Sri Lanka: qué saber antes del viaje

Lo esencial

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.

Entrada y visados

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.

Formularios y permisos en línea

Sri Lanka ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) ↗ obligatorio
Before travel; usually approved within 1–3 days · Tasa: Free for 40 countries; USD 50 for most others · All tourists except Singapore, Maldives and Seychelles citizens.
Online arrival card ↗ opcional
Up to 3 days before arrival · Tasa: Free · Air passengers; optional, speeds up immigration.

Validez del pasaporte: At least 6 months from arrival.

En la frontera pueden pedir

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

Aduana

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.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: eta.gov.lk ↗, oravisa.com ↗, discover.passportindex.org ↗, srilanka-botschaft.de ↗, immigration.gov.lk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Dinero

Se usan tanto efectivo como tarjetas. Tarjetas sobre todo en ciudades y zonas turísticas.

Redes de pago: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay

Apple Pay — sin datos · Google Pay — sin datos

Dónde cambiar dinero

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

Dónde no cambiar

Hotels
Unlicensed street changers

Cajeros: 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.

Propinas: 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.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: cbsl.gov.lk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Normas y prohibiciones

Prohibido

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.

Leyes que los viajeros incumplen sin saberlo

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.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, srilanka.travel ↗, gov.uk ↗

Cultura y ropa

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

Ropa: 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.

Etiqueta

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.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, srilanka.travel ↗

Clima

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.

Mes a mes

enero: West/south coasts dry; east wet
febrero: Dry west/south; good hill country
marzo: Dry west/south; Adam's Peak season
abril: Hot; Sinhala/Tamil New Year
mayo: SW monsoon starts on west coast
junio: West/south wet; east coast good
julio: East coast and Arugam Bay at best
agosto: East good; Kandy Esala Perahera
septiembre: East good; west still wet
octubre: Inter-monsoon rains island-wide
noviembre: Rainy island-wide
diciembre: West/south dry; east wet

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

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: meteo.gov.lk ↗, en.wikipedia.org ↗

Qué llevar

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)

Qué no llevar / prohibido importar

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

Práctico

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

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

Circulación: por la izquierda

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

Apps: PickMe, Uber, WhatsApp, Google Maps

Salud: 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.

Seguro: Not required for the ETA; strongly recommended.

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

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, wwwnc.cdc.gov ↗

Las normas de entrada cambian. Antes del viaje, consulta la web de la embajada o del servicio de inmigración del país.