Climate and Traditions
Sri Lankan climate is tropical, consisting of the distinctively dry and wet seasons differing from one side of the country to another, making the island an excellent year-round with the ‘right’ season to be somewhere on the island. On the western and southern coasts and up in the hills, the driest season is from November to March, but the weather on the eastern coast is at its finest between May and September. Keep in mind however, that apart from the arid northern area of the country, tropical showers can be expected at any time.
The average annual temperature in the country as a whole ranges from 28 - 32°C, with the temperature varying from as low as 16°C around Nuwara Eliya in the central highlands to as high as 32°C in Batticaloa on the East Coast.
Visas and Money
Since the 1st of January 2012, all travellers must be in possession of a visa when arriving in Sri Lanka. Citizens from Singapore and The Maldives are the only exception. Visitors can apply for the official Electronic Travel Authorization (visa) via www.eta.gov.lk or upon arrival at the airport. There is a small fee charged and you must have at least six months left on your passport at the time of travel to obtain one.
Safety
The whole island including the North and East, are safe to visit and in general, threats to personal security for travellers are remarkably small. In Sri Lanka, exercise the same amount of caution you would when traveling in any unfamiliar area. Mind your belongings in crowded areas and be careful when walking near busy roads. On the beaches, always ask locals for advice before venturing in the water anywhere that is not a popular spot for swimming. Also, note that conditions can vary radically and currents get strong even within a short distance from one end of the beach to another.
Communications
The international dialling code for Sri Lanka is +94. When making international telephone calls from Sri Lanka, dial 00 + country code + area code + telephone number.
All mobile operators support the GSM technology on GSM 900/1800 bands.
Health
Medical facilities in small towns outside of the main cities are not always of a good standard and it is recommended that you take out adequate health insurance covering evacuation. All necessary precautions should be taken and it is always best to check the current situation and any vaccination requirements with a doctor when planning your trip.
It is required to have yellow fever vaccination certificate, if you have visited yellow fever endemic countries in Africa or Latin America. Consider getting inoculations against typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and Japanese encephalitis as well.
In Sri Lanka, every town has a pharmacy selling common medicines. However, the availability of medical supplies may vary and therefore, we advise you to carry any special medication you may require.
Sightseeing, Shopping and Transport
Public Buses
The best thing about buses in Sri Lanka is that there are a lot of them, so there’s never much waiting around. There are two kinds in Sri Lanka – CTB (Central Transport Board) buses and private buses. Most are basic with bench type seats and no air-conditioning. There are also private air-conditioned buses – by far the most comfortable option for long journeys. Be prepared for large crowds – it’s not unusual to have some passengers hanging out the doors within city journeys!
Trains
The railway system in Sri Lanka is a fascinating way to travel and explore the country. However, they are slow, unpredictable and often late. For some of the longer journeys, you may take an overnight sleeper train (with actual sleeping berths) or a First Class ‘observation’ service. The Third Class service is the cheapest, but generally over-crowded and not particularly comfortable. Second Class is adequate, with padded seats (and sleepers with fold-down chairs), fans and less crowds than the Third Class option.
Three Wheelers
These funny looking vehicles, known in other parts of Asia as tuk-tuks, Bajajs’ or auto-rickshaws, are everywhere. For short distances, they are the most convenient way to travel, but a little uncomfortable for longer journeys. To avoid any hassles, make sure the driver uses a meter, or agree beforehand on the fare before you hop in. Some of the hotels can advise you on the ‘going-rate’ for your journey.
Motorbikes
For the most intrepid travellers, hiring a motorcycle is a good option for exploring the quieter hill country and beautiful coastline. Keep your safety in mind, stay off the main highways and watch out for the roaming buses!
Car and Driver Hire
Sri Lankan road conditions are somewhat challenging and, especially in the highlands, short distances take a long time. What we highly recommend is to hire a car with experienced chauffeur-guide, who helps you to make the most of your journey and ensures your safety.
Food and Drink
Though Sri Lankan food has some similarities to South Indian fare, it remains distinctly unique. Since Sri Lanka is a tropical island, coconuts and fish are the most important ingredients in the country. Fish is made into curries and coconut in some form or another, is a dominant component in cooking.
Rice and curry is the Sri Lankan staple, and most of the locals have it every day. A basic rice and curry meal consists of one curry (fish, beef or chicken) with spicy gravy, two or three different vegetable stews, a portion of crispy ‘papadam’ and a ‘mallum’ of chopped leaves and coconut. The hot and spicy flavours come from sliced onions, green chillies, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg and saffron.
Plugs and Electricity
Sri Lankan hotels have two types of plug bases; either the UK (Type G) or India (Type D).
If you have a Euro plug (Type C), you can stick a pen into the Earth socket (either UK Type G or India Type D) to open the shutters and insert the plug. But do NOT forget to switch off the power before you do this! Alternatively, adapters are freely available in supermarkets/ hardware shops.