atlas•

Sri Lanka: bra att veta före resan

Det viktigaste

  • 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.

Inresa och visum

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.

Ankomstformulär och tillstånd online

Passets giltighet: At least 6 months from arrival.

Vid gränsen kan man fråga efter

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

Tull

  • 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.

Kontrollerat 29 oktober 2026 · Källor: eta.gov.lk ↗, oravisa.com ↗, discover.passportindex.org ↗, srilanka-botschaft.de ↗, immigration.gov.lk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Pengar

Både kontanter och kort är vanligt. Kort främst i städer och turistområden.

Betalnätverk: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay

Apple Pay — inga uppgifter · Google Pay — inga uppgifter

Var du växlar pengar

  • 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

Var du inte bör växla

  • Hotels
  • Unlicensed street changers

Bankomater: 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.

Dricks: 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.

Kontrollerat 29 oktober 2026 · Källor: cbsl.gov.lk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Regler och förbud

Förbjudet

  • 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.

Lagar som resenärer bryter omedvetet

  • 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.

Kontrollerat 29 oktober 2026 · Källor: gov.uk ↗, srilanka.travel ↗, gov.uk ↗

Kultur och klädsel

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

Klädsel: 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.

Etikett

  • 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.

Kontrollerat 29 oktober 2026 · Källor: gov.uk ↗, srilanka.travel ↗

Klimat

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.

Månad för månad
  • januari: West/south coasts dry; east wet
  • februari: Dry west/south; good hill country
  • mars: Dry west/south; Adam's Peak season
  • april: Hot; Sinhala/Tamil New Year
  • maj: SW monsoon starts on west coast
  • juni: West/south wet; east coast good
  • juli: East coast and Arugam Bay at best
  • augusti: East good; Kandy Esala Perahera
  • september: East good; west still wet
  • oktober: Inter-monsoon rains island-wide
  • november: Rainy island-wide
  • december: West/south dry; east wet

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

Kontrollerat 29 oktober 2026 · Källor: meteo.gov.lk ↗, en.wikipedia.org ↗

Att packa

  • 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)

Ta inte med / förbjudet att föra in

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

Praktiskt

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

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

Trafik: vänstertrafik

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

Appar: PickMe, Uber, WhatsApp, Google Maps

Hälsa: 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.

Försäkring: Not required for the ETA; strongly recommended.

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

Kontrollerat 29 oktober 2026 · Källor: gov.uk ↗, wwwnc.cdc.gov ↗

Inreseregler ändras. Kontrollera före resan landets ambassad eller migrationsmyndighet.