Travel Tips
All Holiday or Business travelers to Sri Lanka must have Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. One should contact official ETA website in Sri Lanka to obtain the same. A Sri Lankan visa is another important endorsement on a passport to facilitate the legal entry of non Sri Lankans into the territory and regulate stay period and the conditions governing such stay. One needs to have official authorization of visa to explore the country.
There are three kinds of visas which allow a tourist to enter and/or stay in the country.
Visit Visa - A visit visa is truly meant for tourists. It is an entry permit issued by Sri Lankan Government for foreign national. The visa contains details like period of time and condition of stay. Tourist and Business visa come under visit visas. Tourist visa is issued to travellers for sightseeing, excursions, visit relatives or yoga training and spa for a short period of time.
Business Visit Visa is for those who come to this country for business purpose and short periods of time. It may be applicable for single, double or multiple journeys.
There is a special photo permit to be availed to enjoy the million photographic opportunities in Sri Lanka. Similarly, there are entrance ticket charges for individual sites in the country. These tickets cover charges for photography, recording and parking.
While shopping, consider custom imports allowances. Tourists and visitors are allowed to bring duty free 1.5 litres of spirits, two bottles of wine, and a small quantity of perfume and souvenirs with a value not exceeding US $250.
Cameras and laptop computers must be declared on arrival.
Antiques more than 50 years old like rare manuscripts, books and anthropological material can be taken only by permission from country officials.
Foreign Currency Regulations
Visitors to Sri Lanka carrying more than US$10,000 should declare the amount to the Customs on arrival. All unspent rupees converted from foreign currencies can be re-converted to the original currency on departure as long as encashment receipts can be produced.
Climate of Sri Lanka is tropical in nature, so before travelling there, carry some comfortable linens and cotton wear to enjoy the most of this country.
Sri Lanka can be easily explored via a car in length and breadth, owing to its small size. So, it gives you more opportunities to discover the country’s exotic locales. Do carry your camera to capture the beauty of Sri Lanka in a captivating way.