leeuwenrots in Sigiriya op dag 5, ga je per jeep de natuur in en op zoek naar de eerste glimpen van de wilde olifant. De parkranger neemt je mee naar Kaudulla of Minneriya National Park. Deze twee parken liggen vlak naast elkaar en omdat de olifanten geen grenzen kennen, word je vlak voor vertrek, geïnformeerd naar welk park je zult gaan. Aan het begin van de avond ben je weer terug in het hotel waar je alle indrukken nog even op je in kunt laten werken.

Dag 6 – Reis naar Trincomalee

Reistijd: circa 3,5 uur.

Vandaag rijd je richting de oostkust van het eiland. Onderweg passeer je droge landschappen, groene rijstplantages waar hard gewerkt wordt en kleine dorpen die verscholen liggen onder wuivende palmbomen. De lokale inwoners die hier leven zwaaiden ons vriendelijk toe vanaf het land.

In Trincomalee verblijf je in een knus hotel direct aan het strand. Je komt aan in een klein paradijs met een fijn zandstrand, hangende palmbomen en een helderblauwe zee. De kamers zijn prettig ingericht, hebben deels uitzicht over zee en je hotel beschikt onder andere over een zwembad en restaurant. Je loopt, vanaf het zwembad, in slechts een paar stappen de zee in. De rest van de dag heb je de tijd om heerlijk te luieren, te zwemmen, te snorkelen of gewoon lekker een goed boek te lezen.

Dag 7 & 8 – Ontspanning aan de oostkust – Trincomalee

De komende dagen zijn ter vrije besteding, bespreek de opties met je chauffeur. Wij zijn een ochtend naar Trincomalee stad geweest, op ongeveer 10 km afstand van je hotel. Hier zagen we kleurrijke Hindoe tempels en vissers druk bezig met het binnenhalen van netten met verse vis uit het water.

Op het strand staan locals die je graag met een bootje varen naar Pigeon Island, op ongeveer 15 minuten afstand. Tip; onderhandel goed over de prijs. Pigeon Island wordt omringd door een hagelwit poederstrand en een azuurblauwe zee met koraal waar felgekleurde vissen doorheen schieten. Schrik niet, want zelf hebben wij meerdere rifhaaien (van ongeveer 1 meter) door het water zien rondzwemmen. Deze babyhaaien, zoals de locals ze noemen, zijn banger voor jou dan jij voor hen. De meeste reizigers blijven ongeveer 2 à 3 uur op het eiland.

Dag 9 – Vertrek richting Kandy

Reistijd: circa 6,5 uur.

Afhankelijk van hoe laat je verder reist, kun je vandaag misschien nog even relaxen in de ochtend. Wil je nog wat langer aan het Trincomalee strand verblijven, laat het ons dan weten. We kunnen dan een of meerdere nachten extra inplannen.

Onderweg stop je in Dambulla. Hier vind je meerdere grotten waarin de koningen van Anuradhapura tempels hebben laten maken. Je ziet hier een fascinerende reeks van statige Boeddha’s met allerlei posturen. Wij vonden het geheel magisch aandoen doordat talloze felgekleurde fresco’s op de plafonds en wanden je aankijken. Ook vind je hier vele aapjes en heb je wederom een prachtig uitzicht. Aan het eind van de middag rijd je door naar Kandy en zie je al snel de groene heuvels opdoemen en voel je de temperatuur iets dalen. Je verblijft in een kleinschalig hotel met zwembad op 5-10 min. rijden van Kandy en het meer. De rest van de avond is ter vrije besteding.

Overnachten bij de Singalezen thuis – optioneel in te plannen

Proef letterlijk van het Sri Lankaanse leven in Kandy. We plannen geen hotel voor je in, maar een knusse kamer met veranda in de tuin van een Sri Lankaans gastgezin. Vroeg in de morgen, terwijl het plaatsje ontwaakt, ga je per tuktuk naar de markt voor verse ingrediënten of bezoek je een lokale BIO farm waar ze op een ecologische manier melkproducten produceren en groenten verbouwen. Eenmaal terug verklapt de vrouw des huizes haar keukengeheimen aan je en leert je hoe je een echte curry maakt. Laat het ons weten wanneer je hier wil overnachten, dan plannen we dit voor je in.

Dag 10 – Bezoek de Temple van de Tand

Kandy ligt lui aan een meer in de heuvels waar de kolonialen graag vertoefden. Er zijn veel historische gebouwen met knusse witgeschilderde galerijen en bruine dakpannetjes. Aan het meer ligt de Temple of the Tooth, een van de heiligste plekken van Sri Lanka. In de tempel worden dansrituelen opgevoerd die je ’s avonds ook gaat zien. Kan je niet genoeg van cultuur krijgen, breng dan ook een bezoek aan de Bahirawakanda tempel, een immens grote witte Boeddha gelegen op een heuvel en goed te zien vanaf elke hoek in aan het meer van Kandy. Hou je meer van natuur? Bezoek dan de botanische tuinen waar enorme bomen en merkwaardige tropische planten zijn te bewonderen.

In contact komen met de Sri Lankaanse bevolking? Boek dan onze homestay waarbij je gastvrij wordt onthaald en je een kookcursus curry maken krijgt van de vrouw des huizes.

Dag 11 – Vertrek naar Nuwara Eliya

Reistijd: circa 2,5 uur.

Vandaag reis je van het culturele hart van Sri Lanka naar de beroemde theeheuvels, je gaat naar Nuwara Eliya . In de heuvels tussen Kandy en Nuwara Eliya zijn theestruiken zover als je kunt kijken. Het is een prachtig gezicht om de met struiken afgeronde heuvels te zien met de kleurige mensen er in. Dit zijn de pluksters die veelal uit Zuid-India komen en met de hand de blaadjes verwijderen en in een mand naar de fabriek brengen. Je bezoekt onderweg een kleine fabriek; hier legt een gids uit wat er gebeurt van verse blaadjes tot gedroogde thee. En natuurlijk proef je de thee! Na nog een klein stukje rijden ben je bij je comfortabele hotel. Je ziet direct dat Nuwara Eliya een Engelse stad is, met Victoriaanse huizen. Ook de mist die rondom de toppen van de groene heuvels hangt doet erg Engels aan. Je merkt dan ook snel dat het hier een stuk frisser is dan in de rest van Sri Lanka.

Dag 12 – Bezoek Horton Plains & Land’s End

Reistijd: circa 1 uur.

Vroeg in de ochtend als de lucht nog helder is haalt de chauffeur je op; hij brengt je naar het Horton Plains Nationaal Park. Het is tijd voor een frisse ochtendwandeling over de hoogvlakte. Na elke bocht is het landschap anders en het hoogtepunt (of misschien beter gezegd dieptepunt) is Land’s End; een spectaculaire kloof waar je echt het gevoel hebt dat het land hier eindigt. Een ideale plek om je ontbijtbox erbij te pakken en in alle rust te genieten van het weidse uitzicht over de omgeving. Het is handig om laagjes aan te trekken tijdens je wandeling en zelfs een poncho kan van pas komen.

