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Before you go to Sri Lanka: what to know

Must know

  • Everyone needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travel—apply only at eta.gov.lk. It's free for 40 nationalities (incl. Russia, UK, US, India, China and many EU states) until about May 2027; others pay USD 50.
  • Buddha images are sacred: tattoos of the Buddha can lead to deportation; never pose with your back to a statue or touch it.
  • Two monsoons hit different coasts: the south-west is best Dec–Apr, the east coast May–Sep.
  • E-cigarettes/vapes cannot be imported or sold.
  • Drug possession is punished severely, including for small amounts.

Entry and visas

All tourists need an ETA (30-day stay, double entry) obtained online before arrival. Under a scheme approved on 7 May 2026 the ETA is free for 40 countries for one year; everyone else pays the standard fee (USD 50 for most). Extensions are possible at the Department of Immigration in Colombo. An online arrival card is available but optional.

Online arrival forms and permits

Passport validity: At least 6 months from arrival.

At the border you may be asked for

  • Show the ETA approval (printed or on phone) and a return/onward ticket.
  • Officers may ask for proof of funds and accommodation.

Customs

  • Duty-free alcohol: 2 bottles of wine and 1.5 litres of spirits per adult.
  • E-cigarettes and vapes are prohibited imports.
  • Antiques (over 50 years old) need a licence to export.
  • Drones must be declared and need prior authorisation.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: eta.gov.lk ↗, oravisa.com ↗, discover.passportindex.org ↗, srilanka-botschaft.de ↗, immigration.gov.lk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Money

Cash and cards are both common. Cards are accepted mainly in cities and tourist areas.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay

Apple Pay — no data · Google Pay — no data

Where to exchange money

  • Bank counters in the Colombo airport arrival hall give normal bank rates
  • Banks (Commercial Bank, Sampath, HNB, Bank of Ceylon) and licensed money changers in Colombo

Where not to exchange

  • Hotels
  • Unlicensed street changers

ATMs: Bank ATMs (Commercial Bank, Sampath, HNB, BOC) are common in towns; a local fee may apply in addition to your bank's. Carry cash for rural areas.

Tipping: Many hotels/restaurants add a 10% service charge; otherwise 10% is appreciated. Tip drivers and guides (customary on multi-day tours).

  • Cards widely accepted in hotels and larger restaurants; tuk-tuks, small shops and temples are cash only.
  • Russian-issued Visa/Mastercard cards do not work abroad; bring USD/EUR cash or a card issued elsewhere.
  • Keep exchange receipts to reconvert rupees when leaving.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: cbsl.gov.lk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Disrespecting Buddhism: Buddha tattoos, posing with back to statues, touching or climbing on statues can lead to arrest or deportation.
  • E-cigarettes and vapes: import and sale banned.
  • Drugs: harsh penalties, including for cannabis.
  • Drones: need Civil Aviation Authority and Ministry of Defence permission.
  • Photography of military sites, police and some government buildings is prohibited.
  • Taking photos inside some temple shrines (e.g. Temple of the Tooth inner chamber) is restricted.

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Alcohol isn't sold on Poya (full moon) days; bars and liquor shops close.
  • Topless and nude bathing are illegal.
  • Same-sex sexual acts remain criminalised (rarely enforced).
  • Carry your passport or a copy.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, srilanka.travel ↗, gov.uk ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Buddhism about 70%, Hinduism about 13%, Islam about 10%, Christianity about 7%.

Clothing: Temples: shoulders and knees covered, white or light clothing preferred; remove shoes and hats (bring socks for hot stone floors). Modest clothing away from beaches.

Etiquette

  • Never turn your back to a Buddha statue for photos.
  • Use the right hand for giving, receiving and eating.
  • Ask before photographing monks and people.
  • Head wobble can mean yes or 'I understand'.
  • Public displays of affection are frowned upon.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, srilanka.travel ↗

Climate

Tropical, 27–31°C on the coasts, cooler in the hill country (Nuwara Eliya ~16°C). South-west monsoon May–Sep soaks the west and south coasts; north-east monsoon Nov/Dec–Feb hits the east and north. Inter-monsoon storms in Oct–Nov.

Month by month
  • January: West/south coasts dry; east wet
  • February: Dry west/south; good hill country
  • March: Dry west/south; Adam's Peak season
  • April: Hot; Sinhala/Tamil New Year
  • May: SW monsoon starts on west coast
  • June: West/south wet; east coast good
  • July: East coast and Arugam Bay at best
  • August: East good; Kandy Esala Perahera
  • September: East good; west still wet
  • October: Inter-monsoon rains island-wide
  • November: Rainy island-wide
  • December: West/south dry; east wet

Best season: December–April for the west, south and hill country; May–September for the east coast.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: meteo.gov.lk ↗, en.wikipedia.org ↗

What to pack

  • Plug adapter (types D, G, M; 230V)
  • Light clothing covering shoulders and knees, white for temples
  • Socks for hot temple floors
  • Warm layer for the hill country and Adam's Peak
  • Insect repellent (dengue)
  • Sunscreen and hat
  • Rain jacket for monsoon season
  • Leech socks for rainforest treks (Sinharaja)

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Clothing or items showing the Buddha
  • Visible Buddha tattoos—cover them
  • Vapes and e-cigarettes
  • Drones without permits

Practical

Plugs: Types D, G, M; 230V 50Hz

Water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water.

Traffic: drives on the left

Mobile and eSIM: Dialog, Mobitel and Airtel/Hutch tourist SIMs at Colombo airport (passport needed); eSIMs available.

Apps: PickMe, Uber, WhatsApp, Google Maps

Health: Dengue is common; use repellent. Consider hepatitis A, typhoid and rabies vaccines. Sri Lanka is certified malaria-free. Yellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk country.

Insurance: Not required for the ETA; strongly recommended.

Emergency: Police 119; Ambulance 1990 (Suwa Seriya); Fire 110; Tourist hotline 1912

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, wwwnc.cdc.gov ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.