Visiting Sri Lanka for the first time? It is a friendly, easy country to travel in, but a few things work differently from home. As a local company that welcomes first-time visitors every day in Negombo, here are the practical tips we share most often.
In this guide
Visa: get your ETA first
Most visitors need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to enter Sri Lanka. Apply online before you travel on the official website, eta.gov.lk, and be careful of look-alike websites that charge extra. Some nationalities currently get a free tourist ETA, and the rules change from time to time, so check the official site for your passport.
Money
- The currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR).
- ATMs are common in towns and at the airport. Some banks charge withdrawal fees, so take out larger amounts less often.
- Hotels and larger restaurants accept cards, but carry cash in small notes for tuk-tuks, snacks, temples and markets.
- Our boat tours accept card payments, so you do not need to carry lots of cash.
Phone and internet
Buy a local SIM card at the airport on arrival. Dialog, SLT-Mobitel and Airtel have kiosks in the arrivals hall, and tourist packages with plenty of data are cheap. You will need your passport. A local number makes it easy to use ride-hailing apps and WhatsApp.
Getting around
- PickMe and Uber are the easiest way to book cars and tuk-tuks at a fair price.
- Street tuk-tuks: agree the fare before you get in, or ask for the meter.
- Trains are scenic and cheap, especially in the hill country. Book reserved seats in advance in high season.
- Driving: Sri Lankans drive on the left. To drive yourself you need an International Driving Permit plus a local recognition permit. Most visitors hire a car with a driver instead.
Temple and church etiquette
- Cover your shoulders and knees at temples and churches.
- Remove shoes and hats before entering temple buildings.
- Never pose with your back to a Buddha statue or touch the statues.
- Buddha tattoos can cause serious offence; keep them covered.
In Negombo you can visit both: see St. Mary’s Church and Angurukaramulla Temple.
Health and safety
- Do not drink tap water. Use bottled or filtered water.
- Use strong sun cream and drink plenty of water; the sun is intense.
- Use insect repellent, especially at dawn and dusk.
- The sea can have strong currents. Only swim where locals say it is safe.
Electricity
Sri Lanka uses 230 V. Sockets are mostly British-style (type G, with three square pins) and older round-pin types (types D and M). A universal adaptor is the easiest solution.
Weather and when to go
Sri Lanka has two monsoons that affect different coasts at different times. On the west coast, including Negombo, the driest months are December to March. Read our full guide to Negombo weather by month.
Start your trip in Negombo
Negombo is only a short drive from the airport, which makes it the easiest place to begin. Read how to get from the airport to Negombo, our guide to your first or last day in Sri Lanka, and ease into the country with a relaxed sunset boat tour on the lagoon.
Planning a longer trip? Our guide to the Sri Lanka visa extension explains how to stay longer, and if you are thinking of hiring a car, read about self-driving in Sri Lanka and the main road rules first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Most visitors need an ETA. Apply online on the official site, eta.gov.lk, before you travel.
Can I drink tap water in Sri Lanka?
No. Drink bottled or filtered water.
What plug type does Sri Lanka use?
Mostly type G (British three-pin) and types D and M. Bring a universal adaptor.
Which side of the road do they drive on?
The left.
Is Uber available in Sri Lanka?
Yes, along with the popular local app PickMe.
Written by
Nalin Fernando
Nalin is the founder of Boat Tours Sri Lanka, a Negombo-based social enterprise that runs boat tours on the Negombo Lagoon with local guides. Nalin plans the tour routes and writes these guides from first-hand time on the lagoon, in the mangroves and around Negombo town.