Vervolg dag 12 – Vertrek naar Ella

Na de wandeling reis je per trein van de theeheuvels naar de bergen van Ella . Wij kopen 2e klas tickets zodat je samen met de locals reist. In de wagon is het genieten van de mensen in de trein en alles wat er om je heen gebeurt. Boemel door een indrukwekkend berglandschap langs spectaculaire dieptes en vergezichten. Een afwisselende manier van reizen en om met de locals in contact te komen.

Aangekomen bij het station in Ella staat de chauffeur al te wachten. Loop met hem langs het spoor naar het hotel. Dit klinkt vreemd, maar is in Sri Lanka heel normaal. De chauffeur heeft de bagage in het hotel gezet, dus loop op je gemak met de lokale bevolking op. Het hotel ligt rustig op de bergen, niet ver van het charmante station.

Dag 13 – Klimmen naar Little Adams Peak of Ella Rock

Kijk ontbijtend uit op oneindige bergen. Dit is genieten! Wij zorgen vandaag voor een lunchpakket, want er volgt een pittige wandeling. Met de beschrijving van de routes trek je er op uit. Neem bijvoorbeeld de klim naar Sri Lanka Little Adams peak, het kleine broertje van Adam’s Peak. Een stevige wandeling van ongeveer 2 uur langs theevelden, fraaie treinbruggen en afgelegen dorpjes. Beklim het laatste stuk naar de top via grote traptreden. Op de top doe je even de voetjes omhoog terwijl je uitkijkt over gigantische bergkammen.

Of beklim Ella Rock. Een stuk pittiger en langer (3-4 uur) maar het uitzicht vanaf het hoogste punt is waar je het voor doet. Loop langs het spoor en in de verte hoor en zie je de kletterende watervallen. Via kronkelende junglepaden bereik je de top. Terug in Ella hebben wij onszelf getrakteerd op een kruidenmassage. Even lekker de spieren losmaken…

Dag 14 – Yala National Park en bezoek olifanten weeshuis

Reistijd: circa 4 uur.

Vandaag rijd je richting zuiden naar Yala. Onderweg bezoek je het Elephant Transit Home waar gewonde baby -en weesolifantjes verzorgd worden. Je ziet hoe ze rondom voedertijd langzaam aan de hekken verschijnen en ongeduldig elkaar plagen voor het eerste slokje melk.

In de namiddag maak je een jeepsafari naar Yala National Park . Geniet van de exotische omgeving die aan je voorbij trekt terwijl je opzoek gaat naar wildlife. Via de kleine weggetjes kom je op de plaatsen waar de olifanten lopen en de vele herten aan het springen zijn. Krokodillen liggen te gapen aan meertjes waar witte reigers veel te dicht bij lijken te staan. Ook komen hier de meeste luipaarden voor waardoor je kans om er een te spotten zeker aanwezig is. Vol natuurervaringen ga je weer terug naar je hotel waar je alle indrukken op je in kunt laten werken onder het genot van een lekkere maaltijd. Je overnacht in Tissa op ongeveer 45 min. rijden van Yala in een sfeervol hotel met zwembad en kamers met balkon of veranda.

Dag 15 – Kataragama Tempel en vertrek naar Unawatuna

Na je ontbijt vervolg je je individuele rondreis Sri Lanka. Vlakbij Tissa ligt de Kataragama Tempel; een belangrijke pelgrimsplaats voor zowel boeddhisten, Hindoestanen, moslims en christenen. Je ziet dus veel godsdiensten samensmelten op één plek, de tempel is daarom niet te vergelijken met de tempels die je eerder in je Sri Lanka reis hebt gezien. Voor het tempelcomplex stroomt een rivier waar je regelmatig gelovigen ziet baden en fascinerende rituelen ziet uitvoeren. Daarna reis je door naar een onontdekt plekje, Unawatuna.

Yala National park – overnachten in een safari tent – optioneel bij te boeken

Het Yala National Park is een van de bekendste nationale parken van Sri Lanka. Het ligt in het zuiden en staat bekend om haar grote verscheidenheid aan wilde dieren. Tijdens een jeepsafari spot je hier, natuurlijk met een portie geluk, apen die door de bomen slingeren, buffels die loom lopen te grazen, misschien wel beren op de weg, krokodillen die op de loer liggen langs de oevers, terwijl olifanten op slechts enkele meters afstand van je jeep op je neer kijken. Heb je het geluk echt aan je zijde, dan kom je zelfs een luipaard tegen. Buiten het spotten van wildlife genoten wij ook van de exotische natuur waarin je je dan bevindt.

Om je een echt junglegevoel te bezorgen, regelen wij de overnachtingen op een campsite in het national park. Je verblijft in een tent met comfortabele bedden en sanitaire voorzieningen. Val in slaap met de dierengeluiden op de achtergrond en maak zo je wildlife experience compleet!

Dag 15 t/m dag 17 – Strandverblijf Unawatuna

Tijdens je verblijf in de geheime tuin van Unawatuna zul je je niet snel vervelen. ’s Morgens wordt het ontbijt geserveerd op de veranda of op een plekje in de tuin naar keuze. De tropische vogels fluiten op de achtergrond en wij waren blij verrast door wat wij voorgeschoteld kregen. Het strand van Sri Lanka Unawatuna, waar je toch een beetje voor komt, ligt op ongeveer 200 meter afstand. Hier is het heerlijk vertoeven met wuivende palmen, goudkleurige zandstrand én helder blauw zeewater. Gelukkig is er ook een verkoelende zeebries waardoor je niet puffend op je strandstoel hoeft te zitten.

Als het hotel vol zit wordt er uitgeweken naar een ander leuk tuinhotel of hotel aan het strand.

Dag 17 & 18 – Reis naar Colombo, terugvlucht naar huis

Vandaag is de laatste dag van deze rondreis Sri Lanka individueel, maar wil je graag het verblijf in Unawatuna verlengen? Laat het ons dan weten dan plannen we nog wat extra nachten in.

Zo niet, dan brengt de chauffeur je naar de luchthaven voor je terugvlucht naar huis. Kijk in het vliegtuig terug op een onvergetelijke reis!

• last minute – zomer in Sri Lanka

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23 things you need to know before going to Sri Lanka

Oct 14, 2023 • 11 min read

Get to grips with Sri Lanka's complex culture with these top tips on health, safety and etiquette © Cavan Images / Getty Images

Floating in tropical waters off the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka is defined by its gentle Buddhist culture, friendly people and laid-back way of life despite its troubled recent history.

A little knowledge goes a long way when it comes to having an easy trip to this Indian Ocean island. For such a small nation, Sri Lanka is hugely diverse. Surf-pounded coastlines rise to forested national parks , temple-studded plains and jungle-covered highlands - with the added perk that nowhere is that far from a  beach .

Most visitors start on the coast and duck inland to tea gardens, ancient cities and national parks, but navigating Sri Lanka 's frenetic public transport system and cultural sensitivities can be confusing for new arrivals. To help you out, here are some of the things you need to know before traveling to Sri Lanka.

1. Apply for a visa in advance

As a first step, check the latest visa requirements for Sri Lanka. Most nationalities need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in advance of travel, but fortunately, they're not hard to get.

