Practical information Sri Lanka

Yes, an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is mandatory for any tourist stay. You apply for it online on the official eta.gov.lk website before departure; the fee is approximately 50 USD for a 30-day stay, with double entry included. The process typically takes 24 to 48 hours, but we recommend completing it at least one week before your flight. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your planned return date and have at least two blank pages. Upon arrival at Colombo airport, present your printed ETA or the one on your smartphone. An extension up to 6 months is possible on-site through the Department of Immigration.

No vaccine is mandatory to enter Sri Lanka, except yellow fever if you are arriving from a country where it is circulating. We recommend being up to date on DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis) and measles. Hepatitis A and B and typhoid are advised for most travelers, rabies for long stays or travel to rural areas. Malaria was officially eradicated in 2016, no preventive treatment is necessary. However, dengue is present year-round in humid areas, transmitted by daytime mosquitoes: use effective repellent and wear long sleeves in the late afternoon. Consult your doctor or an international vaccination center six weeks before departure.

For a tailor-made trip with charming accommodations and an English-speaking driver-guide, expect between 90 and 150 euros per day and per person, excluding international flights. Flights from Paris to Colombo range from 700 to 1,100 euros depending on the season. On the ground, a meal at a local restaurant costs 4 to 6 euros, dinner at a mid-range hotel 15 to 20 euros. Entry to Sigiriya is 35 USD, a safari at Yala approximately 70 euros per person for a half-day. Accommodations range from simple guesthouses at 30 euros for a double room to boutique hotels at 200 euros per night. Catherine adjusts each quote according to your budget.

Sri Lanka can be visited year-round thanks to its two reversed monsoons. From December to March, it's peak season on the west and south coasts (Colombo, Galle, Mirissa) and in the highlands, with clear skies and 28 to 32°C in the plains. From May to September, the east coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay) enjoys dry weather while the southwest receives the monsoon. April and October are transition months, more humid everywhere but also less crowded and greener. To observe blue whales in Mirissa, aim for December to April. For the Gathering of elephants at Minneriya, August-September.

We strongly advise against self-drive car rental: driving is on the left, traffic is dense, and local road rules require familiarity. All our itineraries include an English-speaking driver-guide in a private air-conditioned vehicle, who handles all transfers and stays with you throughout your stay. Train travel is a pleasant option on two specific routes: Colombo-Galle along the coast, and especially Kandy-Ella through the tea plantations, six hours of stunning scenery. Distances may look short on a map but mountain roads are slow—expect an average of 40 km/h. For the north (Jaffna), a domestic flight saves you a day.

Sri Lanka is generally safe for travelers since the end of the civil war in 2009. The Easter attacks of 2019 and the economic crisis of 2022 are behind us, and tourism has fully resumed. Petty crime exists in Colombo and tourist areas (pickpocketing), so standard precautions apply. Women traveling alone should remain vigilant on public transport and prefer tuk-tuks booked via the Pickme app. Driving is the main objective risk, all the more reason to leave the roads to an experienced driver. Our team in Colombo is available 24/7 during your stay, and we follow the daily recommendations of the French Foreign Ministry.