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Sri Lanka: o que saber antes da viagem

O essencial

  • 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 e vistos

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.

Formulários e autorizações on-line

Validade do passaporte: At least 6 months from arrival.

Na fronteira podem pedir

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

Alfândega

  • 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.

Verificado em 29 de outubro de 2026 · Fontes: eta.gov.lk ↗, oravisa.com ↗, discover.passportindex.org ↗, srilanka-botschaft.de ↗, immigration.gov.lk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Dinheiro

Dinheiro e cartão são comuns. Cartões aceitos sobretudo em cidades e áreas turísticas.

Bandeiras: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay

Apple Pay — sem dados · Google Pay — sem dados

Onde trocar dinheiro

  • 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

Onde evitar trocar

  • Hotels
  • Unlicensed street changers

Caixas eletrônicos: 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.

Gorjetas: 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.

Verificado em 29 de outubro de 2026 · Fontes: cbsl.gov.lk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Regras e proibições

Proibido

  • 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.

Leis que turistas violam sem saber

  • 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.

Verificado em 29 de outubro de 2026 · Fontes: gov.uk ↗, srilanka.travel ↗, gov.uk ↗

Cultura e roupas

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

Roupas: 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.

Verificado em 29 de outubro de 2026 · Fontes: 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.

Mês a mês
  • janeiro: West/south coasts dry; east wet
  • fevereiro: Dry west/south; good hill country
  • março: Dry west/south; Adam's Peak season
  • abril: Hot; Sinhala/Tamil New Year
  • maio: SW monsoon starts on west coast
  • junho: West/south wet; east coast good
  • julho: East coast and Arugam Bay at best
  • agosto: East good; Kandy Esala Perahera
  • setembro: East good; west still wet
  • outubro: Inter-monsoon rains island-wide
  • novembro: Rainy island-wide
  • dezembro: West/south dry; east wet

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

Verificado em 29 de outubro de 2026 · Fontes: meteo.gov.lk ↗, en.wikipedia.org ↗

O que levar

  • 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)

O que não levar / proibido importar

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

Prático

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

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

Trânsito: mão inglesa (esquerda)

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

Apps: PickMe, Uber, WhatsApp, Google Maps

Saúde: 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.

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

Verificado em 29 de outubro de 2026 · Fontes: gov.uk ↗, wwwnc.cdc.gov ↗

As regras de entrada mudam. Antes da viagem, consulte o site da embaixada ou do serviço de imigração do país.