2. Check your travel vaccinations

Sri Lanka is a tropical destination, so check with your doctor to make sure you're up to date with your travel vaccinations. Recommended vaccinations for Sri Lanka include diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and polio. Long stayers might also consider getting vaccinated against typhoid and rabies (although rare, rabies can be fatal, and it's carried by dogs, cats and monkeys in Sri Lanka).

3. Plan your trip according to the monsoons

Between May and September , the south coast and west coast of Sri Lanka are lashed by the southwest monsoon, which brings plenty of rainfall and choppy seas, while northern and eastern parts of the island are fine and dry. When the northeast monsoon hits Sri Lanka between November and March, the south and west are at their best, and it's the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka that see the showers.

In fact, monsoon rainfall in Sri Lanka is quite sporadic – expect short, sharp downpours interspersed with long, hot sunny spells. Traveling to different parts of Sri Lanka during their rainy "off-seasons" has its rewards – visitor numbers fall and hotel rates drop quite significantly.

4. There's no alcohol for sale on full moon days and religious events

Sri Lanka has a huge number of bank holidays, and almost half of these are poya days, marking the arrival of the full moon, an auspicious event in Sri Lankan Buddhism. All poya days are dry days – alcohol is not sold in shops, restaurants or bars (though you can still access your hotel room’s minibar). The ban on alcohol also extends to other religious events such as the Buddhist festival of Vesak in May.

5. Carry cash: the currency is the Sri Lankan rupee

Stock up on rupees on arrival in Sri Lanka, not before, and don't change more than you need. Sri Lankan rupees are hard to exchange outside of Sri Lanka. ATMs are widespread all over the country – stick to Bank of Ceylon ATMs where possible as they don't charge a fee. Card machines are common in larger hotels, restaurants and tourist-oriented shops.

Try to build up a stash of lower denomination notes wherever possible (for example, withdraw LKR5900 rather than LKR6000). You'll need small bills to pay for tuk-tuks and buy things from local shops and markets and for tipping. Carrying some cash in dollars, euros or pounds sterling is also useful – all are widely accepted in tourist areas.

6. Be realistic about how much ground you can cover

It takes a surprising amount of time to travel around Sri Lanka thanks to winding routes and the limited number of roads crossing the interior of the island. Traffic also has to navigate a variety of hazards including badly surfaced roads and roaming wildlife (buffaloes, cows, feral dogs and even elephants). To do the island justice, don’t rush. You’ll need at least a month for a circuit of the island with detours to national parks, ancient cities and tea plantations inland.

Thanks to Sri Lanka’s improving expressway network, road travel from Colombo to southern towns such as Galle ,  Matara and  Tangalla is fairly rapid. With its twisting, congested roads, the  Hill Country is the most time-consuming region to navigate (consider taking trains to explore instead).

7. Pack the right gear for Sri Lanka’s hills and religious sites

Sri Lanka’s mountains reach elevations of over 2,000m (6,560ft) and temperatures are lower in the highlands than on the coast. Pack a light jumper for cooler nights and early morning starts (particularly between December and March). Also bring a sarong – you can use it as a beach blanket or towel, as a shawl or skirt to cover your shoulders or knees when visiting temples, and as a warm layer when traveling on air-conditioned buses or for pre-dawn safari jeep drives.

8. Plan ahead for the hill country trains

Sri Lanka Railways runs the nation's trains, including services on the spectacular Main Line, which slices east from Colombo  through the island’s highest mountains, cloud forests and tea estates. It’s a stunning journey and hugely popular with tourists and locals alike, particularly the section between Kandy and Ella .

Book tickets in air-conditioned first class or fan-cooled second class well ahead to guarantee a seat, either in person at stations or online via booking sights such as 12GoAsia . Tickets are released 10 days prior and sell out quickly.

9. Swimwear is for the beach only

For the most part, Sri Lankans are socially conservative and deeply religious. Swimwear is fine for the beach, but not when wandering about town. Going nude or topless is not permitted on any Sri Lankan beaches.

10. Avoid public affection and disruptive behavior

Public displays of affection are frowned on, as is loud or brash behavior, and losing your temper in public (keep this in mind when haggling – this should never be an angry process).

11. Dress respectfully when visiting temples

When making trips to religious sites, wear clothing that covers the legs and upper arms and shoulders. Remove your shoes and headwear before entering any Buddhist or Hindu temple or mosque, even if the site is a historic ruin. Socks are allowed (and you'll need them on scorching hot sunny days).

Tourists are less common in  Jaffna and the north where a distinct Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu culture predominates. Respect local etiquette when visiting Hindu temples – ask for permission before entering as non-Hindus are barred from entering some shrines. Some temples also require men to remove shirts and enter bare-chested (for example, Jaffna’s vast Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil ).

12. Show respect to Buddha images

Sri Lankan Buddhists take depictions of the Buddha very seriously and these should always be treated with respect. People have been deported from Sri Lanka for displaying "disrespectful" Buddha images, so avoid wearing clothing with Buddha images and if you have tattoos of Buddhist iconography, keep these covered. The same rules apply to statues – posing for selfies with a Buddha statue is a definite no-no, as is turning your back toward a Buddha image.

13. Be considerate when taking photographs

When photographing people, always ask for permission first. Note that if you photograph the famous stilt fishers at Koggala, you may be asked for payment (genuine stilt fishers are a rare breed nowadays). Flash photography isn’t allowed in temples (nor in the vicinity of military sites) and taking photos may be banned entirely at some Hindu sites. If you are photographing temples, be careful not to stand with your back toward a Buddha statue while you are snapping.

14. Use your right hand to eat

Traditionally, Sri Lankans eat with their right hand, using the tips of their fingers to mix rice and curry into little balls, and their thumb to gently push the food into their mouths. You may be encouraged to try this if you are invited into a local home for a meal, but always wash your hands first for hygiene reasons. Avoid eating (or shaking hands) with your left hand as it is used for less sanitary tasks such as personal ablutions.

15. Tipping is customary

Tipping is a way of life in Sri Lanka and many restaurant workers rely on the extra income this practice brings. Most larger hotels and restaurants add a 10% tip as standard; use this as a guide for how much to tip in places that don’t. 

16. Give wildlife space

In 2017, a British journalist died after being snatched by a crocodile at a lagoon near  Arugam Bay . Such attacks are rare, but they happen so be vigilant in rivers and lagoons. Dangerous sharks are not a problem in Sri Lanka, but poisonous snakes are found in waterlogged areas on land such as paddy fields. 

Keep a keen lookout for elephants on roads leading to national parks or when walking or driving in the hills. If you see one, keep your distance and be ready to back away. Never feed a wild elephant – this habituates elephants to associate humans with food and act aggressively.

17. Take standard safety precautions

Sri Lanka is one of the safest countries in Asia when it comes to petty crime. Violence against tourists is very rare, and theft and robberies are uncommon, though they do happen occasionally. As a precaution, wear a money belt and use your hotel safe.

Female travelers should avoid traveling alone at night, particularly on public transport, and take care walking alone on empty beaches. Given Sri Lanka’s conservative culture, long sleeves and dresses are culturally appropriate and will reduce the chance of being harassed.

