Sri Lanka is a very popular tourist destination, owing to its lush greenery, golden beaches and friendly peoples. This island nation situated in the Indian subcontinent has a rich history and cultural diversity that is a joy to discover and unfold. Cheap flights to Colombo, the largest city in the country, can be found aplenty for those looking for a budget holiday with a wealth of experiences to be had.
- Visas
These have to be obtained prior to arriving in Sri Lanka at a small cost. Visas can be applied for online or via the Sri Lankan embassy present in your country.
- Language
Several languages are spoken in Sri Lanka, with the majority of the population conversing in either Sinhala or Tamil. English is widely used for official and commercial purposes, and can be spoken fluently mostly by residents in urban areas.
- Major Cities
The largest city in Sri Lanka is Colombo, which is considered the cultural capital of the country. Most major airlines service the island with flights to Colombo due to the largest international airport, Bandaranaike International Airport, being located here.
There are a multitude of luxury, internationally recognized hotels in Colombo for tourists to stay in during their visit, as well as more budget friendly options and bed and breakfasts.
- Transport
Public transport here includes buses and tuk tuks, which are three wheeled cabins that seat up to three passengers. Public transport is relatively cheap and affordable. Alternatively, private cars and vans, complete with drivers or without, can be hired for set periods of time.
- Currency
The local currency is the Sri Lankan rupee. Hotels will accept US dollars as payment, but you will be hard pressed to find other local vendors and establishments that will accept foreign currency. Therefore, it is essential to exchange your currency to the rupee.
Due to current exchange rates causing the rupee to fall against other major currencies, Sri Lanka is relatively inexpensive to visit and explore. Airlines are offering cheap flight colombo as well.
- Religious requirements
If you plan on visiting the various religious monuments situated on the island, you will have to abide by set clothing restrictions. For entry to Buddhist religious sites, you are required to remove any headgear, wear trousers or skirts that are minimum knee length and wear tops with sleeves. You are also required to remove any footwear, these will be held for you at secure counters outside the facility for a small fee.
For Muslim sites, you are required to dress modestly with your head, arms and legs covered, and bare feet.
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