F.A.Q

It's in the South-east region of Asia. Just below India a tear drop shaped island is Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka lies between the northern latitudes 5° 55. and 9° 55. and the eastern longitudes 79° 42. and 81° 52., 650km north of the equator.

Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) Approximate exchange rate USD 1 = LKR 197

It depends on your destination, activities and season of travel. Our destination specialists will recommend certain travel times after learning more about your preferences. The favorable months are usually December - March for the west coast and south coast, and from April - September for the ancient cities and the east coast. The northeast monsoon is usually November – March and the southwest monsoon is June – October.

Sri Lanka's electricity runs at 230-240V, 50 cycles AC. Round, three-pin sockets are normally used although you may occasionally find square three-pin sockets as well.

For decades, Sri Lanka was battling political unrest. A civil-war between Tamil insurgents and the Sinhalese government almost destroyed the tourism industry. The riots have ended and a peaceful environment has been restored. As with any international travel, be aware of your surroundings. Do not leave your valuables unattended on the beach, the balconies or terraces. Be cautious in markets and in open areas with crowds to avoid pickpockets.

It all depends on your destination and season of travel. In Sri Lanka, we recommend loose fitting cotton clothes (or some form of the breathable modern fabrics). Long sleeves and hats will keep you protected from the sun. Some warm clothes are recommended if you are traveling to the hill regions, where the evenings tend to get chilly. Layering is best to accommodate the varying temperatures. Dress modestly at religious sites and remember to remove your shoes and hat when entering a Buddhist or Hindu temple.

Rice is consumed with curries (eggplant, potato, green banana, chicken, and fish) that range from delicately-spiced to near-dynamite. There are also hoppers (a pancake-like snack), string hoppers (steamed rice noodles) and pittu (four and coconut mixture). Lamprais- rice and accompaniments baked in plantain leaves – is a legacy of the Dutch. Fresh fish, prawns, crab, squid and crayfish are readily available. Desserts include buffalo curd topped with palm-honey, and the caramel-like Wattalapam. Tasty snacks known as short eats are excellent for trips. Fruit includes mango, pineapple, banana and papaya, and the lesser-known but distinctive sapodilla, Mangosteen, Rambuttan, Woodapple custard apple and beli. Colombo has an impressive range of restaurants specializing in international cuisine.

English is widely spoken. Sinhala (Indo-Aryan language) (language of 74% of the population). Though Tamil (Dravidian language) is language of only 18.1% of the population, Tamil too is an official language in Sri Lanka.