18. Do not drink the tap water

Sri Lanka's tap water could theoretically be used for brushing your teeth but we don't recommend it, and it's certainly not safe for drinking. Bottled water is plentiful and better hotels provide clean drinking water for guests. If you do buy bottled water, check that the seal is intact and look for the Sri Lanka standards certification mark. Always dispose of empty bottles responsibly – filling your own drinking water bottle from a large bottle is better than buying lots of small plastic bottles.

19. Beware of scams and pickpockets

Scammers are active in  Galle Fort , Kandy and Colombo’s Galle Face Green , looking for tourists to cheat or charm out of money. Never buy gems hawked on the street – they will almost certainly be convincing fakes made from colored glass – and be dubious of any shop trying to sell you gems to "sell at a profit back home." Seek out information from official tourist offices and directly from operators rather than trusting agents, particularly if they seek you out first.   

Keep your money and valuables out of sight when on busy trains and buses, and when exploring crowded areas streets such as Colombo’s Pettah market district . Tuk-tuks have a habit of overcharging tourists – ask drivers to use the meter (and take another tuk-tuk if they refuse), or order a ride via Uber or local app,  PickMe .

20. Protect yourself against mosquitoes

Mosquito bites are one of the biggest health concerns in Sri Lanka. Although malaria has been eliminated, mosquitoes can carry debilitating dengue fever, a painful illness that can have serious side effects. No vaccinations are available for dengue and treatment can only reduce symptoms. Protect yourself by covering up at dawn and dusk, sleeping under a mosquito net and wearing strong repellent containing high levels of DEET ( diethyltoluamide ).

21. Be road-safe in Sri Lanka

Traffic is one of the biggest dangers facing visitors to Sri Lanka. Accidents involving motorcycles and lorries are common, and bus collisions – often involving pedestrians – are also a problem. Common causes of accidents include dangerous overtaking, overloading and pulling in suddenly to pick up passengers on the roadside.

Private bus company drivers tend to drive more recklessly than their government-run, SLTB counterparts. Don’t expect vehicles to stop at pedestrian crossings and keep your wits about you when walking beside any roads (sidewalks are rare in Sri Lanka).

22. Never underestimate the ocean

Sri Lanka's beaches may be idyllic, but there are few lifeguards and strong currents are a danger (particularly during the monsoon seasons). Many beaches shelve steeply and drowning is the second most common cause of death among tourists after road accidents. Seek local advice before swimming in unfamiliar water.

23. Natural disasters are a risk

Sri Lanka was one of the countries worst affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which swept away more than 35,000 people and devastated many coastal areas. Following the disaster, early warning systems have been put in place in major towns and resorts, but not in rural, isolated areas, so be alert to signs of earthquakes and tsunamis.

The most common natural disaster in Sri Lanka is localized flooding during the southwest and northeast monsoons, which can cause landslides in highland areas. Sri Lanka is also vulnerable to tropical cyclones and periods of drought. For up-to-date weather warnings and situation reports, bookmark the country’s Disaster Management Center website .

This article was first published March 2022 and updated October 2023

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Reviews 4.7.

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Colombia &Panama

Rickshaw put together a wonderful varied itinerary for 3 week holiday through Colombia &Panama. This ranged from city breaks to National parks and a beach resort at the end. Local guides made all the experience so personal,creating memories we will not forget such as shopping and cooking with a local family. Contact with local agents before the trip and throughout our holiday was excellent. This was our third holiday with Rickshaw, they all have been amazing. Highly recommend the company. Thanks for a brilliant service, we will use you again

Date of experience : March 08, 2023

Costa Rica is Pura Vida! country to…

Costa Rica is a great country to visit! Specifically the nature and wildlife. It is however not a cheap holiday and we were not always impressed with the food but this really depends on the hotel or restaurant we visited. Please check the reviews carefully. Riksja travel arranged a great trip and tours. Pura vida!

Date of experience : December 23, 2022

Reply from Riksja Travel

Muchas gracias Monique! We are happy you enjoyed Costa Rica with Riksja. We agree with the food... But the nature... Amazing, isn't it!? Pura vida! Kiki, Nienke, Tim en Dounia Riksja Costa Rica

Discovering Amazing Albanie ... Thank you riksja !

We are delighted by the country (it exceeded all our expectations) and the services of Riksja travel. You really raised the bar for customer experience to a next level: the pre travel communication, the beautiful brochure with our journey, the small details such as a sim card, the great traditional but luxury accommodations, the tips along the journey from both the local agent as the dutch office, the quick and personal responses to mails and whatsapp ... we talk in superlatives .. but that's only trying to match the experience you gave us ! big thanks !

Date of experience : July 31, 2023

Dream trip to Morocco

We had a very special trip to the desert in Morocco, it was the best birthdaygift we could give our now 18 year old Twins. It is clear that Riksja travel and their local partners know the country very well and select the most special places to stay. We love the tailored approach and the insider tips. We’ll certainly come back for another trip one day!

Date of experience : December 26, 2022

Thanks for the review! So nice to read you had an amazing time in Morocco. We would like to help you again. Kind regards Riksja Travel.

An experience of a lifetime!

We have been traveling with Riksja for 6 times now, in various parts of te world. And it has always been GREAT! Our last experience was Mexico - a 3-week trip through Yucatán. And just when we thought it could not be better… it was indeed! Everything was absolutely perfect. The first day we met our travel agent who was more than kind and gave us all kinds of useful advice, including a SIM card that helped us use google maps during our journey. During our trip she reached out to us several times to hear if everything went right. The hotels, the trips, the guides. All so well organized! And on top op that, we were accompanied by Tess… she gave us all kinds of useful tips (restaurants, tours, sites) via app at the time we were in a city or place. We absolutely fell in love with Mexico, the beautiful cultures, history and friendly people. Thanks to Riksja! An experience of a lifetime.

Date of experience : January 09, 2023

Buenos dias Masjenka en Arnoud, Wat een geweldige review! Bedankt voor de mooie woorden en we snappen heel goed dat jullie zo verliefd zijn geworden op Mexico. Geniet na van de mooie herinneringen en op naar de volgende Riksja reis. ¡Saludos! Riksja Mexico Mara, Rik, Denise, Nicole en Demi

Couples Costa Rica adventure!

Our itinerary was superb -we experienced 4 very different areas of Costa rica. We started in San Jose but missed the city tour because of our flight time. Our rain forest experience was second to none- fabulous jungle boat rides with abundant wildlife. Next was fortuna and the waterfalls and volcanos- the frog night tour a must and our volcano hike and hot springs a great experience . We organized the fortuna waterfall trip ourselves- well with the hike. The cloud forest was our next stop with zip lining and cloud forest hike- full of excitement. We visited the hummingbirds, cloud forest and orchid garden on our own all well worth visiting. Finally a beach retreat...kayaking and dolphin watching. We upgraded our beach hotel which was a great move. The rain forest lodge was fab and so were the other hotels but quite basic. We made so many special memories and had great fun with our friends- we would love to return The only slight niggles were the local representative ecole...we had to wait an hr and half at airport and call twice before were were collected not what you want after a long flight. They got our name wrong which caused hold ups with pick ups and our itinerary wasn't very accurate. Luckily we had access to the one given us in the UK.

Date of experience : April 21, 2023

Hi Amanda! Muchas gracias for your review. Kind regards!

We enjoyed traveling with Riksja.

We enjoyed traveling with Riksja. They help to organize a balanced trip for everybody's need in the family. The accomodations are not always luxurious but you are well informed about that and this makes it also more adventurous. If you like luxurious hotels suits Riksja is not for you. We really appreciated the variation in activities and accomodations.

Date of experience : July 21, 2023

We had a beautiful roundtrip

We had a beautiful roundtrip. Bali and Lombok. Everything was well organized. The information, the timing, the balance between activities and relaxing.

Date of experience : January 18, 2024

Great experience

Great experience, great choice of accommodations and active communication. One negative point of feedback: we missed more information about the border drop off and mayby a sort of checklist going out of Costa Rica into Nicaragua. Greetz Veroniek and Nancy

Date of experience : May 04, 2023

We made a family trip to Costa Rica

We made a family trip to Costa Rica. All was well planned and organised. Riksja listened to our preferences and interests.

Date of experience : December 24, 2023

Great trip to Jordan

This was the 2nd time that we choose for Riksja Travel and definitely not for the last time. Riksja organised for us a round trip for a week in the amazing country of Jordan. Everything went as planned. The rental car, all hotels and excursions were just perfect. We loved the hotel's they picked, mostly local style and small. Only the hotel in Wadi Musa (Petra) was a little bit disappointing, but I am afraid that this is with almost all hotels in the neighborhood of Petra. We especially loved the Aladin Camp in the Wadi Rum. One tip from my side when you are planning a trip to Jordan; please book 2 nights in the Wadi Rum and book a 6 hour tour through the dessert, Riksja came up with this idea and we are so glad they did, this was totally amazing. If you only do the 2 hour tri, which we did on the day of arrival, you only do the 'rondje om de kerk', together with dozens of other tourists. Also worth to mention that the contact with Riskja during the booking process was very good, everything was possible and they reacted quite quick on my questions.

Date of experience : May 02, 2023

Lovely trip but improvement needed

We had a lovely trip to Norway. Most of It was well organised by Riksja travel. A couple of comments: The hotel we stayed in was very basic. It was also located right next door to a night club which we could hear on the 6th floor! This resulted in not much sleep on the last night. We booked our flights through Riksja and had a stop over in Bergen. No one told us that on the way to Tromsø we had to take our suitcase to be checked in again to the connecting flight which is very unusual anyway. On the return flight we did not have to check in the suitcase again which made that we waited for nothing and nearly missed our connecting flight which was a very stressful experience. The Northern lights tour was not a success due to nature not doing its thing but there was no option to re-book as this trip was booked for the last night. These trips can better be booked on earlier nights in case the first trip is not succesful.

Date of experience : January 07, 2023

We had an amazing cruise at the Nile…

We had an amazing cruise at the Nile with Riksja. Lots of help from Miriam. ( Cause we did part of the holiday with Riksja & part of it on our own, it needed a bit more coordination, all went very well!). And the tip from Tess to go to Elephantine island was the best!

Date of experience : February 08, 2023

They really gave us a complete…

They really gave us a complete honeymoon. Great suggestions all month.

Date of experience : January 06, 2024

Road trip in Sicily.

Went to Sicily for 10 days. Riksja helped us to organize a great trip. Booked our flight hotels and car. Very accurate en quick respons to all of our questions. We could reach them at any time of the day. They gave us tips during our trip, suggestions where to eat and what to do.

Hi Monique, grazie mille voor je leuke review! Wat fijn om te lezen dat jullie het naar jullie zin hebben gehad. Geniet nog lekker na! Groetjes, Riksja Italië Denise, Dounia en Demi

Good travel agency for individual travel

Generally well organized. Got very good 24/7 back office support during travel which was very useful. Would consider planning travel next time.

Date of experience : November 26, 2018

Hi Gytis, Thanks for your nice feedback! Really appreciated. Hope to welcome you again on one of our Riksja Travel destinations! Kind regards, Renate & Corina

Riksja travel is the best

A very great company. They are the best i can wish. The service from the beginning till the end is good. They are really interested in you. The places where i have bin was amazing. Everything was included. They bring you to the biggest spots in Thailand. Thailand was my first time in Asia en i really enjoyed it. They gave me an very big impression about Thailand.

Date of experience : December 09, 2022

Hi Thijs, Thank you for the great review. It's nice to read you had an amazing trip to Thailand. We would like to help you again with a trip. Kind regards Riksja Travel.

Service is more than great

Service is more than great! Everything was arranged perfectly. The hotels were very pretty! Thank you for this unforgetable adventure.

Date of experience : January 31, 2023

A super holiday in Costa Rica organized…

A super holiday in Costa Rica organized by Riksja travel. Not the first time and certainly not the last. Nice stay's. Good service. Real holiday without worries

Date of experience : November 25, 2022

Hi Karin, thank you for the review! Nice to read you had an amazing trip to Costa Rica. We would like to help you again with an amazing trip. Kind regards Riksja Travel.

Good quick organisation

Good quick organisation, all good and timely. Would book again with Riksja

Date of experience : February 26, 2024

Our booking forms are taking a short break this evening, but will be back online soon. Thanks for your understanding.

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Travel Advisory September 5, 2023

Sri lanka - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued after periodic review with updates to protest information. 

Exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka due to civil unrest , and terrorism.

Country Summary: Protests over the economic and political situation in Sri Lanka could erupt at any time. In some instances, police have used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters. U.S. citizens are reminded to avoid all gatherings, even peaceful ones, that could turn violent with little or no warning.

Terrorist attacks have occurred in Sri Lanka, with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, hospitals, and other public areas.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in remote areas. 

 Read the  country information page . 

 If you decide to travel to Sri Lanka: 

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues. 
• Follow the instructions of local authorities. 
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information. 
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds. 
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . 
• Review the  Crime and Safety Report  for Sri Lanka. 
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist. 
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel. 

Embassy Messages

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Quick Facts

Must be valid for six months from expected date of departure from Sri Lanka.

One page required for entry stamp. 

Yellow fever vaccine is required for individuals above nine months of age who are traveling to Sri Lanka from a country designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to have a risk of yellow fever transmission, including transit more than 12 hours in an airport located in such a country. For more information, please refer to WHO .

Foreign currency over USD 15,000 must be declared.

If exiting with foreign currency over USD 5,000, the full amount brought in or acquired in Sri Lanka must be declared.

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy colombo.

210 Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka Telephone: +(94) (11) 202-8500 Fax: +(94) (11) 202-7345 Email:  [email protected]

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Sri Lanka for information on U.S.- Sri Lanka relations.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

U.S. citizens visiting Sri Lanka must have either an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a visa to enter Sri Lanka. 

U.S. citizens intending to visit Sri Lanka for purposes of tourism or transit require an approval notice from Sri Lanka’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) System), onward/return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds. The ETA system is available online or at the port of entry; however, visitors are strongly urged to use the online system to avoid lengthy delays at the port of entry. This travel authorization allows entry for up to 30 days.  

U.S. citizens intending to visit Sri Lanka for short-term business activities such as participating in business meetings, engaging in business negotiations, or attending conferences and workshops are required to obtain a business ETA. Business ETAs are not available online. Business travelers must obtain travel authorization either from the nearest Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulate before arrival in Sri Lanka, or at the port of entry in Sri Lanka.

U.S. citizens intending to visit Sri Lanka for religious or volunteer work or for local employment must obtain entry visas from the nearest Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulate before arrival in Sri Lanka. These visas are not available at the port of entry or through the online system.

All visitors staying beyond the expiration date of their visa must obtain a visa extension from the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo and pay the relevant visa fees.

Specific inquiries regarding entry and exit requirements should be addressed to the  Embassy of Sri Lanka , 3025 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington DC 20008, telephone (202) 483-4025, fax (202) 232- 2329. Contact the Sri Lankan Embassy by  e-mail ; the Sri Lankan Consulate General in Los Angeles at 3250 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2180, Los Angeles, CA 90010, telephone (213) 387-0210; or the  Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations  in New York City, 820 Second Avenue, 2 nd Floor, New York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 986-7040, fax (212) 986 1838. There are several honorary Sri Lankan consuls general and consuls in the United States. Visit the  Embassy of Sri Lanka website  for current visa information.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Sri Lanka. 

Safety and Security

Terrorism: Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)

The last terrorist attack in Sri Lanka occurred on April 19, 2019, when terrorists carried out coordinated bombings of hotels and churches in Colombo and Batticaloa, killing more than 250 people and injuring more than 500 more. The terrorists were Sri Lankan nationals associated with the Islamic groups National Thowheeth Jama’ath Millathu Ibraheem. Authorities believe the perpetrators of the attack are dead or have been captured. Many hotels and shopping areas increased their physical security presence in response to the bombings and security screenings of guests and bags has become standard in many locations.

For more information, see our Terrorism page.

Most crimes against U.S. citizens continue to be petty crime and crimes of opportunity (e.g., pickpocketing, hotel room thefts, and fraud). There is some organized criminal activity, which can involve drug-related crimes and gang-on-gang violence, but these events do not tend to involve foreign travelers.

There are occasional reports of credit card fraud. Authorities have arrested foreign nationals and organized groups for complicity in financial crimes. Avoid situations where your card is removed from your view. There have been reports of employees at reputable businesses (e.g., restaurants or chain grocery stores) wearing data skimming devices in their clothing and scanning a victim’s credit card or using other methods to steal credit card information. ATM skimming is also a threat. If you use an ATM, be on the lookout for skimming devices. Cover keypads with your hand.

Street hustlers are common around popular hotels, shopping areas, and other tourist sites. There are occasional reports of snatch and grab theft of purses or jewelry owned by tourists, but no recent reports of armed robberies.  Beware of tuk-tuk or taxi drivers offering “special” tours or access to festivals or gem shops. This common scam often results in tourists being heavily pressured to buy “gems” that are either cut glass or are worth much less than the price being asked.

Likely due to Sri Lanka’s economic situation, there is a scam in which a tuk-tuk driver charges your ride using an app on their phone, claiming the meter is broken. When you get close to the destination, the phone either slips down or the app closes, and they charge a much higher amount than the routine cost. If a tuk-tuk does not have a meter, agree on a price before beginning the ride, and try to have the correct amount of cash so you do not need change.

Surf schools are known to run scams where they claim renters damaged their boards and demand exorbitant prices to repair the damage. Examine and take pictures of your surfboard before taking it into the water.

Sexual harassment is pervasive. Both foreigners and locals, more commonly women, report instances of cat calls and physical harassment (grabbing of body parts) while in crowded areas and/or public transportation.

Demonstrations  occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. 

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 
• Past demonstrations have turned violent. Police may deploy water cannons and/or tear gas in response to violent protests.
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.

In general, demonstrations in Sri Lanka are peaceful, resulting only in traffic congestion. However, some have ended in violence between the protestors and police or opposition groups. Demonstrations can involve confrontations with police, resulting in the use of water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds. Large political rallies are common. These rallies are generally peaceful but can disrupt traffic.

International Financial Scams: See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.

Internet romance and financial scams occasionally occur in Sri Lanka. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited text messages and WhatsApp messages. Common scams include:

• Romance/Online dating 
• Contracts with promises of large commissions 
• Work permits/job offers

Tips to avoid scammers:

• Look for red flags like their location is far away, their profile was recently created or seems too good to be true, the pace of the relationship is moving too quickly, or they ask for money.
• Set up a phone call/video chat in the initial stages.
• Do a reverse image search on the profile picture.
• If they ask for help, you should refer them to the closest U.S embassy or consulate so we can assist them.

Be cautious of using dating apps/online dating websites abroad as U.S. citizens can be targeted by scammers. Make sure to inform your friends and family of your whereabouts, meet at a well-known public location, and do not consume suspicious food or drinks. Avoid traveling alone to bars or nightclubs.

Technology Usage Abroad: Mobile devices are vulnerable to compromise, theft, and physical damage anywhere in the world. Best practices prior to traveling abroad are keeping all software (operating system and apps) updated, and use virtual private network and encrypted voice over IP (VoIP) applications if possible. Make sure that all VPN/VoIP are reputable, and U.S. based. Do not connect to unknown open Wi-Fi.

Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact both the tourist police (hotline: 1912 or 011-242-1451) and the U.S. Embassy (011-202-8500) for assistance. Report crimes to both the tourist police and the U.S. Embassy. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care ;
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police;
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent;
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation  and following its conclusion;
• Provide a list of local attorneys ;
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S. ;
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution;
• Help arrange flights home; and
• Replace a stolen or lost passport .

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. If you break local laws in Sri Lanka, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what is legal and what is not where you travel. 

In places like military checkpoints, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you. When arriving in Sri Lanka, ensure your luggage does not contain prohibited or restricted items, such as weapons, ammunition, explosives, gold, narcotics, and pornography. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Sri Lanka are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Under the Cultural Prosperity Act and the Antiques Ordinance, the unlicensed export of antiques from the country is considered a criminal act.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask the police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods:  Counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries and they may be illegal according to the local laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods may pose significant risks to consumer health and safety. You may be subject to fines and/or have to give up counterfeit and pirated goods if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website and U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.

Special Circumstance : Sri Lanka recognizes limited  dual nationality . For further information, please contact the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, D.C., the Consulate General in Los Angeles, or the Sri Lankan Mission to the United Nations in New York City.

The Sri Lankan police and military maintain several checkpoints throughout the country. U.S. citizens are advised to always carry identification such as their passports with them while in Sri Lanka. Photography is prohibited in designated high security zones and near many government facilities such as offices and military installations.

U.S. citizens who arrive by yacht or private boat should be aware that all marine harbors are high security zones. Travelers arriving by sea should be prepared for Sri Lankan Navy officials to inspect their vessels and should always wait for radio clearance before coming into port. 

Religious Laws: Tourists should be mindful of restrictions and observances when planning to visit any religious establishment, whether Buddhist or Hindu temples, mosques, churches, or other locations considered sacred by the local population. Posing for a photograph with your back to a statue of Buddha is a serious offense in Sri Lanka, punishable by a fine or arrest. Travelers should also be cognizant of displaying religious imagery, including tattoos of Buddha, while traveling to and transiting within the country, as foreign nationals have been arrested or denied entry to Sri Lanka due to such tattoos.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports

International Volunteers:

• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

Women Travelers: If you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, you are encouraged to call the tourist police immediately (hotline: 1912 or 011-242-1451) and follow up with a call to the U.S. Embassy (011-202-8500). We can sometimes connect you with a non-governmental organization in Sri Lanka that may be able to provide assistance.  If you are victimized overseas, you may be entitled to receive compensation for counseling and/or other services such as relocation back to the United States. For further information, visit the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women .

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes committed in Sri Lanka. See our tips for  Women Travelers .

Students: See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

LGBTQI+ Travelers : See our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: While in Sri Lanka, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. The Sri Lankan Supreme Court has directed that steps be taken to provide easy access for persons with disabilities to public buildings. Although there are regulations on accessibility in place, lack of wheelchair access in most buildings limits access for people with disabilities. Potholes and sidewalks in poor repair can make movement very difficult. The road network in Sri Lanka is improving, but many roads remain in medium to poor condition. Sidewalks and road crossings in most major towns tend to be congested with vendors, stray dogs, and groups of people loitering on street corners. 

Ambulance Services: For ambulance services in the Sri Lanka, dial 1990.

Ambulance services are widely available, but response times vary, and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. Ambulances are typically not staffed with trained paramedics and often have little medical equipment. Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

We highly recommend that all travelers review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Travelers’ Health webpage and general Traveler Advice for Sri Lanka. 

• Review all sub-sections including the Travel Health Notices, Vaccines and Medicines, Non-Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Stay Healthy and Safe, Healthy Travel Packing List, and After Your Trip.  
• Reasons for Travel (for example: Adventure Travel, Spring Break Travel)  
• Travelers with Special Considerations (for example: Allergies, Long-Term Travelers and Expatriates)  
• General Tips (for example: Traveling with Medications, Travel Vaccines)  

The Department of State, U.S. embassies, and U.S. consulates do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

The Department of State strongly recommends supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Medical Facilities: There are six large hospitals in the Colombo area, including four facilities with emergency medical and trauma service: Asiri Surgical Hospital; Lanka Hospital; Asiri Central Hospital; and the government-run National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Medical facilities outside Colombo are limited. Hospitals and doctors typically require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. The availability of medical supplies is uneven; therefore, travelers should always carry any prescription medications with them. Serious medical conditions can require evacuation to the United States or to a nearby country with more advanced medical facilities, such as Thailand or Singapore. Neither Thailand nor Singapore require U.S. citizens to have entry visas.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Pharmaceuticals: Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescriptions in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments. Please visit U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with Sri Lanka's Ministry of Health to ensure the medication is legal in Sri Lanka.

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

Water Quality: In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.

Infectious Diseases: Several mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever, Chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis are present in Sri Lanka. Dengue fever, in particular, is widespread in Sri Lanka’s Western Province, where the capital Colombo is located. Adequate mosquito protection is strongly advised to prevent this serious illness.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended vaccines that are specific to this region include Japanese encephalitis and typhoid (and rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis for some travelers).

For additional health information about Sri Lanka, please visit:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: While in Sri Lanka, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Vehicular traffic in Sri Lanka moves on the left (British style). Traffic in Colombo can be congested. Narrow two-lane highways, overloaded with trucks, poorly driven buses, and a variety of conveyances on the road, ranging from ox carts and bicycles to new four-wheel-drive vehicles, make driving dangerous. Unexpected roadblocks and one-way streets are common and may not be clearly marked. Many visitors hire cars and drivers for long trips through the country. Individuals who choose to hire three-wheeled vehicles (“tuks” or “three wheelers”) should use metered vehicles or negotiate prices beforehand to avoid confrontations upon arrival. If you are renting a vehicle, you should specifically request one with working seatbelts.

Heavy rains sometimes cause flooding which can make roads inaccessible for several days and bring with them the risk of landslides.

GPS Navigation Apps are helpful in getting U.S. citizens around in a foreign country. Prior to using the GPS app make sure you research the route to make sure it is safe. The GPS navigation app may give you the shortest route without safety considerations.

Public Transportation: While public buses are readily available, the U.S. Embassy does not recommend using them due to safety concerns.

See our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of Sri Lanka’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Sri Lanka, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA's safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Sri Lanka should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the NGA broadcast warnings .

For Additional Travel Information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA)  report.

Travel Advisory Levels

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Riksja Travel   Reviews

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Professional "stitching" by Riksja Travel

Riksja and Encounter Latin America stitched our Peru destinations seamlessly together. Really amazing! The hotels and guides were great. We -a 2 person party- did a 3 1/2 weeks highlights tour through southern Peru. Variety and colorful. Friendly people, fine cuisine!

Date of experience : 27 March 2024

Great trip to Thailand

We travelled for 2 weeks in Thailand. Everything was very well organized and according our wishes. Great hotels on good locations and very nice organized activities.

Date of experience : 15 March 2024

Extending, amazing NEW ZEALAND

We did make the booking again in 2023 for Feb 2024, 2 times canceled because of COVID. We are now with the road-book from Riksja Travel and its amazing what we have seen 🤗😀, Sperm Whale, Seals, Albatros, Bush walk in the Rainforest, nice sleeping places AND ALL BOOKED BAY Riksja Travel👍👏 I have one happy WOMEN, Nothing to find out, its holiday 😀🤗 Thanks to Riksja Travel 💞

Date of experience : 03 March 2024

Beautiful Thailand trip

Beautiful Thailand trip. From February 12 to 29, 2024 we took a trip through Thailand via Riksja Travel. we are 4 retired people over 75 years old. We enjoyed it immensely and all agreements that Riksja Travel made for us were fulfilled excellently. we really have nothing to complain about. the people who arranged for us through Riksja Travel and Khiri Travel were all very friendly and helpful people. in particular the staff of the On on hotel in Phuket (Yaya and Janie) took good care of us in the last few days. In short, we had a great time and an unforgettable holiday. we will recommend it to everyone.

Date of experience : 29 February 2024

Great 8 day trip to Egypt

We just returned from a great 8 day trip to Egypt and we are spoiled for ever: all went so smoothly. The very knowledgeable guides were there where they had to be. The safe drivers with their clean and comfortable vans were able to pick us up and drop us off at the right time and place (while we could leave our valuables in the van). As organiser of the 6 persons trip, I could really relax myself as well. We once had been dropped off at the wrong hotel, but the local and Dutch team responded within minutes and solved the issue even better than we expected. I really consider a trip again with Riksja next time.

Superb trip to Vietnam

We had great 18 days of holidays in Vietnam. We started 27/12 dec. in Hanoi and ended on Phu Quoc island on 14/1. This was a superb timing to visit this country, we had only 1 day of some rain and temperatures were not that high. Riksja and their colleagues from local agent, Asian Trails, desreve compliments for all their contribution ( choices of hotels, guides and execution). We intend to spend our next holidays with Riksja.

Date of experience : 14 January 2024

Great trip experiences for many years

Very competent contact persons with the very good know-how of the local environment / land and situation in there let us plan our trips comfortably and individual for many years / trips now. Again, the availability of the contact person (this time Vincent de Kolf) and flexibility of the planning will end up in hopefully a great trip. Very good price / value range for the proposed packages. Very good data management, e.g. possibility to come back to previous proposals.

Date of experience : 06 December 2023

We booked a trip to Japanve

We booked a trip to Japan. They offered great suggestions and catered to our wishes and offered an amazing time. They planned everything out which meant we could sit back and enjoy our holiday. The team is very friendly and were always available for questions and feedback. The only criticism I have is how all information was shared with us over various emails - this meant I had to spend a lot of time in putting all this information into one concise document. Hopefully they can develop an app in the future which their customers can use to find all relevant information.

Date of experience : 12 November 2023

Positieve experiences in Jordan

We really enjoyed travelling with Riksja (25M and 24F). Definitely would advise using a travel agency in Jordan. Riksja is a safe and cheap option. We did not have any troubles during our trip and did memorable things almost constantly. There were some hotels that were less spacious/luxurious (we were informed about this on forehand) so if you are looking for a luxurious type of holiday this might not be for you.

Date of experience : 14 May 2023

Great holiday in Jordanië

We travelled to Jordanie with Riksja Travel. Well organized thanks to Atlas Travel. A nice program thanks to Riksja! The whats app while traveling is a nice to have. We had to contact riksja while during our trip while there was a misunderstanding about arranging accommodation. We also felt that accommodation @wadi Musa (Petra) was poor. And last but not least it is important that riksja or atlas let hotels know when there is a family with children coming. We could have had family rooms in several hotels. Misted opportunity. Riksja did what they had to do and so did atlas. Overall we have had a wonderful holiday with so much highlights!!

Date of experience : 12 October 2023

a fantastic 2 week vacation in Costa Rica

We had a fantastic 2 week vacation in Costa Rica thanks to the great organisation of Riksja Travel. Everything was perfectly organised; nice tours, beautiful hotels, a very nicely timed planning in this gourgeous country. We saw turtles lay eggs, we had nice boat and walking tours through the jungle, we did some nice diving and saw sharks, we went to the cloud forest, saw sloths, toucans, we experienced how coffee chocolate and cane sugar is processed, saw beautiful beaches, did some surfing in the nicest surfing sea waves of the world. Everything was exceptionally wel organised (except for the weather as we had a lot of tropical rain). Thanks to the Costa Rica team of Riksja travel!

Date of experience : 19 August 2023

Reply from Riksja Travel

Hola! Thank you for your great review! What a beautiful journey in such a wonderful country. Warm regards of Riksja Costa Rica, Nienke, Tim and Caitlin

We opted for a private trip in Egypt

We opted for a private trip in Egypt. This went fantastic. What we liked the most was the caring attitude of our various guides. I felt very spoiled during the holiday. Everything went on time, and everything was arranged for us. Overall a great experience, we would decently do it this way again next time. What was also nice was the Watsapp service with ideas for sightseeing. Thank you for the beautiful holiday.

Date of experience : 02 November 2023

Great trip in South Africa

We had a great trip in South Africa, very well organized by Riksja, with our family with two kids 16 and 18. Both in planning and the actual trip they were very good advisers. We had great stays in B&Bs, very comfortable, some on stunning locations, although load shedding did not always help. The booked excursions were good! And there was plenty of time for us to organise our own activities and plan some relax time. Also , during the trip we got some nice advices from Tess via app. We would certainly recommend Riksja to others for South Africa.

Date of experience : 28 July 2023

New Zeeland we fell in love with you!…

What a fantastic trip and we are very pleased with Riksja. When we talked with otter people on oir trip, we felt blessed we were with Riksja🫶The hotels, the trips, the guides. All so well organized! And on top op that, we were accompanied by Tess… she gave us all kinds of useful tips (restaurants, tours, sites) via app at the time we were in a certain place. We were counting on her! When she was silent Some days, we missed her!

Date of experience : 01 November 2023

3 week Mexico road trip with Riksja Travel

Riksja Travel arranged a 3 week roundtrip through the Southeast of Mexico for us per rental car. Everything was well planned including some excursions. In terms of driven km’s it was quite intense, but it took us to amazing places that allowed us to experience real Mexico and the Mexicans. Communication and support during the booking process was good. During our trip per destination via Whatsapp we received tips of possible sites we could visit, activities to do and restaurants to enjoy. We were also able to ask for more tips or additional info. We enjoyed this service!

Date of experience : 07 April 2023

Buenas dias Brecht, Dank je wel voor je review! Jullie hebben echt genoten zo te lezen. Veel gereisd, maar ook veel gezien. Van de Mexicanen word je toch blij :) Geniet lekker na van alle mooie belevingen. Saludos, Riksja Mexico Mara, Denise, Rik en Demi

Positive emotions visiting Norway

The trip to Norway was really beautiful. The hotels arranged were in nice locations and easy to reach by car. Breakfasts were in all hotels very good, which helped for a good start of the day. One challenge was that quite some driving needed to be done. However overall it was a positive emotional holiday.

Date of experience : 14 August 2023

Jordan was a great experience. Riksja was so so

Jordan was a great experience. Their local agent Atlas Travel were very attentive and flexible. Riksja were available via WhatsApp but often referred me to phone the Netherlands (which is very expensive from overseas) Their initial booking process was quick but the person involved left the company and I needed to escalate to get vouchers etc. The hotel choices they had for Dubai stopover was poor and out of town so I sorted that out myself in Old Dubai which saved taxi fares. Trip to Jerash was good but could have been done without a tour guide. Accommodation at Petra and Camping at Wadi Rum were the highlights and made the trip worth while (especially camping under the stars) Amman could have been skipped to be honest and Dead Sea Resort was thankfully one night (there's not much to do)

Date of experience : 17 October 2023

Our 5th trip anniversary with Riksja

Our 5th trip with Riksja and again very well organized. We stayed in nice, small hotels in great locations. Also the local agent in Mexico, Solana, deserves a big compliment. They know their way in Mexico and responded quickly if we had questions. The whatsapp help "tess" was new and also a nice extra service.

Date of experience : 14 December 2022

Thanks for the review! Nice to read you had a great time in Mexico.

Mixed experiences sadly

Mixed experiences sadly. Was expecting them to come up with some nice fitting accommodations. But most of them were poorly, boring and some even filthy (even taking into account the post-COVID dust). Not worth the €216 you pay them for driver and hotels, especially when going to a reasonable priced country as Sri Lanka.

Date of experience : 27 May 2023

Wonderful Roadtrip USA

We went on a roadtrip on motorcycles in the USA with a group of 8 friends. We had chosen our itinerary ourselves and asked Riksja to book the flights and the hotels on the road. They did a great job. The 11(!) hotels were nice and their location wonderful. There was always a possibility to park our motorcycles and almost every hotel served a good breakfast. In case the hotel didn’t provide breakfast, there were lots of places in the surroundings of the hotel to choose from. The communication with Riksja was excellent and accurate. The Whatsapp-service really added value to our trip. We had booked our rental bikes ourselves, because Riksja can only arrange rental cars. That would have made it perfect, but nonetheless we can recommend Riksja for a 100%!

Date of experience : 24 April 2023